Talking about “The Things that Matter Most” on September 30, 2014

 

4:00 – Biblical and Theological Foundations of the Family

 

Biblical and Theological Foundations of the Family argues that the family has a constitutive nature and a specific theological purpose, which God reveals in the church. Joseph Atkinson investigates the principles of the doctrine of Creation which inform the family “from the beginning”; the vital way the family functions as “carrier of the covenant” in the Old Testament; and the critical aspects of Hebraic anthropology, especially corporate personality, upon which the family is based. Joseph joins us.

 

5:00 – A Quick Word: NFL player penalized for prayer after touchdown

 

On Monday Night Football last night, Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah returned an interception for a touchdown. Upon reaching the end zone he knelt on the ground facing Mecca and said a prayer of thanks. The officials threw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, an action that was immediately condemned on social media, especially since Christian players frequently pray without penalty. Al quickly recaps the story and explains how the problem is not anti-Muslim sentiment from officials, but an ambiguous and inconsistent rule that has also penalized Christians.

 

 

5:10 – Oklahoma Beheading: When Jihad comes to the US

 

A woman in Oklahoma City was beheaded last week at her workplace. The suspect, Alton Nolen, is a recent convert to Islam who has also previously served time in prison. On the day of the attack, another Oklahoma City man was arrested for threatening to behead a coworker earlier this month. The ongoing battle against ISIS makes these horrific events even more disturbing. We talk with Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch about the possible emergence of ISIS agents in the US. Al also breaks down MSNBC’s ludicrous analysis of the attack and discusses the media’s desperate attempt to disassociate Islam from all acts of terror.

 

5:20 – Tensions in Hong Kong: Is another Tiananmen Square on the Horizon?

 

Demonstrations have recently arisen in Hong Kong against the Chinese government. When the region shifted from British to Chinese rule in 1997, government leaders agreed that Hong Kong residents could begin electing their own leader in 2017. Last month, China announced that it would only allow Beijing-vetted candidates to run in the election. The decision has sparked protests throughout Hong Kong, which have been denounced by Chinese officials and dispersed with tear gas. Many political analysts doubt the Chinese Communist Party, hardly known for its acceptance of democracy, can reach a compromise with the protestors. Others say the situation is eerily similar to the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989. We talk to David Aikman, the former Beijing   bureau chief for Time Magazine, about the rising tensions.

 

5:40 – Kresta Comments: Stevie Nicks, Derek Jeter and America’s Spiritual Crisis

 

Al covers a wide range of topics in this segment. He begins with the news that the Fleetwood Mac song “Sara” is really about Fleetwood vocalist Stevie Nicks’ daughter, who she conceived with fellow bandmember Don Henley and aborted shortly after. He moves on to Rand Paul’s assertion that America is in a spiritual crisis, which can only be salvaged by returning to its Christian roots. Al concludes by discussing Derek Jeter’s retirement from baseball. Jeter has devoted his entire life to the game, so what does he do now? Why do people so often feel unsatisfied upon achieving their earthly goals?