Point of View December 3, 2024 – Hour 1 : A Wondrous Mystery

[00:00:04] Across America, Live, this is Point of View, Kirby Anderson.

[00:00:20] Thank you for joining me. It is the Tuesday edition of Point of View and we're going to spend some time today, first of all, kind of looking back to some of the comments being made about the decision by the current president, Joe Biden, to pardon his son and some of the reactions there.

[00:00:34] And then we're going to spend some time since it is the season of Advent to actually welcome to the microphone Jeffrey Chang, who has edited together some great illustrations and messages and even sermons from Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

[00:00:49] I think you'll really appreciate that. We'll also be talking a little bit later in the next hour with Mark Gerson about African Mission Healthcare.

[00:00:55] Then we'll come back to some other issues, some comments about what is happening in terms of the cabinet, some questions about this administrative state and whether or not DOGE, the Department of Efficiency, Government Efficiency will be effective in cutting that down.

[00:01:13] And some interesting comments from Elon Musk, of all people, as to why there has been such a flap over the choice of an individual who will serve as the director of the FBI.

[00:01:26] So we'll get into all of those as time goes on.

[00:01:29] But if you have been paying attention, you probably know that over the last couple of days we've been talking about the idea that today is Giving Tuesday.

[00:01:39] If you receive an email from me, you probably received some yesterday, probably received one today.

[00:01:44] And I thought it would be good for just a few minutes to explain why we're doing what we're doing.

[00:01:49] So we bring into the microphone here and into the studio the president of Point of View, Warren Kelly.

[00:01:55] Thank you, Kirby. It's always a privilege to be in here with you.

[00:01:58] Well, let's, if we can, talk about Giving Tuesday.

[00:02:01] It, of course, is an opportunity for people to give to a number of different ministries.

[00:02:05] As I've said before, I hope that you not only support Point of View, but even support the radio stations that carry this program.

[00:02:12] Yes.

[00:02:12] This next year in 2025, I'm doing at least two different banquets and maybe even more to come with various radio stations where I want to help them raise their support.

[00:02:20] Because I think it is so important. It is a partnership we have with them.

[00:02:24] But when people give to Point of View, they might say, okay, I know you do a radio program.

[00:02:29] Can you give us the full-orbed look at what Point of View is about?

[00:02:32] I can do that.

[00:02:34] But Point of View has a radio program primarily, and you know that because you're listening to us probably on the radio.

[00:02:41] So we have about 212 radio stations across the country that carry the broadcast.

[00:02:46] And Point of View has been on the air for like 50, over 50 years.

[00:02:50] And during that time, God has used this program to shape the lives and the worldview of literally tens of millions of listeners.

[00:02:58] So your gifts really do make a difference.

[00:03:00] You're the one that makes that possible.

[00:03:01] But in addition to the radio broadcast, Kirby, you know that we have an audio podcast.

[00:03:07] We have a video podcast.

[00:03:08] We have an audio stream.

[00:03:10] We have a video stream.

[00:03:11] We have other digital resources.

[00:03:12] And because of that, that makes the program available in parts of the country where there are no radio stations.

[00:03:19] So it fills in those different places.

[00:03:22] But also it makes it available around the world.

[00:03:25] Point of View now has listeners in virtually every country of the world.

[00:03:30] Just amazing.

[00:03:30] And it's making a big difference in the lives of people.

[00:03:33] We got a nice letter from a gentleman in South Africa the other day talking about how he has been listening for years and how it has really impacted his life and made a difference.

[00:03:42] But some of you probably don't know that Kirby also adds to our website six, at least half a dozen articles every single day.

[00:03:53] So you have resources on a wide variety of topics.

[00:03:57] If you go to pointofview.net, go to the search engine, you type in whatever it is you want to know about.

[00:04:03] I will guarantee you that Kirby has put something up there that will be a great, reliable resource for you that will help you understand that topic.

[00:04:12] But even beyond that, those of you who are monthly partners or regular donors to Point of View, you know that we put out that booklet every month.

[00:04:21] Kirby does a fantastic job with these.

[00:04:23] We get so many compliments talking about how in 10 minutes or less you can read one of the booklets and you can have a solid understanding on that topic.

[00:04:32] Whatever it is.

[00:04:33] And there's a huge range of topics that he does that.

[00:04:37] And people hold on to those booklets and they go back to them and they use them as a resource when they need to know that, remind themselves about that topic.

[00:04:45] But a lot of people give them away as well.

[00:04:48] In fact, we had, I had a call from a listener who's been a listener for many years.

[00:04:53] He said, Warren, I have a friend who's an atheist, but he lives in Australia.

[00:04:59] And I want to get him a copy of Kirby's book on biblical reliability because that book really helps people understand that the Bible really is true.

[00:05:09] It is reliable.

[00:05:10] It's not just myths and fables, that kind of thing.

[00:05:13] So we helped him get a copy of the booklet to his friend in Australia.

[00:05:17] So those things make a difference.

[00:05:19] And then you have the outlet magazine that comes out every month.

[00:05:22] And there are other resources that we send out.

[00:05:24] Literally could sit here all day talking about how many things that Point of View does to impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the country and around the world every single day.

[00:05:35] And that's what you do when you give to Point of View.

[00:05:39] You are impacting the lives of people across the country, around the world, literally hundreds and hundreds of thousands of those people.

[00:05:47] So today is Giving Tuesday.

[00:05:49] Today is a great opportunity for you to give.

[00:05:51] We have a $15,000 goal for today.

[00:05:54] We're about a third of the way there.

[00:05:55] So we have a little ways to go and could really use your help.

[00:05:58] So please let us hear from you.

[00:06:01] And this is an opportunity for you to make a difference in our culture and in our world.

[00:06:05] I thought I might also mention, too, that sometimes I get the question, well, Kirby, you ever going to retire?

[00:06:11] Not that they're trying to retire anytime soon.

[00:06:13] But I say, well, just look at the fact that, you know, we have the Know Why podcast that Liberty McCarter does.

[00:06:19] This Thursday, people will be able to hear the Millennial Roundtable.

[00:06:22] And, again, we have individuals that are, you know, I guess the oldest one around here, but the youngest one's on the other side of the glass.

[00:06:28] And we have that plan for what the future is.

[00:06:32] So some people might say, well, what is the future of Point of View?

[00:06:35] And you and I recognize we won't always be here.

[00:06:37] And, of course, Marlon Maddox wasn't always here.

[00:06:39] And here we continue on.

[00:06:40] Yeah, there was a time when Marlon told me that he didn't think that Point of View could last more than a month or two after he passed away because, you know, there just wasn't anybody to pick up the gauntlet.

[00:06:49] And here Kirby's been sitting in that chair, I think, now longer than Marlon did.

[00:06:54] And the program is still every bit as strong today as it was back in the day when Marlon was here.

[00:06:59] And we do have plans that are going to continue this.

[00:07:02] But let me interject.

[00:07:03] Kirby's not going anywhere.

[00:07:04] He is not planning on retiring.

[00:07:06] Kirby is 10 years older than I am and runs circles around me with his schedule and everything he does.

[00:07:13] One of the most healthy people that I know.

[00:07:15] So he's not going anywhere.

[00:07:17] His mind is still just as sharp as it was 20, 30 years ago doing the show.

[00:07:22] So don't worry about that.

[00:07:24] But the Point of View that you have known and loved is going to continue to be here for many, many years to come.

[00:07:29] Let me just mention that I do have a link to the website, which is in the email that we sent to you.

[00:07:35] There's a banner that says Today is Giving Tuesday.

[00:07:38] But I believe you have some people that are willing to answer the phones, too.

[00:07:42] We do.

[00:07:43] So, again, let's give that number out.

[00:07:45] And that is a different number than the on-air number.

[00:07:47] It's 800-347-5151.

[00:07:51] 1-800-347-5151.

[00:07:55] Someone might actually answer that.

[00:07:57] And if it gets really busy, just hold on and somebody will get to you right away.

[00:08:02] But I just think that Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to say, I support this ministry.

[00:08:07] And I thought maybe by the end of the program, bring you in again.

[00:08:10] You can tell us how we've been doing.

[00:08:12] But I thought we'd start off by mentioning that we're going to be getting into all sorts of issues in the news.

[00:08:16] But it is Giving Tuesday.

[00:08:18] Support any ministry that you believe in.

[00:08:20] But I hope one of those ministries would be Point of View because we want to be your trusted source for news, information, and commentary.

[00:08:27] If you appreciate the guests we bring together every single day, we certainly would appreciate your gift right now.

[00:08:34] You can call that number at 800-347-5151.

[00:08:38] Of course, you can go to pointofview.net.

[00:08:40] There's a banner that says Today is Giving Tuesday.

[00:08:43] Let's take a break.

[00:08:44] We'll come back with Warren Kelly at the end of the program.

[00:08:47] We'll be back right after this.

[00:08:58] This is Viewpoints with Kirby Anderson.

[00:09:02] As we all know, the country is carrying a national debt of $36 trillion.

[00:09:06] The Bible warns us about debt.

[00:09:08] Proverbs 22.7 says the rich rule over the poor and the borrower is a servant to the lender.

[00:09:13] We need to do something rather than ignoring our debt problem.

[00:09:17] Senator Cynthia Lummis has proposed that the U.S. put together a Bitcoin strategic reserve.

[00:09:23] She has introduced the Bitcoin Act in the last session of Congress.

[00:09:26] And will reintroduce it again in January.

[00:09:29] This next time, it may get a hearing because of the change in the U.S. Senate and the interest from the new Trump administration.

[00:09:36] Now, she proposes that the U.S. keep the Bitcoin that they have recovered and purchase approximately 200,000 Bitcoin a year.

[00:09:43] She predicts just by converting money we already have into Bitcoin and holding it for 20 years, if we do that with 5% of the Bitcoin that ever existed, which is roughly a million Bitcoin, we could cut our debt in half in 20 years.

[00:09:56] The other benefit, she explains, we would have an asset that's growing in value while our own dollar is decreasing in value.

[00:10:04] We could shore up the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency.

[00:10:08] This, she believes, would help protect the country against inflation and protect the U.S. dollar worldwide.

[00:10:13] Her proposal will have its critics, as illustrated by one article with the title, The Delusions Behind the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve.

[00:10:21] But the idea deserves an honest discussion and evaluation in Congress.

[00:10:26] And perhaps you've seen the graph that illustrates that it took 221 years to reach a national debt of $12 trillion,

[00:10:33] and then shows that we've added $12 trillion since 2020.

[00:10:36] We have a debt problem, and this is one way to address it.

[00:10:40] I'm Kirby Anderson, and that's my point of view.

[00:10:46] For a free booklet on a biblical view of anti-Semitism, go to viewpoints.info slash anti-Semitism.

[00:10:53] Viewpoints.info slash anti-Semitism.

[00:11:00] Point of view. Finding clarity in the chaos.

[00:11:04] Point of view is important. It's entertaining. It's vibrant.

[00:11:09] I hope that folks who listen already know that, and I'm just here to remind them

[00:11:13] that they should think about supporting it, even in a modest way, maybe especially in a modest way,

[00:11:19] whatever you feel is appropriate.

[00:11:20] But I think this is an important ministry, and I would just encourage you to step up to the plate.

[00:11:28] They need your help, and please be encouraged that God loves a cheerful giver.

[00:11:33] Amen.

[00:11:33] Finding clarity in the chaos.

[00:11:36] Point of view.

[00:11:38] Eric Metaxas, good friend.

[00:11:40] An individual that we started interviewing on Point of View before he had all those best-selling books

[00:11:45] like Amazing Grace and Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther and others.

[00:11:49] And so, again, encouraging you to give to this ministry, and if you can do so, it is Giving Tuesday.

[00:11:54] Let's get into some of the issues in the news.

[00:11:57] Of course, we talked yesterday about the pardon of President Biden giving to his son,

[00:12:04] and there are just a couple of other kind of reactions, one of which is the reactions among Democrats,

[00:12:12] who in some cases have said, Mr. President, it's almost like you're trying to destroy your legacy,

[00:12:19] and you're trying to destroy the Democratic Party.

[00:12:22] Let me just give you one quote.

[00:12:24] This comes from the Colorado governor.

[00:12:27] He's a Democrat.

[00:12:28] But Jared Polis, who said, while as a father I certainly understand President Joe Biden's natural desire to help his son by pardoning him,

[00:12:36] I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country.

[00:12:40] He says this is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents.

[00:12:45] That's something that I think you already are hearing many of them say, and will sadly tarnish his reputation.

[00:12:53] The governor of, again, Colorado goes on to say, when you become president, your role is paterfamilias, Latin, of the nation.

[00:13:01] And Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles,

[00:13:07] while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a president and not a president's son.

[00:13:13] And that's, I think, a key illustration there of the fact that for months we have heard,

[00:13:20] when especially there was the, what I think was lawfare against Donald Trump,

[00:13:26] the line that was used constantly was simply, well, no one is above the law, not the president,

[00:13:33] not the president's son or anything else.

[00:13:36] And yet here we see that particular pardon being given out.

[00:13:40] And so it is certainly one thing that is going to maybe affect the legacy of Joe Biden.

[00:13:48] But it also, it's interesting, I've seen numerous articles that have come out from a variety of different sources,

[00:13:56] all saying it's sure going to make it much easier now for Donald Trump to actually pardon the January 6th protesters and hostages,

[00:14:05] as he calls it, if you go to Donald Trump's post on Truth Social, this is how he said it,

[00:14:12] does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J6 hostages who have now been in prison for years,

[00:14:20] such an abuse and miscarriage of justice?

[00:14:24] Lots of people have picked up on that theme.

[00:14:27] Let me just give you two.

[00:14:28] One is Will Chamberlain, who said President Trump should just copy and paste this sentence,

[00:14:35] that is the sentence in the actual pardon that Joe Biden gave to Hunter Biden,

[00:14:41] into every one of his pardons of the J6 defendants,

[00:14:46] including grandmas convicted of praying in front of abortion clinics and others as well.

[00:14:52] And so that, as I mentioned yesterday, probably will take place.

[00:14:56] There are a couple of individuals that many people believe that Donald Trump probably will pardon.

[00:15:03] I talked about those yesterday, and you can go through and see the list that I created.

[00:15:08] It's a pretty short list because, as I also pointed out, for some of you that will say,

[00:15:13] well, Trump does it, Biden does it, everybody does it.

[00:15:17] No, if you go back and look, in the modern era, the person who has pardoned the fewest was George Herbert Walker Bush.

[00:15:27] Number two, right next to him, was Donald Trump.

[00:15:30] The pardons that were given by, say, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and now, of course, Joe Biden,

[00:15:38] have been extensive, and many times there are people that do have criminal records,

[00:15:43] and maybe you could argue in a few cases their punishment exceeded their crime,

[00:15:50] but in many cases we're letting people out or pardoning people that maybe shouldn't have received pardons in the first place.

[00:15:57] I've never been a fan of them.

[00:15:59] I mentioned that yesterday.

[00:16:00] I think this whole idea of being able to pardon individuals has been greatly misused and overused and abused.

[00:16:08] But nevertheless, let's get to another one.

[00:16:11] Kurt Schlichter, he's been on the program with us before.

[00:16:12] Now he says this will make it easier for Donald Trump to pardon every 6J6 individual,

[00:16:19] every abortion protester, and other political prisoners.

[00:16:24] So the impact that this could have might be somewhat significant.

[00:16:29] So again, just a couple of issues to mention there as well.

[00:16:33] And before we get into some other topics, which we'll probably cover on the other side maybe in the next hour,

[00:16:40] I thought I would also point out that there are many commentators pointing out that even the election of Donald Trump,

[00:16:48] even before he's even taken office, has actually had an impact around the world.

[00:16:54] One of those examples is the posting by the president that Hamas must release the hostages,

[00:17:03] or when he takes power, there will be, and he uses some words I wouldn't use on the air,

[00:17:08] but there will be something to pay for that.

[00:17:10] And it was reminiscent of the fact that for those of you that are a little bit older,

[00:17:15] you might remember that when Americans were held hostage in Iran when Jimmy Carter was president,

[00:17:22] as soon as Ronald Reagan was sworn into office, those hostages were put on a plane and sent back home.

[00:17:30] I think Donald Trump is hoping the same kind of thing will happen,

[00:17:34] and if not, there is going to be a price that will be paid,

[00:17:38] and ultimately you are noticing that Hamas right now is quite willing seemingly to engage in something that looks like negotiation.

[00:17:49] We had, of course, a ceasefire in the north.

[00:17:51] That didn't last very long.

[00:17:53] There were rockets fired both from Lebanon to Israel,

[00:17:59] and then some strikes from Israel to Lebanon.

[00:18:03] But one of the other interesting ones is, as you well know,

[00:18:06] Donald Trump, and we've mentioned this on the program,

[00:18:09] has actually said he is going to put massive tariffs on both Canada and Mexico,

[00:18:17] as well as China.

[00:18:18] I'll get to that in just a minute.

[00:18:19] And the argument is simply that Canada has not done a very good job of controlling the amount of drugs

[00:18:27] and other things that have come into this country.

[00:18:30] When the southern border was somewhat controlled,

[00:18:34] then those who wanted to make their way or sneak into this country have gone to Canada.

[00:18:40] And so as a result,

[00:18:41] some say that we are dealing with individuals who have come in from Canada to the United States

[00:18:49] from over 70 different countries around the world.

[00:18:52] So as you may know,

[00:18:55] the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau,

[00:18:58] without any major announcement,

[00:19:01] showed up at Mar-a-Lago to talk with Donald Trump.

[00:19:05] And what's been so interesting is Donald Trump apparently let people know what he said,

[00:19:11] and that is,

[00:19:12] Trudeau,

[00:19:13] here's one of the actual posts from someone else,

[00:19:16] Trudeau was complaining about tariffs,

[00:19:17] and Trump told him that if Canada can't survive without ripping off the United States,

[00:19:22] then Canada should become the 51st state,

[00:19:25] which I thought was kind of interesting.

[00:19:27] And for those of you looking online,

[00:19:29] you can see the kind of memes that have come out.

[00:19:32] You've got a picture here of North America,

[00:19:34] and it's all in the red,

[00:19:36] white,

[00:19:36] and blue.

[00:19:37] Or then you have another one with a flag,

[00:19:39] where you have 51,

[00:19:40] and the 51st one is a maple leaf.

[00:19:44] And it's just an illustration,

[00:19:45] again,

[00:19:45] that you just never know what Donald Trump is going to say.

[00:19:49] Of course,

[00:19:50] that's not going to happen.

[00:19:51] And of course,

[00:19:52] the point he was making is,

[00:19:53] you need to fix the border.

[00:19:56] If you have ever traveled from the United States into Canada,

[00:19:59] and I've done this on a number of occasions,

[00:20:01] and spoken up there,

[00:20:02] and been very gracious opportunities to do so,

[00:20:05] oftentimes it seems almost more difficult

[00:20:08] to get into Canada

[00:20:11] than when you come back from Canada into the United States.

[00:20:14] Now,

[00:20:15] you could say part of that problem

[00:20:16] maybe is what the United States doesn't do

[00:20:19] on our side of the border,

[00:20:21] but also what Canada needs to do

[00:20:23] on their side of the border.

[00:20:25] So,

[00:20:25] you can see that

[00:20:26] even announcing that he would launch

[00:20:29] rather dramatic tariffs,

[00:20:32] 25% tariffs,

[00:20:34] on Canadian goods and Mexican goods,

[00:20:36] has certainly gotten the attention

[00:20:38] of some of those individuals,

[00:20:40] both the individuals

[00:20:42] that are involved in the government

[00:20:44] to the north of us,

[00:20:45] and the individuals in the government

[00:20:47] to the south of us.

[00:20:48] And just one more illustration

[00:20:50] that even before Donald Trump

[00:20:52] has taken office,

[00:20:53] a couple things are starting to change

[00:20:55] on the international scene.

[00:20:57] There's a lot more we'll talk about,

[00:20:59] but we do need to take a break.

[00:21:00] And we've waited until actually

[00:21:02] the third day in December

[00:21:04] to get into the advent.

[00:21:06] So when we come back,

[00:21:07] going to spend some time

[00:21:08] with Dr. Jeffrey Chang,

[00:21:10] who has become quite the expert

[00:21:12] on Charles Spurgeon.

[00:21:14] And we're going to talk a little bit

[00:21:16] about his book,

[00:21:16] The Wondrous Medley,

[00:21:18] and Mystery,

[00:21:19] and an opportunity to maybe

[00:21:21] get into the spirit of advent.

[00:21:23] That's what we're going to be talking about

[00:21:25] right after these important messages.

[00:21:31] Today is Giving Tuesday,

[00:21:33] and we would be honored

[00:21:34] to have you partner with us

[00:21:36] on this day of global generosity.

[00:21:39] Our goal is to raise $15,000 today.

[00:21:43] And to do that,

[00:21:44] we need your support.

[00:21:46] We do live in a chaotic world,

[00:21:48] and as the election results revealed,

[00:21:51] more and more Americans realize

[00:21:52] that they cannot trust

[00:21:54] the traditional voices

[00:21:55] in the mainstream media

[00:21:57] or the political parties

[00:21:59] like we used to.

[00:22:00] But Americans can trust

[00:22:03] Point of View,

[00:22:04] where we apply God's unshakable truth

[00:22:07] to the constantly changing chaos

[00:22:09] of the culture.

[00:22:11] Today, on Giving Tuesday,

[00:22:13] please partner with Point of View

[00:22:15] in a generous way

[00:22:17] and give more Americans

[00:22:19] the biblical clarity

[00:22:20] that we all need.

[00:22:22] Help us meet our goal.

[00:22:24] Visit us today online

[00:22:25] at pointofview.net.

[00:22:28] Or you can also give

[00:22:30] by picking up your phone

[00:22:31] and calling us toll-free

[00:22:33] at 1-800-347-5151.

[00:22:37] That's pointofview.net

[00:22:40] and 1-800-347-5151.

[00:22:47] Point of View will continue after this.

[00:22:51] You are listening to Point of View.

[00:23:02] The opinions expressed on Point of View

[00:23:04] do not necessarily reflect the views

[00:23:07] of the management or staff of this station.

[00:23:09] And now, here again,

[00:23:11] is Kirby Anderson.

[00:23:13] We're in the Advent season,

[00:23:15] and this is an opportunity

[00:23:16] to once again reflect on the incarnation,

[00:23:19] how the infant came from the infinite,

[00:23:23] and I think it's an incredible opportunity

[00:23:25] once again to not only consider

[00:23:28] what is happening during this Christmas season,

[00:23:30] this time of Advent,

[00:23:32] but also to listen to

[00:23:33] the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon,

[00:23:37] individual that actually has had

[00:23:39] such a profound impact

[00:23:40] on so many individuals.

[00:23:42] Randy Alcorn,

[00:23:43] a good friend of this ministry,

[00:23:45] has said that

[00:23:45] no preacher of God's words

[00:23:47] speaks to me more powerfully

[00:23:48] than Charles Spurgeon.

[00:23:50] His are the words of an old friend,

[00:23:52] though sadly many of other friends

[00:23:54] yet don't know him.

[00:23:55] Many thanks to Jeffrey Chang

[00:23:58] for giving us Spurgeon's rich insights

[00:24:00] into Christ's incarnation.

[00:24:02] And this is basically a daily devotion

[00:24:05] that you can take.

[00:24:07] It's taken from his Christmas servants,

[00:24:09] and it is titled

[00:24:11] A Wondrous Mystery,

[00:24:13] A Daily Advent of Devotions,

[00:24:15] and it is edited by Jeffrey Chang,

[00:24:17] who serves as the assistant professor

[00:24:20] of historical theology,

[00:24:22] but also is the curator

[00:24:24] of the Spurgeon Library,

[00:24:27] which is located

[00:24:27] at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

[00:24:31] That is in Kansas City.

[00:24:33] I've been there before speaking.

[00:24:34] Matter of fact,

[00:24:35] last time I was up there

[00:24:36] was during baseball season,

[00:24:37] and I was trying to get away

[00:24:39] just long enough

[00:24:39] to watch the Kansas City Royals.

[00:24:41] If I'm ever there in the fall,

[00:24:43] I want to go and see

[00:24:44] the Kansas City Chiefs.

[00:24:45] But nevertheless,

[00:24:46] that has been a wonderful seminary.

[00:24:48] I know a number of people

[00:24:49] that work there.

[00:24:50] And Dr. Jeffrey Chang,

[00:24:51] I appreciate the work

[00:24:52] that you've done over the years,

[00:24:53] not only as a professor

[00:24:55] of historical theology,

[00:24:56] but I know you're also

[00:24:57] the book review editor

[00:24:58] for the History

[00:25:00] and Historical Theology

[00:25:02] section of the Gospel Coalition.

[00:25:04] So thank you for joining us today

[00:25:05] here on Point of View.

[00:25:07] It's so good to be with you.

[00:25:08] Thanks for having me.

[00:25:09] Let's, if we can,

[00:25:10] set the scene for just a minute,

[00:25:11] because in your introduction,

[00:25:13] which I thought was so appropriate,

[00:25:15] you talk about the fact

[00:25:16] that by the time we get to

[00:25:18] the season where the Puritans

[00:25:20] were in power in England,

[00:25:23] this idea of Christmas

[00:25:25] really was waning.

[00:25:27] Matter of fact,

[00:25:27] it was being kind of pushed aside.

[00:25:29] The Puritans were very concerned

[00:25:31] for a couple of reasons.

[00:25:33] One, it was sort of tied

[00:25:34] to Roman Catholicism,

[00:25:36] because after all,

[00:25:36] Christmas is Christmas.

[00:25:38] And also that during

[00:25:40] that Christmas season,

[00:25:42] oftentimes in England,

[00:25:44] there was a fair amount

[00:25:45] of debauchery and drinking

[00:25:46] and those kinds of things.

[00:25:48] And so interestingly enough,

[00:25:50] that was a world that existed.

[00:25:53] But then you have

[00:25:54] Charles Dickens'

[00:25:55] A Christmas Carol.

[00:25:57] Comes out in 1843,

[00:25:58] in which,

[00:25:59] I'll let you explain,

[00:26:01] in some respects,

[00:26:01] he wasn't necessarily

[00:26:02] just reflecting on

[00:26:05] Christmas in his day,

[00:26:06] but really calling

[00:26:08] for them to revive Christmas.

[00:26:10] It's kind of in that

[00:26:12] cultural milieu

[00:26:13] that Charles Spurgeon

[00:26:15] actually began

[00:26:17] as a pastor

[00:26:18] and began to preach

[00:26:19] some of these sermons.

[00:26:20] Give us some background,

[00:26:21] if you might.

[00:26:23] Yeah, that's exactly right.

[00:26:24] You know,

[00:26:26] Spurgeon was a pastor

[00:26:27] there in London

[00:26:28] in the 19th century.

[00:26:30] In many ways,

[00:26:31] he grew up on the Puritans.

[00:26:32] He grew up reading

[00:26:33] their theology.

[00:26:34] He benefited

[00:26:35] from a lot of their ministries,

[00:26:37] their writings,

[00:26:38] their books.

[00:26:39] And on this point,

[00:26:41] in terms of

[00:26:42] the celebration of Christmas,

[00:26:43] he was in some ways

[00:26:44] aligned with them.

[00:26:45] He understood that

[00:26:47] Christmas is sort of a

[00:26:49] sort of a good thing to do,

[00:26:51] right?

[00:26:51] It's good for Christians

[00:26:52] to remember the Incarnation,

[00:26:53] but at the same time,

[00:26:54] there's a lot of

[00:26:55] Christian freedom.

[00:26:56] It's not something

[00:26:57] that's imposed

[00:26:57] on the church.

[00:26:59] We ought not to see it,

[00:27:00] those traditions,

[00:27:01] as being imposed

[00:27:02] to us from Scripture.

[00:27:04] So he really thought

[00:27:05] to balance that,

[00:27:06] that sort of aspect

[00:27:07] of Christian freedom,

[00:27:09] also with the cultural

[00:27:11] phenomenon that was

[00:27:12] arising in this day

[00:27:13] of the celebration

[00:27:14] of Christmas,

[00:27:14] the celebration

[00:27:16] of the holidays,

[00:27:18] of being with family,

[00:27:19] of gift-giving.

[00:27:20] But in the midst

[00:27:21] of all that,

[00:27:22] he wanted to reinsert

[00:27:23] the theological meaning

[00:27:25] behind all those practices,

[00:27:26] that these things,

[00:27:27] we do these things

[00:27:28] because of a belief

[00:27:30] in the Incarnation of Christ.

[00:27:32] Well, again,

[00:27:32] you have that same period,

[00:27:33] of course,

[00:27:34] we call it Victorian England,

[00:27:35] you have Prince Albert,

[00:27:36] and Queen Victoria,

[00:27:38] but Prince Albert

[00:27:38] really brought a lot

[00:27:39] of his German Christmas

[00:27:41] traditions,

[00:27:43] because in Lutheranism

[00:27:45] in Germany,

[00:27:45] that still existed,

[00:27:47] so much of what

[00:27:48] we think about today

[00:27:49] in terms of Christmas

[00:27:50] really came from him

[00:27:52] and from that tradition,

[00:27:53] Christmas trees,

[00:27:54] the idea of gift-giving,

[00:27:56] candles,

[00:27:56] and those kinds of things.

[00:27:57] So in some respects,

[00:27:59] he wanted to be true

[00:28:01] to the Puritan teaching,

[00:28:03] and true to biblical ideas,

[00:28:05] but also there were times

[00:28:07] when he was talking

[00:28:08] about the fact that

[00:28:09] I wish other days

[00:28:11] could be like Christmas.

[00:28:12] Didn't he say

[00:28:12] something like that?

[00:28:13] Yeah, he said something

[00:28:14] like I wish there were

[00:28:15] a dozen Christmases

[00:28:16] all year long.

[00:28:17] He was especially mindful

[00:28:19] of the fact that

[00:28:20] his largely middle-class

[00:28:22] working congregation,

[00:28:23] for many of them,

[00:28:24] this was their only holiday.

[00:28:26] So he would wish

[00:28:27] for more opportunities

[00:28:28] for these working-class people

[00:28:30] to be able to rest

[00:28:31] and be with family.

[00:28:32] So he saw it

[00:28:33] as a good thing in society.

[00:28:35] Well, again,

[00:28:36] as we work our way

[00:28:37] through the different devotions,

[00:28:39] you will see that oftentimes

[00:28:41] you're quoting

[00:28:42] from some of the key passages,

[00:28:44] of course, Luke 2,

[00:28:45] but even in the Old Testament,

[00:28:47] Isaiah 9, Micah 5,

[00:28:50] and other passages.

[00:28:51] So it seems to me

[00:28:53] that he provides a model

[00:28:55] for pastors right now

[00:28:57] that maybe want to talk about

[00:28:58] the hope of Christmas.

[00:29:00] They want to talk about

[00:29:01] the incarnation

[00:29:02] from the infinite

[00:29:04] to the infant.

[00:29:05] There are all sorts

[00:29:06] of great themes

[00:29:07] that really are part

[00:29:09] of some of the sermons

[00:29:11] that he gave

[00:29:12] as he was addressing

[00:29:14] that congregation.

[00:29:15] And again,

[00:29:16] I think it's worth mentioning

[00:29:17] that didn't he start

[00:29:19] preaching at the age

[00:29:20] of like 16,

[00:29:21] and he was called

[00:29:23] to be a pastor

[00:29:24] by the age of 19,

[00:29:25] and then eventually

[00:29:26] was pastoring

[00:29:27] in the largest church,

[00:29:28] evangelical church

[00:29:29] in London.

[00:29:30] So he had a phenomenal run

[00:29:32] and a great experience

[00:29:34] of really exegeting

[00:29:36] God's word

[00:29:37] for the British people

[00:29:38] at the time.

[00:29:40] Yeah,

[00:29:41] and if you think about

[00:29:41] London in the 19th century,

[00:29:43] I mean,

[00:29:43] this is at the height

[00:29:44] of the British Empire.

[00:29:45] Yes.

[00:29:46] I mean,

[00:29:46] he is in the capital

[00:29:47] of the Victorian Empire,

[00:29:49] and so his influence

[00:29:50] there in London

[00:29:51] is reaching

[00:29:52] the entire world

[00:29:53] as his sermons

[00:29:54] are certainly

[00:29:55] being published

[00:29:56] in English

[00:29:56] and spread

[00:29:57] throughout the English-speaking world,

[00:29:58] but then being translated

[00:29:59] into other languages.

[00:30:01] There's something like

[00:30:01] 40 other languages

[00:30:03] that his sermons

[00:30:04] were translated into.

[00:30:05] He really had

[00:30:07] an amazing global impact

[00:30:08] throughout his ministry

[00:30:10] from his books

[00:30:11] to sermons

[00:30:12] to his pastor's college

[00:30:13] to the orphanage

[00:30:14] that he started

[00:30:15] and certainly

[00:30:16] to his church there,

[00:30:17] the largest church

[00:30:18] in evangelicalism.

[00:30:19] It's a phenomenal story.

[00:30:21] Again,

[00:30:21] I think a lot of people

[00:30:23] would love

[00:30:24] to have your job

[00:30:25] to read

[00:30:25] Charles Haddon Spurgeon,

[00:30:27] you know,

[00:30:27] to be the curator

[00:30:29] of the Spurgeon Library,

[00:30:30] but what you've done here

[00:30:32] is given us

[00:30:33] sort of bite-sized readings,

[00:30:35] 30 different days,

[00:30:36] 30 chapters,

[00:30:37] of course,

[00:30:38] in addition,

[00:30:39] of course,

[00:30:39] the introduction

[00:30:39] we just talked about,

[00:30:40] and talk about

[00:30:42] how to use these

[00:30:43] because in some respects

[00:30:44] what you do

[00:30:45] is you give us

[00:30:46] a key verse

[00:30:47] that obviously

[00:30:47] was one he was

[00:30:48] preaching from,

[00:30:49] and then you take us

[00:30:50] through in round numbers

[00:30:52] about four,

[00:30:53] three or four pages

[00:30:54] and give us

[00:30:55] kind of a summary

[00:30:56] of some of the key points

[00:30:58] that he gave

[00:30:58] in that particular message

[00:31:01] related to Christmas.

[00:31:02] Yeah.

[00:31:03] Yeah,

[00:31:04] so,

[00:31:04] I mean,

[00:31:05] one of the reasons

[00:31:05] his sermons

[00:31:06] were so popular

[00:31:06] was because Spurgeon

[00:31:08] was a gifted communicator

[00:31:09] and he was,

[00:31:11] he meditated

[00:31:13] on God's word

[00:31:14] richly,

[00:31:15] you know,

[00:31:15] powerfully.

[00:31:16] So what we have here

[00:31:17] are 30 of his sermons,

[00:31:21] particularly around Christmas,

[00:31:23] as he is meditating

[00:31:24] on the incarnation,

[00:31:27] on the coming of Christ

[00:31:28] and how that affects

[00:31:29] our Christian lives.

[00:31:32] So,

[00:31:34] these are not full sermons.

[00:31:35] His sermons

[00:31:36] obviously would be

[00:31:36] much longer,

[00:31:37] but I've tried

[00:31:38] to pick excerpts

[00:31:39] that are sort of

[00:31:40] self-contained

[00:31:41] and contain some

[00:31:42] of his richest reflections.

[00:31:44] In terms of the way

[00:31:45] to use them,

[00:31:46] yeah,

[00:31:47] just,

[00:31:47] I think these could be

[00:31:48] certainly used privately,

[00:31:50] you know,

[00:31:50] in terms of your own

[00:31:51] personal devotions,

[00:31:52] but another option

[00:31:54] might be to

[00:31:54] find a good Christian friend

[00:31:56] that you meet with

[00:31:57] and you read through

[00:31:58] these together

[00:31:58] and discuss them.

[00:32:00] Or perhaps,

[00:32:01] you know,

[00:32:02] in the context

[00:32:02] of family worship

[00:32:03] or a small group,

[00:32:04] getting a group

[00:32:05] of Christians together

[00:32:05] to read these.

[00:32:06] But these are just,

[00:32:07] these are devotions,

[00:32:08] these are meditations

[00:32:09] to help you

[00:32:10] dwell on

[00:32:11] this wonderful

[00:32:13] fact

[00:32:14] that

[00:32:14] the eternal God

[00:32:15] has taken on

[00:32:16] our humanity.

[00:32:18] God with us,

[00:32:19] Emmanuel,

[00:32:20] that amazing truth

[00:32:22] that we can be

[00:32:23] so familiar with

[00:32:24] and sometimes

[00:32:25] skip over quickly,

[00:32:26] but he helps us

[00:32:28] slow down

[00:32:28] and just dwell on that.

[00:32:30] So that's my hope

[00:32:31] for those who read

[00:32:32] this book.

[00:32:33] Again,

[00:32:34] it's called

[00:32:34] A Wondrous Mystery.

[00:32:35] We'll take a break

[00:32:36] and come back

[00:32:36] with more.

[00:32:37] It is a relatively

[00:32:38] inexpensive book

[00:32:40] and you might be able

[00:32:40] to find it

[00:32:41] in your local bookstore,

[00:32:42] but if you simply

[00:32:42] go to our website,

[00:32:43] pointofview.net,

[00:32:44] click on that button

[00:32:45] that says see more

[00:32:46] and scroll down.

[00:32:47] You can get the book

[00:32:48] easily online

[00:32:50] by Kindle

[00:32:51] or a paperback

[00:32:52] and I think

[00:32:53] you will appreciate that.

[00:32:54] And when we come back,

[00:32:55] I thought we'll just

[00:32:55] focus on one or two

[00:32:57] and one in particular

[00:32:58] that we start out with

[00:33:00] because the first

[00:33:01] mention,

[00:33:02] if you will,

[00:33:03] of the gospel

[00:33:04] is found

[00:33:05] interesting enough

[00:33:06] in Genesis 3

[00:33:07] and where Christ

[00:33:09] will be the conqueror

[00:33:10] of Satan.

[00:33:11] Well,

[00:33:12] again,

[00:33:12] in this sermon,

[00:33:13] he takes you

[00:33:14] from Genesis 3

[00:33:15] to then,

[00:33:16] when I just mentioned,

[00:33:17] Micah 5

[00:33:18] and then to Isaiah 9

[00:33:20] and we'll talk

[00:33:21] a little bit about that

[00:33:22] because that is so helpful

[00:33:24] and it also illustrates

[00:33:26] how this book

[00:33:26] could be put

[00:33:27] in the hands

[00:33:27] of a non-Christian

[00:33:28] if he or she is open.

[00:33:30] It really could be used

[00:33:32] in an evangelistic way.

[00:33:33] We'll talk more about that

[00:33:34] but we need to take a break.

[00:33:36] We'll continue our conversation

[00:33:37] right after these

[00:33:38] important messages.

[00:33:57] Point of View

[00:33:58] Finding Clarity

[00:33:59] in the Chaos

[00:34:00] The importance

[00:34:02] of supporting ministries

[00:34:04] like Point of View

[00:34:04] that speak the truth.

[00:34:06] We complain sometimes

[00:34:08] that we're not hearing

[00:34:09] the truth in pulpits

[00:34:10] around America

[00:34:11] but when we have

[00:34:13] a radio show

[00:34:14] like Point of View

[00:34:14] that speaks the truth

[00:34:16] that really lays out

[00:34:17] the issues

[00:34:18] from a biblical perspective

[00:34:19] that gives you

[00:34:20] the ammunition

[00:34:21] as teachers of the word

[00:34:23] and disciple makers

[00:34:24] to go out there

[00:34:25] and engage the culture.

[00:34:27] These ministries folks

[00:34:29] are the ones

[00:34:29] we need to be supporting

[00:34:30] in this hour

[00:34:31] and that's what y'all

[00:34:32] do every day Kirby

[00:34:34] and I just hope

[00:34:35] people will continue

[00:34:36] to support

[00:34:37] such a legacy ministry

[00:34:38] that has meant

[00:34:39] so much for this nation.

[00:34:40] Finding Clarity

[00:34:42] in the Chaos

[00:34:43] Point of View

[00:34:45] White and Pounds

[00:34:46] reminding you

[00:34:46] that of course

[00:34:47] it is Giving Tuesday

[00:34:49] and if you can support

[00:34:50] Point of View

[00:34:50] we'd certainly love

[00:34:51] to hear from you.

[00:34:52] You can go to the website

[00:34:53] pointofview.net

[00:34:54] of course the phone number

[00:34:56] which I gave before

[00:34:56] I'll give it out again

[00:34:57] 800-347-5151

[00:35:02] 1-800-347-5151

[00:35:06] if you'd like to give a call

[00:35:07] and of course

[00:35:07] we're talking about

[00:35:08] the advent

[00:35:09] in this particular book

[00:35:11] A Wondrous Mystery

[00:35:12] and we're so privileged

[00:35:13] to have with us

[00:35:14] for a little bit longer

[00:35:15] Dr. Jeffrey Chang

[00:35:16] who is the curator

[00:35:17] of the Spurgeon Library

[00:35:18] Midwestern Baptist

[00:35:19] Theological Seminary

[00:35:20] of course an assistant professor

[00:35:22] of historical theology

[00:35:23] and much much more

[00:35:24] Let's see if we can

[00:35:25] get to one of the sections here

[00:35:28] and it goes back

[00:35:29] to Genesis 3

[00:35:30] Some people refer to that

[00:35:32] as the Proto-Evangelium

[00:35:34] and that is the first emphasis

[00:35:36] of the gospel

[00:35:37] right there

[00:35:38] as soon as the fall

[00:35:40] takes place

[00:35:40] you see God's plan

[00:35:42] for salvation

[00:35:42] but then

[00:35:44] in the sermon

[00:35:45] Charles Spurgeon

[00:35:47] takes us through

[00:35:48] first of all

[00:35:49] the fact that

[00:35:49] the Messiah

[00:35:51] will be born

[00:35:51] in Bethlehem

[00:35:52] Micah 5

[00:35:53] and then

[00:35:54] the very famous passage

[00:35:56] in Isaiah 9-6

[00:35:57] for unto us

[00:35:58] a child is born

[00:35:59] to us

[00:36:00] a son is given

[00:36:00] the government

[00:36:01] will be upon

[00:36:02] his shoulder

[00:36:02] his name

[00:36:03] will be called

[00:36:04] Wonderful

[00:36:04] Counselor

[00:36:05] Mighty God

[00:36:06] Everlasting

[00:36:07] Father

[00:36:08] Prince of Peace

[00:36:09] in some respects

[00:36:10] he takes us

[00:36:11] through the entire gospel

[00:36:12] and brings us up

[00:36:14] to the birth

[00:36:14] of Jesus Christ

[00:36:17] Yeah

[00:36:18] and what that

[00:36:18] really highlights

[00:36:19] right at the outset

[00:36:20] is that the birth

[00:36:22] of Christ

[00:36:22] is not

[00:36:23] a kind of

[00:36:24] plan B

[00:36:25] you know

[00:36:25] things didn't work out

[00:36:26] with some other thing

[00:36:28] and God figures out

[00:36:29] something else to do

[00:36:29] but rather

[00:36:30] the coming of Christ

[00:36:32] the seed of the woman

[00:36:33] who would crush

[00:36:33] the head of the serpent

[00:36:34] this was God's plan

[00:36:35] from the beginning

[00:36:36] right

[00:36:36] he had a Savior

[00:36:37] planned all along

[00:36:38] and really

[00:36:40] all of scripture

[00:36:41] from beginning to end

[00:36:42] points to

[00:36:43] the Savior

[00:36:44] Jesus Christ

[00:36:46] who would come

[00:36:47] One of the things

[00:36:48] I think is so helpful

[00:36:49] about this

[00:36:49] is of course

[00:36:50] this is

[00:36:50] deeply meaningful

[00:36:52] to us

[00:36:53] as a Christian

[00:36:54] but

[00:36:55] in some respects

[00:36:56] as I was going

[00:36:57] through the first

[00:36:58] couple of days

[00:36:58] it almost parallels

[00:37:00] one of the booklets

[00:37:01] we make available

[00:37:02] to our listeners

[00:37:02] on messianic prophecy

[00:37:04] when you see

[00:37:05] that these prophecies

[00:37:07] in the Old Testament

[00:37:08] literally fulfilled

[00:37:09] in Jesus

[00:37:10] Jeffrey I don't know

[00:37:11] how many people

[00:37:12] you know

[00:37:12] but I certainly

[00:37:13] have run into

[00:37:13] a number

[00:37:14] and I remember

[00:37:14] being even

[00:37:15] at National Religious

[00:37:16] Broadcasters

[00:37:17] a while back

[00:37:17] and having one

[00:37:18] of the people

[00:37:19] doing the interview

[00:37:20] say really

[00:37:20] to be honest

[00:37:21] with you

[00:37:21] the reason

[00:37:22] I'm a Christian

[00:37:22] is in large part

[00:37:24] because I saw

[00:37:25] all these prophecies

[00:37:26] in the Old Testament

[00:37:27] and they were

[00:37:28] fulfilled in

[00:37:29] the person

[00:37:29] Jesus Christ

[00:37:30] and I wondered

[00:37:31] what in the world

[00:37:32] would be the probability

[00:37:34] that that could happen

[00:37:35] by chance

[00:37:36] and again

[00:37:37] seeing fulfilled

[00:37:38] prophecy

[00:37:39] is just a

[00:37:40] fingerprint of God

[00:37:41] and also points

[00:37:43] to the fact

[00:37:43] that as you said

[00:37:44] Jesus wasn't

[00:37:46] plan B

[00:37:46] Jesus was

[00:37:48] part of the

[00:37:49] father in the

[00:37:50] creation

[00:37:50] and Jesus shows up

[00:37:52] in the Old Testament

[00:37:53] as we talked

[00:37:53] yesterday with one

[00:37:54] of our guests

[00:37:55] about the idea

[00:37:56] of theophany

[00:37:57] or Christophany

[00:37:57] in the Old Testament

[00:37:58] but all of that

[00:38:00] comes together

[00:38:01] and in some respects

[00:38:02] that's why I said

[00:38:02] even though you

[00:38:03] intended this to be

[00:38:04] a book written

[00:38:05] primarily to Christians

[00:38:06] I could see how

[00:38:08] we could give this

[00:38:08] to non-Christians

[00:38:09] and really get them

[00:38:09] thinking about

[00:38:10] the fact that

[00:38:11] Christ was predicted

[00:38:13] and he came

[00:38:14] and he fulfilled

[00:38:15] what God had planned

[00:38:16] for him to do

[00:38:17] here on earth

[00:38:18] yeah

[00:38:19] I think that's true

[00:38:20] you know

[00:38:21] especially

[00:38:22] for folks

[00:38:23] who are living

[00:38:24] in different parts

[00:38:25] of the country

[00:38:26] that are increasingly

[00:38:27] post-Christian

[00:38:29] you know

[00:38:30] I previously served

[00:38:31] as a pastor

[00:38:32] in Portland

[00:38:32] Oregon

[00:38:33] oh yes

[00:38:33] and we had many

[00:38:34] neighbors

[00:38:35] who

[00:38:35] had never

[00:38:37] had an evangelical

[00:38:39] Christian

[00:38:39] as a friend

[00:38:40] so all they knew

[00:38:41] of Christianity

[00:38:42] was kind of

[00:38:42] what they saw

[00:38:43] in the news

[00:38:44] or you know

[00:38:45] in the papers

[00:38:46] so they were

[00:38:47] very curious

[00:38:48] to actually learn

[00:38:48] more about

[00:38:49] what it is

[00:38:49] that Christians

[00:38:50] believed

[00:38:50] and as we built

[00:38:51] friendships with them

[00:38:51] we had opportunities

[00:38:52] to do that

[00:38:52] I remember

[00:38:54] one of the

[00:38:54] members of my church

[00:38:55] had an opportunity

[00:38:56] to go into

[00:38:58] a local elementary

[00:38:58] school

[00:38:59] and just share

[00:38:59] about her traditions

[00:39:00] as a Christian

[00:39:01] in terms of how

[00:39:02] she celebrated

[00:39:02] Christmas

[00:39:04] and so for

[00:39:05] those who are

[00:39:06] interested in

[00:39:06] learning more

[00:39:07] about Christianity

[00:39:07] a book like this

[00:39:08] could be helpful

[00:39:10] and you know

[00:39:10] the message

[00:39:11] of Christmas

[00:39:12] ties so clearly

[00:39:13] with the gospel

[00:39:14] so what an opportunity

[00:39:15] that is

[00:39:16] and again

[00:39:16] my wife's from Oregon

[00:39:17] and I go to Oregon

[00:39:18] every year

[00:39:18] to speak and teach

[00:39:20] and things of that nature

[00:39:21] and Oregon

[00:39:22] and Vermont

[00:39:22] we tend to go

[00:39:23] to those two states

[00:39:24] so often

[00:39:24] and those are

[00:39:25] the least churched

[00:39:26] states in the country

[00:39:27] so what a great

[00:39:29] opportunity

[00:39:29] but just before we go

[00:39:30] one of the other

[00:39:31] chapters is on

[00:39:32] the two advents

[00:39:33] of Christ

[00:39:34] it is so interesting

[00:39:35] Jeffrey

[00:39:35] that often times

[00:39:36] we sing

[00:39:37] you know

[00:39:38] joy to the world

[00:39:39] but really

[00:39:40] Isaac Watts

[00:39:41] wasn't talking

[00:39:41] about the first

[00:39:42] coming of Christ

[00:39:43] he was talking

[00:39:43] about the second

[00:39:44] coming of Christ

[00:39:45] and here

[00:39:46] again

[00:39:46] Charles Spurgeon

[00:39:47] reminds us

[00:39:48] that as much

[00:39:49] as we look

[00:39:50] at the babe

[00:39:51] and the manger

[00:39:52] we need to look

[00:39:53] ahead

[00:39:53] to Christ

[00:39:54] as king of kings

[00:39:56] can you speak

[00:39:57] to that?

[00:39:59] No

[00:39:59] that's exactly

[00:40:00] right

[00:40:02] whenever we sing

[00:40:03] the Christmas carols

[00:40:04] like O Come O Come

[00:40:05] Emmanuel

[00:40:06] in many ways

[00:40:07] as Christians

[00:40:08] that's also

[00:40:09] our prayer

[00:40:09] the longing

[00:40:10] of our hearts

[00:40:10] to see the return

[00:40:11] of the king

[00:40:12] to set all things

[00:40:14] right

[00:40:14] even as

[00:40:15] ancient Israel

[00:40:17] longed for their

[00:40:17] king to come

[00:40:18] we also are

[00:40:19] awaiting

[00:40:19] our king

[00:40:20] to return

[00:40:22] Christmas

[00:40:22] is a wonderful

[00:40:23] time to reflect

[00:40:24] on his second

[00:40:25] advent

[00:40:26] when he will come

[00:40:27] to save his people

[00:40:30] and set all things

[00:40:31] right

[00:40:31] so I think

[00:40:32] Spurgeon

[00:40:33] points us

[00:40:33] in that direction

[00:40:34] even as we

[00:40:35] celebrate

[00:40:36] the coming

[00:40:36] of Christ

[00:40:37] we know

[00:40:38] that his reign

[00:40:38] is not over

[00:40:39] that his work

[00:40:40] is not done

[00:40:41] that he is

[00:40:41] he has accomplished

[00:40:42] salvation

[00:40:43] but he's coming

[00:40:44] he's coming back

[00:40:45] to save his people

[00:40:46] and what a wonderful

[00:40:47] day that will be

[00:40:48] again this is

[00:40:49] advent season

[00:40:50] of course

[00:40:51] one of our staff

[00:40:52] here was making

[00:40:52] wreaths the other day

[00:40:53] and having wreaths

[00:40:54] and candles

[00:40:55] whether it's reading

[00:40:56] this devotional piece

[00:40:57] whether it's the

[00:40:58] preaching and teaching

[00:40:59] that happens

[00:41:00] from the pulpit

[00:41:01] of churches

[00:41:01] or even in the

[00:41:02] Sunday school class

[00:41:03] these are all things

[00:41:04] that I think

[00:41:05] should be part

[00:41:06] of this season

[00:41:06] and we're in the

[00:41:07] midst of advent season

[00:41:08] so I wanted to

[00:41:09] recommend this book

[00:41:10] and it's the one

[00:41:12] that just has come

[00:41:12] out in the last

[00:41:13] couple of months

[00:41:14] so it is new

[00:41:15] you may be able

[00:41:16] to find it

[00:41:16] in your local

[00:41:16] bookstore

[00:41:17] but if not

[00:41:17] you can certainly

[00:41:19] go online

[00:41:19] we have that link

[00:41:20] there as well

[00:41:21] a wondrous mystery

[00:41:23] a daily advent

[00:41:24] devotion

[00:41:25] that has been

[00:41:26] edited by

[00:41:27] Dr. Jeffrey Chang

[00:41:28] and it is the

[00:41:29] various messages

[00:41:30] of Charles Spurgeon

[00:41:32] 30 days of advent

[00:41:34] and I appreciate

[00:41:35] the fact that

[00:41:36] you've done this

[00:41:37] work Jeffrey

[00:41:38] and so thank you

[00:41:38] for being with us

[00:41:40] here on Point of View

[00:41:41] and I guess I should

[00:41:42] be the first to wish

[00:41:43] you a Merry Christmas

[00:41:45] Merry Christmas to you

[00:41:46] thank you so much

[00:41:47] Kirby

[00:41:47] let's take a break

[00:41:48] and when we come back

[00:41:49] we're going to get

[00:41:49] into some other topics

[00:41:50] and then we'll get

[00:41:51] back into issues

[00:41:52] in the news

[00:41:52] but I think the

[00:41:55] topic that we've

[00:41:56] just addressed

[00:41:56] illustrates the fact

[00:41:57] that yes we talk

[00:41:58] about politics

[00:41:59] yes we talk about

[00:42:00] science we talk

[00:42:01] about government

[00:42:01] we certainly talk

[00:42:03] about how to live

[00:42:04] the Christian life

[00:42:04] we talk about

[00:42:05] things like psychology

[00:42:07] and the need for you

[00:42:08] to have a biblical

[00:42:09] point of view

[00:42:09] in every area of life

[00:42:11] but also we believe

[00:42:13] that sometimes

[00:42:13] we want to delve

[00:42:14] into apologetics

[00:42:16] theology

[00:42:16] the Christian life

[00:42:18] and those are all

[00:42:19] things that if you

[00:42:20] certainly value

[00:42:21] what we provide

[00:42:22] here at Point of View

[00:42:23] I hope that you will

[00:42:24] maybe during the break

[00:42:26] think about giving us

[00:42:27] a call

[00:42:27] again that number

[00:42:28] is 800-347-5151

[00:42:32] 800-347-5151

[00:42:35] of course if you

[00:42:35] go to the website

[00:42:36] at pointofview.net

[00:42:38] we have a banner

[00:42:39] today is Giving

[00:42:41] Tuesday

[00:42:41] you have of course

[00:42:42] my viewpoints

[00:42:43] commentary

[00:42:43] some take action

[00:42:45] items

[00:42:45] a video

[00:42:46] and of course

[00:42:46] the links

[00:42:47] that you would need

[00:42:48] for this book

[00:42:49] and some of the

[00:42:50] other resources

[00:42:51] we've talked about

[00:42:52] today

[00:42:52] when you support

[00:42:53] Point of View

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[00:43:05] let's take a break

[00:43:06] give us a call

[00:43:06] 800-347-5151

[00:43:11] today is

[00:43:12] Giving Tuesday

[00:43:13] and we would be

[00:43:14] honored to have

[00:43:15] you partner with us

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[00:43:26] we do live

[00:43:27] in a chaotic

[00:43:27] world

[00:43:28] and as the

[00:43:29] election results

[00:43:30] revealed

[00:43:30] more and more

[00:43:31] Americans realize

[00:43:32] that they cannot

[00:43:33] trust the

[00:43:34] traditional voices

[00:43:35] in the mainstream

[00:43:36] media

[00:43:37] or the political

[00:43:38] parties

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[00:43:40] to

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[00:43:43] Point of View

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