Just a brief announcement before we start today's program. I'm out of town this week, so today is a rebroadcast from August 2024 on the primacy of worship with Scott Anuel, President of G3 Ministries. I also don't have my regular studio equipment with me, so my apologies in advance for sounding a bit different here and in the transitional portions of the program today. In the final segment, we also inserted a short portion of an interview from last year with Pastor Grant Castleberry about his and his wife's Christmas devotional for families with children titled Manger in Danger. It's a 25-day devotional that starts December 1st.
So we wanted to tell you about it now in case you want to order it to start on time.
Alright, let's get to today's program. The primacy of worship. And who and what? the political parties worship. That is a topic we'll discuss today, right here on the Christian Worldview Radio program, where the mission is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christians and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
I'm David Wheaton, the host. The Christian Realview is a listener-supported radio ministry. Thank you for your notes of encouragement, financial support, and lifting us up in prayer. You can connect with us by visiting our website, thechristianworldview.org, and the rest of our contact information will be given throughout the program today. There is no more important issue in pursuit than worshiping God.
It's more important than who will be our next president. more important than world peace, more important than your health, financial security, and whatever else we treasure. Scripture makes the primacy of worship clear. King David prayed, Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty. Indeed, everything that is in the heavens and the earth.
Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and you exalt yourself as head over all. That's from First Chronicles twenty nine eleven. Paul wrote, Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do to eat. Do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10, 31.
King Solomon exhorted, the conclusion, when all has been heard, is fear God, reverence, have all for him, and keep his commandments, because this applies to every person. That's Ecclesiastes 12:13. Psalms, the songbook of scripture, closes this way: Let everything that has breath. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150 verse 6. God created man as a worshipful being. We can see this because everyone worships someone or something. If God isn't worshipped, a false God will be substituted. A person, pleasure, Possessions, position, possession.
Popularity. Power, to name just a few. God, as Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Sovereign over all, He deserves our worship. Our peace, purpose and pleasure in life is directly proportional to how rightly and authentically we worship the Creator. Our guest this weekend is Scott Annual, Executive Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of G3 Ministries.
G3, which stands for Gospel, Grace, and Glory, is a Christian organization that aims to strengthen the local church through conferences, resources, online articles, podcasts, biblical worship workshops, and local church-based curriculum for Sunday school and small groups. Scott Annual joins us today to discuss the primacy of worship. He explains in a recent five-part column series corresponding to each of the five solas of the Reformation that worship is even more important than salvation. For salvation is the entry point. to proper worship of God.
This program aims to be helpful for individual Christians and also the church. For worship includes, but is far more encompassing than music alone. Let's get to the first segment of the interview with Scott Annual of G3 Ministries. Scott, thank you so much for coming on the Christian Worldview radio program today as we talk about the primacy of worship. And you've written several columns on this.
Very good, highly recommended. And they're linked at our website, thechristianwheelview.org, in addition to where they appear on the G3. website. Let's start out with something you wrote on your column on worshiping according to scripture alone. You say, Calvin said that there are two principal things upon which Christianity stands and from which flow the whole substance of Christianity.
And you quote Calvin here. First, the mode in which God is duly worshipped. And second, the source from which salvation is to be obtained. ⁇ You said remarkably. In listing what he, John Calvin, believed to be the most important aspects of biblical Christianity.
Calvin listed worship first. and salvation second. For Calvin Salvation is important. But salvation is ultimately a means toward the end of rightly worshiping God.
So, Scott, expound further. on the primacy of worship. And how it really is the purpose for which each person was created by God to be a worshipper of Him. If you look at how scripture portrays God and his intent in all things, in all things that he ordains, he is doing all things for his own glory. And that includes the creation of all things, it includes the creation of man.
And so that's the purpose for which we were created: is to bring him honor and glory, which is the essence of worship. To worship is to. rightly adore and magnify the greatness of God. And that was God's intent all the way back in the garden. God created Adam and Eve within the garden, which very interestingly, there are a lot of parallels between how Moses describes.
The Garden of Eden, and how he later describes the tabernacle that God instructs Israel to build. And I think that was intentional by God because Eden was meant to be. A sanctuary of God's presence in which his people would worship him rightly. And of course, Adam and Eve failed in that by sinning in Genesis chapter 3. And yet, God's intent still stands.
He wants. The people that he has created to bring him the glory that he deserves. And really, the plan of redemption is not for its own sake, then. The plan of redemption, the whole purpose of that, is to bring to fruition what God. Originally intended in the garden, and that is to create worshipers for his own glory.
And so that's kind of what Calvin meant there. Yes, salvation is important, and obviously it is central to the storyline of scripture, but it serves a greater end, and that is that God would be glorified through. The worship of a redeemed people. And so that's where all of history is progressing toward. And it's important that we then, as redeemed people, understand that that is our purpose.
We are created to glorify God, we are created to worship, and so it's very important that we think biblically about the nature of worship and how we ought to be approaching God in worship.
Well, I thought that was such an excellent point in the column you wrote there and something that we all need to know and so we can order our lives around worship. And there's something even more important than salvation that that leads us to being able to properly worship God. Scott Anniel is our guest today here on the Christian Realview, the Executive Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at G3 Ministries. Their website is g3min.org. continue with this subject, this issue of worship.
You say also in that same column, going from the primacy of worship, that's why we are here to worship God to what worship must be regulated by. You say acceptable worship. must be regulated by Scripture alone. This is why the Reformers, during the time of the Reformation, believed that worship regulated by the Word was the most significant expression of the doctrine of sola John Knox, one of the great reformers in Scotland, said, quote, All worshiping, honoring, or service invented by the brain of man. in the religion of God without his own express commandment.
is idolatry. And you go on to say, the only acceptable worship is that which He Himself has commanded, that's God Himself. Anything not commanded in Scripture for worship is forbidden. And you get into this column what is termed the regulative principle of worship. Could you explain what that is?
Really, what you just quoted is a pretty succinct definition. The regulative principle says whatever is not prescribed in Scripture for worship. is therefore prohibited. And this principle flows naturally from the previous principle of the primacy of worship. And the intent that God would be glorified in all things, including His worship, if that's God's goal, if He is doing all things for His own glory, and that if our purpose is to worship Him, then it follows that He has the right and the prerogative to determine how He wants to be worshipped.
We don't get to. Come up with our own ways of worship or decide to worship in ways that please us best. but rather, because it is all for God's glory, we ought to want to please God through our worship according to what He has prescribed. And so that's the regulative principle, which historically came up during the Reformation in some of the debates between Reformers. Is contrasted with what is sometimes now called the normative principle of worship.
Which says, whatever is not forbidden for worship is permitted.
So you can see the contrast there. And men like Luther, especially his followers, or Cranmer and the Anglican Church, followed more of a normative principle, which is why they retained lighting of incense and lighting of candles and priestly vestments and some of those things from the Roman Catholic Church. But Calvin and the Reformed wing of the Reformation, and then later Puritans and Baptists in England, all held to this regulative principle, insisting that if worship is going to bring God the glory that He deserves, then we need to limit ourselves to only that which God has prescribed in His Word. That's very good. And we see that in churches all over the place today that this isn't followed the regulative principle of what Scripture prescribes for worship.
I'm going to ask you more about that in a second, but just one more quote from that column. You say Calvin noted, all men have a vague, general veneration of God. but very few really reverence him. We ought to comport ourselves in corporate worship in a way that manifests reverence and awe. The way we dress for worship ought to manifest reverence and awe.
The way we read Scripture publicly and pray and preach ought to be performed in a manner that exhibits reverence and awe. how we pray, how we preach, how we conduct ourselves, how we dress, and how we sing. The manner of worship is not culturally neutral or mere preference. No, there is a manner of worship that pleases our flesh, and there is a manner of worship that gives glory to God alone.
So perhaps you could talk about Scott. What you see as the required or requisite elements of a corporate worship service. Very simply, if we're committed to, again, what has been called the regulative principle of worship, then we need to look to Scripture to determine what elements God has prescribed. For our worship, and specifically, since we're talking about the New Testament church. Then we ought to find these prescriptions in the New Testament.
Not that there's no value to the Old Testament, there certainly is, and there's a lot of overlap. Of course, between worship in Old Testament Israel and the New Testament church, but there are changes. The book of Hebrews, for example, deals with this. There are certain aspects of Old Testament worship that were mere shadows, and now that Christ has come, the shadows have passed away.
So that's why it's important, and Baptists in particular have emphasized this: that we need to look to the New Testament. What does the New Testament prescribe for corporate worship? And we can very quickly and easily find explicit prescriptions of elements for worship, such as the reading of Scripture. Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:13, devote yourself to the public reading of scripture. We find similar commands given to the church in Colossi and 1 Thessalonians.
And also in that same text in 1 Timothy 4, Paul commands Timothy to devote himself to exhortation and teaching. And then in 2 Timothy 4, verse 2, he commands Timothy to preach the word.
So we have the public reading of Scripture prescribed. We have the preaching of Scripture prescribed. In 1 Timothy 2, verse 1, Paul commands that supplications and prayers and intercessions be made.
So prayers in Colossians 4:2 continue steadfastly in prayer. Ephesians 6:18 commands prayer.
So we have a third biblically prescribed element of prayer. And then the fourth biblically prescribed element we find in Ephesians five nineteen and Colossians three, sixteen, where Paul commands believers who are gathered to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
So we have a command to sing there. And then fifth. In the great commission in which Christ is commissioning his apostles as the founders of the church. To make disciples of all nations, we find a command there to baptize them, and so baptism being a biblically prescribed element. And then finally, in 1 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul Told the Corinthian church that he was passing on the Lord's Supper to them, having received it from the Lord Himself.
So these are the clear prescribed elements of corporate worship: reading the word, preaching the word. Prayer, singing, baptism, and the Lord's Supper. These are what the New Testament prescribes. And again, historically, and I would argue biblically as well, to add or subtract. From these God-ordained elements of worship, would in essence be to distrust the sufficiency of God's Word, and we would fail to bring God the glory He deserves because He has the prerogative to tell us what elements He wants in our worship.
Okay, very good. That is helpful. The things prescribed for worship. Number one, the public reading of scripture. Number two, the preaching of scripture.
Number three, prayer. Four, singing, five, baptism. And number six, remembering the Lord's death and resurrection, the Lord's Supper. in performing these elements. With an attitude of reverence and awe for the God who created us.
Scott Anniel is our guest today here on the Christian Worldview of G3 Ministries. We have these columns linked at our website, thechristianworldview.org. And we'll have more with Scott on the primacy of worship after this short break to tell you about some ministry resources, including the November issue of the Christian Worldview Journal. Again, today's program is from August 2024. I'm out of town right now and without my regular studio microphone, so my apologies for the different voice tone in the transitions today.
I'm David Wheaton, and you are listening to the Christian Worldview Radio program. Thanksgiving is the focus of the November issue of the Christian Worldview Journal. My column is on giving thanks to God even in difficult circumstances. Managing editor Soren Kern writes about gratitude and includes impactful quotes from notable Christians.
Soren also analyzes the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and how it won't lead to lasting peace. The Christian Worldview Journal is a monthly 12-page full-color print publication designed to sharpen your biblical worldview on current events and issues of the faith. It also includes a resource order form and ministry updates. The journal is mailed to Christian Worldview Partners as a thank you for your support of this radio ministry. To become a Christian Worldview partner or order an individual issue of the journal, go to thechristianworldview.org or call 188-646-2233 or write to Box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota, 55331.
We didn't want our kids doing all these secular games like elf on the shelf. We really wanted to put Christ front and center at Christmas. And they actually engineered a wooden manger that's small enough to hide. And then I wrote a family devotional with 25 devotions for every day in December leading up to Christmas, including Christmas Day, that you can do in about seven minutes. And the devotions are just loaded with the deity of Christ and the gospel.
That was Pastor Grant Castleberry describing Manger in Danger, a new daily devotional and game for families with children aged 4 to 12. Manger and Danger retails for $40 plus shipping. We are offering it for a donation of $30 or more to the Christian Worldview. To order, go to thechristianwheelview.org, call 188-646-2233, or write to box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota, 55331. Yeah.
Welcome back to the Christian Realview. I'm David Wheaton. Be sure to visit our website, thechristianwheelview.org, where you can subscribe to our free weekly email and annual print letter, order resources for adults and children, and support the ministry. Our topic today is the primacy of worship, and our guest is Scott Anniel, the Executive Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of G3 Ministries. Several of your columns, if I read them correctly, were based on Hebrews chapter 12.
And specifically toward the end of that chapter, and starting in verse 28, it says, Therefore, since we receive a kingdom. which cannot be shaken. Let us show gratitude. by which we may offer to God an acceptable service With reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.
That's from Hebrews chapter 12, verses 28 and 29. And you write in that column, you say, worship is not something we initiate. we do not invite God down to us in worship. We do not perform for God in worship. No, worship is a response to something that we are receiving from God by grace alone.
We are to be grateful. We ought to worship. Because we are receiving something that we did not earn or merit, and that is grace.
So there's an issue you write here, Scott, with regard to gratefulness as being the motivation or what inspires us to worship God. Can you explain that, how we can grow in gratefulness to God so that we worship with the right heart and motivation? I truly believe that gratefulness, thanksgiving, really is at the center of true worship. And yes, this whole series was sort of an exposition of that passage at the end of Hebrews chapter twelve. And I think what's very instructive is that even the word for Thanksgiving or gratefulness, eucharistia.
Has embedded in it the word karis, which is grace. There's an integral connection between the two. And what it emphasizes is that our worship is a response of gratitude to the person and work of God. And I'm explicitly responding to what has become sort of the dominant. Expectation in corporate worship today, largely because of the Pentecostalization of worship and modern evangelicalism, where the expectation is we praise God.
So that he will come down and meet with us. Praise, they believe, is the way in which we experience the presence of God. And it becomes very much something that we do, a work, By which we then experience whatever we define to be the presence of God. And what I'm arguing here from Hebrews chapter 12, and there are many more passages. That could flesh this out is that worship is not something in which we do something in order to gain approval with God or to call Him down or to experience His presence.
Rather, worship is a response to the person and nature of God. And so, how do we grow in that? We grow in that by continually immersing ourselves in the scriptures, reminding ourselves of the greatness of God, His character, His nature, reminding ourselves of His marvelous works. And hopefully, that leads us then to a humility, particularly when we recognize our own sinfulness. And we come then with a humility that says, I am not here because I am worthy.
I am not here to somehow invite God to come to me. No, rather, God in His grace and mercy has called me to come to him. And he has provided the means for that to happen. Therefore, I come with humility, yes, praise, also contrition over my sin, ultimately, really centering on this gratefulness that we find here in Hebrews chapter 12: this thanksgiving in response to the marvelous grace of God. Yes, very well said.
A heart attitude of gratefulness is so key to rightly worshiping God. Scott Anniel of G3 Ministries is our guest today here on the Christian Worldview. Your answer to that question segues well into the next one: in that, how do we draw near to God in worship? The scripture says in James 4:8: draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. But you write in your column, this idea of drawing near to God permeates the The storyline of scripture.
It is what Adam and Eve enjoyed as they walked with God in the cool of the day. And you give other examples in scripture. You conclude that section by saying: to draw near to God is to enter into his very presence, to bask in his glory, to have perfect communion with him and his presence. To draw near to God is the essence of worship. Another really important big statement there, Scott.
But of course the problem is We're sinners. And how do we draw near to God? How does that practically take place when we're sinners and the God we are worshiping and approaching is perfectly holy? This is the core of the gospel, which is the core of worship. And it's a message we can find throughout scripture.
And I just love the book of Hebrews. In our church, we as elders just finished preaching through this book. And this is one of the central messages of that book. In chapter 10, In verse 22, the author says, Let us draw near.
So there's that concept. If you find that phrase in either the Old or New Testament, it's referring to Drawing near to the presence of God for communion and worship. As you mentioned, sin prevents that.
So, how do we draw near? Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. With our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
So, worship is essentially drawing near to communion with God. Through The sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ. by faith.
So, you can see there, the essence of what it means for God's people to worship Him really is the same as the gospel itself. And this goes back to the very first. Discussion we had in Calvin's comment that salvation is toward the end of creating worshipers. The purpose of the gospel is to provide a means by which people can draw near to God and worship by faith.
So that's the only way. We can't come in our own merits because we're sinners. We have to come through Christ. We do so by faith with confident expectation of the promises of God. And when we do that, when we draw near by faith, we can be confident that we are in God's presence.
That's what Hebrews chapter 12 tells us. We have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. We don't see or feel that. We shouldn't expect the presence of God to be some sort of somehow tangibly experienced. No, we accept it by faith.
which is the conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen. And so we draw near by faith, and we are confident that if we do so, drawing near by faith according to the means that God has prescribed in His Word, then we can know that we are in the presence of God, that we are fellowshipping with Him, and we are bringing Him the glory that He deserves. Scott Anniel is our guest today from G3 Ministries, and we're talking about the primacy of worship, such an important topic. And just a couple more questions for you on this issue of worship, Scott. You say, in another series of columns on worship, worship to the glory of God alone, you say so many evangelicals today say they believe in sola scriptura, but their worship betrays their enslavement to the authority of culture and of self.
They say that they believe in justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But their worship betrays a works righteousness. In which somehow what we do ushers us into God's presence. You've touched on that already. They say they believe in the glory of God alone.
But their worship betrays the glory of self. Oh, how we need a fresh reformation of worship today, worship that embodies the great solos of the Reformation. worship that is deeply rooted in the authority of Scripture. Worship that renews us in the gospel of Jesus Christ. worship that truly pleases God.
And that was sort of a summary statement, I believe, on the series of columns that you have written that we have linked at our website and also at g3min.org for people to read for themselves. What is your exhortation then? Scott. To those who are church leaders, pastors, elders listening today to evaluate their corporate worship.
Well, ultimately, it really has to stem from the very first point we made, and that is going to scripture. It is how we are worshiping what God has intended, what God has commanded in His Word, because we can't. assume that we are bringing him the glory that he deserves. We can't assume that we are worshiping with gratitude if we're just doing it on our own. We can't assume that we are coming by faith If we are simply Creating our own means of worship, if we're inventing our own way in which we come into the presence of God.
So I would just urge any believer, period, especially those in leadership, pastors, and others. to go to the word, study the word. What does the word say about the nature of worship? What does the scripture command regarding our worship in the New Testament church? And then let's be satisfied with that.
Let's not be chasing after experiences or some sort of emotional euphoria. Let's not be allowing the culture to influence how we worship, or certainly unbelievers and what they will like and make them comfortable. And not even believers, not even designing our worship based on what Christians want. We ought to be designing our worship, leading our worship, and participating in worship on the basis of what God has prescribed in His sufficient word. Very well said.
And just finally, on this issue of worship, you've talked about church worship, public corporate worship today. But what about other types of worship, the individual worship that should be taking place in a believer's life as we read and pray and memorize God's word on a daily basis? Maybe you could call that private individual worship. And then also family worship time as well that I know that you do with your family. Tell us how you order your individual worship with the Lord and also oversee or lead your family worship.
Well, you know, the elements of worship that God has prescribed, sometimes referred to as the ordinary means of grace, Are the same when it comes to corporate worship as they are for individual worship and family worship, with two exceptions, and that, of course, is baptism and the Lord's Supper, because they are inherently tied to and commanded for local gatherings of churches, those two are reserved for the public gatherings of the church. But the other elements, the reading of scripture, the explanation and exhortation that comes from scripture, singing, prayer, these things ought to be part of our daily practices.
So, as an individual, we ought to be reading the word, we ought to be praying to the Lord. Good books that help to expound the word or admonish us with the word are helpful for our spiritual walk. We ought to be singing. It's a good practice, even as an individual, to sing unto the Lord. And so these are things that are glorifying to God, but also are forming us and sanctifying us because they are all filled with the Word of God.
And then, yes, family worship is so important for fathers to lead their family, lead their children, lead their wife. Regularly in these practices as well. Our children and our wives need to have the word read regularly. Hopefully, as the kids are growing older, they're having personal times of devotion with the Lord themselves. But as a family, we're gathering together, I'm reading the word to them, explaining the word.
We sing together, we pray together. All of these elements, I know, because the word says so, are what my family needs to lead them to Christ. To conform them into his image and to sanctify them.
So these things ought to be a regular pattern in our lives as individuals and families. And then, really, the climax of it all should be the faithful gathering of God's people on the Lord's Day, where we do this corporately together.
Well, as we head into this break, it's a perfect time to mention that we actually carry a book by Scott in our store on family worship. It's titled Let the Little Children Come: Family Worship on Sunday and the Other Six Days Two. And I'll just read the description of the book in Let the Little Children Come. Scott Annual strives to convince church leaders and parents that children best grow into faithful, mature worshipers of Jesus Christ when they are led to Jesus by their parents in the context of intergenerational church gatherings and in daily worship at home. Just go to our store at thechristianworldview.org to order Let the Little Children Come.
And while you're there, you can look over other resources, including the 25-day Christmas devotional for families titled Manger in Danger by Pastor Grant Castleberry and his wife. In fact, in the next segment, we'll re-air a short portion with him about manger in danger. We'll also hear more from Scott Annual about how worship impacts the political realm. I'm David Wheaton. You are listening to the Christian Worldview Radio Program.
Thanksgiving is the focus of the November issue of the Christian Worldview Journal. My column is on giving thanks to God even in difficult circumstances. Managing editor Soren Kern writes about gratitude and includes impactful quotes from notable Christians.
Soren also analyzes the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and how it won't lead to lasting peace. The Christian Worldview Journal is a monthly 12-page full-color print publication designed to sharpen your biblical worldview on current events and issues of the faith. It also includes a resource order form and ministry updates. The journal is mailed to Christian Worldview Partners as a thank you for your support of this radio ministry. To become a Christian Worldview partner or order an individual issue of the journal, go to thechristianworldview.org or call 188-646-2233 or write to Box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota, 55331.
Scripture commands that children are to be brought up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Offering biblically sound resources for children is one of our top ministry priorities. At our store at thechristianrealview.org, you will find carefully selected children's Bibles and books along with video and audio resources. Check out the Bible infographics for kids' books, Little Pilgrim's Progress, and the popular Adam Raccoon set. Theo is a 15-episode video series addressing key doctrines of the faith that is a must-see for children and adults.
Satan and the world are bent on capturing the heart and mind of your child. Instead, get sound resources that will train them up in the way they should go. Browse and order at thechristianworldview. org or give us a call for recommendations at 1888 646 2233. That's one triple eight six four six twenty two thirty three or thechristianworldview dot org.
Welcome back to the Christian Worldview. I'm David Wheaton. Be sure to visit our website, thechristianwheelview.org, where you can subscribe to our free weekly email and annual print letter, order resources for adults and children, and support the ministry. Our topic today is the primacy of worship. And our guest is Scott Anniel, the Executive Vice President and Editor in Chief of G3 Ministries.
And in this final segment, we're going to get into how worship relates to politics Who or what would you say, Scott, is being worshipped? Unfortunately, politics in this country have I was just thinking this morning, I mean, it's just become all theater. There's little substance on either side, and there's a lot of celebrity worship on both sides. And it's unfortunate. We live in a sin-cursed world.
We've, in some ways, become spoiled as Christians in our country because we've enjoyed freedom for so long. But we can't be blind to the fact that even in the past, when we felt like maybe things were a little better, perhaps things didn't seem quite as bad. Nevertheless, even politicians claiming to be Christian, although there absolutely are some. Faithful Christians in politics. Many politicians claim to be Christians simply because they know it's going to get them votes.
And that's really using the Lord's name in vain, which is an issue of worship. It's a tragedy. But we have to remember that we do live in a sin-cursed world. God never promised that government would be perfect. God never promised that any nation would reach a state of perfection in this age.
We need the perfect king to come and make that happen. Which is Jesus Christ at his second coming. And so we have to have a proper, I believe, understanding. an expectation for what the purpose of government is. And to just simply do the best with what we have.
There is a lot at stake. We see the persecution against the church rising. And I believe we live in our country, in our governmental system. We have the privilege of being able to vote and being involved. And I think we ought to do that.
We ought to utilize the freedoms and the privileges that we have. And as much as we can, hold off the growth of the grossest forms of sin, and as much as we can, hold off the persecution that we know is coming. And so we ought to do that, but with a healthy dose of reality, recognizing that ultimately the answer to all problems is the gospel of Jesus Christ. And politics is never going to solve anything ultimately. It has its role and its purpose.
But the ultimate thing we ought to be concerned with is spreading the gospel, seeing more and more people coming to faith in Christ. And then hopefully, the more Christians there are, the better things are. That ought to be our goal. Scott Aniel with us today here on the Christian Worldview. The Democrat Party is very radical, much more.
Promoting of that which is ungodly and rebelling against God, they see that. But then they look at the Republican Party and they look specifically at Donald Trump. And they look at his personality mainly, I think. I don't think that's so much his policies, although he has softened, I think, personally on the issue of abortion. But he was the one that appointed justices that overturned Roe v.
Wade as well, too.
So he's not making a policy on abortion, it's just that he personally has taken that stance, I think, from a standpoint of he thinks that's what he has to do to win up to like 16 weeks or something like that. He doesn't have a strong opposition, I don't think, to same-sex marriage and those kinds of things. But again, like you just said, he's not an outright aggressive advocate of these things. But that being said, Scott, You will get Christians who will say, Well, there's no biblical justification to support just the lesser of two evils. Where is that in scripture?
They'll say. They'll say, I'm not going to vote, or I'm going to vote third party. What are your thoughts on the issue of? Voting for the quote the lesser of two evils, or isn't that always our choice, actually?
Well, I want to first acknowledge this is a sticky issue. This is difficult. It's not easy. It's not black and white. I respect those Christians who really struggle with.
Should I vote for Trump considering his personal immorality? Should I vote for Trump considering, like you said, even the softening of the GOP platform on the issue of abortion? I get it, I understand it. What I would say, and I'll just explain how I've thought through this, is a couple things real quick. Number one, You know, you mentioned wherein scripture.
Well, again, this is where we need to understand God's intent for government. We're not voting for a pastor. We're not voting for a Christian prince. We're not voting for the Christianization of society as much as we would love that. God has not promised it until Jesus comes again.
We're voting for Whatever we can do to hold back sin. I mean, that's ultimately. The purpose of government. The purpose of government is not to advance the kingdom of Christ. That role was never given to government.
No, the purpose of government is to hold back sin as much as possible. To provide peace and life protection until Jesus comes again.
So I think we need to ask which choice. Whether it's one of the two parties or if someone's thinking about not voting or a third party, what choice is going to best hold back sin as long as possible? And I think one of the things we need to think about is to not put Too much weight and stock in the power of the presidency. We might look at Trump, and I think we should look at him and say he does not appear to be a true Christian. We need to acknowledge that.
But then we need to ask if he were elected. What kind of other people would he be bringing with him? People in the cabinet, but even further down the ladder, people who actually make things happen. And then ask the same thing on the other side with Harris and the Democratic Party. And my conclusion is, it's not even close.
That the kinds of people that would be put into place to make things happen if Trump were elected. Are far more trustworthy than those who would serve under Harris and would help to, again, hold back Sin longer than if the alternative were elected. I know a head of an influential missions agency who I've heard say that when Trump was in power the last time, Missionaries around the world in his agency, and most of his missionaries are in very unreached and highly persecuted sort of areas. He said they were far freer. To spread the gospel under Trump because nations around the world were afraid what Trump would do if they persecuted Christians.
Under Biden, persecution has ramped up. And so that's just one example of how it's not really about a man, or in this case, a woman on the Democratic side. It's not really about the president. It's about the policies and it's about the kind of people who will be put in other positions, even really far down in kind of the bureaucracy and people who actually make things happen. And there might be a day when there's absolutely no difference between the two parties, but we're not there yet.
And I would say there are a lot more trustworthy, morally sound, respectable kinds of people and God-pleasing policies on the GOP side than there are on the Democratic side.
Well, it's very helpful, Scott, to think through how Christians should think about. Voting. In the purpose of government.
So, thank you for coming on the Christian Realview Radio program today, especially with regard to the primacy of worship being the chief purpose and end of man. All of God's best and grace to you and your family in G3 Ministries. Thanks so much. Enjoyed being here. Again, Scott Aniel, the Executive Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of G Three Ministries, has been our guest today.
When I read these columns by Scott on the primacy of worship, as in that is the chief purpose and duty of every person to worship God, I was just convicted that we all needed to be reminded to keep first things first in our minds and in our hearts, especially during a very turbulent political season where much of the attention is being focused on that. If you lose track of your purpose and mission to worship, glorify, honor God in every aspect of life. you get off track and start going down wrong roads. And this is where faith comes in. Because the things of the world that are right there for us to see and touch, that we tend to pursue because we think they will bring lasting happiness and joy, whether it's relationships, pleasure.
Money Some possessions, position, marriage, children, work. These aren't necessarily bad things. But they only provide temporal satisfaction because God created you and me primarily. to know, love, and above all, worship Him. And when you pursue nearness to God with a heart of worship, because He is worthy of that worship.
that is where lasting satisfaction and joy come from. And that's where the faith comes in. Trusting God, that worshiping Him is what most pleases Him and brings us the most joy. But like Scott said, the only way to properly worship God is to first be reconciled to Him. God is holy, holy, holy.
And yet we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of that sin is death, both physical and spiritual death, separation from God for eternity in hell. He's a just God. But God in Romans 5:8 demonstrates his own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 2 Corinthians 5, 21, God made Christ who Who knew no sin? to be sin in our behalf.
that we might become the righteousness of God. In Him, so God provided a way that we can be reconciled to Him through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.
So I urge you if you have never done so. Obey Christ's command to repent and believe in this gospel. And God will forgive you. and grant you eternal life. and lead you into the way that you can fulfill your purpose in life to worship him.
And as you pursue the ordinary means of grace that Scott was talking about today through individual worship and family worship and corporate worship at church. you will draw nearer to God and better worship Him. You can find out more by going to our website, thechristianwheelview.org. clicking on the page what must I do to be saved. Again, today's interview with Scott Annuel on the primacy of worship originally aired in August 2024.
You can find it on the PAST programs page on our website, thechristianworldview.org.
Now, in the remaining time today, we are going to re-air a portion of an interview from November 2024 with Grant Castleberry, senior pastor of Capitol Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. The topic was on the sovereignty of God, but we also discussed an excellent 25-day Christmas devotional that he and his wife put together called Manger in Danger. The devotional starts December 1st, so we wanted to tell you about it now in case you want to order it to start on time. Yeah, no one Close today, Grant, by talking about a resource that we are featuring as we head toward Christmas to help. listeners do what you just said.
what can bring reformation and revival into a family. Uh so much of Christmas is about materialism, consumerism, uh things that have nothing to do with the the birth of Christ, Santa Claus and parties and drinking and everything else. It's so easy to get distracted this time of year. And you and your wife, Grace Anna, have created a resource. I'm going to let you describe it.
It's not just a book, it's actually a resource. It's something that's done in the days and really the month of December leading up to Christmas. It's called Manger in Danger. And we're going to be offering this to listeners, but I thought since you're on and you and your wife put this together, that you talk about why you created it and the purpose of it. the general impetus behind it was We didn't want our kids doing all these secular games like elf on the shelf or that sort of thing.
We really wanted to put Christ front and center. At Christmas, in all of our traditions. And so my wife just had this idea. She called it manger and danger. Where, when the kids get up every morning, she takes a manger.
And hides it, and then the kids come downstairs. And when they wake up, the first one who finds it for the day wins. And she called it Manger in Danger just out of the theme of. Satan, through Herod and others, trying to kill the baby Jesus and the flight to Egypt and all of that that happened in the Nativity story. And of course, God providentially protected his son until the point of crucifixion.
So, from a sovereign sense, he wasn't in danger, but from man's perspective, Satan and the forces of evil were trying to kill the baby Jesus.
So there's some symbolism there in terms of the name, but it was a way to put. Christ in the Christmas story front and center with our kids. And then somebody had the idea. Of let's make this available to other families.
So, Grace Ann and I kind of put it together with a PDF. last year. And a lot of families were interested in it. And then 316 Publishing. Gary Kim and others came to us and said, Hey, we want to make this available to families across the country.
And they actually engineered a wooden manger. that's small enough to hide. And then I wrote. A Family devotional with 25 Devotions for every day in December leading up to Christmas, including Christmas Day, that you can do in about seven minutes each day after you play the game. And the devotions are just loaded with the deity of Christ and the gospel.
On basically every page.
So it's really a great way to get the gospel to your kids. Through the narrative of the Christmas story. And it's also a great evangelistic tool that if you have family. in your company or a family member that you want to give the game to. The book is basically a gospel track that is loaded with truth.
That you are giving them.
So we're excited just to see the spiritual impact that this is going to have on children. Children are our greatest mission field. And their hearts are so tender and they're receptive to truth.
So I'm just so excited to see how the Lord is going to use this game and this tradition, but really. The truth that comes with it. We're really excited about it as well because for many years on this program, we try to encourage. Listeners, to make Christmas meaningful about the purpose of Christmas, the coming of. The Son of God into the world.
And this is just a fantastic way to do that. If you're a parent or your grandparent, this is something we really recommend you get and do for those days. Not just something you do on Christmas morning or Christmas Eve, but this will get your hearts and your minds focused to where it should be as you head toward Christmas.
So we're so appreciative that you put this together, Grant, you and Grace Anna. Thank you also for coming on the program today and answering some really difficult questions. God's sovereignty is one of the big questions I think that people are always trying to understand. We probably can't perfectly understand it. His ways and his thoughts are higher than ours, but I thought you did really an excellent job today.
So thank you for coming on the Christian Worldview. Keep standing firm in Christ and as you preach to your church and all of God's best and grace to you and your family as well. Absolutely. As always, it's a pleasure joining you and so thankful for you. Keep on.
I'm really grateful for Grant Castleberry and the work that God has done in his life. You can find links to his church and his ministry at thechristianworldview.org. Also, if you have children or grandchildren aged 4 to 12, or our friends with an unbelieving family. We highly encourage you to order manger in danger. Our family is going to use it starting December 1st.
Now Manger Endanger retails for $40 plus shipping. You can order it online, by phone, or through the mail for a donation of $30 or more to the Christian Worldview. And our contact information will be given immediately following today's program. Thank you for joining us today on the Christian Worldview and for your support of this non-profit radio ministry. Let's remember what Scripture says.
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. For that he is to be trusted and praised. Until next time. Think biblically. Live accordingly and stand firm.
The mission of the Christian worldview is to sharpen the biblical worldview of Christians and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We hope today's broadcast encouraged you toward that end. To hear a replay of today's program, order a transcript, or find out what must I do to be saved, go to thechristianworldview.org or call toll-free 188-646-2233. The Christian Worldview is a listener-supported non-profit radio ministry furnished by the Overcomer Foundation. To make a donation, order resources, become a Christian Worldview partner, sign up for our weekly email, or the Christian Worldview Journal monthly print publication, or to contact us, go to thechristianworldview.org, call 188-646-2233, or write to Box 401, Excelsior, Minnesota, 55331.
Thanks for listening to the Christian Worldview. Uh Mm.
