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[00:01]
George Grant
Good morning, friends. This is George Grant. December has a way of summoning our most exalted language, our highest adjectives, our richest metaphors, our most ornamented phrases. But underneath all the gilded vocabulary, there is a plain and practical reality that good work has to be sustained at world. The work of journalism is sustained the old fashioned way by listeners who value it enough to support it. That is what the December giving drive is for, a yearly rally point for gratitude, generosity and resolve. If you are able to take part, you can do so@wng.org donate and stay with me. I'll have a Christmas language edition of Wordplay before the program's over today.
[01:08]
Myrna Brown
Good morning. The anti Semitic attack in Australia and what it says about civilizational conflict and Islam's influence.
[01:17]
Katie McCoy
It would be crazy to see the.
[01:20]
Peter Mead
Circumstances on Sunday and turn a blind.
[01:22]
Nick Eicher
Eye to that radicalization. That and the resilience of ERICA Kirk. Katie McCoy standing by for Culture Friday.
[01:30]
Colin Garbarino
And all I have is my faith. This is the great Mother's plan.
[01:37]
Nick Eicher
Colin Garbarino calls the latest Avatar film flimsy and forgettable. And later, part three of our Advent series.
[01:52]
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, December 19th. This is the world and everything in it. Welcome to listener supported World Radio.
[01:59]
Colin Garbarino
I'm Myrna Brown.
[02:00]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Good morning.
[02:04]
Myrna Brown
Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.
[02:08]
Kent Covington
The Trump administration says it's time for hospitals to stop performing transgender procedures on children. FDA Commissioner Marty McCari pushing transgender ideology.
[02:19]
Nick Eicher
In children is predatory.
[02:22]
Peter Mead
It's wrong and it needs to stop.
[02:24]
Kent Covington
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Signed a declaration stating that procedures that try to change a child's sex are unsafe. He says an overwhelming body of evidence shows that these procedures hurt children rather than help them. Under the plan, hospitals that perform these procedures on minors could lose Medicare and Medicaid funding.
[02:44]
Nick Eicher
So called gender affirming care has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people. This is not medicine. It is malpractice.
[02:56]
Kent Covington
Administration officials say the move is necessary to protect kids from ideologically driven experimental medical procedures. Chloe Cole underwent so called transgender procedures as a kid and later took steps to reverse them. She says doctors failed her as a child.
[03:12]
Katie McCoy
They affirmed my childish misgivings about my developing body, my belief that I wasn't just a tomboy.
[03:18]
Kent Covington
The FDA is also warning companies against marketing chest binding devices to children. The proposed rules are not final and would still go through public review. The Trump administration is moving forward with what could be the largest US Weapons sale to Taiwan on record. World's Paul Butler has more. The arms package is valued at more than $10 billion. It includes missiles, rocket launchers, artillery systems, drones and hundreds of long range army tactical missile systems, weapons similar to those the US has sent to Ukraine. The State Department says the sale supports US Security interests and helps Taiwan modernize its forces to better defend itself as the military threat from China grows. News of the sale angered Beijing, with Chinese officials calling it interference in its internal affairs. Congress still has to sign off on the sale, but there is strong bipartisan support in Washington. For World I'm Paul Butler. Some good news on inflation. With prices growing slower than expected last month, new government numbers show prices up 2.7% as compared to one year earlier. That was down from 3% in early fall, and many economists had expected inflation to remain around 3%. Some analysts urge caution, though, as the recent government shutdown disrupted the normal collection of data and delayed the report. Still, the new numbers offer the first fresh snapshot of inflation in nearly two months. Energy costs moved higher last month, but core inflation, which leaves out volatile sectors like food and fuel, slowed to 2.6%, the lowest level in nearly four years. At the White House, President Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
[05:09]
George Grant
The facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered. In some cases, this may include the use as a substitute for addictive and potentially lethal opioid painkillers.
[05:26]
Kent Covington
The move reclassifies it from a Schedule 1 drug alongside things like heroin to Schedule 3 alongside drugs like ketamine and anabolic steroids. But Trump said this does not legalize marijuana nationally in any way, shape or.
[05:39]
George Grant
Form, and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug has nothing to do with that.
[05:45]
Kent Covington
But the change comes as numerous states have already moved to legalize marijuana for medical and or recreational purposes. Some Republicans urged the president not to reschedule the drug. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris argued, quote, it will send the wrong message to America's children, enable drug cartels and make our roads more dangerous. The Trump administration has expanded sanctions against the International Criminal Court, accusing it of anti Israel bias. World's Kristin Flavin has more.
[06:16]
Katie McCoy
The new sanctions target two additional judges involved in cases against Israeli leaders over the war in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the judges helped advance investigations that the US Views as outside the court's authority. The sanctions can freeze any assets under U.S. jurisdiction and bar travel to the United States. The administration argues the ICC is acting politically and overstepping by pursuing cases involving Israel and the US Neither of which belongs to the court. The dispute follows last year's ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, which Israel strongly rejects. For WORLD I'm Kristen Flavin.
[06:57]
Kent Covington
Investigators are still working to determine what caused a private business jet to crash in North Carolina. The crash occurred at Statesville Regional Airport Thursday. Airport manager John Ferguson Approximately 10:15am we.
[07:10]
Nick Eicher
Got a report of a corporate jet that crashed off the end of the Runway on the East End.
[07:15]
Kent Covington
Officials say all seven people on board were killed, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Christina and their two children. The Cessna 550 was attempting to land when it went down and burst into flames, sending debris across the Runway. Investigators from the NTSB and FAA have been on the scene, but authorities say a full report on the cause could take months. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, Culture Friday with Katie McCoy. Plus wordplay with George Grant. In our next Advent reflection, this is the WORLD and everything in It.
[08:07]
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, December 19th. Glad to have you along for today's edition of THE WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Myrna Brown.
[08:16]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick iger. It's Culture Friday. Joining us now, author and speaker Katie McCoy. And Katie, I am so sorry you're not feeling great today, but thanks for fighting through it and joining us. Anyway, Good morning to you.
[08:28]
Katie McCoy
Hey, good morning. Thanks for having me and excusing my voice, although maybe now I finally have a radio voice.
[08:34]
Nick Eicher
Right, a radio voice.
[08:36]
Katie McCoy
There you go.
[08:37]
Nick Eicher
Well, Katie, this is a very difficult topic to start with, but hugely important. Probably the biggest story of the week, the attack at the Hanukkah celebration on Bondi beach in Australia. I want you to hear a reporter speaking with the premier of New South Wa and asking the question that so many of us in the west have been asking. So have a listen to this.
[09:02]
Katie McCoy
Premier. Do we have a problem in the community if Isis inspired is the ideology and will you punish the British? Well, clearly we do. I mean, it would be self evidently.
[09:16]
Peter Mead
Crazy to see the circumstances on Sunday.
[09:19]
Nick Eicher
And turn a blind eye to that radicalisation.
[09:25]
Katie McCoy
It's terrible to see. We need to do everything we can to ensure that we don't see it proliferate in our community. But it's a difficult task. One of the reasons why we've moved.
[09:36]
Peter Mead
Comprehensive changes to hate speech laws in.
[09:39]
Katie McCoy
New South Wales is to go in part and achieve that goal. But I mean, I want to make it clear I indicated immediately after hearing.
[09:49]
Nick Eicher
About the events on Sunday night That we need to do things differently and be open to change and that we've got a responsibility to pull the community.
[09:56]
Katie McCoy
Together and not add to the division.
[09:59]
Nick Eicher
Well, Katie, I think that's a remarkably direct question and a carefully calculated political answer. The premier names radicalization, but very quickly turns to hate speech, laws and the need to avoid division. Almost as if the division that seems so clearly evident is not so clear. But let me pivot off of that and onto an argument that Albert Mohler advanced at World Opinions. He said that what happened at Bondi beach is not just a security failure or a hate crime, but evidence of a deeper civilizational conflict that Western societies are reluctant to acknowledge. Do you think he's right, Katie? That any kind of hesitation to speak in civilizational terms is going to leave us unable to respond honestly?
[10:50]
Katie McCoy
Such an important point. Because that phrase respond honestly is pivotal. We can't combat something if we won't acknowledge what we're actually dealing with. There are two people that come to my mind when I consider this question. The first is Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a relatively new Christian. Before that, she was an atheist, or at least agnostic, one of the most respected minds on cultural issues in the west today. I encourage all of our listeners to go be familiar with her work. But Ayaan Hirsi Ali made this fascinating point. She said that of the two biggest threats to Western civilization today, one is wokeism and the other is what she called Islamism. It is incompatible with Western values because Islam as a religion is, they say, a religion of peace, but the definition of peace is the caliphate, global domination. But that also reminds me of this. What we saw about 10 years ago, 15 years ago now with the rise of ISIS. And what we're seeing now too in this Bondi beach attack they said was an ISIS inspired attack. We are seeing from people who are on the field doing incredible Christian ministry, staggering numbers of Muslims coming to Christ. And this is not something that makes the headlines, but they are things that across disparate regions and countries, people are seeing a movement of God in the Middle east and North African region. And it is largely because these Muslims who inherited a socio cultural religious identity of Islam, they are looking at ISIS and saying, if that is Islam, I don't want it. It should not surprise us to see these horrific and demonic attacks because Satan is angry. There are people leaving this religion of deception and they are being brought into the light of Christ. Let me just tell you, this should be as much as we see the darkness of the world. We should always be remembering that the light of Christ is bursting forth in these nations, in these cultures where it like we hear nothing from them but bad news. But oh, listen, the gospel is going forth in these Muslim dominated countries. Don't ever forget it.
[13:21]
Myrna Brown
That's encouraging. Well, Katie, back here in the United States, we saw another shocking act of violence, this time at Brown University. A campus Republican leader was killed during a study session for midterms. Just a teenager Christian young lady from my home state, Birmingham, Alabama. She was killed along with another, another young man, a naturalized citizen from Kazakhstan who hoped to become a neurosurgeon. Now, we've heard some reports, but nothing credible as of the time we're talking. But I'll be honest, Katie. After the killing of Charlie Kirk this year, I've been thinking a lot about Christians on campus as a target. And regardless of the reason, though, someone was persuaded that a surprise attack on defenseless young people was the right thing to do. How do you make sense of this? Even if it's to say this makes.
[14:19]
Katie McCoy
No sense, this is where our worldview is not only essential for understanding ideas, but just to live. How do you live in a world where things like this happen in a college campus and take down two beautiful young students? How do you live in a world like that without having categories of, of good and evil, of right and wrong? The only thing that we can say about this is it is demonic. It is the forces of hell that are trying to exert their power in the battle for life. And we need to always remember that the enemy of God, the enemy of our souls, hates that. We were created in God's image. And he will do everything that he can by any means, whether we're talking about violence, abortion, war to destroy human beings. Why? Because God loves humanity. He made them in his image. And so this is where our worldview helps us watch the news. Because the only thing that helps it make sense is to know that this is evil. And we should call it that, Katie.
[15:31]
Myrna Brown
Closer to home in the media world, Charlie Kirk was passed over for man of the Year, even as his widow, Erica Kirk appeared in a widely watched CBS town hall hosted by Bari Weiss. Now, she spoke about forgiveness. She rejected conspiracy theories, and you know about that specifically. Erica was given the opportunity to address them. Let's listen.
[15:58]
Katie McCoy
The podcaster, Candace Owens. Okay. At one time a friend of Charlie's, at one time an employee of Turning Point, she has been one of the main peddlers of these conspiracies. And she is making a huge amount of money on it. She is building her business off of these lies. What do you want to say to her and the other people that are putting these lies out into the world right now? Stop. That's it. That's all I have to say.
[16:30]
Myrna Brown
Stop.
[16:33]
Katie McCoy
Okay.
[16:34]
Myrna Brown
Okay. So Erica Kirk refused to escalate. She did not counterattack. So, Katie, is that restraint, strength, or does it risk being misunderstood?
[16:46]
Katie McCoy
I appreciate the grit, the backbone, the poise with which she speaks. She did allude to some of these conspiracy theories and say, you know, I have proof of where I was on this particular date, but I thought that she was wise to diffuse the tension. You know, when I look at this whole saga of all of these conspiracy theories pouring out and people so quick to believe them, it reminds me that the cultural moment we are living in is one where facts and narratives are competing so often. And because we also live in a world where we use phrases like my truth, your truth, we have a narrative, and we want to protect that narrative. And so, therefore, we see facts through the lens of the narrative that we have already decided we want to believe. And so this is one of the ways that you see that expressed people have a posture, they have a bias, and therefore they are going to interpret or in some cases believe total fabrications that align with their predetermined narrative.
[17:53]
Nick Eicher
Katie, just real quickly, I thought that that was an extraordinary hour on CBS television. You know, Erica Kirk was very forceful in condemning political violence and condemning justifications of political violence. But, you know, when she was asked directly to condemn President Trump's rhetoric, she declined to do that. And she kind of reframed responsibility as cultural, familial, spiritual instead of personal. And to be fair, I'm pretty sure that this was recorded before the killing of actor director Rob Reiner and President Trump's incredible response to it. But setting that aside, the unresolved question of condemning President Trump's contribution to this political rhetoric problem in the country. Can moral leadership avoid specificity without weakening its own claims?
[18:50]
Katie McCoy
Oh, what a great question. The short answer is no. We have to be willing to call out people, even if they are in our own camp. You know, I want to respect Erica Kirk's relationship with the Trumps. I recognize that was probably a difficult question to field. I appreciate that she took it to about people's personal responsibility. But the reality is, I'm afraid at some point, it's going to lead to some uncomfortable conversations and answers about how that applies to her own campus.
[19:19]
Nick Eicher
She's a really compelling person I kind.
[19:21]
Colin Garbarino
Of think she is.
[19:22]
Nick Eicher
If there is one person in the world who could bring President Trump to heel, maybe it's her. But. And listen, at the risk of hitting President Trump, I really appreciate so much about him. I do want to ask you one more question, more or less on this topic, because we've been tracking some real movement within the pro life world. There are a lot of pro lifers who are increasingly frustrated with the president. Senator Josh Hawley seems to be openly trying to carve out a distinct pro life lane for 2028. And at the same time, the reporting is suggesting Trump aligned operatives in the White House and even outside the White House are privately furious with Josh Hawley, arguing that abortion is a political loser and demanding what they call messaging discipline. Now, you can sit with the irony of that, but how do you read the moment here?
[20:18]
Katie McCoy
This is a fascinating story to me on a couple of levels. So first of all, delighted again to know that there are conservatives who, on the basis of principle, are willing to break from the White House. For all the conversations about conservative evangelicals, just hook, line and sinker to all of Donald Trump's ideology, the fact that we have a sitting senator that is willing to make these statements, kind of make this initiative, I think is wonderful. It reinforces that true Christian evangelicals in the public square, we are motivated by principle, not just politics, and that politics is a means to the end of achieving what is for the moral good. So there's that. Setting that aside, what is going to be fascinating as we enter into midterm election year is what are, as I mentioned, people wanting their leaders to reflect. Is it something that is positive or is it the tone and the tenor of what we heard in 2016, 2020 and 24 elections? I share your appreciation for so many of the president's policies, but the reality is, when it comes to pro life, we have been a pragmatic voting bloc for him. Now, I don't have a problem with that, like some of my brothers and sisters do. Politics is a pragmatic game. But what that also means is that when we, a White House and consequently an administration that is backpedaling on that, like taking the harms of the abortion pill and saying, oh, you know, maybe we'll get to talking about that, I don't know, after the midterms, we need to call it out. It's wrong and it's wrong again on the basis of principle. And so I am a very big admirer of both the Hollies. Both of them are total brains and I hope that they continue to put out what is perhaps not politically expedient.
[22:16]
Myrna Brown
But it is right Author and Speaker Katie McCoy. Katie, thank you. Merry Christmas and I sure hope you feel better real fast. See you next time.
[22:28]
Katie McCoy
Aw, thank you. Merry Christmas to you both.
[22:42]
Kent Covington
Additional support comes from Dort University, where students are invited into God's story of restoration to live, learn and work together with joyful purpose in all of life until all is made new from Eyewitness the Longshore, a cinematic audio drama that blends faith and history.
[23:04]
Nick Eicher
Eyewitness.
[23:07]
Kent Covington
That'S the letter I witnesspod.com and from commuter Bible, the Work Week Audio Bible in four annual plans on podcast apps and commuterbible.org.
[23:35]
Myrna Brown
Today is Friday, December 9th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Myrna Brown.
[23:44]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Coming next on the World and everything in it, another sequel to the biggest blockbuster of all time, Avatar Fire and Ash. It's installment number three in director James Cameron's multi billion dollar science fiction film franchise that combines over the top special effects with environmentalism. Here is World's Arts and Culture editor, Colin Garberino.
[24:16]
Colin Garbarino
Let me begin by acknowledging that I'm not a fan of James Cameron's Avatar movies. I've always felt, to paraphrase Jane Austen, they're the kind of movies everybody admires but nobody notices. Sure, the original Avatar and its sequel, the Way of Water, are the number one and number three highest grossing movies of all time, but does anyone actually remember them? No one's walking around peppering their conversation with Avatar quotations. They're extravagant movies that rely on spectacle and special effects to compensate for weak plots. This latest installment, Avatar Fire and Ash, hasn't done anything to improve my opinion. Even so, I think this one is the best Avatar movie so far. If considered on its own. Of course, the bar is pretty low.
[24:59]
Nick Eicher
Look, I'm a Marine.
[25:02]
Colin Garbarino
Not taking a.
[25:02]
Kent Covington
Knife to a gunfight.
[25:04]
Colin Garbarino
The original Avatar came out 16 years ago and it introduced audiences to the Na', Vi, a blue skinned forest dwelling alien race. The Na' vi live in harmony with their planet and are devoted to their pantheistic mother goddess, Eywa. In that first movie, a human Marine named Jake Sully gets his consciousness uploaded into a Na' Vi body. Jake ends up going native, fighting alongside the nature worshipping Na' Vi against the humans who are bent on destroying Pandora's forests for profit. Subtlety is not Cameron's strong suit. Just in case you missed it, the first time. In the 2022 sequel the Way of Water, we meet a tribe of green skinned Na' Vi who live on ocean reefs. Jake and his Na' Vi family have to fight alongside this new tribe of nature worshipping Na' Vi against humans who are bent on destroying Pandora's oceans for profit. See a pattern emerging. All I have is my faith.
[25:59]
Katie McCoy
This is the Great Mother's plan.
[26:02]
Colin Garbarino
In Fire and Ash, Jake is once again played by Sam Worthington, and he remains at the center of the conflict between Na' Vi and humanity. Despite winning battles at the end of the previous two movies, he and his family are still on the run from the human military. Jake is trying to protect those he loves, but his wife Neytiri, played by Zoe Saldana, is grieving for the son she lost. In the second film, I'm in this.
[26:25]
Katie McCoy
Place where I have nothing.
[26:28]
Colin Garbarino
Not my people, not my forest. Fire and Ash deviates from the old Avatar formula when a brutal clan of Na' Vi known as the Ash People show up. They are ruthless raiders who live on a barren mountain and they delight in fire and cruelty. They've turned their backs on Eywa. Their leader only worships power.
[26:48]
Katie McCoy
Your goddess has no dominion.
[26:53]
Colin Garbarino
Yet in return for help in tracking down Jake and his family, the humans make an alliance with the Ash people, putting all of Pandora at risk.
[27:02]
Peter Mead
I'll give you guns, I'll give you comms, RPGs.
[27:08]
George Grant
Well that's strong magic.
[27:10]
Colin Garbarino
The presence of the Ash People gives the Avatar franchise some much needed nuance. The first two installments were filled with echo babble, nature worship and preachy condemnation of the West's military dominance. Those elements are still present to a lesser degree and But Fire and Ash questions the franchise's simplistic moralism that viewed indigenous peoples as good and colonizers as bad. Folks are more complex in this movie. They are both good and bad, having noble aspirations and painful regrets. But just because there's more texture to the characterization doesn't mean you should expect better dialogue. Also, Cameron has started including some Christian imagery in the story. I don't think he's becoming interested in the true faith. He's probably just trying to inject some weightiness into this frothy pantheism. He's coupled with cliches.
[28:04]
Katie McCoy
What does that always say?
[28:06]
Nick Eicher
Sully? Stick together?
[28:08]
Katie McCoy
No, the other one.
[28:09]
Nick Eicher
Solies never quit.
[28:11]
Katie McCoy
That's right.
[28:12]
Peter Mead
Solis never quit.
[28:13]
Colin Garbarino
As I said, in some respects this is the best Avatar movie, mostly because it's not as preachy. But when watched alongside the other movies, it has some big problems. Viewers will get a sense of deja vu as they watch Fire and Ash. There's some new material here, but overall Cameron seems stuck in a rut. It's a 195 minute film that recycles too many plot points and action sequences from the previous movies. For example, father and son tensions flare up once again, and many scenes in the final battle seem like they were lifted straight out of the previous movie. Someone should produce an unofficial cut that removes the redundancies and condenses the two films into one streamlined story. James Cameron has promised to make five Avatar movies. So where does the franchise go from here? We have Na' Vi who ride the wind. We have Na' Vi who surf the waves. Now we have Na' Vi who play with fire. Are we about to get cave dwelling? Na' Vi who dig in the dirt. Whatever part of Pandora we head to next, I wish count on Cameron coming up with any fresh ideas. I'm Colin Garbarino.
[29:37]
Nick Eicher
Up next Wordplay for December At Christmas time, even our language dresses up. World's George Grant listens closely to the words we say for the season and what they have to tell us.
[29:53]
George Grant
By now, I'm sure you have heard it, said it, sung it, and maybe even written is the special vocabulary that we reserve for this, the most wonderful time of the year. It is what linguists, grammarians and etymologists call the exalted language of Christmas. It is a style of speaking, writing and singing aimed at emphasizing the high spiritual significance of the birth of Christ and the various traditions surrounding its celebration. It is the elevated vocabulary, the ceremonial syntax and the ornamental imagery we use to highlight our gladness and joy. Some of the exalted vocabulary words of Christmas are archaic and antiquarian, yet we gleefully sing them in hymns and anthems. Hark and yawn, deck and don, jolly and jingle bell, gild and gloam, hither and thither, lore and yore, eye and air, glistering and glittering, hail and herald, glad tidings and sure abiding. Some of the vocabulary words of Christmas are holdovers from various linguistic threads that created modern English. Yule, another word for Christmas, comes from the Norse word Jol, the 12 day season from Christmas to Epiphany the nag in egnog comes from naig, the style of winter ale brewed in 17th century Essex, but its origin goes back to an even older Scots Gaelic term, noog, meaning beer warmed with a fire, iron or poker. Merry is a word that comes to us from Anglo Saxon meaning both courageous and joyful, both bold and gladsome, as in Robin Hood's Merry Men or Shakespeare's Merry Gales and Merry Weather. Some of the exalted vocabulary words of Christmas are terms either borrowed directly or transliterated from other languages. Nativity and Noel, fetching and festive tidings and Tenenbaum. Gloria in excelsis Deo is Latin. Joy comes from the old Norman, which in turn was passed down from Latin. There is the Dutch mistletoe and the Greek carols, the Latin Advent and the Norman tensile. All have passed into the English melting pot of our exalted Christmas parlance. And all declare the same message, Good news. Be ye glad. Take heart on this, the grandest of all festivals. The promise is fulfilled, for he has come to make his blessings flow as far as the curse is found. We wrap our Christmas presents in baubles and bows, shiny paper and fleeced ribbons. We decorate our homes with holly and ivy, mistletoe and yule logs, twinkling lights and conifer trees, ornaments and nutcrackers. So it shouldn't surprise us then that we adorn our sentences with an exalted vocabulary, the festive language of Christmas. So repeat the sounding joy. Feliz Navidad. Joyous Noel. Merry Christmas. I'm George Grant.
[34:23]
Myrna Brown
Next in our Advent series, pastor and author Peter Mead examines the New Testament account of Christmas and near to the heart of a journalist. Why the details matter.
[34:36]
Peter Mead
As we turn our attention from Matthew's prophecy fulfilling presentation to Luke's careful narrative, we move from the map to the reality. Is the Christmas story a quaint legend? The stuff of myth? By no means. Luke goes out of his way to underline that he is dealing with facts. He relies on the best of sources, the eyewitnesses, and crafts an orderly account for his reader. Theophilus, the diligent physician demonstrates the reliability of his account through the subtle use of paired witnesses throughout. From angels and songs to the two saints in the temple. Piling up evidence as he goes, Luke's story launches not in Bethlehem, but in Jerusalem. There we meet the elderly godly priest Zechariah. The angel Gabriel appears with thrilling news. The prayer of a lifetime for a child has been heard. This boy John will be great before the Lord, filled with the Spirit and will be the Elijah like prophet preparing the way for the Lord himself. Though Zechariah's doubt brings swift silent discipline, nine months later, his words return in a torrent of praise and prophecy. He bursts forth proclaiming God is a faithful promise keeper and a loving rescuer John will prepare the way for the Lord, the light and the sun of righteousness coming from heaven. Gabriel's next mission is to visit Mary in Nazareth, that town of no great reputation. The virgin conception is miraculous, but the greater miracle is the child she is to carry, the Son of the Most High, the forever King in the line of David. Mary asks, how can this be? Not a question of doubt, but acceptance. And the answer to Mary's question is awesome. The Holy Spirit will overshadow her, making the child truly God's son. Mary's faith shines through in her response. I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. Her magnificent song emphasizes her humility and God's greatness, showing how he stoops down to care for the weak and humble. The promised seed of Abraham is finally coming to dwell. Luke roots the actual birth in historical markers Caesar Augustus decree and Quirinius governorship. So we know this is fact. But we must separate truth from fiction, shedding some of our most iconic Christmas images. One is the inn. Not a public accommodation, but likely a simple guest room already taken, meaning the baby is to be born in the most humble of circumstances, a poor family's living room. Meanwhile, the angel proclaims the news to nearby shepherds, announcing the baby as Savior, Christ, Messiah and Lord. The angel tells them they will find the child lying in a manger. The sign of the manger suggests he's come to people like us so we can come to him. The angelic chorus proclaims, glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace. This profound theme of peace, the restoration of relationships, is the dominant thread in Luke's account. Finally, Mary and Joseph bring the baby to the temple, and God places two special saints there to meet them. Simeon and Anna. Simeon is waiting for the consolation of Israel. He takes the baby and praises God. He declares that the child is God's salvation for all people, Gentiles and Israel. Having seen God's salvation, Simeon is ready to die in peace. And then Anna adds her words to Simeon's. In the mouths of two witnesses, a matter is confirmed. She proclaims gratitude to God and speaks to all who are waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. After pondering Luke's account of the birth of the Savior, are we convinced? Has he piled up enough pairs of witnesses to make a Simeon of us? For 2000 years, the world has been overrun by an army of Simeons. Having seen Jesus, they are ready to die, ready to step into eternity. Christmas peace is not merely momentary tranquility. Instead, Christmas is about peace with our creator so that we can enjoy life to the full, a relationship with him, and a peace that leaves us ready to go home whenever God should call. I'm Peter Meadow.
[39:25]
Nick Eicher
All right, time now to name the crew who helps to put this week's programs together. Mary Reichert, David Bonson, Caleb Welde, Todd Vishen, Mary Munsey, Emma Eicher, Travis Kircher, Stephen Wedgeworth, Hunter Baker, Lindsay Mast, Elisa Palumbo, Daniel Darling, Maria Baer, Kim Henderson, Cal Thomas, Katie McCoy, Colin Garbarino, George Grant and Peter Mead. Thanks also to our breaking news crew, Kent Covington, Daniel Devine, Christina Grube, Travis Kercher and Steve Klosterman. And thanks to the moonlight maestros, the guys who stay up late to get the program to you early, Benj Eicher and Carl Pease. Harrison Waters is Washington producer. Kristen Flavitt is features editor. Paul Butler is executive producer. I'm Nick Iger.
[40:17]
Myrna Brown
And I'm Myrna Brown. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says this is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus his son, cleanses us from all sin. Verses 5 through 7 of First John, chapter 1. Sunday's coming, so make plans to worship with the Bible believing church on the Lord's day. And Lord willing, we'll be right back here Monday morning. Go now in grace and peace.

Summary7 min read

The World and Everything In It – December 19, 2025

Culture, Conflict, and Christmas: Katie McCoy on Violence and Abortion Messaging, Collin Garbarino on "Avatar: Fire and Ash," and George Grant on Christmas Words

Episode Overview

This episode weaves together expert cultural commentary, a candid film review, and a reflection on the language of Christmas. Primary themes include civilizational conflict as seen in recent violence—including the Hanukkah attack in Australia and campus attacks in the US—as well as evolving messaging in the pro-life movement. The episode also features a critical review of "Avatar: Fire and Ash" and an exploration of the origins and meanings behind Christmas vocabulary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Culture Friday with Katie McCoy

(Begins at 08:15)

Recent Anti-Semitic Attack in Australia

Main Issue: The Hanukkah attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, is discussed as potentially "ISIS-inspired" and indicative of broader civilizational conflict.
Response from Leadership: While officials acknowledge "radicalization," they quickly pivot to hate speech laws and calls for unity.
Albert Mohler's Thesis: Argues that incidents like Bondi Beach are more than security failures—they reveal a fundamental clash of civilizations, particularly Western reluctance to diagnose the roots of such violence.

“We can’t combat something if we won’t acknowledge what we’re actually dealing with.”
— Katie McCoy (10:49)

Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Perspective: Cited as identifying both "wokeism" and "Islamism" as key threats to the West, the latter being incompatible with Western values due to its ultimate aim of global dominance.
Gospel Expansion: Despite violence, McCoy shares encouragement about significant conversions from Islam in the Middle East and North Africa, framing spiritual conflict as underlying worldly events.

“We should always be remembering that the light of Christ is bursting forth in these nations, in these cultures, where it’s like we hear nothing from them but bad news. ...the gospel is going forth in these Muslim dominated countries. Don’t ever forget it.”
— Katie McCoy (12:54)

Violence on College Campuses

American Context: The death of a campus Republican leader and a naturalized student at Brown University prompts reflection on senseless evil.
Theological Framing: McCoy underscores the necessity of a worldview that recognizes good and evil—evil acts are the result of "the forces of hell... trying to exert their power in the battle for life."

“The only thing that we can say about this is it is demonic. ...The only thing that helps it make sense is to know that this is evil. And we should call it that.”
— Katie McCoy (14:41)

Erica Kirk’s Restraint and Conspiracy Theories

Public Appearance: Erica Kirk (widow of Charlie Kirk) on CBS, addressing conspiracy theories about her husband’s death.
Her Approach: Refuses to retaliate against conspiracy theorists, demonstrating exceptional restraint.
Analysis: McCoy admires Kirk’s poise, framing her response as wise and pragmatic in a media environment driven by competing narratives.

“When I look at this whole saga... it reminds me that the cultural moment we are living in is one where facts and narratives are competing so often. ...We see facts through the lens of the narrative that we have already decided we want to believe.”
— Katie McCoy (16:45)

Moral Leadership and Political Rhetoric

Question of Specificity: Discussion of whether leaders can avoid directly condemning harmful rhetoric, especially within their political sphere.
McCoy’s Stance: True moral leadership requires willingness to "call out people, even if they are in our own camp."

“We have to be willing to call out people, even if they are in our own camp.”
— Katie McCoy (18:50)

The Pro-Life Movement’s Tensions and Trump’s Messaging

Current Frustrations: Some pro-life leaders are disillusioned by Trump's pragmatic retreat from strong pro-life messaging, while Senator Josh Hawley forges a more principled path.
McCoy’s Hope: Encouraged by principled breaks from party lines, she urges continued advocacy based on moral principle rather than political expediency.

“It reinforces that true Christian evangelicals in the public square, we are motivated by principle, not just politics, and that politics is a means to the end of achieving what is for the moral good.”
— Katie McCoy (20:25)

Critique of White House Messaging: McCoy criticizes any backpedaling on the harms of abortion pills and calls for unwavering principle-driven action.

2. Film Review: "Avatar: Fire and Ash" with Collin Garbarino

(Starts at 23:43)

General Assessment

Garbarino finds "Avatar: Fire and Ash" “flimsy and forgettable,” but concedes this third installment is the best so far, albeit “the bar is pretty low” (24:58).
The "Avatar" franchise is described as big on spectacle, weak on plot and dialogue.

"They're the kind of movies everybody admires but nobody notices. ...Does anyone actually remember them? No one's walking around peppering their conversation with Avatar quotations."
— Collin Garbarino (24:17)

Plot and Themes

Continues the humans-vs-Na'vi conflict, focuses on themes of nature worship, indigenous virtue, and Western greed.
This time, introduces nuance through the "Ash People"—a brutal Na'vi faction that defies simplistic good/evil dichotomies.
Christian imagery is increasingly used, but likely for tone rather than genuine interest in faith.

Criticism

Heavy recycling of themes, scenes, and conflicts from previous films creates a sense of déjà vu.
At nearly 200 minutes, the film is considered repetitive, and Garbarino suggests the series could use strong editing.

“James Cameron has promised to make five Avatar movies. ...Are we about to get cave dwelling Na'vi who dig in the dirt? ...I wouldn’t count on Cameron coming up with any fresh ideas.”
— Collin Garbarino (29:26)

3. Wordplay: Christmas Vocabulary with George Grant

(Starts at 29:36)

Exalted Language of Christmas

Explores why Christmas brings out ornate, elevated words and metaphors—what linguists call the "exalted language" of the season.
Dissects the origins of words like "Yule," "egg-nog," and "merry," and how they reflect both tradition and joyous meaning.
Many Christmas terms, though archaic, persist in popular song and celebration.

"It is the elevated vocabulary, the ceremonial syntax and the ornamental imagery we use to highlight our gladness and joy."
— George Grant (30:31)

Deeper Meaning

Linguistic ornamentation at Christmas matches the festivity's deeper spiritual message: the birth of Christ and the fulfillment of redemptive promise.

“...All declare the same message, Good news. Be ye glad. ...The promise is fulfilled, for he has come to make his blessings flow as far as the curse is found.”
— George Grant (32:12)

4. Advent Reflection with Peter Mead

(Starts at 34:35)

Examines the Gospel of Luke as a factual, eyewitness-driven account of Jesus' birth.
Addresses how certain Christmas traditions (like the "inn") are misunderstood, emphasizing the humble reality of Christ's birth.
Draws attention to the paired witnesses and historical detail in Luke to strengthen the credibility of the Christmas story.

“Christmas peace is not merely momentary tranquility. Instead, Christmas is about peace with our creator so that we can enjoy life to the full, a relationship with him, and a peace that leaves us ready to go home whenever God should call.”
— Peter Mead (39:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“We can’t combat something if we won’t acknowledge what we’re actually dealing with.” (Katie McCoy, 10:49)
“We should always be remembering that the light of Christ is bursting forth in these nations… the gospel is going forth in these Muslim dominated countries. Don’t ever forget it.” (Katie McCoy, 12:54)
“The only thing that we can say about this is it is demonic. ...We should call it that.” (Katie McCoy, 14:41)
“When I look at this whole saga... it reminds me that the cultural moment we are living in is one where facts and narratives are competing so often.” (Katie McCoy, 16:45)
"They're the kind of movies everybody admires but nobody notices. ...Does anyone actually remember them?" (Collin Garbarino, 24:17)
"It is the elevated vocabulary, the ceremonial syntax and the ornamental imagery we use to highlight our gladness and joy." (George Grant, 30:31)
“Christmas peace is not merely momentary tranquility. Instead, Christmas is about peace with our creator..." (Peter Mead, 39:11)

Timestamps of Major Segments

08:15 — Culture Friday introduction, Australia anti-Semitic attack
10:49 — Katie McCoy on civilizational conflict
13:21 — Violence at Brown University and worldview reflections
15:58 — Conspiracy theories and Erica Kirk’s public response
18:49 — Moral leadership and political specificity
20:17 — Pro-life movement divides and Trump’s messaging
23:43 — "Avatar: Fire and Ash" review
29:36 — Wordplay: Christmas vocabulary
34:35 — Advent series: Peter Mead on Luke’s Christmas account

Tone and Style

The episode is earnest, thoughtful, and deeply grounded in a Christian worldview. The hosts speak with clarity and courtesy, balancing critique with compassion and offering nuanced discussion rooted in faith and moral conviction.

This summary captures the full sweep of the episode’s most important conversations, bringing forward the analysis, cultural commentary, and seasonal reflections that define "The World and Everything In It."

Loading summary

Transcript91 lines

[00:01]
George Grant
Good morning, friends. This is George Grant. December has a way of summoning our most exalted language, our highest adjectives, our richest metaphors, our most ornamented phrases. But underneath all the gilded vocabulary, there is a plain and practical reality that good work has to be sustained at world. The work of journalism is sustained the old fashioned way by listeners who value it enough to support it. That is what the December giving drive is for, a yearly rally point for gratitude, generosity and resolve. If you are able to take part, you can do so@wng.org donate and stay with me. I'll have a Christmas language edition of Wordplay before the program's over today.
[01:08]
Myrna Brown
Good morning. The anti Semitic attack in Australia and what it says about civilizational conflict and Islam's influence.
[01:17]
Katie McCoy
It would be crazy to see the.
[01:20]
Peter Mead
Circumstances on Sunday and turn a blind.
[01:22]
Nick Eicher
Eye to that radicalization. That and the resilience of ERICA Kirk. Katie McCoy standing by for Culture Friday.
[01:30]
Colin Garbarino
And all I have is my faith. This is the great Mother's plan.
[01:37]
Nick Eicher
Colin Garbarino calls the latest Avatar film flimsy and forgettable. And later, part three of our Advent series.
[01:52]
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, December 19th. This is the world and everything in it. Welcome to listener supported World Radio.
[01:59]
Colin Garbarino
I'm Myrna Brown.
[02:00]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Good morning.
[02:04]
Myrna Brown
Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.
[02:08]
Kent Covington
The Trump administration says it's time for hospitals to stop performing transgender procedures on children. FDA Commissioner Marty McCari pushing transgender ideology.
[02:19]
Nick Eicher
In children is predatory.
[02:22]
Peter Mead
It's wrong and it needs to stop.
[02:24]
Kent Covington
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Signed a declaration stating that procedures that try to change a child's sex are unsafe. He says an overwhelming body of evidence shows that these procedures hurt children rather than help them. Under the plan, hospitals that perform these procedures on minors could lose Medicare and Medicaid funding.
[02:44]
Nick Eicher
So called gender affirming care has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people. This is not medicine. It is malpractice.
[02:56]
Kent Covington
Administration officials say the move is necessary to protect kids from ideologically driven experimental medical procedures. Chloe Cole underwent so called transgender procedures as a kid and later took steps to reverse them. She says doctors failed her as a child.
[03:12]
Katie McCoy
They affirmed my childish misgivings about my developing body, my belief that I wasn't just a tomboy.
[03:18]
Kent Covington
The FDA is also warning companies against marketing chest binding devices to children. The proposed rules are not final and would still go through public review. The Trump administration is moving forward with what could be the largest US Weapons sale to Taiwan on record. World's Paul Butler has more. The arms package is valued at more than $10 billion. It includes missiles, rocket launchers, artillery systems, drones and hundreds of long range army tactical missile systems, weapons similar to those the US has sent to Ukraine. The State Department says the sale supports US Security interests and helps Taiwan modernize its forces to better defend itself as the military threat from China grows. News of the sale angered Beijing, with Chinese officials calling it interference in its internal affairs. Congress still has to sign off on the sale, but there is strong bipartisan support in Washington. For World I'm Paul Butler. Some good news on inflation. With prices growing slower than expected last month, new government numbers show prices up 2.7% as compared to one year earlier. That was down from 3% in early fall, and many economists had expected inflation to remain around 3%. Some analysts urge caution, though, as the recent government shutdown disrupted the normal collection of data and delayed the report. Still, the new numbers offer the first fresh snapshot of inflation in nearly two months. Energy costs moved higher last month, but core inflation, which leaves out volatile sectors like food and fuel, slowed to 2.6%, the lowest level in nearly four years. At the White House, President Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
[05:09]
George Grant
The facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered. In some cases, this may include the use as a substitute for addictive and potentially lethal opioid painkillers.
[05:26]
Kent Covington
The move reclassifies it from a Schedule 1 drug alongside things like heroin to Schedule 3 alongside drugs like ketamine and anabolic steroids. But Trump said this does not legalize marijuana nationally in any way, shape or.
[05:39]
George Grant
Form, and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug has nothing to do with that.
[05:45]
Kent Covington
But the change comes as numerous states have already moved to legalize marijuana for medical and or recreational purposes. Some Republicans urged the president not to reschedule the drug. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris argued, quote, it will send the wrong message to America's children, enable drug cartels and make our roads more dangerous. The Trump administration has expanded sanctions against the International Criminal Court, accusing it of anti Israel bias. World's Kristin Flavin has more.
[06:16]
Katie McCoy
The new sanctions target two additional judges involved in cases against Israeli leaders over the war in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the judges helped advance investigations that the US Views as outside the court's authority. The sanctions can freeze any assets under U.S. jurisdiction and bar travel to the United States. The administration argues the ICC is acting politically and overstepping by pursuing cases involving Israel and the US Neither of which belongs to the court. The dispute follows last year's ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, which Israel strongly rejects. For WORLD I'm Kristen Flavin.
[06:57]
Kent Covington
Investigators are still working to determine what caused a private business jet to crash in North Carolina. The crash occurred at Statesville Regional Airport Thursday. Airport manager John Ferguson Approximately 10:15am we.
[07:10]
Nick Eicher
Got a report of a corporate jet that crashed off the end of the Runway on the East End.
[07:15]
Kent Covington
Officials say all seven people on board were killed, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Christina and their two children. The Cessna 550 was attempting to land when it went down and burst into flames, sending debris across the Runway. Investigators from the NTSB and FAA have been on the scene, but authorities say a full report on the cause could take months. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, Culture Friday with Katie McCoy. Plus wordplay with George Grant. In our next Advent reflection, this is the WORLD and everything in It.
[08:07]
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, December 19th. Glad to have you along for today's edition of THE WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Myrna Brown.
[08:16]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick iger. It's Culture Friday. Joining us now, author and speaker Katie McCoy. And Katie, I am so sorry you're not feeling great today, but thanks for fighting through it and joining us. Anyway, Good morning to you.
[08:28]
Katie McCoy
Hey, good morning. Thanks for having me and excusing my voice, although maybe now I finally have a radio voice.
[08:34]
Nick Eicher
Right, a radio voice.
[08:36]
Katie McCoy
There you go.
[08:37]
Nick Eicher
Well, Katie, this is a very difficult topic to start with, but hugely important. Probably the biggest story of the week, the attack at the Hanukkah celebration on Bondi beach in Australia. I want you to hear a reporter speaking with the premier of New South Wa and asking the question that so many of us in the west have been asking. So have a listen to this.
[09:02]
Katie McCoy
Premier. Do we have a problem in the community if Isis inspired is the ideology and will you punish the British? Well, clearly we do. I mean, it would be self evidently.
[09:16]
Peter Mead
Crazy to see the circumstances on Sunday.
[09:19]
Nick Eicher
And turn a blind eye to that radicalisation.
[09:25]
Katie McCoy
It's terrible to see. We need to do everything we can to ensure that we don't see it proliferate in our community. But it's a difficult task. One of the reasons why we've moved.
[09:36]
Peter Mead
Comprehensive changes to hate speech laws in.
[09:39]
Katie McCoy
New South Wales is to go in part and achieve that goal. But I mean, I want to make it clear I indicated immediately after hearing.
[09:49]
Nick Eicher
About the events on Sunday night That we need to do things differently and be open to change and that we've got a responsibility to pull the community.
[09:56]
Katie McCoy
Together and not add to the division.
[09:59]
Nick Eicher
Well, Katie, I think that's a remarkably direct question and a carefully calculated political answer. The premier names radicalization, but very quickly turns to hate speech, laws and the need to avoid division. Almost as if the division that seems so clearly evident is not so clear. But let me pivot off of that and onto an argument that Albert Mohler advanced at World Opinions. He said that what happened at Bondi beach is not just a security failure or a hate crime, but evidence of a deeper civilizational conflict that Western societies are reluctant to acknowledge. Do you think he's right, Katie? That any kind of hesitation to speak in civilizational terms is going to leave us unable to respond honestly?
[10:50]
Katie McCoy
Such an important point. Because that phrase respond honestly is pivotal. We can't combat something if we won't acknowledge what we're actually dealing with. There are two people that come to my mind when I consider this question. The first is Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a relatively new Christian. Before that, she was an atheist, or at least agnostic, one of the most respected minds on cultural issues in the west today. I encourage all of our listeners to go be familiar with her work. But Ayaan Hirsi Ali made this fascinating point. She said that of the two biggest threats to Western civilization today, one is wokeism and the other is what she called Islamism. It is incompatible with Western values because Islam as a religion is, they say, a religion of peace, but the definition of peace is the caliphate, global domination. But that also reminds me of this. What we saw about 10 years ago, 15 years ago now with the rise of ISIS. And what we're seeing now too in this Bondi beach attack they said was an ISIS inspired attack. We are seeing from people who are on the field doing incredible Christian ministry, staggering numbers of Muslims coming to Christ. And this is not something that makes the headlines, but they are things that across disparate regions and countries, people are seeing a movement of God in the Middle east and North African region. And it is largely because these Muslims who inherited a socio cultural religious identity of Islam, they are looking at ISIS and saying, if that is Islam, I don't want it. It should not surprise us to see these horrific and demonic attacks because Satan is angry. There are people leaving this religion of deception and they are being brought into the light of Christ. Let me just tell you, this should be as much as we see the darkness of the world. We should always be remembering that the light of Christ is bursting forth in these nations, in these cultures where it like we hear nothing from them but bad news. But oh, listen, the gospel is going forth in these Muslim dominated countries. Don't ever forget it.
[13:21]
Myrna Brown
That's encouraging. Well, Katie, back here in the United States, we saw another shocking act of violence, this time at Brown University. A campus Republican leader was killed during a study session for midterms. Just a teenager Christian young lady from my home state, Birmingham, Alabama. She was killed along with another, another young man, a naturalized citizen from Kazakhstan who hoped to become a neurosurgeon. Now, we've heard some reports, but nothing credible as of the time we're talking. But I'll be honest, Katie. After the killing of Charlie Kirk this year, I've been thinking a lot about Christians on campus as a target. And regardless of the reason, though, someone was persuaded that a surprise attack on defenseless young people was the right thing to do. How do you make sense of this? Even if it's to say this makes.
[14:19]
Katie McCoy
No sense, this is where our worldview is not only essential for understanding ideas, but just to live. How do you live in a world where things like this happen in a college campus and take down two beautiful young students? How do you live in a world like that without having categories of, of good and evil, of right and wrong? The only thing that we can say about this is it is demonic. It is the forces of hell that are trying to exert their power in the battle for life. And we need to always remember that the enemy of God, the enemy of our souls, hates that. We were created in God's image. And he will do everything that he can by any means, whether we're talking about violence, abortion, war to destroy human beings. Why? Because God loves humanity. He made them in his image. And so this is where our worldview helps us watch the news. Because the only thing that helps it make sense is to know that this is evil. And we should call it that, Katie.
[15:31]
Myrna Brown
Closer to home in the media world, Charlie Kirk was passed over for man of the Year, even as his widow, Erica Kirk appeared in a widely watched CBS town hall hosted by Bari Weiss. Now, she spoke about forgiveness. She rejected conspiracy theories, and you know about that specifically. Erica was given the opportunity to address them. Let's listen.
[15:58]
Katie McCoy
The podcaster, Candace Owens. Okay. At one time a friend of Charlie's, at one time an employee of Turning Point, she has been one of the main peddlers of these conspiracies. And she is making a huge amount of money on it. She is building her business off of these lies. What do you want to say to her and the other people that are putting these lies out into the world right now? Stop. That's it. That's all I have to say.
[16:30]
Myrna Brown
Stop.
[16:33]
Katie McCoy
Okay.
[16:34]
Myrna Brown
Okay. So Erica Kirk refused to escalate. She did not counterattack. So, Katie, is that restraint, strength, or does it risk being misunderstood?
[16:46]
Katie McCoy
I appreciate the grit, the backbone, the poise with which she speaks. She did allude to some of these conspiracy theories and say, you know, I have proof of where I was on this particular date, but I thought that she was wise to diffuse the tension. You know, when I look at this whole saga of all of these conspiracy theories pouring out and people so quick to believe them, it reminds me that the cultural moment we are living in is one where facts and narratives are competing so often. And because we also live in a world where we use phrases like my truth, your truth, we have a narrative, and we want to protect that narrative. And so, therefore, we see facts through the lens of the narrative that we have already decided we want to believe. And so this is one of the ways that you see that expressed people have a posture, they have a bias, and therefore they are going to interpret or in some cases believe total fabrications that align with their predetermined narrative.
[17:53]
Nick Eicher
Katie, just real quickly, I thought that that was an extraordinary hour on CBS television. You know, Erica Kirk was very forceful in condemning political violence and condemning justifications of political violence. But, you know, when she was asked directly to condemn President Trump's rhetoric, she declined to do that. And she kind of reframed responsibility as cultural, familial, spiritual instead of personal. And to be fair, I'm pretty sure that this was recorded before the killing of actor director Rob Reiner and President Trump's incredible response to it. But setting that aside, the unresolved question of condemning President Trump's contribution to this political rhetoric problem in the country. Can moral leadership avoid specificity without weakening its own claims?
[18:50]
Katie McCoy
Oh, what a great question. The short answer is no. We have to be willing to call out people, even if they are in our own camp. You know, I want to respect Erica Kirk's relationship with the Trumps. I recognize that was probably a difficult question to field. I appreciate that she took it to about people's personal responsibility. But the reality is, I'm afraid at some point, it's going to lead to some uncomfortable conversations and answers about how that applies to her own campus.
[19:19]
Nick Eicher
She's a really compelling person I kind.
[19:21]
Colin Garbarino
Of think she is.
[19:22]
Nick Eicher
If there is one person in the world who could bring President Trump to heel, maybe it's her. But. And listen, at the risk of hitting President Trump, I really appreciate so much about him. I do want to ask you one more question, more or less on this topic, because we've been tracking some real movement within the pro life world. There are a lot of pro lifers who are increasingly frustrated with the president. Senator Josh Hawley seems to be openly trying to carve out a distinct pro life lane for 2028. And at the same time, the reporting is suggesting Trump aligned operatives in the White House and even outside the White House are privately furious with Josh Hawley, arguing that abortion is a political loser and demanding what they call messaging discipline. Now, you can sit with the irony of that, but how do you read the moment here?
[20:18]
Katie McCoy
This is a fascinating story to me on a couple of levels. So first of all, delighted again to know that there are conservatives who, on the basis of principle, are willing to break from the White House. For all the conversations about conservative evangelicals, just hook, line and sinker to all of Donald Trump's ideology, the fact that we have a sitting senator that is willing to make these statements, kind of make this initiative, I think is wonderful. It reinforces that true Christian evangelicals in the public square, we are motivated by principle, not just politics, and that politics is a means to the end of achieving what is for the moral good. So there's that. Setting that aside, what is going to be fascinating as we enter into midterm election year is what are, as I mentioned, people wanting their leaders to reflect. Is it something that is positive or is it the tone and the tenor of what we heard in 2016, 2020 and 24 elections? I share your appreciation for so many of the president's policies, but the reality is, when it comes to pro life, we have been a pragmatic voting bloc for him. Now, I don't have a problem with that, like some of my brothers and sisters do. Politics is a pragmatic game. But what that also means is that when we, a White House and consequently an administration that is backpedaling on that, like taking the harms of the abortion pill and saying, oh, you know, maybe we'll get to talking about that, I don't know, after the midterms, we need to call it out. It's wrong and it's wrong again on the basis of principle. And so I am a very big admirer of both the Hollies. Both of them are total brains and I hope that they continue to put out what is perhaps not politically expedient.
[22:16]
Myrna Brown
But it is right Author and Speaker Katie McCoy. Katie, thank you. Merry Christmas and I sure hope you feel better real fast. See you next time.
[22:28]
Katie McCoy
Aw, thank you. Merry Christmas to you both.
[22:42]
Kent Covington
Additional support comes from Dort University, where students are invited into God's story of restoration to live, learn and work together with joyful purpose in all of life until all is made new from Eyewitness the Longshore, a cinematic audio drama that blends faith and history.
[23:04]
Nick Eicher
Eyewitness.
[23:07]
Kent Covington
That'S the letter I witnesspod.com and from commuter Bible, the Work Week Audio Bible in four annual plans on podcast apps and commuterbible.org.
[23:35]
Myrna Brown
Today is Friday, December 9th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Myrna Brown.
[23:44]
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Coming next on the World and everything in it, another sequel to the biggest blockbuster of all time, Avatar Fire and Ash. It's installment number three in director James Cameron's multi billion dollar science fiction film franchise that combines over the top special effects with environmentalism. Here is World's Arts and Culture editor, Colin Garberino.
[24:16]
Colin Garbarino
Let me begin by acknowledging that I'm not a fan of James Cameron's Avatar movies. I've always felt, to paraphrase Jane Austen, they're the kind of movies everybody admires but nobody notices. Sure, the original Avatar and its sequel, the Way of Water, are the number one and number three highest grossing movies of all time, but does anyone actually remember them? No one's walking around peppering their conversation with Avatar quotations. They're extravagant movies that rely on spectacle and special effects to compensate for weak plots. This latest installment, Avatar Fire and Ash, hasn't done anything to improve my opinion. Even so, I think this one is the best Avatar movie so far. If considered on its own. Of course, the bar is pretty low.
[24:59]
Nick Eicher
Look, I'm a Marine.
[25:02]
Colin Garbarino
Not taking a.
[25:02]
Kent Covington
Knife to a gunfight.
[25:04]
Colin Garbarino
The original Avatar came out 16 years ago and it introduced audiences to the Na', Vi, a blue skinned forest dwelling alien race. The Na' vi live in harmony with their planet and are devoted to their pantheistic mother goddess, Eywa. In that first movie, a human Marine named Jake Sully gets his consciousness uploaded into a Na' Vi body. Jake ends up going native, fighting alongside the nature worshipping Na' Vi against the humans who are bent on destroying Pandora's forests for profit. Subtlety is not Cameron's strong suit. Just in case you missed it, the first time. In the 2022 sequel the Way of Water, we meet a tribe of green skinned Na' Vi who live on ocean reefs. Jake and his Na' Vi family have to fight alongside this new tribe of nature worshipping Na' Vi against humans who are bent on destroying Pandora's oceans for profit. See a pattern emerging. All I have is my faith.
[25:59]
Katie McCoy
This is the Great Mother's plan.
[26:02]
Colin Garbarino
In Fire and Ash, Jake is once again played by Sam Worthington, and he remains at the center of the conflict between Na' Vi and humanity. Despite winning battles at the end of the previous two movies, he and his family are still on the run from the human military. Jake is trying to protect those he loves, but his wife Neytiri, played by Zoe Saldana, is grieving for the son she lost. In the second film, I'm in this.
[26:25]
Katie McCoy
Place where I have nothing.
[26:28]
Colin Garbarino
Not my people, not my forest. Fire and Ash deviates from the old Avatar formula when a brutal clan of Na' Vi known as the Ash People show up. They are ruthless raiders who live on a barren mountain and they delight in fire and cruelty. They've turned their backs on Eywa. Their leader only worships power.
[26:48]
Katie McCoy
Your goddess has no dominion.
[26:53]
Colin Garbarino
Yet in return for help in tracking down Jake and his family, the humans make an alliance with the Ash people, putting all of Pandora at risk.
[27:02]
Peter Mead
I'll give you guns, I'll give you comms, RPGs.
[27:08]
George Grant
Well that's strong magic.
[27:10]
Colin Garbarino
The presence of the Ash People gives the Avatar franchise some much needed nuance. The first two installments were filled with echo babble, nature worship and preachy condemnation of the West's military dominance. Those elements are still present to a lesser degree and But Fire and Ash questions the franchise's simplistic moralism that viewed indigenous peoples as good and colonizers as bad. Folks are more complex in this movie. They are both good and bad, having noble aspirations and painful regrets. But just because there's more texture to the characterization doesn't mean you should expect better dialogue. Also, Cameron has started including some Christian imagery in the story. I don't think he's becoming interested in the true faith. He's probably just trying to inject some weightiness into this frothy pantheism. He's coupled with cliches.
[28:04]
Katie McCoy
What does that always say?
[28:06]
Nick Eicher
Sully? Stick together?
[28:08]
Katie McCoy
No, the other one.
[28:09]
Nick Eicher
Solies never quit.
[28:11]
Katie McCoy
That's right.
[28:12]
Peter Mead
Solis never quit.
[28:13]
Colin Garbarino
As I said, in some respects this is the best Avatar movie, mostly because it's not as preachy. But when watched alongside the other movies, it has some big problems. Viewers will get a sense of deja vu as they watch Fire and Ash. There's some new material here, but overall Cameron seems stuck in a rut. It's a 195 minute film that recycles too many plot points and action sequences from the previous movies. For example, father and son tensions flare up once again, and many scenes in the final battle seem like they were lifted straight out of the previous movie. Someone should produce an unofficial cut that removes the redundancies and condenses the two films into one streamlined story. James Cameron has promised to make five Avatar movies. So where does the franchise go from here? We have Na' Vi who ride the wind. We have Na' Vi who surf the waves. Now we have Na' Vi who play with fire. Are we about to get cave dwelling? Na' Vi who dig in the dirt. Whatever part of Pandora we head to next, I wish count on Cameron coming up with any fresh ideas. I'm Colin Garbarino.
[29:37]
Nick Eicher
Up next Wordplay for December At Christmas time, even our language dresses up. World's George Grant listens closely to the words we say for the season and what they have to tell us.
[29:53]
George Grant
By now, I'm sure you have heard it, said it, sung it, and maybe even written is the special vocabulary that we reserve for this, the most wonderful time of the year. It is what linguists, grammarians and etymologists call the exalted language of Christmas. It is a style of speaking, writing and singing aimed at emphasizing the high spiritual significance of the birth of Christ and the various traditions surrounding its celebration. It is the elevated vocabulary, the ceremonial syntax and the ornamental imagery we use to highlight our gladness and joy. Some of the exalted vocabulary words of Christmas are archaic and antiquarian, yet we gleefully sing them in hymns and anthems. Hark and yawn, deck and don, jolly and jingle bell, gild and gloam, hither and thither, lore and yore, eye and air, glistering and glittering, hail and herald, glad tidings and sure abiding. Some of the vocabulary words of Christmas are holdovers from various linguistic threads that created modern English. Yule, another word for Christmas, comes from the Norse word Jol, the 12 day season from Christmas to Epiphany the nag in egnog comes from naig, the style of winter ale brewed in 17th century Essex, but its origin goes back to an even older Scots Gaelic term, noog, meaning beer warmed with a fire, iron or poker. Merry is a word that comes to us from Anglo Saxon meaning both courageous and joyful, both bold and gladsome, as in Robin Hood's Merry Men or Shakespeare's Merry Gales and Merry Weather. Some of the exalted vocabulary words of Christmas are terms either borrowed directly or transliterated from other languages. Nativity and Noel, fetching and festive tidings and Tenenbaum. Gloria in excelsis Deo is Latin. Joy comes from the old Norman, which in turn was passed down from Latin. There is the Dutch mistletoe and the Greek carols, the Latin Advent and the Norman tensile. All have passed into the English melting pot of our exalted Christmas parlance. And all declare the same message, Good news. Be ye glad. Take heart on this, the grandest of all festivals. The promise is fulfilled, for he has come to make his blessings flow as far as the curse is found. We wrap our Christmas presents in baubles and bows, shiny paper and fleeced ribbons. We decorate our homes with holly and ivy, mistletoe and yule logs, twinkling lights and conifer trees, ornaments and nutcrackers. So it shouldn't surprise us then that we adorn our sentences with an exalted vocabulary, the festive language of Christmas. So repeat the sounding joy. Feliz Navidad. Joyous Noel. Merry Christmas. I'm George Grant.
[34:23]
Myrna Brown
Next in our Advent series, pastor and author Peter Mead examines the New Testament account of Christmas and near to the heart of a journalist. Why the details matter.
[34:36]
Peter Mead
As we turn our attention from Matthew's prophecy fulfilling presentation to Luke's careful narrative, we move from the map to the reality. Is the Christmas story a quaint legend? The stuff of myth? By no means. Luke goes out of his way to underline that he is dealing with facts. He relies on the best of sources, the eyewitnesses, and crafts an orderly account for his reader. Theophilus, the diligent physician demonstrates the reliability of his account through the subtle use of paired witnesses throughout. From angels and songs to the two saints in the temple. Piling up evidence as he goes, Luke's story launches not in Bethlehem, but in Jerusalem. There we meet the elderly godly priest Zechariah. The angel Gabriel appears with thrilling news. The prayer of a lifetime for a child has been heard. This boy John will be great before the Lord, filled with the Spirit and will be the Elijah like prophet preparing the way for the Lord himself. Though Zechariah's doubt brings swift silent discipline, nine months later, his words return in a torrent of praise and prophecy. He bursts forth proclaiming God is a faithful promise keeper and a loving rescuer John will prepare the way for the Lord, the light and the sun of righteousness coming from heaven. Gabriel's next mission is to visit Mary in Nazareth, that town of no great reputation. The virgin conception is miraculous, but the greater miracle is the child she is to carry, the Son of the Most High, the forever King in the line of David. Mary asks, how can this be? Not a question of doubt, but acceptance. And the answer to Mary's question is awesome. The Holy Spirit will overshadow her, making the child truly God's son. Mary's faith shines through in her response. I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. Her magnificent song emphasizes her humility and God's greatness, showing how he stoops down to care for the weak and humble. The promised seed of Abraham is finally coming to dwell. Luke roots the actual birth in historical markers Caesar Augustus decree and Quirinius governorship. So we know this is fact. But we must separate truth from fiction, shedding some of our most iconic Christmas images. One is the inn. Not a public accommodation, but likely a simple guest room already taken, meaning the baby is to be born in the most humble of circumstances, a poor family's living room. Meanwhile, the angel proclaims the news to nearby shepherds, announcing the baby as Savior, Christ, Messiah and Lord. The angel tells them they will find the child lying in a manger. The sign of the manger suggests he's come to people like us so we can come to him. The angelic chorus proclaims, glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace. This profound theme of peace, the restoration of relationships, is the dominant thread in Luke's account. Finally, Mary and Joseph bring the baby to the temple, and God places two special saints there to meet them. Simeon and Anna. Simeon is waiting for the consolation of Israel. He takes the baby and praises God. He declares that the child is God's salvation for all people, Gentiles and Israel. Having seen God's salvation, Simeon is ready to die in peace. And then Anna adds her words to Simeon's. In the mouths of two witnesses, a matter is confirmed. She proclaims gratitude to God and speaks to all who are waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. After pondering Luke's account of the birth of the Savior, are we convinced? Has he piled up enough pairs of witnesses to make a Simeon of us? For 2000 years, the world has been overrun by an army of Simeons. Having seen Jesus, they are ready to die, ready to step into eternity. Christmas peace is not merely momentary tranquility. Instead, Christmas is about peace with our creator so that we can enjoy life to the full, a relationship with him, and a peace that leaves us ready to go home whenever God should call. I'm Peter Meadow.
[39:25]
Nick Eicher
All right, time now to name the crew who helps to put this week's programs together. Mary Reichert, David Bonson, Caleb Welde, Todd Vishen, Mary Munsey, Emma Eicher, Travis Kircher, Stephen Wedgeworth, Hunter Baker, Lindsay Mast, Elisa Palumbo, Daniel Darling, Maria Baer, Kim Henderson, Cal Thomas, Katie McCoy, Colin Garbarino, George Grant and Peter Mead. Thanks also to our breaking news crew, Kent Covington, Daniel Devine, Christina Grube, Travis Kercher and Steve Klosterman. And thanks to the moonlight maestros, the guys who stay up late to get the program to you early, Benj Eicher and Carl Pease. Harrison Waters is Washington producer. Kristen Flavitt is features editor. Paul Butler is executive producer. I'm Nick Iger.
[40:17]
Myrna Brown
And I'm Myrna Brown. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says this is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus his son, cleanses us from all sin. Verses 5 through 7 of First John, chapter 1. Sunday's coming, so make plans to worship with the Bible believing church on the Lord's day. And Lord willing, we'll be right back here Monday morning. Go now in grace and peace.