I find it extremely frustrating when people in general do not critically assess what the media portrays as neutral and objective reporting. Obviously, the media has an agenda and is trying to persuade the audience to hold certain views which the reporters or the news organization itself holds. The modern media here in the United States is for the most part pro-choice on abortion, pro-homosexuality, anti-Christian, and anti-traditional values.
It is particularly frustrating when trying to express these media biases to anti-intellectual individuals who do not take the time to read articles that are both pro and con on the issues. Critical thinking skills are difficult to come by in the first place. Moreover, even those with a college or university education do not always recognize media bias and propaganda when it is staring them in the face. How much more are the uneducated taken in by such propaganda pieces masquerading as "objective reporting"?
Unfortunately, the United States is succumbing to the secular, materialistic biases of those who work in the media and those who own the media outlets of this country. The power of propaganda is indisputable. I am reminded of how the Nazis in World War II Germany used propaganda to inflame the people against Jews and other religious and racial minorities. In particular, the analogy is poignant to those of us in the conservative and confessing Evangelical movement. Evangelicalism, in its attempt to be relevant to those who do not know Christ, has essentially caved in to secular biases on many issues and one wonders which issue will collapse under the weight of popular secular opinion next?
There was a time when divorce was rare and avoided. Now Evangelicals have embraced the easy divorce, serial marriage paradigm to the detriment of the Christian witness of the family and the church. Already we see compromise on the issue of homosexuality since some "Evangelicals" on the far left are advocating tolerance for homosexuality on the basis that people are pre-determined by genetics and biology to their sinful behavior and lifestyle. When the basis for ethics becomes emotional appeal rather than hard science and biblical morality, then the result is relativism and a moral slide into national apostasy and immorality.
Popular television talk show hosts sadly have more influence on public opinion by the sheer numbers of the viewing audience and availability of such programming. Church services and sermons of the most conservative content are seldom aired on television since most have no resources to get that message out. And the so-called "Christianity" that appears on most Christian television networks and info-mercial time slots is mostly concerned with materialistic appeals to the desperation of the people rather than teaching solid expositional understanding of the Holy Scriptures.
If I were not a believer in the complete sovereignty of God, I would despair. However, I know that God is in control and however the world and its rulers rage against God, they cannot in the end prevail against God or His church (Matthew 16:18). It would be well if the rulers of this age would heed the words of the psalmist:
Psalm 2:10-12
It is particularly frustrating when trying to express these media biases to anti-intellectual individuals who do not take the time to read articles that are both pro and con on the issues. Critical thinking skills are difficult to come by in the first place. Moreover, even those with a college or university education do not always recognize media bias and propaganda when it is staring them in the face. How much more are the uneducated taken in by such propaganda pieces masquerading as "objective reporting"?
Unfortunately, the United States is succumbing to the secular, materialistic biases of those who work in the media and those who own the media outlets of this country. The power of propaganda is indisputable. I am reminded of how the Nazis in World War II Germany used propaganda to inflame the people against Jews and other religious and racial minorities. In particular, the analogy is poignant to those of us in the conservative and confessing Evangelical movement. Evangelicalism, in its attempt to be relevant to those who do not know Christ, has essentially caved in to secular biases on many issues and one wonders which issue will collapse under the weight of popular secular opinion next?
There was a time when divorce was rare and avoided. Now Evangelicals have embraced the easy divorce, serial marriage paradigm to the detriment of the Christian witness of the family and the church. Already we see compromise on the issue of homosexuality since some "Evangelicals" on the far left are advocating tolerance for homosexuality on the basis that people are pre-determined by genetics and biology to their sinful behavior and lifestyle. When the basis for ethics becomes emotional appeal rather than hard science and biblical morality, then the result is relativism and a moral slide into national apostasy and immorality.
Popular television talk show hosts sadly have more influence on public opinion by the sheer numbers of the viewing audience and availability of such programming. Church services and sermons of the most conservative content are seldom aired on television since most have no resources to get that message out. And the so-called "Christianity" that appears on most Christian television networks and info-mercial time slots is mostly concerned with materialistic appeals to the desperation of the people rather than teaching solid expositional understanding of the Holy Scriptures.
If I were not a believer in the complete sovereignty of God, I would despair. However, I know that God is in control and however the world and its rulers rage against God, they cannot in the end prevail against God or His church (Matthew 16:18). It would be well if the rulers of this age would heed the words of the psalmist:
Psalm 2:10-12
- 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
- Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
- 11 Serve the LORD with fear,
- And rejoice with trembling.
- 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
- And you will perish in the way,
- When His wrath is kindled but a little.
- Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
New King James Version
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