The Gary DeMar Podcast

Gary discusses the concept of "church ages" and what the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 represent. Are we in the "last age," the Laodicean age? Or could the text simply mean what it says and be referring to seven historical churches in the mid-first century? And does this mean that Revelation 2 and 3 mean nothing to us today?

Gary concludes his interview with Steve Deace about eschatology. Terms are defined, views are set forth, and questions are asked. Bible prophecy and "end-time" events can be controversial, but Gary keeps his interpretation tied to Scripture without appealing to current events.

Gary was recently interviewed by Steve Deace about Bible prophecy and eschatology. In this first part, Gary defines terms and gives a quick method of interpretation (hermeneutics) for Christians to follow as they read their Bibles and encounter difficult passages. It's not wise to always rely on the "experts" (who have been wrong over and over and over again).

Gary responds to a recent podcast critiquing aspects of his interpretation of Bible prophecy. One of Steve Deace's producers (Aaron McIntire) has his own "Ask Me Anything" show and answered a question about why he was not convinced by Gary's view of the man of lawlessness. Gary gives further exegesis for his own first-century fulfillment view. Listen to Aaron McIntire's full episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aotma-on-drake-kendrick-having-a-beef-6-7-24/id1670758110?i=1000658118825

Gary concludes his interview with Jonathan Sedlak about his new book, Reading Matthew, Trusting Jesus. Sedlak's study examines the rhetorical unity of Jesus' answers in Matthew 24, showing that the discourse's literary features exclude any delay or transition between periods of fulfillment. Get Jonathan's book here: https://athanasiuspress.org/products/reading-matthew-trusting-jesus-christian-tradition-and-first-century-fulfillment-within-matthew-24-25

Jonathan Sedlak offers clarification on two important points of his book, Reading Matthew, Trusting Jesus.

In this first part of his interview with author Jonathan Sedlak, Gary introduces listeners to Jonathan and his new book, Reading Matthew, Trusting Jesus. This academic work on the long history of Christian interpreters and their views on the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24-25 is fascinating and important. Their conversation ran more than an hour, so we split it into two parts. Get Jonathan's book here: https://athanasiuspress.org/products/reading-matthew-trusting-jesus-christian-tradition-and-first-century-fulfillment-within-matthew-24-25

Gary concludes his response to a recent sermon by Pastor Jack Hibbs about how close we are to the end. Pastor Hibbs jumps from Matthew 24 to Ezekiel 38-39 claiming it also is yet to happen. Gary makes the biblical and exegetical case that the events described in Ezekiel 38-39 have already taken place. Pastor Hibbs sermon can be found here: https://calvarycch.org/where-are-we/

Gary discusses a short video clip where a grandmother says that she supports hormone blockers for young people, including her own granddaughters, but opposes tattoos because they're "permanent." This astounding ignorance reveals how people seldom connect what they believe about one thing and how it affects (and contradicts) other things.

Gary discusses the now available two-volume commentary on the book of Revelation by Dr. Ken Gentry. It is called The Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of Revelation. Gary discusses what he likes about it and how it will most likely be received by those who agree and those who don't.

Gary answers a listener question about the two witnesses from Revelation 11. Are these actual people, or groups of people, or something else? There is of course an Old Testament applicability to these witnesses and we must not ignore the OT requirement in interpreting Revelation 11, as well as the rest of the book.

Pastor Loran Livingston makes an encore appearance, this time griping about what he calls the "disgusting" Trump Bible, which includes the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Gary weighs in on Pastor Livingston's claim that Earth is not his home, as well as his own thoughts about adding extra material to printed Bibles. Gary's first response to Pastor Livingston's sermon is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/politics-is-of-this-world/id1500969161?i=1000655157238

Gary continues speaking on the muzzling of Christians. Evangelicals in particular, are targeted as being political by the Left, although this is seldom the actual case. Evangelicals should be political to the extent that the Bible speaks about political issues (which it clearly does), but this doesn't define them as being "political."

Gary discusses several recent news stories about Christians trying to have "dialogues" with leftists about various topics. These types of "sit-downs" are always initiated by non-Leftists and never accomplish anything but further accommodation on the Right.

Gary continues responding to a recent sermon by Jack Hibbs about the "end times." Pastor Hibbs try to connect Ezekiel with Matthew as if they are both speaking of the same events. This is not how exegesis, hermeneutics, or history is done. Pastor Hibbs is trying to connect biblical dots with a preconceived future interpretation.

Gary responds to a recent video sermon by Pastor Jack Hibbs on Matthew 24 and asks "how close are we to the end?" Hibbs makes important hermeneutical points about reading this chapter through the eyes and understanding of Jesus' first century audience, but then quickly veers away from it.

Gary comments on several recent news stories about people railing against Christianity. Consistent atheism is a misnomer and no one actually follows their "Imagine no god above us" worldview. They all borrow aspects of what they like from the Christian worldview to prop up their own.

Gary responds to a video from a pastor who claims "politics are not spiritual because they are of this world." He refers to voting as a privilege that isn't related to Christians being "spiritual." Not only does he misunderstand what spiritual means, he also misunderstands what politics are and why we must be involved.

Gary concludes his response to a recent Wallbuilders show with Mark David Hall on the influence of R.J. Rushdoony. As a historian, Mark David Hall doesn't appear to have done much research at all on Rushdoony. However, there is a simpler answer: many others have also professed ignorance of his writings (on nearly everything) in order to distance themselves from his theonomic and theocratic views.

Gary continues his response to a recent episode from David Barton featuring historian Mark David Hall. David Barton's article about the 10 Commandments and American law: http://www.moseshand.com/studies/db400yrs.html

Gary begins a series of three podcasts that respond to a recent show from David Barton's Wallbuilders organization. Barton's topic was Christian Nationalism and his guest was Mark David Hall, who makes the erroneous claim that Rousas J. Rushdoony was a small and insignificant voice on American history and church and state. Gary takes issue with this and discusses why.

Gary discusses the economic and the biological differences between men's and women's sports. People must (and do) ignore both the market and the obvious differences between men and women in order to bring in the equality and parity argument in sports. A short lesson in both economics and sports is Gary's response.

Now that the eclipse has come and gone, prophecy speculators have refocused their attention on the Middle East. Iran's attack on Israel got the typewriters of prophecy writers revved up, some comparing it to the Persian Empire. It is time to put all of this back into a proper biblical and ancient context. NOTE: The recording device changes at 13:30, but the podcast is complete.

In this episode, Gary discusses recent health issues, as well as giving a few hints and tips about getting and staying in shape. As we age, it is very important to keep active and fit, despite most activities for older people being mostly sedentary. A biblical worldview is not only for the mind; it should also affect how we live, exercise, and eat.

Gary discusses recent logic being dropped regarding abortion on the daytime TV show, The View, by resident theologian Whoppi Goldberg. She claims that the decision is personal and should be between the woman, her doctor, and God. While she is quite complimentary and approving of the 10 Commandments, she is less informed about what immediately follows in the very next chapter in the Bible.

Gary discusses tactics of Christian resistance that can be learned from Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals. Scotland has recently made reporting "hate speech" easier and they are being inundated with cases. Author J. K. Rowling has even gotten involved. It all reminded Gary of an article written by Dr. Gary North years ago. Get the Christianity and Civilization four-volume PDF set here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/the-complete-christianity-and-civilization

The passing of Ronald Sider in 2022 presented an opportunity for Gary to tell the sad history of Christian socialism in America. Acts 4-5 is often appealed to as an example of this, but as Gary points out, it was 1) voluntary, and 2) tied to the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Christians must not be manipulated into unproductive mindsets by academic and economic guilt peddlers. Get David Chilton's masterful response to Christian Socialism: https://store.americanvision.org/products/productive-christians-in-an-age-of-guilt-manipulators

Gary responds to a recent article by Dr. Michael Brown on "replacement theology." Dr. Brown (and most evangelicals with him) are under the impression that God still has promises to fulfill to Israel. Despite the New Testament's clear teaching that far from "replacing" Israel, the New Covenant Church includes both Jews and Gentiles, or "one new man" as Paul says in Ephesians 2.

Gary responds to a recent article that discusses Matthew 24:22. "Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." The article claims this is referring to all people on earth, but Gary points out the context and meaning that the verse is actually talking about. It's about the end of the age, not the end of the world.

Gary continues his talk about teaching history and how to make it relevant and interesting. Too often, children (and adults) don't like history because of how it is taught as a series of unrelated facts and events. Movies can be a great way to engage with history and further the conversation and research.

In a talk from a few years back, Gary discusses how to teach history so that it's relevant, memorable, and applicable. Too often history is taught as names and dates to be memorized with little to no connection to the present. History is the continuing record of man's response to God, and we must all learn and heed the lessons from the past.

Gary discusses a recent article that makes the claim that the end times are finally upon us because eclipses are writing Hebrew letters in the sky. While most of the prophetic signs that modern writers claims as "proof" of what the Bible says will happen are usually arbitrary, this one stretches credulity beyond the limits of reason and biblical revelation.

In his final response to "eclipse fever," Gary discusses the importance of using the Bible to interpret itself, rather than eclipse patterns and town names and a few scattered verses that seem to affirm the modern interpretation. Christians must not be "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes" (Ephesians 4:14).

Gary continues his response to a video promoting "eclipse mania" about the April 8 event. All of the speculators have this in common: they take current events and try to manufacture biblical significance around them. The Pastor Staley video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_mcNX99VaU

With the April 8 eclipse looming, Bible prophecy and end-times speculators are feeding the newest end-of-the-world frenzy. Gary discusses the history of speculation and the baseless theories of those saying they interpret the Bible "literally."

Gary discusses why the United States is NOT a democracy, despite how many politicians and reporters say it is. We are a constitutional republic, not a democracy. While there are elements of democratic freedom in the system, it contains checks and balances and a healthy distrust of centralized power.

Texas state representative James Talarico claims to be a Christian and recently said a number of things publicly that actually pit the Bible against itself. Gary quotes some of them and comments, as well as discussing the current situation in Haiti.

Gary concludes his talk about Christian involvement in culture and politics by summarizing several popular objections. In his book, Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths, Gary answers 15 common objections that Christians give to not get involved, but he points out that God leaves His people here for that very reason. Heaven may be our ultimate home, but Earth is our home now and needs the spiritual discernment and physical work of Christians.

Gary continues his talk about worldviews and Christian involvement. Going back to the French Revolution, he compares how France viewed and implemented their "new beginning" to how it was viewed and implemented in America. Secularists have long been trying to get rid of God, and sadly many Christians are aiding and abetting their efforts.

In this first part of a recent talk, Gary discusses the worldview implications of Bible prophecy. Many Christians will claim that what we believe about the future doesn't matter, because "God wins" anyway. Gary disagrees that it doesn't matter and gives cultural, theological, and historical reasons why.

Gary continues his interview with artist Dan Riedel about his friendship with Dr. Cornelius Van Til. Far from being a cold academic, Dr. Van Til was a warm, caring individual that wanted to see people come to Christ. He was every bit as much an evangelist as he was a professor. He well understood that the end goal of apologetics was not to win an argument, but a human soul. Check out Dan's artwork here: http://danielhillriedel.com/

Gary interviews his long-time friend, Dan Riedel, who painted the artwork for the cover of the new book, The Objective Proof for Christianity. Dan knew Cornelius Van Til well and tells a few stories about his long relationship with the man. Get some of Dan's fantastic art for your home here: http://danielhillriedel.com/

Gary continues discussing Pastor MacArthur's recent comments about Christian Nationalism. He seems to be confused about what most Christian Nationalists are actually saying, and overcorrects his mistaken assumptions with extreme defeatist language. He says "we lose down here." Gary says no, we have already won, thanks to the completed mission and work of Jesus Christ.

Gary begins discussing recent comments made by John MacArthur about Christian Nationalism, but he takes time to set up the full context. Christians often get frustrated by political engagement, but this doesn't mean we should be involved. Private conservations, evangelism, and discipleship are just as important to changing the system, but we don't do one to the exclusion of the other.

What does cannibalism have to do with abortion? More than you might think. Both topics are logical conclusions and perfectly acceptable once the Christian foundation is removed. When nature, red in tooth and claw, becomes the interpretative standard, what actually separates the 4-legged animals from the 2-legged ones? Get Gary's book here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/why-it-might-be-ok-to-eat-your-neighbor-book

Gary expands a bit on a recent article he wrote called "Christians in the Crosshairs." Christian Nationalism has a much longer history than most people realize, although the definition has remained basically the same. In essence, anyone that wants their Christian faith to influence every area of life are suspect and considered to be Christian Nationalists. Gary sets the record straight. The article can be read here: https://americanvision.org/posts/christians-in-the-crosshairs/

Gary responds to a podcast episode where a biblical scholar reinterprets Paul as being purely "heavenly-minded." Claiming that Paul was convinced that a major eschatological event was in his future (especially in 1 Corinthians 7), the scholar believes that 1) Paul was mistaken, and 2) he was more concerned with spiritual realities than physical conditions in the first century anyway.

Gary brings up a recent news article about certain Democrats pitching a fit over a Christian pastor praying for "repentance for our national sins." While the sins aren't mentioned, the Democrats filled in the blanks and made an assumption based on other things he said before. Their seething objection is more telling about themselves than the pastor. Christianity is political by its very nature.

Gary responds to a recent statement by attorney Ben Crump about redefining crime to help cut down on the targeting of blacks for criminal activity. Following in the steps of critical theory, Crump is falling right into the trap of the eternal victimhood of blacks everywhere in America. Gary responds and also quotes from Dr. Carol Swain's answer to Crump.

Gary discusses a video from Christian apologist Frank Turek. In Matthew 16:27-28, Jesus says that "some who are standing here shall not taste death, until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom." Turek states that this is referring to the Transfiguration, but then he also steps over to similar language in Matthew 24. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn5s8NFi2Mo