Category: Blog

By Cecily Routman, Op-ed contributor Saturday, November 30, 2024Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks onstage at Food & Bounty at Sunset Gower Studios on January 13, 2019, in Hollywood, California. | Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been no stranger to controversy, and as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, he continues to make waves.

By accepting this role, RFK Jr. has drawn the ire of many high-powered profiteers, putting a significant target on his back. His commitment to cleaning up the agencies overseen by HHS places him at odds with the plans of the deep state, requiring tremendous courage, especially given his family’s history of assassination.

The HHS Secretary wields considerable influence, appointing directors to key health agencies like the FDA and CDC. This is far from a ceremonial position — it is one of immense responsibility. The corruption and potential criminality embedded in these organizations have long been shielded by the deep state, but RFK Jr. represents a threat to this shadowy network.

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As Proverbs 28:4 reminds us: “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.” The backlash from state-run media, pundits, and bureaucrats against Kennedy’s potential nomination only underscores the significance of his mission to shine light into the darkness of these institutions.

In 2023, lobbying by various industries reached a record $4.2 billion, with the pharmaceutical and health products sector at the forefront. Big Pharma remains the largest lobbyist in Washington, influencing lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. For RFK Jr., the battle for transparency and reform will not be easy, but his commitment to justice and truth is reminiscent of the biblical call to “hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate” (Amos 5:15).

Where Does RFK Jr. stand on abortion?

RFK Jr.’s stance on abortion remains nuanced. While he has expressed conflicting views, his focus is on “Making America Healthy Again” (MAHA), not on championing abortion rights. As a Catholic, he likely recognizes the humanity of unborn children and the risks many of today’s health crises pose to babies. However, his political messaging has been muddied by his outreach to Democrat donors.

Surrounded by pro-abortion advocates throughout his life, Kennedy may not yet fully embrace a pro-life perspective. However, his openness to new ideas is notable. In a recent interview on The Joe Polish Show, he admitted that he once held contempt for Donald Trump due to media propaganda but now views Trump as a great leader.

As RFK Jr. immerses himself in the Trump administration, the pro-life discussions he encounters could deeply impact him. Like the seeds of righteousness sown in fertile soil (Hosea 10:12), these conversations may shift his perspective from a “right to choose” mindset to a “right to life” conviction. His daily practice of prayer and meditation, rooted in his 12-step recovery journey, provides fertile ground for this transformation.

RFK Jr. has long been critical of the FDA, particularly its cozy ties to pharmaceutical companies. He is committed to investigating abuses within the agency, including its handling of chemical abortion pills (RU-486).

The FDA approved these drugs despite significant risks to women’s health. Regulations were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing pills to be prescribed without an in-person exam. This opened the door to dangerous misuse, including coercion in cases of sex trafficking. Women are often left to deal with incomplete abortions, hemorrhaging, and toxicity, resulting in emergency room visits.

RFK Jr.’s advocacy for public health extends to addressing these abuses. As Psalm 82:3 exhorts: “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.” His leadership could bring much-needed reform to protect vulnerable women and unborn children.

Kennedy’s background in environmental advocacy positions him uniquely to address the environmental impact of chemical abortion drugs. The Guttmacher Institute reported that 63% of U.S. abortions in 2024 were chemical. These drugs have been detected in water systems, raising concerns about contamination.

Groups like Students for Life of America are calling for legal action to prohibit chemical abortion drugs under the Federal Clean Water Act. Kennedy’s expertise in environmental law could lead to significant progress on this front, further aligning his work with biblical stewardship principles such as “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1).

A leader at a crossroads

RFK Jr. has the opportunity to become a champion for both environmental and public health. Should he learn about the ethical concerns surrounding NIH fetal tissue research or the full extent of abortion’s harm, his pro-life transformation could deepen.

This moment in history offers a chance for RFK Jr. to pursue righteousness in the face of opposition. Proverbs 21:15 reminds us: “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” By taking a stand against corruption and advocating for life, RFK Jr. could leave a legacy of justice and healing.

Like his father, RFK Jr. travels the less traveled streets, shattering stereotypes and advocating for the rights of others, rather than living a complacent life of Camelot royalty.

Cecily Routman is the President of the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation, an educational non-profit founded in 2007 to promote life-saving solutions to unplanned pregnancy in the Jewish community. www.jewishprolifefoundation.org.

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By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Friday, November 29, 2024Bishop T.D. Jakes speaks during the MegaFest “Women Thou Art Loosed” closing session at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on July 1, 2017, in Dallas, Texas. | Cooper Neill/Getty Images for MegaFest 2017

A day after suffering “a slight health incident” while preaching on Sunday, Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House megachurch in Dallas, Texas, filed a defamation lawsuit against former-pastor-turned-registered sex offender Duane Youngblood, who alleged he was sexually assaulted by Jakes when he was a teenager some 40 years ago.

“The underlying story in this case depicts a carefully planned effort by a convicted criminal, and those acting in concert with him, to rewrite history in order to deflect blame and accountability for his own reprehensible and criminal conduct and to publicly smear a renowned and eminently respected religious leader in a blatant and explicit attempt to extort him for millions of dollars,” lawyers for Jakes wrote in the 20-page lawsuit filed in the Western District Court in Pennsylvania in which they detailed Youngblood’s history of abusing minors since at least 2002.

Jake’s lawyers noted that Youngblood was first arrested on charges of sexual assault and corruption of minors and other charges while he served as a pastor of a church in Homestead. In that case, Youngblood was accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old in 2002 while counseling the boy. The teen sought counseling from Youngblood because a cousin had molested him, according to a police affidavit.

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Youngblood, who is on parole under the supervision of Pennsylvania’s Department of Parole, was also charged with inappropriately touching two teenage victims while he was counseling them between 2009 and 2011. In one instance, he reportedly engaged the victim on about 25 occasions.

“On all occasions, Youngblood has pleaded guilty and admitted to his heinous crimes,” the lawsuit notes.

Jakes’ lawyers noted that despite his background, Youngblood has conspired with others to extort Jakes, and the aim of the renowned pastor’s lawsuit is to stop the conspiracy and the pain it is causing Jakes.

“This lawsuit is intended to bring that scheme to a halt, to end the extreme emotional, physical, and spiritual toll Defendants’ conduct has caused Bishop Jakes, to set the record straight so the world understands the patent falsity of the accusations, and to restore Bishop Jakes’s reputation,” they note.

Jakes, 67, filed the lawsuit against the 58-year-old Youngblood, who claimed in interviews with internet personality Larry Reid on his “Larry Reid Live” show on Oct. 28 and Nov. 3 that Jakes assaulted him when he was about 18 or 19 years old.

Youngblood claimed to Reid that he had been talking with Jakes for about two hours at the home of an older adult clergywoman, where he was staying during a local church revival approximately 40 years ago when Jakes tried to kiss him.

“After sitting there and having this long discourse with him, I finally looked at my watch, and I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness, I got to go. I got to get this car back to my mother. She’s gonna kill me.’ So I said to bishop, ‘I got to get up,'” Youngblood recalled.

“And I got up from the table, he got up from the table, he walked around toward the way I had to exit quicker than I got over there, and when I started to walk past him, he pulled me to himself, wrapped his arms around me, and tried to kiss me. And in that moment, I literally died.”

The morning after the encounter, Youngblood alleges Jakes called his home and intimated that he wanted him to become a local sex partner.

“My mother answers the phone, and she says to me, ‘Duane, it’s Elder Jakes.’ Jakes and I get on that phone and when I get on that telephone, I can hear water. He is sitting in a bathtub, and in that thing, he says to me, without any hesitation, ‘there’s three things I need you to do. The first one is, when I come to Pittsburgh, you’re going to be the only person I sleep with. The second one is you can’t sleep with anybody else because I don’t want to give my wife anything. And thirdly, I will take care of you the rest of your life,” Youngblood, who is now a registered sex offender due to his past abuse of minors, claimed during his interview with Reid.

Duane Youngblood, 58. | YouTube/Larry Reid Live

Days after making those allegations public, Jakes’ attorneys said an attorney representing Youngblood sent a demand letter to Jakes on Nov. 24 demanding $6 million “to ‘resolve this matter quickly and privately;’ otherwise, Youngblood would bring a lawsuit against Bishop Jakes for sexual assault and harassment.”

Jakes’ lawyers, who noted that the interviews went viral, said Youngblood’s allegation caused the megachurch pastor millions of dollars in reputational harm and hurt his physical health.

“Youngblood’s lies have put in jeopardy the critical philanthropic missions Bishop Jakes spearheads and has likely impaired significantly the benefits that the recipients of such efforts receive. And Youngblood’s intentional and malicious lies have taken a substantial emotional and physical toll on Bishop Jakes,” the lawsuit alleges. “On November 24 — the day before he filed this action — Bishop Jakes suffered a medical crisis on stage in the middle of his Sunday service in front of his entire church.”

The legal filing further noted that, despite his claims, Youngblood is not a victim.
“Bishop Jakes believes with all his heart that actual victims of sexual abuse should be treated with the utmost respect, kindness, empathy, and sympathy — and that true perpetrators of such abuse should be held accountable for their actions. But that is not the case here,” the lawsuit reads.

“Youngblood has used and abused the might of social media and the legal process to revictimize those he preyed on and harmed and to make knowingly false accusations for his own personal and financial gain. Men like Youngblood must be held accountable for their abuse of the system and for setting back those with legitimate and real allegations of sexual abuse.”

Asked about Jakes’ lawsuit Wednesday, Youngblood’s attorney, Tyrone A. Blackburn, quoted Matthew 7:15-16.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves,” he wrote in a statement to The Christian Post. “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? T.D. Jakes chickens have finally come home to roost. Stay tuned.”

Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair Follow Leonardo Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost

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By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Friday, November 29, 2024Chereese Smith, 32, a human trafficking survivor who works with global anti-human trafficking organization A21, speaks at a press conference at the launch of the organization’s “Can You See Me?” national awareness campaign in New York City on Monday November 25, 2024. | The Christian Post/Leonardo Blair

NEW YORK — Moments after human trafficking survivor Chereese Smith began telling her story inside a conference room at the Omni Berkshire Place Hotel in Midtown, Manhattan, on Monday morning, the audience hushed.

It was the first time that the 32-year-old, who now works for global anti-human trafficking organization A21, would reveal her real name to the public.

“As a survivor, my story isn’t simple or easy to tell,” Smith began. “When I first shared my story, I went by a different name. At that time, I wasn’t ready to fully reveal my identity. I was still fresh out of being trafficked. I was dealing with trauma and uncertainty of what it meant to reclaim my life. But today, I stand before you using my real name, ready to embrace my journey and the strength that comes with it.”

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At this point in her journey, Smith is fully revealing her identity to help boost the launch of A21’s “Can You See Me?” national awareness campaign to help the general public recognize indicators of human trafficking, and report suspected scenarios ahead of the peak holiday travel season.

The campaign features vivid advertisements on Times Square billboards, transportation hubs and digital platforms, urging citizens to take action through national hotlines.

And advertisement for the human trafficking hotline at global anti-human trafficking organization A21’s launch of its national awareness campaign, “Can You See Me?” in New York City on Monday November 25, 2024. | The Christian Post/Leonardo BlairGlobal anti-human trafficking organization A21, launched their “Can You See Me?” national awareness campaign at the Omni Berkshire Place Hotel in New York City on Monday November 25, 2024. | The Christian Post/Leonardo Blair via A21

Human trafficking or trafficking in persons, according to federal authorities, “is a crime in which traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to compel individuals to provide labor or services, including commercial sex.”

To help get their message out about their campaign against the crime nationally, A21 is collaborating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations New York, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, advertising firms LAMAR and Outfront Media, Amtrak, and Omni Hotels.

The organization is amplifying voices like Smith’s to drive their message home.

“I endured years of trauma, abuse, and manipulation, but today, I’m not here to focus on just the darkness. I want to share with you what it took to get out of and why is it so important that we all work together to stop this from happening to anyone else,” said Smith.

“It is all about responsibility to raise awareness, overcome misconception and ensure people can recognize the signs of human trafficking.”

Smith says she was lured into trafficking by a family friend who offered her “a chance to hang out” when she was just a teenager.

“Little did I know that choice would change my life. While I was spending the time with him, one day, I met another girl who was already involved in [that] life, also known as sex trafficking. She pulled me inside and asked me if I wanted to party and make some money. At that moment, I was unaware of the dangerous path I was about to step onto, thinking it would be an exciting opportunity instead of a descending into a nightmarish reality,” she recalled.

“I was quickly taken to the track in the Bronx and, days later, taken to New Jersey,” she said.

Soon, she would find herself with no money and no way to return home. She would meet another girl who told her she could help but only put her in the clutches of a new trafficker who physically abused her.

“After lunch one day, I woke up to one of the girls …. engaged in a conversation with our trafficker that lasted about 20 minutes. Later, I heard a knock on the door. When I looked through the peephole, I saw it was my trafficker and his cousin. When I opened the door, I was brutally beaten, and the result was that my jaw was broken in multiple places,” she revealed.

“I was beaten because my trafficker’s cousin deceived him, claiming that I had expressed feelings for him, that I had shown interest. In reality, I had been sexually assaulted but hadn’t informed my trafficker. Instead of telling the truth, the cousin lied about what had happened after things got even worse,” Smith explained. “I was exploited and mistreated, consistently told that I had to earn thousands of dollars before I could leave.”

It wasn’t before another year of “violence, isolation and manipulation” that Smith said she was able to convince her trafficker to attend a “follow-up appointment” alone and she went home to her mother. The escape, however, didn’t last long.

“I was terrified that they would come to our house and harm my family as they had my personal information, including my state ID, social security card and birth certificate. To protect my family, I returned to the streets, hoping that by putting myself in danger, I could keep them safe from potential threats,” Smith admitted.

She soon became a victim to a third trafficker who she said controlled every aspect of her life.

“They didn’t just take my body; they took my mind. They controlled everywhere I went, who I talked to, what I had to say and how I felt about myself. They took away my dignity and made me believe that I had nothing else to offer except what they were forcing me to do,” she said.

Smith said she finally had enough one night after she was drugged and then physically and sexually abused. She reached out to a female detective for help who she had met after she escaped from her first trafficker.

“While my trafficker was asleep, I sent Detective Rose a picture, a piece of mail that I had my address on it. The police organized a raid, and that was when I began reclaiming my life,” she said.

It has been a difficult journey for Smith, who says her emotional and psychological wounds took years to heal.

“While the physical trauma was undeniable. It was the emotional manipulation and the persistent feeling of being trapped that haunted me the most. Today, I stand here as a survivor, but many others are still trapped in a horrific cycle, often without realizing they are victims too,” Smith explained.

“Human trafficking is not an abstract problem. It happens in our cities, and it affects people you might know. It’s crucial to understand that trafficking is a crime of exploitation and control, and it’s about manipulation. Victims often face judgment as prostitutes, but most did not choose this life,” she said.

“They were deceived and forced. We must acknowledge their humanity and support their recovery.”

Because trafficking tends to happen locally in familiar settings, Smith says it is easy for people to miss the signs that someone is being trafficked.

“I’ve experienced the system firsthand and witness how easy people can overlook the signs. Law enforcement, for an example, can glance at a situation as merely a domestic dispute, but often, it runs much deeper than that. When I was in the streets, I remember how some officers walked right past me and my trafficker mistakenly believing it was a personal issue,” she said.

“They didn’t understand that I was being trafficked and that I wasn’t there by choice. If law enforcement will take the time to listen and dig deeper, that’s when they can uncover the truth.”

(Panel seated L-R) Sergeant Salvatore Porcaro of the Port Authority Police Department; John Devaney, United Capital Markets; Victoria Mottesheard of Outfront Media; and James Lewis, communications manager at the Amtrak Police Department, at the launch of A21’s national awareness campaign, “Can You See Me?” in New York City on Monday November 25, 2025. | The Christian Post/Leonardo Blair

Others, like transportation workers, healthcare professionals, hotel employees and even everyday commuters, can help prevent human trafficking by educating themselves about the scourge.

“The ripple effect of awareness is huge. The more people know about human trafficking, the more people who can identify it, the more we can gather data, change policies and save lives. And that’s what it’s all about, changing lives, helping people rebuild and keeping others from falling into this trap,” Smith, who celebrated a birthday on Monday, said.

“Don’t wait until there’s somebody you know. Stand up, get involved and be part of the change.”

Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair Follow Leonardo Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost

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By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Friday, November 29, 2024Joni Lamb is president and co-founder of Daystar Television Network. | Screengrab/YouTube/Daystar

President and co-founder of the Texas-based Daystar Television Network, Joni Lamb, has accused her son, Jonathan Lamb, of attempted blackmail and running a smear campaign in a power struggle for leadership after he alleged she covered up the sexual abuse of his daughter by a family member in the wake of his recent firing.

“I want to assure you that all the allegations that are circulating against myself, my late husband, and other members of my family are completely false and we have already begun to take legal steps to defend ourselves and will address the accusations in a God-honoring way,” Joni Lamb said in a statement Monday about the dispute at the network, which claims to reach 6.85 billion people worldwide and is in 2.3 billion homes.

Jonathan Lamb and his wife, Suzy, alleged in a recent interview with The Roys Report that a family member, only identified as “Pete,” is suspected of sexually abusing their daughter. Pete has denied abusing the child.

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“(My client) unequivocally denies the statements made by Jonathan and Suzy Lamb alleging that he engaged in some form of improper contact with any child. […] Anyone who knows (client) knows that these statements are false, insulting and demeaning,” Pete’s attorney, Mark G. Daniel, said in a letter to Julie Roys or The Roys Report.

Jonathan and Suzy Lamb allege that in the summer of 2021, they caught Pete alone with their unclothed daughter in a room at a beach house Daystar rented for its annual executive retreat in Miramar Beach, Florida, and confronted him about it.

Jonathan Lamb and his wife, Suzy. | Screengrab/YouTube/Jonathan & Suzy Lamb

They allege that their daughter later revealed that she was sexually abused. When Suzy Lamb reported this to Joni Lamb, she claimed she was told not to report it to the police.

Joni Lamb reportedly asked that her granddaughter be brought to her in a meeting alone, and after that meeting, the child stopped discussing the abuse.

“I don’t know what happened there,” Suzy Lamb told TRR, but she was like a “lock box.”

“She doesn’t remember one thing,” Jonathan Lamb said. “She doesn’t even remember having that conversation. It’s like it never happened.”

The couple said they secretly reported their suspicions of the abuse to police, but the case was closed because their daughter wouldn’t talk. The case has reportedly been reopened, but no formal charges have been filed.

Jonathan Lamb told Roys that they took their daughter to a counselor in 2023 who reported the suspected abuse to Texas Child Protective Services. The couple says the police investigation was reopened.   

Despite their concerns, Jonathan and Suzy Lamb claim his late father, Marcus Lamb, who died in November 2021, and mother worked to protect Pete and Daystar’s image rather than their own granddaughter.

In her statement Monday, Joni Lamb stated that her son was fired after a 15-month performance review during which he failed to satisfy a performance improvement plan. He further refused to “participate in a formal mediation to resolve grievances in a biblical and professional manner.”

“Rather than take any steps to improve his performance at Daystar, it seems clear now that Jonathan was focused on fabricating a smear campaign,” Joni Lamb asserted in her statement. 

She claims her son tried to blackmail the network into naming him president of Daystar despite his late father’s directive to both his family and the board that the job would go to her.

“We remain willing to put this episode behind us, however, we also require security, transparency, and certainty about our futures at Daystar. To achieve this goal, we would suggest that Joni, Daystar, and ourselves enter into a new contract that clearly spells out my future role as President of Daystar, restricts the ability of Joni (or any other officer or director) from taking actions adverse to our employment without good cause (to be clearly defined), and without prior approval of a majority of the board of directors,” Jonathan Lamb reportedly wrote in an email to his mother.

“In exchange for the agreement contemplated above, we will agree not to use, disseminate or otherwise publish any and all audio recordings that could be harmful or embarrassing to Daystar, Joni or our family.”

The Christian Post reached out to Jonathan Lamb for comment on his mother’s claims. A response is pending. Jonathan Lamb told The Roys Report that his request about becoming the future president of Daystar was in reference to the succession plan laid out by his father, which stated that Jonathan Lamb would become president should Joni Lamb retire or die. According to Roys, Lamb’s email was a response to 13 stipulations Daystar provided to the couple if they wanted their positions back. 

Joni Lamb contends that her son was not happy with her marrying Christian counselor and sex therapist Doug Weiss.

“His disappointment in not getting his way only deepened when I married Doug Weiss, who has been such a blessing to me, the rest of my family, and Daystar. Jonathan’s disappointment escalated to the point where he attempted to blackmail his way into becoming the future president of Daystar,” Joni Lamb said.

“I certainly have nothing to hide, nor would I ever submit to threats of blackmail,” she added. “As a mother and grandmother, this situation saddens me deeply, and it grieves my heart, because I love my family. I love all of my children and grandchildren. I love the work we’ve done together for so many years. I had hoped we could have resolved this situation in private, but now he has given me no choice except to speak out.”

Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair Follow Leonardo Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost

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By Michael Brown, Op-ed Contributor Friday, November 29, 2024Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, reacts to the crowd after speaking at a campaign rally on Oct. 18, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan. There are 17 days remaining until the U.S. presidential election, which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. | Win McNamee/Getty Images

What are the cultural implications of Donald Trump’s decisive presidential victory? On the one hand, he incurred the ire of the pro-life movement by distancing himself from historic pro-life stances, gutting the GOP platform in the process. (He gutted the platform in terms of pro-life issues as well as marriage and family issues.) On the other hand, his victory signaled the large-scale rejection of radical leftist policies, to the point that major, leftist media outlets have been scrambling to move closer to the center. How should followers of Jesus assess all this?

On a certain level, things just got a lot simpler. That’s because it will become increasingly difficult for the Church to look to Trump to lead the way on key moral and cultural issues.

To be sure, he has chosen his battles carefully, highlighting the destructive extremes of radical transgender activism while distancing himself from Project 2025. It seems evident that this reflects pragmatism more than (or, at least as much as) conviction.

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More and more Americans are saying “No way!” to boys sharing locker rooms with girls and to the genital mutilation of minors. At the same time, the vast majority of Americans have no idea what is in Project 2025, other than the Democrats said it was really, really draconian and evil. Trump campaigned against trans-activism while vigorously declaiming any connection to Project 2025.

Again, he’s a pragmatist, and it worked.

But when it came to pro-life issues, his insistence that he would not sign a federal abortion ban into law, along with his adopting a moderate pro-choice position, caused some pro-life activists like Lila Rose to call for a boycott against Trump in 2024 before finally voting for him in the end.

Indeed, from the very strong pro-life language in GOP platforms dating back to 1980, the new Trump-mandated version primarily voices opposition to late-term abortion, which is largely rejected by most Americans. And while Trump emphasized that by overturning Roe, the states could decide what policies to enact, there can be no doubt that his language and emphasis changed from 2016 to 2024.

Again, this is most likely attributed to political pragmatism, as opposition to abortion has been invigorated since the overturning of Roe.

As for issues pertaining to marriage and family, while Trump had said already in 2016 that same-sex “marriage” was the law of the land, he didn’t tamper with the language of the GOP platform in 2016 or 2020. Yet this year, the changes were so dramatic that a Newsweek editorial by Brad Polumbo opined, “Trump’s New GOP Platform Is a Massive Win for LGBT Americans.”

The older platform stated, “Traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a free society and has for millennia been entrusted with rearing children and instilling cultural values. We condemn the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Windsor, which wrongly removed the ability of Congress to define marriage policy in federal law.”

That language totally disappeared from the 2024 platform. The shift was seismic.

So I ask once again, “How should followers of Jesus assess all this?”

It’s really quite simple.

Trump never was and never will be the moral savior of America. As for the GOP, it is not God’s party, championing righteousness and purity in the land. Hardly.

But this is not necessarily bad news, since, as I have stated endlessly over the years, politics cannot do what only the Gospel can do. And while there are highly moral politicians, and while I still prefer GOP policies to Democratic policies, we make a terrible, sometimes even fatal mistake when we look to a worldly system to carry out heavenly work.

Without a doubt, we can look to the government to help secure our borders. But we cannot expect the government alone to reach struggling (and legal) immigrants with compassion and kindness.

And while it would be wonderful if in state after state, pro-life legislation was passed and enacted, that could only happen as the result of a massive spiritual awakening resulting in the radical changing of millions of hearts and minds. Otherwise, how could those laws be widely passed?

It’s the same with marriage and family values.

Regardless of the language of the GOP platform and regardless of the convictions of President Trump, there’s not the slightest chance that views towards same-sex “marriage” could be reversed without an immense cultural and ideological shift. (According to a 2023 poll, while roughly 60% of Americans aged 50 and older “think same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid,” that number jumps to 89% of 18-29 year-olds.)

As for other aspects of Trump’s moral example, he is hardly even attempting to present himself as a moral icon.

That’s why I say that things have simplified for us as followers of Jesus, in particular, for those of us who voted for Trump. We no longer have to present him as Saint Donald (as some almost did in 2016), the champion of the pro-life movement, a fine upstanding Christian.

We can recognize his many weaknesses and appreciate all the good he can do without looking to him to do our job.

After all, Jesus didn’t say to the President of the United States, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world” (see Matthew 5:13-16).

He said that to His disciples. That’s our task and calling. Let’s give ourselves to it, by His help and grace, while praying for God’s best for the president.

And while we can seize the cultural movement in which so many radical leftist policies and ideas are being exposed, we cannot let secular culture lead the way.

That’s our job.

Dr. Michael Brown (https://thelineoffire.org/) is the host of the nationally syndicated The Line of Fire  radio show. He is the author of over 40 books, including Can You be Gay and Christian; Our Hands are Stained with Blood; and Seizing the Moment: How to Fuel the Fires of Revival. Dr. Brown is dedicated to equipping you with hope, engaging your faith, and empowering you to become a voice for Moral Sanity and Spiritual Clarity. You can connect with him on Facebook, X, or YouTube.

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By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, November 12, 2024Voddie Baucham, above, announced Monday that he and his family will be returning to the United States after spending a decade in Lusaka, Zambia. | Baptist Press/Adam Covington

Pastor and bestselling author Voddie T. Baucham announced Monday that he and his family will be returning to his native United States after a decade living abroad in Lusaka, Zambia.

“After nearly a decade in Zambia, the time has come for the Bauchams to repatriate to the USA,” Baucham posted to Instagram, encouraging his followers to subscribe to his newsletter for the “longer story” as he readies to leave on Dec. 1.

Baucham, who married his wife Bridget in 1989, has nine children and three grandchildren, according to his website. He has lived in Zambia since 2015, but has often made speaking tours throughout the U.S.

Baucham went on to ask for prayer regarding the sale of his home in Lusaka and for African Christian University, where he served as founding dean. He reiterated his call for prayer for his family, for whom he noted the “transition will not be easy.”

“Pray for wisdom as we seek to follow the Lord in regard to our next move,” Baucham wrote. “Pray for our furlough. We still need to take care of a number of things in the U.S. before we settle.”

Baucham was born in Los Angeles to a single mother and would go on to pastor a church in Houston, Texas, before becoming the dean of theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. He would later serve as a senior lecturer in the university’s School of Divinity.

Baucham rose to national prominence in 2021 for his bestseller Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe, which explored the neo-Marxist roots of the critical social justice movement as it relates to race.

Baucham’s most recent book, It’s Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement, was published in June and delves into what he described as the attempt by sexual activists to subvert the civil rights movement to promote sexual immorality.

In an interview with The Christian Post in June that touched on topics ranging from Christian nationalism to the rise of politicized “sexual minorities,” Baucham expressed concern that because of widespread sexual immorality, the U.S. was on the same moral “trajectory” that ended in the demise of great civilizations in the past.

“I always have hope, because I belong to Christ,” Baucham told CP. “The Kingdom of God is undefeated. And not only is the Kingdom of God undefeated, it’s undefeatable. So, I’m not worried about that.”

“However, when I start thinking about our culture, when I start thinking about our society, I’m a lot less hopeful in that regard, because we’ve seen this movie before,” he continued. “We’ve seen it with all of the great civilizations in world history — how they were born, how they ascended to greatness, and then how they decayed internally, morally, and eventually met their demise.”

“And it’s terrible to come to the realization that we’re on that trajectory. So from that standpoint, it’s not very hopeful,” he added. “And I believe that the only hope that we have is awakening and revival, some kind of supernatural spiritual intervention. Beyond that, we’re toast.”

Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com

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By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Assistant Editor Tuesday, November 12, 2024“Mary” | Netflix

This Christmas season, Netflix is set to bring a retelling of the Nativity story to audiences around the world, offering a fresh perspective on an ancient narrative in the forthcoming film “Mary.”

Directed by D.J. Caruso and releasing Dec. 6, “Mary” follows the story of the Virgin Mary, reimagining the trials and courage of a young woman chosen to bring Jesus into the world. Viewers will see the journey from Mary’s viewpoint as she navigates the challenges of an unprecedented destiny, according to Netflix. 

The film stars Israeli actress Noa Cohen as Mary and Ido Tako as Joseph, with Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins taking on the role of King Herod.

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Producer Mary Aloe, a devout Christian, described “Mary” as a “labor of love,” one that aims to bring the world’s most iconic story of faith and sacrifice to new generations. 

“This story is needed now more than ever in our world. As a woman, a Christian, and a producer, Mary’s story is important to me. This is a story of faith, hope, and pure love,” she said. 

Watch the trailer for ‘Mary’ below:

According to showrunners, the film offers a look at Mary as both a holy figure and a relatable young woman, enduring rejection and hardship in the wake of a miraculous conception.

As her community turns against her, she finds herself and her newborn son hunted by King Herod, whose obsessive grip on power leads him to ruthless acts. Forced into hiding, Mary and Joseph begin a life on the run, driven by faith and bound by love as they protect their child.

Caruso, a practicing Catholic and father of five, said his vision for “Mary” was rooted in reverence and relatability. 

“I believe Mary is the most extraordinary woman ever to walk this earth,” he said. “Her story, especially for younger generations, has often been underappreciated. I wanted to create a film that presents Mary as someone we can all relate to. … My hope is that audiences feel my reverence for Mary and come to see her not only as a holy figure but as a friend, a mother, and one of the greatest heroines ever to grace the screen. In the end, it’s her love that will save the world.”

To capture the story’s spiritual depth and ensure biblical accuracy, Caruso and Aloe consulted with religious scholars, theologians and clergy. 

The film’s script, written by Timothy Michael Hayes, went through over 70 drafts with rigorous input to ensure historical accuracy and sensitivity to biblical themes. The late Catholic Bishop David G. O’Connell, Caruso’s spiritual advisor on the project, provided essential guidance.

“It was essential to stay true to the biblical narrative as the story’s foundation, which Timothy Michael Hayes’ script captured beautifully. I was fortunate to have the guidance of a brilliant biblical scholar, the late Bishop David G. O’Connell, who served as my spiritual advisor and an expert on ‘Mary,'” he said.

“He helped me interpret the scriptures in a way that was both relatable and deeply emotional. From there, we carefully fictionalized the moments between Mary’s journey, adding tension, emotion, and pacing — all vital elements for compelling cinema  — while preserving the truths of the miraculous events in her life. The plot remains faithful to the scriptures, with thoughtful interpretations that enhance the film’s central themes. In short, we aimed to honor the scriptures.”

“Mary,” filmed on location in Morocco, also stars Stephanie Nur; Susan Brown; Ori Pfeffer; Eamon Farren; Hilla Vidor; Mili Avital; Gudmundur Thorvaldsson; Dudley O’Shaughnessyl; Keren Tzur; Mehmet Kurtulus and Mila Harris.

As “Mary” enters the canon of recent biblical cinema like “The Chosen,” “His Only Son” and “Journey to Bethlehem,” Aloe said she hopes the film will resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.

“Our hope is that people will want to learn more about faith from Mary’s journey, what her family gave up, and what she endured to follow her calling to bring us Jesus,” Aloe said. “I hope that this makes Mary and Joseph relatable to people who want to know, learn, and discover more about them and so many great stories in the Bible,” she said.

“Mary” will land on Netflix on Dec. 6.

Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: leah.klett@christianpost.com

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By Joseph Mattera, Op-ed Contributor Tuesday, November 12, 2024Getty Images/rudall30

When we study the lives of the kings of Israel, one name stands out as a man blessed by God: King David. Despite his grievous sins, including adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11), David is repeatedly called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). His heart for God allowed him to find grace, even in the face of moral failure.

In contrast, many kings who followed David — both in Israel and Judah — were judged more severely by God, even when they did not commit similar acts of murder or adultery. Why? The primary reason is that they led the people into idolatry. This grievous sin of leading the nation away from the worship of Yahweh to serve other gods warranted divine judgment. The severity with which idolatry is treated throughout Scripture reveals its deep offense to God.

In today’s world, idolatry is not as obvious as bowing to statues of Baal or Asherah poles. Yet, idolatry is still rampant in the Church. The modern definition of idolatry encompasses any attitude or behavior where a person places their affection, devotion, or adoration toward someone or something above their devotion to Yahweh. As Exodus 20:3 commands, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Idolatry is not merely a relic of ancient history; it is a present-day issue that continues to lead believers astray.

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Many Christians fail to recognize that calling oneself a Christian or attending weekly services does not preclude them from committing idolatry. God is a jealous God, and He has not changed (Malachi 3:6). Merely professing faith is not sufficient to safeguard us from the sin of idolatry. In fact, it is my observation that the lack of biblical discipleship in today’s Church has resulted in a vast number of Christians in name only — those who are, in reality, idolaters.

In this article, I will outline 10 reasons why idolatry is the worst sin, supported by markers that indicate whether a person is committing idolatry against Yahweh.

1. Their heart is more passionate about something or someone than it is toward God

Jesus taught us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). When a person is more passionate about anything or anyone other than God, they have violated the greatest commandment. 

2. They do not invest any time or money in promoting Gospel-centered causes

Jesus’ final command was to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). If someone claims to love God but neglects giving generously to support gospel work, they may have misplaced priorities. 

3. They are too busy to seek the Lord consistently

One of the most evident markers of idolatry is the excuse of busyness. When life becomes too busy for prayer, abiding in Christ, worship, or study of the Word, something else has taken priority over God. The psalmist declared, “I have set the Lord always before me” (Psalm 16:8). Consistently seeking God reflects a life centered on Him. Conversely, neglecting time with God signals that other pursuits have taken precedence — an unmistakable sign of idolatry.

4. They are consumed with political discourse while neglecting the Word of God

Politics can quickly become an idol when it consumes more attention than the Word of God. While believers should engage with society, political activism should not replace devotion to Scripture. A politically obsessed believer may have misplaced their hope in human institutions rather than God’s kingdom.

5. They allow non-essential doctrines to separate themselves from other Christians

The body of Christ is called to unity in essentials, (such as illustrated in the Nicene Creed) but many believers allow non-essential doctrines — such as eschatology, Calvinism, or Arminianism — to divide them from other Christians. This division often arises because a theological position has become an idol, and becomes more important than the unity of the faith (Ephesians 4:3). When theological preferences take priority over love and unity, they can become idolatrous.

6. They justify their own immoral choices

Another symptom of idolatry is moral compromise. When a person lives in habitual sin and justifies their actions, they have placed their desires above the will of God. This form of idolatry stems from a heart that refuses to submit fully to God’s authority. As James 4:4 says, “Friendship with the world is enmity with God.” Choosing self-gratification over obedience reveals that one’s god is not Yahweh but self.

7. They center their life on sports and hobbies

While sports and hobbies are not inherently sinful, they can become idols when they dominate one’s time, focus, and affection. When a person organizes their life around entertainment and pleasure rather than service to God, they have fallen into idolatry. Paul cautions us not to be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). Our ultimate satisfaction should come from God, not fleeting amusements.

8. They value their own autonomy and do not allow accountable relationships

An idolatrous heart resists accountability. When a person refuses to be part of a church community or avoids relationships that foster accountability, they elevate their own autonomy above the kingdom of God. Rejecting accountability is often a form of pride and idolatry.

(Of course, some may need therapy due to past spiritual or emotional abuse which makes it difficult to fully trust others with their heart).

9 They are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God

The love of pleasure is a common idol in our hedonistic culture. Whether it is entertainment, comfort, or sensual pleasure, anything that becomes more desirable than God is an idol. Scripture warns against those who “are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). A heart that chases pleasure over holiness is far from God.

10. They put their own self-interest before the interests of God

Perhaps the most telling marker of idolatry is when a person places their self-interest above God’s will. Jesus rebuked Peter with the words, “You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Mark 8:33). Self-interest is the foundation of idolatry because it prioritizes personal desires over divine purposes. Those who live for themselves rather than for God’s glory have made an idol of self.

In conclusion, Idolatry is the worst sin because it breaks the first and greatest commandment. When we place anything or anyone above God, we rob Him of the glory and devotion He alone deserves.

Dr. Joseph Mattera is renowned for addressing current events through the lens of Scripture by applying biblical truths and offering cogent defenses to today’s postmodern culture. To order his bestselling books or to join the many thousands who subscribe to his acclaimed newsletter, go to www.josephmattera.org. 

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By David Closson, Voices Contributor Tuesday, November 12, 2024Nicole Alcindor/ Christian Post

On November 5, 2024, Donald J. Trump completed the greatest comeback in American political history by winning the 2024 presidential election and defeating Kamala Harris. Trump becomes only the second president to be elected for non-consecutive terms, the first being Grover Cleveland in 1892. For beleaguered pro-lifers, Trump’s victory offers hope and opportunity. 

Although “unprecedented” is an overused word in modern politics, the 2024 election featured a series of events truly without equal in American history. For example, in the June 27 debate between Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden, Biden’s halting and uneven delivery shocked most observers and resulted in many prominent Democrats calling for him to withdraw from the race. 

On July 13, just two days before the start of the Republican National Convention, Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. After an assassin’s bullet grazed his ear, Trump, with blood streaking down his face, clenched his fist and exhorted the crowd, “Fight!” (Trump would survive a second attempt on his life on September 15 outside his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.)

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Less than 48 hours after the first assassination attempt, Republicans formally nominated Trump as their nominee. Notably, delegates approved a scaled-back party platform that omitted the robust pro-life language of previous platforms. Although the platform condemned late-term abortion, it noticeably lacked specificity on the subject, a change that was reportedly directed by Trump himself. 

Following the GOP convention, calls for Biden to withdraw from the race intensified. On July 21, Biden became the first incumbent to withdraw from a presidential campaign after winning his party’s primary. After stepping aside, Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, whom the party quickly coalesced behind. On August 6, Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) as her running mate. Only a year before, Walz had signed into law an abortion expansion bill that, among other provisions, removed protections for babies who are born alive following an abortion.

At the Democratic National Convention, Democrats unveiled a platform that included a lengthy section on abortion. The abortion messaging at the convention previewed the priorities of the Harris-Walz campaign, which poured tens of millions of dollars into pro-abortion advertisements. 

On September 10, during their lone debate, Harris attempted to tie Trump to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, claiming, “Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade.” For his part, Trump drew attention to his opponent’s support for late-term abortion. Despite protestations from Harris (and the ABC moderators), Trump doubled down, stating, “The Democrats are radical… her vice-presidential pick says abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine. He also says execution after birth, its execution, no longer abortion, because the baby is born, is okay. And that’s not okay with me.”

In the final stretch of the campaign, Harris emphasized her support for abortion in interviews, rallies, and campaign statements. On September 19, she told Oprah Winfrey that state pro-life laws constituted a “health care crisis.” Additionally, on October 22, Harris stated that she would not support any “concessions” to pro-lifers, including religious exemptions. Likewise, during an October 25 rally with singer Beyoncé, Harris pledged to “restore reproductive freedom.” Campaigning the next day in Michigan, Harris again blamed the Dobbs decision for triggering “a health care crisis.”

Although the Trump campaign deliberately focused on issues besides abortion, the issue still came up. Notably, on the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly promised to veto what he described as a “national abortion ban.” On October 8, Melania Trump published a memoir in which she expressed strong pro-abortion views, specifically, “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her own pregnancy if she wishes.” Elsewhere, she argued that the “cultural stigma associated with abortion must be lifted.”

In a disappointing result for pro-lifers, voters in seven states approved pro-abortion ballot measures. Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, and New York added permissive pro-abortion amendments to their respective state constitutions that essentially allow abortion through all stages of pregnancy. Voters in Nevada also passed a pro-abortion measure that must be passed again in the 2026 general election in order to take effect.

In a positive development, voters in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota rejected similar pro-abortion referendums. In Nebraska, voters not only approved a pro-life measure that codified the state’s 12-week protection law into the state’s constitution but rejected a competing pro-abortion measure. The victories in these three states are significant, as they represent the first state-wide pro-life victories since Dobbs. However, the outcome of these ballot measures proves that state-wide referendums will remain a challenge for the pro-life cause in the years to come. 

In short, in the first presidential election since the overturning of Roe, abortion played an outsized role. Although the candidate ostensibly committed to protecting life won, Trump’s relative reluctance to speak on the issue, coupled with the Republican Party’s truncated platform, indicates that pro-life policies were considered a political liability by Trump and many Republican operatives. 

Overall, pro-lifers have many reasons to be grateful for the outcome of the 2024 election. Kamala Harris campaigned on the most aggressive pro-abortion platform in American history; her commitment to expanding abortion animated her quest for the White House, and her defeat was interpreted by many pro-life Christians as undeserved mercy. Currently, Republicans are also on track to flip control of the Senate and hold the House of Representatives, which means pro-lifers can expect to see a reprieve from the aggressive pro-abortion advocacy of the Biden-Harris administration.

However, as the recent campaign demonstrated, there are those within the GOP who are not committed to the pro-life cause and pro-lifers who supported the president’s campaign need to use their political capital to hold pro-life officials accountable. 

In the years since Roe was overturned, Christians have learned that the nation is more pro-abortion than we would have liked to imagine. However, the results of the 2024 election demonstrate that pro-life candidates can still win office and that the pro-life movement is still a significant force in electoral politics. Moving forward, the work of winning hearts and minds must continue in earnest, as it is evident that five decades of Roe coarsened the nation’s conscience more than we realized. Clearly, much work remains to convince our fellow Americans that every unborn child is a gift from God. 

In closing, the fight for life continues. Although daunting, the fight must be engaged; the lives of untold millions hang in the balance. Motivated by love for our neighbors, may Christians be faithful in our work as we advocate for babies, their mothers, and their families. 

Originally published at The Washington Stand. 

David Closson is the Director of Christian Ethics and Biblical Worldview at Family Research Council.

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