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.

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

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 temptation of Jesus proves He is a righteous King who can claim David’s throne.

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.

John baptizes Jesus, the Spirit comes and the Father proclaims His Beloved Son as the Messiah.

An important Eckman family tradition at Christmas time was always watching the much-loved, A Charlie Brown Christmas. My wife and I and our two children adored the characters: Lucy, the psychiatrist; Snoopy, the home-decorator; and Linus, the theologian. I have since learned that A Charlie Brown Christmas, which first aired on CBS in December 1965, was only the second animated Christmas special on American television; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer being the first in 1964.

Joseph protects the Child and His mother, and John the Baptist is introduced.

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).”

The birth of Jesus fulfills many prophecies and the visit of the Magi.