The Gary DeMar Podcast

In this concluding part of his interview with Pastor Richard Henry, Gary further discusses the recent heresy controversy. Calling people and their views "heretical" happens far too often among Christians. Doctrines that deny the divinity and the humanity of Christ are indeed heretical (as 1 John makes clear), but differences over interpretations of the "end times" or what happens after death are not in the same category.

Gary continues his interview with Pastor Richard Henry. In this second part, he summarizes some of the controversy he was involved in a few months ago. All Christians are preterists to some degree in that prophecies spoken in the historical past have been fulfilled. Modern scholars and writers disagree over certain specifics of Bible prophecy, and even to the timing of certain events, i.e. past or future to us. But these timing disagreements should not be used to determine orthodoxy.

In this first part of a recent interview with Pastor Richard Henry, Gary critiques the modern (and past) response of the church and Christians to cultural decay and immorality. Eschatology and social action are closely tied together and the paralysis of evangelicals is usually preceded by the claim that things getting worse and worse is merely a "sign of the end times." Things are getting bad because Christians aren't involved and active in making things better.

Gary discusses a recent sermon written and "preached" at a worship service in Germany by ChatGPT. When AI is delivering all the information, how will we possibly determine what's accurate or true? AI can synthesize information all day long, but it cannot distinguish truth from falsehood; it simply takes the various inputs and gives an output based on its programming. Spoiler alert: the programming comes from humans.

Gary discusses recent comments by Yuval Noah Harari about Artificial Intelligence. Harari claims that AI has the ability to give us a "correct" bible about humanity and a new (presumably "correct") spirituality. Predictably, Harari is also concerned about AI getting in the wrong hands and the possibilities it possesses. He believes he is the benevolent hero in his own narrative and imagination.

In this talk given at a worldview conference, Gary explains the difference between government and politics. The solution to social and political upheaval is found in the way God has structured government by declaring that "government" is not synonymous with politics. What we are seeing today was spawned centuries ago.

Gary discusses a recent statement from a well-known faith-healer on the issue of preterism. Andrew Wommack had an employee quit his ministry due to differences in eschatology. Wommack responds by appealing to Revelation 1:19, and Gary points out the problems with this, focusing on the Greek word "mello."

Gary discusses eschatology and worldview issues with Alex Newman. The interview was recorded but never published for reasons that Gary discusses in the leadup. Bible prophecy and cultural issues are closely tied together and many Christians still do not understand the connection.

Gary discusses the death of Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson and the legacy he left behind. Like Jerry Falwell, Robertson was great when it came to mobilizing Christians and getting them to act about social issues, yet their eschatology was such that everything getting worse and worse was supposed to happen. Gary gives an example of an article that ran on the CBN website the day before Robertson died.

Gary responds to a few individuals that took issue with his previous podcast about working for change within the current governmental system. While what they say is true to some extent, it misses the point that we are living in the system either way. Should we remain passive and quiet, even when we have the ability to voice our opinions and effect change? Paul did not remain quiet and neither should we.

False and spurious speculation about events and technologies continue to be found everywhere, from Tabletalk Magazine to NPR. The supposed biblical teaching about the "end times" serve to confirm what modern Christians already believe about the world "getting worse and worse" as a prophetic inevitability and the nearness of the return of Jesus; it could be any day now, they say, etc, etc. The problem is that the Bible doesn't actually teach this.

Gary discusses some arguments people are raising online against trying to reform our current system of government. The civil and the religious realm—Moses and Aaron—are both in need of constant reformation and this is the responsibility of those with a proper worldview. Should Christians do nothing? Or should they do their own thing? How will either of these responses avoid becoming as corrupt as the current system eventually?

Gary discusses the biblical lessons on hearing and seeing. The Bible constantly sets physical eyes and ears against each other as a way to teach how we should respond to God's Word in faith. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Just like the Bereans, we must compare what we both hear and see against the standard of the biblical text. We must have, as Jesus says, "eyes to see and ears to hear."

Gary responds to a meme he saw on Facebook about Christians being more concerned with the Constitution than the Sermon on the Mount. While the sentiment is understood, the practicality of it is being missed by this meme. Christians in the United States live under the Constitution just as Paul lived under Caesar. It's both and, not one or the other.

The First Amendment does not require the federal government to be secularized. The early history of the United States, both before and after ratification of the Bill of Rights, shows that no secularization took place. Congress began its sessions with divine worship. The First Amendment was intended to limit Congress in its use of power regarding religion, including the Christian religion. The only authority that the federal government has is specified in the Constitution.

Both Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 28:18-20 tell God's followers to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth with generations of faithful covenant-keepers. In this final Paradise Restored episode, Gary discusses how the knowledge of the glory of God will cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

Gary discusses Judges 8-9 as well as the biblical understanding of the separation of church and state. The state is not the church and the church is not the state. When Christians lose focus in either jurisdiction, the danger of overreach becomes very real. Just like kudzu, one area of authority will overgrow and choke the other.

Gary interviews author and artist Doug Giles about his most recent book about John the Baptist. The reality of the details about the people and events of the Bible are gritty and real. John the Baptist was not a "gentleman" in the sense of modifying his behavior and message to meet the approval of the ruling elite in the first century. John was a real guy and a real prophet, paving and leveling the way for the Messiah Himself. Get Doug's book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1618082159?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

Princeton recently announced that learning Greek and Latin would no longer be required for its Classics majors. "Inherent racism" was of course the rationale for this major decision by the Ivy League school. Gary discusses this decision and its ramifications and consequences on today's episode.

Gary continues his series on biblical government about how to change society. It's not a quick-fix top-down endeavor; it's a long-term bottom-up lifetime job. Freedom is always a single generation from being lost and it takes vigilance and hard work. We live in a convenient, push-button, instant culture and generational work and commitment are a very difficult sell.

Gary discusses two recent news items about individuals pushing back against the prevailing ideology and newspeak. A 12-year-old and a Christian photographer had the courage to speak the truth and found that many more agree with them than with the trans-agenda propagandists. We should all heed the lesson: Christians should not be allowing the minority to dominate the conversation. Read Liam's story here: https://www.foxnews.com/media/7th-grade-student-fights-back-school-told-him-change-there-are-only-two-genders-shirt

Gary talks about the film, Galaxy Quest, and the idea of borrowed capital. Just like the aliens in the film, atheists and humanists try to build a world on what they appreciate from what they see in Christianity, without having any basis for it in their own philosophical worldview.

Gary responds to a lady that claimed the Bible was a book of fairy tales and that American Vision is a hate group. Her claims are so flimsy as to be laughable, but it's a good opportunity for a lesson in presuppositional apologetics. Atheists constantly borrow capital from Christianity in order to argue against it and never once credit the Bible from which they are stealing their ethical code.

In this excerpt from Covenant Hermeneutics and Biblical Eschatology, Gary's podcast with Kim Burgess, the two discuss the worldview implications of Bible prophecy. History is filled with examples of Christians disengaging with the world around them because of their end-time view. This is essentially the church voluntary removing itself from its Christ-given mission of being salt and light and a city on a hill. Subscribe to CHBE here: https://sites.libsyn.com/453213

Gary continues his series on biblical government and how Christians should respond to the current overreach of politics to every area of life. As in Exodus 18—in many ways a model for the United States Constitution—civil government should be decentralized. Limited jurisdiction and spheres of responsibility are the biblical model, not what we have today.

2 Thessalonians 2 has been used by nearly every popular prophecy writer to teach who the "man of lawlessness" is and when the rapture will occur. Gary gives a different response on today's podcast: Read the Bible through the eyes of the original recipients of the New Testament letters and writings. What would it mean to them and how would that change the interpretation of the book?

"But that's Old Testament law, that's not for the Church." How many times have you heard this, or even said this? The Bible is the whole counsel of God, not just the New Testament. Israel's civic life, government, and laws are instructive and applicable for us today in the modern world thousands of years later. How to apply them takes wisdom and understanding. Christians should be leading the way in this area since we have the revealed will of God.

Gary DeMar and Gary North highlight the deep need for a comprehensive biblical worldview. Official mainstream "narratives" are increasingly being doubted and shouted down, but the alternatives seldom agree either. Syncretism and fragmentation are the worldviews of the day and only true Christianity offers a complete world-and-life answer to modern (and not so modern) societal ills.

Gary interacts with a short video by Jack Hibbs discussing what's happening in the Middle East and claiming it's a fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39, Gog and Magog. Hibbs claims that we're seeing Bible prophecy coming to pass before our eyes, but Gary disagrees, since the events spoken of by Ezekiel have already happened. Gog and Magog is way in the past. We don't have to fear world events because of Bible prophecy; they are bad enough on their own.

In this conversation between Gary and Kim Burgess, the two discuss their other podcast, Covenant Hermeneutics and Biblical Eschatology. Since starting this podcast, there has been much that has happened and they summarize the situation as it seems to stand now. Two things are clear: biblical eschatology deeply affects worldview, and the battle is over hermeneutics (the art and science of interpretation). Subscribe to the CHBE podcast here: https://sites.libsyn.com/453213

Gary recorded a ten-part series based on his book God and Government a few years back and this episode is the first two parts of that series. He answers many questions about government—what is it, how does it operate, how is it defined biblically, and much more. A well-governed society doesn't mean that it has its politics in order; it means that its citizens are well-governed within themselves. A society of well-governed people yields a well-governed society. It's bottom-up, not top-down.

Gary discusses an article and interview by Pastor Greg Laurie. In the interview with Glenn Beck, Pastor Laurie says it is ridiculous to blame the Jews for Jesus' death. While this is true to a degree, it ignores the significant role the Jewish people—and especially their religious and political leaders—played in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus in history. While it is true to say that "sin" in general put Him on the cross, we must not overlook the historical setting and circumstances of the entire Passion Week.

Gary discusses several instances of people rejecting and opposing the current transgender push. Riley Gaines, a swimmer from the University of Kentucky, was not interested in becoming a public figure, but she has become one in her vocal opposition to biological males swimming in female events. The insanity doesn't stop with sports, as Anheuser-Busch recently decided to enter the transgender-affirming game of corporate propaganda.

Gary examines two recent articles about biblical inerrancy and "pornographic" content in the Bible. People continue to make baffling statements of ignorance about the Bible and what it contains. Skeptics—and pastors—trying to accommodate modern social issues don't seem to understand that they are assuming a biblical worldview in order to argue against it. Just "telling people about Jesus" or censoring content misses the need for the foundational information found in the Old Testament.

Gary looks into many verses in the New Testament about whether or not Jesus drank wine with his disciples after His resurrection. At the institution of the Lord's Supper, Jesus said He would not drink the fruit of the vine again until He drank it new with them in His Father's Kingdom (Matthew 26:29). This verse is often used as an argument against preterism, but is it really? Listen now to learn more...

Gary DeMar sat down with Dr. Gary North for an interview regarding theonomy, its critics, and its potential future. In this first part, Dr. North gives a high-level overview of the history of responses that have been leveled against theonomy for more than 40 years, and why they have never been very effective.

Gary responds to an interview with author Jerry Jenkins of Left Behind fame. Jenkins claims that the Bible tells us that time means something different to God than it means to us, yet he still makes the claim that the end times are "probably soon" to happen.

Gary discusses the recent school shooting in Nashville and the "response" from the media and leftists. While we could expect outrage and denouncing of the shooter, what we get instead is sympathy and platitudes. Transgenders are getting more vigilant—and violent—in their reaction to what they believe is oppression. Gary warns that this is only the beginning, and that there will be much more to follow. Christians must get educated and involved.

Gary answers two listener questions regarding progressive dispensationalism and the disciples' question about Jesus' coming in Matthew 24:3.

Gary discusses two recent news stories involving abortion and childbirth. Jane Fonda talked about murdering pro-lifers on a daytime talk show and Chuck Schumer's lesbian daughter just gave birth to his third grandbaby. Both situations reveal the hypocrisy of the liberal agenda, but we are expected to act as everything is normal. Gary takes the opportunity to point out the "nakedness of the emperor" on today's episode. Watch The Magical Birth Canal video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNgwsT295G8

Gary is interviewed by his long-time friend Marlin Detweiler with Veritas Press. The two discuss history, current events, and education. Ultimately the entire conversation is wrapped around the need for a biblical worldview and how every area of life fits into a person's view of the world and ultimate reality. Check out the Veritas website here: https://veritaspress.com/

Gary discusses a critic on Facebook that believes Christians should leave politics alone and not get involved. Gary points out that 1) this is not biblical, and 2) Christians must be involved to promote righteousness and punish evil. Just as the early church in the book of Acts called out the corruption of the leaders in their day, so must Christians today. It's not a top-down imposition of our will over theirs, it's a bottom-up approach of obedience in every area of life—including civil government.

Part Two of Two. Gary concludes his conversation with Jeremy Stalnecker about biblical worldview. How do we train our minds to "think biblically"? How do we answer cultural and ethical problems with biblical truth? It's not easy, but Christians should want to put in the work to understand and teach others how to apply biblical truth to every area of life.

Part One of Two. Gary is interviewed by Jeremy Stalnecker on the topic of biblical worldview and thinking and acting biblically. Christians must begin with the God of the Bible and what He has revealed. As the Sovereign Creator and Sustainer, God defines truth and reality for us. We merely listen and obey. But how does biblical truth get applied in everyday life?

Part 5: Gary concludes his response to his critics with this episode. He discusses some interesting background information about a few of those demanding answers from him, as well as the Nicene Creed, and a few passages regarding resurrection. In the end, his appeal is the same: the Church needs an ecumenical council on eschatology, similar to what happened in early church history over the humanity and divinity of Jesus.

Part 4: Gary continues his response to his questioning critics. This time he looks at several passages in Acts (17:30-31 and 1:6-11) mentioned as proof texts in the Unorthodox Eschatology statement. In Acts 17, we have three groups of people: the Thessalonians, the Bereans, and the Athenians. One group was mentioned as being "more noble" for their reception of the Apostle Paul and his teaching. Which one are you?

Part 3: Critics on Facebook keep telling Gary that the three questions are "so simple," which actually reveals they haven't studied the issue in any sort of depth. Gary responds by looking at a few of the Bible verses used in the "Unorthodox Eschatology" statement. They use 2 Peter 3, 1 Thessalonians 4, and 2 Thessalonians 1 as "end of the world" proof passages, but problems arise when you 1) read them in context, and 2) look at how some of the signers have interpreted these passages in contradictory ways.

Part 2: Since his first response was recorded, the letter sent to Gary has blossomed into an entire website with a condemnation of certain aspects of what the creators believe is "hyper-preterism." A few hundred individuals have signed it, but the most relevant part of the statement is that Scripture verses have finally been included, giving Gary a place to begin interacting with both the original three questions and the statement.

Part 1: Gary received a letter signed by several individuals looking for answers to three specific questions. In this first podcast of several, Gary gives his side of the "controversy" and why he won't simply answer their questions. A large part of the issue is how the questions are worded. The heart of the matter is what does the Bible teach, not what does Gary believe.

Gary answers a listener question about theonomy and Leviticus 19. Many churches teach, including the listener's, that Old Testament laws not repeated in the New Testament are no longer binding. But Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:8 that "we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully." Paul wrote this BEFORE there was such a thing as the NT and the OT was the only Scripture he had. There is much more to this topic than simply relying on a made-up rule about repetition between the OT and NT.