It has been said that the one thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history. Sadly, this is often true. We are to learn from history, but tragically rarely do we do that. But, there is something called a philosophy of history and genuine, biblical Christianity has something to contribute here. This is an important issue because we in the Postmodern world are slaves to what is often called “presentism,” which in itself is a philosophy of history. Presentism is an arrogant way to view the past. It assumes that our assumptions, our technological achievements make us superior to every previous generation and age.

The Pew Research Center and the Gallup Organization recently released separate reports concerning the state of religious beliefs in the United States. Both evidence an absence of certainty when it comes to major doctrinal issues, and point to one of the major themes of the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus), namely that sound doctrine produces godly living. There is a consequence when sound doctrine is not evident in religious belief systems. For example, nine-in-ten Americans believe in a higher power, the Pew Research Center shows, but only a slim majority believes in God as described in the Bible.

Paul writes of God’s grace and how it works in our lives: encouraging believers to reject sin and live self-controlled, upright, godly lives.

In a recent interview on “Fox and Friends,” President Trump argued that he won the 2016 presidential election “easily” but would advocate for the abolition of the Electoral College in favor of the direct election of the president, because, “to me, it’s much easier to win the popular vote.” Setting aside the fact that he lost the popular vote by over 3 million votes, is it wise for President Trump to argue for the abolition of the Electoral College?

Titus continues on teaching sound doctrine to the different groups that make up the body of Christ, as Dr Eckman relates this principles to today.

Alfie Evans, 23 months old, had a rare degenerative brain condition and died the end of April, five days after he was taken off life support. He was born on 9 May 2016, and was admitted to the Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, England when he was 7 months old, after suffering seizures. His doctors were unable to diagnose a specific ailment, and his worsening condition resulted in Alfie living in a semi-vegetative state for more than a year.

On 14 May 1948, the Jewish people ended 1,878 years of exile from their land. The nation state of Israel was established when the founders accepted the UN Resolution partitioning the land of Palestine into a Jewish state and into a Palestinian state. The Jews accepted that partition and declared themselves the independent state of Israel. The Palestinians rejected the partition and declared war on the new state. Israel won that war and over the last 70 years the world has witnessed the renaissance of Jewish civilization, the creation of a liberal democracy in the troubled Middle East, and the desert of the Eastern Mediterranean bloom once again.

Paul teaches on matters of Godly behavior, reaffirming that sound doctrine produces Godly living.

The Oxford Dictionaries 2017 Word of the Year was “youthquake,” a rather unusual choice but one that necessarily reflects Western Civilization’s obsession with “staying young.” But the choice presumably goes deeper than that, for the term is defined as meaning “a significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people.” It represents the awakening of millennials striving for change during a turbulent 12 months in 2017 across the world.

Dr Eckman discussing Paul’s writings on the character, effect, and condemnation of false teachers, with excellent side discussion on making wise decisions in non-moral areas of our lives.