Featured Issues

The “Rules Of War” And The Just War Tradition

The current US Department of Defense under Pete Hegseth is fundamentally altering what are normally known as the “rules of war.” This is understandably controversial and difficult, but it is also an issue within Christianity and the tradition known as the Just War. Hegseth purports to be Christian; so, I assume he is familiar with biblical teaching on this subject and the doctrinal position known as the Just War. Let me explain.

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About IIP

James P. Eckman (Jim) is President Emeritus and Professor in Bible and History at Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska. He has been at Grace since 1983. He holds the following degrees:

  • B.S., Millersville University of Pennsylvania (1969)
  • M.A., Lehigh University (1973)
  • Th.M. (with honor), Dallas Theological Seminary (1983)
  • Ph.D., University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1989)

He has also completed additional postgraduate work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He received the Charles A. Nash Award in Historical Theology while at Dallas Seminary. [Read More]

Featured Issues

Global Trends For 2026

As we begin year 2026, what are important global trends to watch? Every year The Economist publishes an issue with forecasts and analyses for the coming year. It is always a helpful tool in what to look for in the coming year. There are several important observations in this issue.

The Pernicious Nature Of Replacement Theology

On 27 October 2025, Nick Fuentes appeared on Tucker Carlson’s podcast. On Carlson’s show, Fuentes assailed “organized Jewry” as the obstacle to American unity and “these Zionist Jews” as the impediment to the right’s success, while calling himself a fan of Joseph Stalin. Carlson said Fuentes should make his remarks about Jewish subversion of America more “universal,” so they cannot be dismissed as easily. But mainly the two agreed. Mr. Carlson shared with the Hitler admirer that he, too, despises Israel and Christian Zionists such as Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Senator Ted Cruz.

Bible Study Podcast

Matthew 4:12-4:25

Jesus begins His Galilean ministry, teaching, preaching and doing Messianic miracles proving He is the Messiah.

Culture & Wordview

American Culture At The End Of 2025: Positives And Negatives

In previous editions of Issues in Perspective, I have cited evidence of spiritual revival within American Culture. This is especially true among Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012). Daniel Williams, associate professor of history at Ashland University, observers that “About a third of Gen Z-ers are nonreligious. Thirty-eight percent never go to church — a mark of the rise of the Nones, or Americans with no religious affiliation . . . [But] According to survey data from the Barna Group, a Christian research organization, Gen Z-ers who go to church are more frequent attendees than churchgoers from older generations. Twenty-four percent of Gen Z-ers go to church every week (a slightly higher rate than for millennials and Gen X-ers).”

Ethics

Ethical Considerations In Egg Freezing

New York Times reporter Emma Goldberg recently posted a fascinating article on the growing practice of egg freezing among women in the US. She put her report in the context of women who seek to improve themselves and who seek to slow the reproductive clock: “There is always a market for products, from skin care to weight loss, promising to ease the angst of womanhood. Efforts to slow down the reproductive clock are no different. The business of egg extraction is thriving, among the privileged group of people who can access it.”