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Myrna Brown
Good morning. Today, new data on biblical worldview or the lack of it. We'll also talk about the protests and riots over illegal immigration, the Simone Biles, Riley Gaines clash, and how to think about public repentance.
Nick Eicher
Right. John Stonestreet is standing by for Culture Friday. Also today, another live action remake of an animated film.
Joseph Holmes
I Don't Want to Fight dragons.
John Stonestreet
Come on. Yes, you do.
Nick Eicher
A review of Dre how to Train youn Dragon. And later, we remember the musical genius of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, who died this week.
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, June 13th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Iger. Good morning.
Myrna Brown
Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.
Kent Covington
Explosions rang out across Iran last night as Israeli Defense Forces launched airstrikes aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear program. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the IDF was carrying out what he called Operation Rising Lion.
Joseph Holmes
We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization program.
John Stonestreet
We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz.
Nick Eicher
We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb.
John Stonestreet
We also struck at the heart of.
Nick Eicher
Iran's ballistic missile program.
Kent Covington
The prime minister said the operation will continue for as many days as it takes to eliminate the threat of Iran becoming a nuclear power. Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danant.
John Stonestreet
We saw a few months ago they sent hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israel, so we cannot wait for them to have nuclear capability.
Kent Covington
The United States says Israel acted unilaterally and that the US military was not involved in this operation. President Trump had previously asked Netanyahu not to strike Iran during US Nuclear negotiations with Tehran. But with progress in those talks reportedly stalled, it is unclear if the president withdrew his objection. Trump had been warning for days that an airstrike could come soon if Tehran did not become more cooperative. He told reporters just yesterday.
Donald Trump
Well, I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen. Look, it's very simple, not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
Kent Covington
Other than the airstrikes came just hours after Iran defiantly announced that it has built and would activate a third nuclear enrichment facility after a rare censure from the UN's nuclear watchdog agency for a lack of cooperation. Families are mourning today in India and beyond after a commercial jetliner crashed Thursday, killing more than two hundred and forty people. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson.
John Stonestreet
I would like to express our deep.
Donald Trump
Sorrow about this event. This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India and our.
John Stonestreet
Efforts now are focused entirely on the.
Donald Trump
Needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.
Kent Covington
The Air India flight had just taken off from Ahmedabad en route to London when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner began losing altitude and slammed into a residential building. Authorities say at least five people were killed on the ground, with dozens more injured. At least one person aboard the plane miraculously survived. Police say he managed to escape by jumping out of an emergency exit. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash. Aviation consultant John M. Cox with Safety Operating Systems reacted to video footage of the crash.
Nick Eicher
The image shows the airplane with the.
John Stonestreet
Nose rising and it continuing to sink. That says that the airplane is not.
Donald Trump
Making enough lift and the slats and.
John Stonestreet
Flaps so that the wing makes more lift at lower speeds.
Kent Covington
The pilots sent out a mayday call shortly before impact. This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing Dreamliner jet. President Trump held a signing ceremony at the White House Thursday, where he signed a resolution blocking California's first in the nation rule banning the sale of new gas powered cars by 2035.
Donald Trump
I want to thank everybody for being here. We officially rescue the US Auto industry from destruction by terminating the California electric vehicle mandate once and for all.
Kent Covington
Trump called the regulations crazy, but the state quickly challenged the move in court. California Attorney General Rob Bonta we're filing.
John Stonestreet
A lawsuit against the federal government for its unlawful use of the Congressional Review act, or cra, to attack California's clean vehicles program.
Kent Covington
Congress approved the resolution last month. Trump also signed measures to overturn state policies curbing tailpipe emissions in certain vehicles and other environmental regulations. Trucks after nearly a week of violent protests in LA against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the unrest has spread to other major cities from coast to coast. And ahead of an organized national Protest tomorrow, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the deployment of 5,000 National Guard troops.
Nick Eicher
It does not do any good to have the National Guard not deployed and.
John Stonestreet
Have a city catch on fire.
Nick Eicher
Have crime and chaos break out and take a day or two to get them there.
Kent Covington
The governor is also deploying 2,000 state police to back up local law enforcement. Democrats are demanding a full investigation after US Senator Alex Padilla of California was forcibly removed from a news conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. But he has said he was merely trying to ask a question.
John Stonestreet
I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground and I was handcuffed.
Kent Covington
But Secretary Noem says the Democratic senator's remarks are misleading.
Nick Eicher
This man burst into the room, started.
John Stonestreet
Lunging towards the podium, interrupting me and.
Nick Eicher
Elevating his voice, and was stopped, did.
John Stonestreet
Not identify himself and was removed from the room.
Kent Covington
In Washington, some Senate Democrats skipped their traditional Thursday flights home and stayed on the floor to speak out against the incident.
John Stonestreet
Foreign.
Kent Covington
Cuffington. And straight ahead, Culture Friday with John Stonestreet. Plus, the musical legacy of Brian Wilson. This is the WORLD and Everything in it.
Myrna Brown
It's Friday 13th June. Glad to have you along for today's edition of the World and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Myrna Brown.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Hey, update time on our June giving drive. You remember that $130,000 challenge gift that kicked off the drive? Well, we had hoped to match it with your gifts by the end of the week. And guess what? You already cleared that first hurdle. You cleared it yesterday afternoon, in fact.
Myrna Brown
Wow. There you go, Nick, mixing every sports metaphor in the book. Kickoffs, hurdles, goal lines, pick your arena. Well, whatever the sport, clearly our listeners look like they're, well, let's see, running some fast breaks. All right, Myrna, how about that?
Nick Eicher
Yeah, that's good. I'll do you one better. We skated right through center ice, over the blue line and hit the ozone with some speed. How about that one?
Myrna Brown
Oh, I can't hang.
Nick Eicher
Hockey's not your thing. Well, seriously, our challenge givers, they are competitive folks, but this is precisely what they were hoping for, to be out, given they put up those first points on the board and so many have responded in a big way.
Myrna Brown
And June 30th is the finish line. So keep those legs churning. Next week we'll have a new challenge to keep the momentum rolling for sound journalism, grounded in facts and biblical truth every single day. So if you've not given yet and you're planning to, please do it today.
Nick Eicher
Yeah. So jump on in. WNG.org JuneLivingDrive Again, WNG.org JuneLivingDrive and thanks for playing on the world team and keeping our brand of journalism in the game. Well, it's Culture Friday, and joining us now is John Stonestreet. John is president of the Colson center and host of the Breakpoint Podcast. Good morning to you, John.
John Stonestreet
Good morning.
Nick Eicher
Well, John, I'd like to bring to your attention a couple of recent reports. These come from the Arizona Christian University's Cultural Research center, one of them a state by state analysis of the incidence of biblical worldview. The prevalence, I should say it was released this week. The other of the two reports details the university's new assessment tool that aims to measure worldview across multiple life categories. Now neither of these reports is encouraging and the well known researcher George Barna was involved in this, so it's got some heft to it. He found that the national percentage of adults with a biblical worldview is just 4%. And even among self identified Christians, only 6% actually live and think in ways that align with a biblical worldview. And then going state by state, that report, the top state, Myrna, was Alabama. It comes in at 12.6%, which is, which is not high, but it's the highest. Rhode island came in with less than a quarter of 1%. John, your own state, Colorado, slightly above the national average at 6.1, which I don't know, that probably comes as something of a surprise. But John, you have warned that many churches avoid so called political issues that really are moral issues with political implications. And you've also said the deeper problem is not that churches are talking about world view too much, but that they don't even think that way anymore. So when you look at these numbers, they would seem to be confirming what you've been saying about that. What should we take away from this and how does the church recover a biblical vision of culture, do you think?
John Stonestreet
Yeah, I mean that's been the question for decades. And I'm not even sure that I would say that we don't think about it anymore because then one would have to ask, well, when were we thinking about it better? And you know, to answer your question, two weeks ago at our Colson center conference, the one and only Carl Truman was talking a little bit about fostering conviction. And where does this come from within the context of the church? And he talked about when truth claims become instinctual. Not just that they're proclaimed and they're taught, but they're cultivated, they're catechized, they become habitual. It would be impossible for any parent, much less any pastor, to prepare a congregation for every single challenge that someone might face. But you can train the biblical instinct that you just know something is not sitting right. And because most people have a worldview, W H I R L E D not worldview, in other words, they have this conglomeration of beliefs and practices and habits that are far more reliant on the kind of the cultural conditions. As I think Schaefer also said, people tend to get their worldviews like they get a cold, they catch them. You know, without that kind of intentional, habitual framing of the truth claims of Christianity, of the true story of the world that Christianity offers and continually coming back, that this is not something that is personally helpful first and foremost, it's something that's true with a capital T. And we have, by and large, in discipleship programs and church sermons and Sunday school classes, traded in the idea of Christianity as true for Christianity as therapeutic or Christianity is helpful. And I think we end up seeing these kinds of consequences, that we might still embrace some of the helpful things about Christianity, but our worldview is actually coming from a culture that is getting further and further from any sort of roots in biblical truth.
Nick Eicher
Well, John, let's switch gears. We are seeing large scale protests across this country over immigrants, immigration enforcement. In some cases, things have become violent. No disputing that. In California, hundreds have been arrested. National Guard troops, even US Marines are on the ground in LA not to conduct immigration raids, but rather to guard Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE agents who are carrying out those raids. And they're also stationed to protect federal property. So it's a pretty tense moment right now and probably will get more tense as time goes on. But here we are presented with questions of free speech, of public order, of the rule of law, even of the use of military forces. What do you think is the right way to think about this sort of latest explosion of passion over the immigration issue?
John Stonestreet
Well, let's talk about the riots themselves and separate them from the protest. I mean, even if it's a cause that I don't agree with, I look at this and say the rights of Americans to publicly express their conscience is a good thing. And I don't want that to go away, even if I don't agree in what the other side is saying. But the limits of speech here are not in some kind of personal sense of I don't want to be offended. It's when actual harm is being done. And of course, we've seen that in California, actual harm being done. So I think we have to be able to thread that needle. And there's no question that it's a needle. It's a tough thing, but I am way grateful that I live in a place that's protected by the First Amendment. Than something that kind of gives lip service to freedom of speech, but then actually becomes a tyrannical expression of whatever the popular cultural mood is. I mean, that's not real freedom at all. And listen, that's all possible because we have national sovereignty. And if you lose national sovereignty, the ability of a nation to define its own borders, its own way of life and that sort of thing, then that also is going to render these conscience rights fruitless. It's going to undermine them in and of themselves. And, you know, that's really what is at stake here when you have a kind of a consistent practice of lawlessness in one way or another. And California is certainly guilty of this when it comes to the immigration issue. Every third grade student knows it's not a real classroom rule if the teacher never enforces it. And how it's enforced, that needs to be talked about. America can enforce its borders without doing it in ways that are dehumanizing. But the enforcing of laws in and of itself is not dehumanizing. The enforcement of laws is actually necessary. It's not wrong. And, you know, that's really the conflict is whether or not we have these laws and whether or not they should be enforced. And then we have to go to, you know, how should they be enforced?
Myrna Brown
Well, John, this past week we saw a striking clash between two high profile athletes. The swimmer Riley Gaines criticized a Minnesota girls softball league for allowing a male pitcher to dominate the state championship. The Olympic gymnast Simone Biles fired back. She accused Gaines of bullying the girls and even added some personal insults that really seem uncharacteristic of her now, to be fair, she walked some of that stuff back. But John, what did you make of that? I mean, what do you think it says about where we are on gender and sports?
John Stonestreet
That was a fascinating interchange this week. And I just want to say to Riley Gaines, thank you, thank you for being courageous and being bold, but also for handling it the right way. Riley right now has become such an important voice on this issue because she stands her ground. She does it clearly. She doesn't get really riled up, which tells me there's an awful lot about confidence with her. She's confident in what she believes, she's confident in what's true. She's confident in her personal relationships. You got to be confident your personal relationships to take the attacks that she does. But you know what was fascinating too, and further proof that it's a new day. Simone Biles was untouchable yesterday. And I don't mean yesterday like yesterday. I mean yesterday, culturally speaking. You know, you remember when she had the moment where she dropped out of the Olympics and then came back and really had a strong performance and, you know, she's untouchable in terms of her status, in terms of her voice and that sort of stuff. And I gotta be honest, I saw that thing unfolded, I thought, man, Riley's going to take it this time. At a degree that maybe, you know, she's not prepared for. And you know what? There were as many voices or more supporting Riley Gaines as supporting Simone Biles, including Stephen A. Smith, the ESPN announcer who right now is making a career of saying it like he sees it, in a Bill Maher sort of straightforward, not partisan way. So I think it tells you that not everyone is on board with this. And those who proclaimed that, you know, the science was settled on gender and that there's no, you know, advantage of a man over a woman in sports and all these things that everyone just intuitively knows is not true, people aren't buying it. People aren't being intimidated into silence anymore. And that was welcome news. But you know what? It takes courage. It takes courage to take that kind of stand. Of course, she didn't solicit it in this case. Simone Biles went after her, which was really bizarre. But I tell you what, it was an interesting you are here moment, in my view, on this particular issue.
Myrna Brown
Right. Well, Christian artist Michael Tate recently issued a detailed confession admitting to years of drug abuse and inappropriate sexual behavior. He said he left the Newsboys in January because he was tired of living a double life and. And that he wanted to seek healing. The music broadcaster, Caleb, responded by pulling both DC Talk and Newsboys music from its on air playlist. So, John, I want to know what stood out to you about his confession and what does real repentance look like in public failures like this?
John Stonestreet
Well, look, I don't want to comment on anyone's business decisions on this, but I will tell you that the apology from Michael Tate should be a source of great hope because, you know, listen, what he's admitted to, you know, is horrible, but he admitted to it in a way that was a true confession. Now, I don't have any insight into, you know, what's happening behind the scenes or anything like this, but I do know repentance is a uniquely Christian contribution to both the world and specifically to virtue formation. In other words, virtue is a muscle. And if you want to be a virtuous person, you have to do virtuous things. Christianity offers one of those virtuous things as repentance. In other words, if you're on the edge of the moral cliff, the best way forward is backwards. It's to turn around. And I hope that what I read this week from Michael Tate reflects that. It sure sounded like it. And I think we have a responsibility as followers of Christ to be hopeful for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Nick Eicher
John Stones street is president of the Colson center and host of the Breakpoint Podcast. John, thanks so much. We'll see you next time.
John Stonestreet
Thank you both. Additional support comes from Dort University where future teachers are shaped to love who, what and how they teach until all is made new. More at dort.edu from Water's Edge Kingdom Investments personal investments that build churches 5.05 APY on a three month term watersedge.com invest and from Ambassadors Impact Network Unlocking the power of faith based financing for your startup. More@ambassadorsimpact.com.
Nick Eicher
Today is Friday, June 13th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Nick Iger.
Myrna Brown
And I'm Myrna Brown. Coming up on the World and everything in it, a remake of the film how to Train youn Dragon. Now, even though remakes like this rarely live up to the original, this one reminds us why live action adaptations of animated classics remain popular with families. Here's reviewer Joseph Holmes.
Joseph Holmes
Everything you know about dragons is wrong. Some folks complain every time another live action remake of an animated classic gets released. I admit I include myself in that group. But these remakes can serve a real need. They give families a chance to experience the magic of the movies in the theater together in a low risk way. Parents have seen the original, so in a sense they've pre screened the movie for their kids. They go in with a good idea of whether the message fits their family's values. Disney has a long track record of success in this area, most recently with their live action Lilo and Stitch. So it's unsurprising DreamWorks decided to follow their lead in mining its own impressive animated library for live action potential. The studio landed on its 2010 classic how to Train youn Dragon, hoping parents who love the animated version will find everything they want here. I don't want to fight dragons.
Myrna Brown
Come on.
John Stonestreet
Yes you do.
Joseph Holmes
No, let me rephrase.
Kent Covington
I can't kill dragons.
John Stonestreet
But you will.
Joseph Holmes
The new how to Train a Dragon sticks closely to the original. It follows the inventive Viking Hiccup on the island of Berg. Hiccup defies his people's rules to befriend the Night Fury dragon Toothless and save humans and dragons from their never ending war against each other. Dean DeBloa Co created the original film and wrote and directed this version too. It largely delivers by being almost beat for beat and line for line faithful to the original film. This is both a blessing and a curse. The remake benefits from everything that made the original great, but it also invites comparison, which isn't always favorable. The remake's biggest strengths are its cinematography, production design and cast. The scenes of aerial acrobatics filmed with IMAX in mind are truly stunning. Impressive costumes and sets take the very particular child friendly, fanciful Viking aesthetic from animation and make it work with real people.
John Stonestreet
Wow.
Joseph Holmes
You've lost everything.
John Stonestreet
Your father, your tribe, your best friend. What are you gonna do about it?
Nick Eicher
Probably something stupid.
Joseph Holmes
The remake gives a nod to diversity by reimagining the dragon hunting Vikings of Burke as a multicultural people. But the film does take the time to explain why Asians and Africans live in this Scandinavian tribe. Nearly all the main cast is likable and believable. Mason Thames convincingly balances the bumbling and inspiring qualities of Hiccup. Nico Parker captures both the warm and cranky sides of Hiccup's rival and love interest, Astrid. And Gerard Butler's chief stoic feels lifted from the animated version. Not a stretch because Butler voiced him in the original.
John Stonestreet
The reign of the dragons ends right here, right now.
Joseph Holmes
But staying so close to the animated film sometimes creates technical problems. Animation can move faster and be more expressive than live action. And in comparison, some of the new scenes feel dull. Conversely, the cast is good. Still, the actors sometimes appear to forget that this film is not a cartoon and seem to be imitating the iconic voice actors from the original film.
Nick Eicher
That young man actually wants to make you proud.
John Stonestreet
He's got a mind of his own. Gets her from his mother.
Joseph Holmes
If the live action actors had just a bit more room to create their own versions of these characters, we might fall in love with them almost as much as the originals. While these problems might annoy critics like me, I doubt the film's target audience will be bothered. Families will be pleased that this version preserves the positive messages of compassion and courage from the original. And despite the dragons being a little scarier in live action than in animation, the movie maintains its PG rating. So parents fine with the original will most likely be fine with this one as well.
Nick Eicher
Call me boring, boring, but I'm just excited to see some fun, some real live dragons up close. You know, I could do without the.
John Stonestreet
Permanent injuries and oh, where's the glory in that? Yeah, it's only fun if you get.
Myrna Brown
A scar out of it.
Joseph Holmes
I'm always rooting for live action remakes to be the best version of themselves, becoming distinct, high quality works in their own right. This remake doesn't achieve that exactly, but because it sticks so closely to the powerful and satisfying animated version, the new how to train Youn Dragon proves to be a moving experience. I'm Joseph Holmes.
Myrna Brown
Today is Friday, June 13th. Good morning. This is the World and Everything in it from listener support. Welcome to supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Iker. Next up on the World and Everything in it, remembering Brian Wilson, the founding genius of the Beach Boys, who died this week at the age of 82.
John Stonestreet
Driving down Pacific coast out on Highway 1, the setting sun, goodbye.
Nick Eicher
Wilson defined the California sound. Sunlit harmonies layered over deep emotional currents. He reshaped pop. He fell into a personal darkness and then, against the odds, made a remarkable return. World's music reviewer Arsenio Orteza now on Wilson's brokenness, beauty and enduring brilliance.
Donald Trump
Brian Douglas Wilson was the oldest of three musically talented sons. Born to Murray and Audrey Wilson in Hawthorne, Californ. Wilson distinguished himself at an early age with the ability to memorize and recreate the sophisticated, jazzy harmonies of his favorite vocal groups. It was Brian who insisted that his younger brothers Carl and Dennis and his cousin Mike Love learn to sing the rudiments of what would become Wilson's trademark vocal arrangements. The family members would later join Brian and the Beach Boys, along with their friend David Marks and later Al Jardine.
John Stonestreet
There's a story told of a very gentle boy.
Donald Trump
Wilson's outwardly gregarious nature masked inner turmoil, particularly a tumultuous relationship with his abusive father. Wilson would later describe his prolific Beach Boys activity as a struggle both to assert his independence and to earn his father's approval. From 1963 to 1965, the Beach Boys placed nine songs and eight albums in the top 10. Wilson was a millionaire by 22, but with that wealth came the pressure of maintaining and constantly improving the nation's top hit machine. He began to show symptoms of what would eventually be diagnosed as organic personality Disorder. Still, he managed to oversee the elaborate recording of the group's seminal Pet Sounds album, as well as the song that would go on to become what many consider the greatest pop single of all time. At about this time, Wilson quit touring with the group and began seeking solace in marijuana and elsewhere. He found himself unable to complete the ambitious Pet Sounds follow up Smile, and withdrew from public life. Wilson became as famous for his drug and paranoia fueled eccentricities as he had been for his prodigious and inventive music. He was still nominally a Beach Boy, but his contributions to the group's music dwindled. He spent 1975 to 1985 as an often incoherent caricature of his former self. He experienced a partial recovery at the hands of the controversial therapist Eugene Landy, but that was scuttled in 1989 when a medical board ordered Landy to surrender his license, largely because of the questionable nature of his treatment of Wilson. But in the mid-1990s, Wilson experienced a renaissance. He married his second wife, Melinda Ledbetter, and he found musicians with whom he could resume touring and recording in the band the Wonderments and the musical director, guitarist Jeffrey Fosket. This ensemble, plus the lyricist Van Dyke Parks, helped Wilson finally release a complete version of Smile in 2004.
John Stonestreet
My children were raging on the sun they rise they started slow long ago, head to toe. Now.
Donald Trump
Brian Wilson presents Smile was released to strong sales and rapturous critical acclaim. In the years that followed, Wilson released several more solo albums. He also reunited with the Beach Boys in 2012 for the group's 50th anniversary tour and for what turned out to be the last Beach Boys album of new material. That's why God Made the Radio, a 2014 Bill Pollad biopic about Wilson's life, love and Mercy, was also well received. Wilson toured for the last time in 2022 and was diagnosed with dementia in 2024. The Beach Boys success was the result of many factors. Wilson's brother Dennis gave him the idea to write about surfing. The other Beach Boys helped bring his compositions to life. But it was Wilson's inventiveness in the Beach Boys first five years that made his songs an indelible fixture in American pop culture. The California of Wilson's imagination was less a tourist attraction than a state of mind. It represented the transient innocence of youth and the tragedy awaiting those who cling to it. Ironically, Wilson found himself adrift for much of his adult life by clinging to youth himself. His inability to match his early output left him depressed, and his self destructive attempts at coping with this failure depleted him. His continued composing nevertheless testifies to the durability of his talent and his survival. To enjoy a second act after nearly everyone had given up on him testifies to the durability of his will and the inspirational power of his music. I'm Arsenio Ortez.
Nick Eicher
All right, time now to name the team who who helped to make it happen this week. David Bonson, Leo Bruceno, Adam Carrington, Janie B. Cheney, Emma Eicher, Juliana Chan Erickson, Kim Henderson, Carolina Lumeta, Mary Muncie, Onize Addua, Arsenio Orteza, Mary Reichard, Josh Schumacher, John Stonestreet and Cal Thomas and thanks also to our breaking news team, Kent Covington, Christina Groot, Steve Klosterman and Lindy Langdon. And thanks to the moonlight maestros, Benj Eicher and Carl Peetz. Harrison Waters is Washington producer, Lindsay Mast and Lee Jones standing in as feature editors. Paul Butler is executive producer, and Les Sillers is our editor in chief. I'm Nick Eicher.
Myrna Brown
And I'm Myrna Brown. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. We the world's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it, the people of old receive their commendation. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made up of things that are visible. Verses 1 through 3 of Hebrews, chapter 11. Now here's your weekly reminder. Go to church this weekend. We're not meant to walk the Christian life alone. Be encouraged and be an encourager. And Lord willing, we'll be right back here with you on Monday. Go now in grace and peace.
John Stonestreet
Sa.
Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It – June 13, 2025
Introduction
On June 13, 2025, The World and Everything In It, a top 100 News program from WORLD Radio, delivered a comprehensive episode covering a spectrum of pressing global issues, cultural discussions, and tributes. Hosted by Myrna Brown and Nick Eicher, the episode combined in-depth news analysis with thoughtful cultural commentary, all grounded in a biblical worldview. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented throughout the episode.
1. Breaking News Highlights
a. Israeli Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Program
The episode opens with Kent Covington reporting on significant developments in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, an operation ominously named Operation Rising Lion.
Key Details:
Notable Quotes:
Context: The strikes came amid stalled negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, with President Trump having previously warned of possible military action if Tehran remained uncooperative.
b. Air India Crash in India
Tragedy struck as a commercial Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, resulting in the deaths of over 240 people. Remarkably, one passenger survived by escaping through an emergency exit.
Key Details:
Notable Quotes:
c. Trump Blocks California’s Gas Car Ban
In a decisive move, President Trump signed a resolution at the White House to block California’s pioneering rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. This decision attracted immediate legal challenges from California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta.
Key Details:
Notable Quotes:
d. Violent Protests Over Immigration Enforcement
The episode highlights escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, particularly in California where violent protests have resulted in hundreds of arrests. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has responded by deploying 5,000 National Guard troops and 2,000 state police to support local law enforcement.
Key Details:
Notable Quotes:
Conclusion of News Segment
The news segment effectively set the stage for the cultural discussions that followed, emphasizing the interplay between global events and societal values.
2. Culture Friday with John Stonestreet
a. Crisis of Biblical Worldview
John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center and host of the Breakpoint Podcast, delves into alarming findings from Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center. The reports indicate a significant decline in individuals embracing a biblical worldview.
Key Findings:
Notable Quotes:
Discussion: Stonestreet emphasizes the need for the church to actively cultivate a biblical worldview through disciplined teaching and habitual reinforcement of Christian truths, moving beyond viewing Christianity merely as therapeutic.
b. Immigration Protests and Public Order
Shifting focus to current events, Stonestreet analyzes the violent protests against immigration enforcement.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
c. Clash Between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines
Myrna Brown introduces a heated exchange between athlete Simone Biles and swimmer Riley Gaines over gender dynamics in sports, prompting Stonestreet to offer his insights.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
d. Michael Tate’s Public Confession and Repentance
The episode also addresses the confession by Christian artist Michael Tate, who admitted to years of drug abuse and inappropriate sexual behavior.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
Discussion: Emphasizes that true repentance involves acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a sincere commitment to change, reflecting the transformative power of Christian faith.
3. Film Review: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Live-Action Remake
Transitioning to cultural content, the episode features a review by Joseph Holmes, critiquing the live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film How to Train Your Dragon.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
Conclusion: While the remake may frustrate critics seeking innovation, it successfully preserves the original's positive messages, making it enjoyable for families and fans of the animated classic.
4. Tribute to Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys
The episode concludes with a heartfelt tribute to Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind The Beach Boys, who passed away at the age of 82.
Key Points:
Notable Quotes:
Conclusion: Brian Wilson’s life story is a testament to the enduring power of creativity and resilience, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that continues to inspire generations.
5. Closing Remarks
As the episode wraps up, Nick Eicher acknowledges the contributions of the production team and reiterates the mission of WORLD Radio to provide biblically grounded journalism. Myrna Brown delivers a final reminder about the importance of community and faith, encouraging listeners to attend church and support the ministry.
Conclusion
This episode of The World and Everything In It adeptly navigates complex global events and cultural phenomena through the lens of a biblical worldview. By interweaving hard-hitting news with profound cultural analysis and personal tributes, the hosts provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of current affairs, all while fostering a community grounded in faith and informed by truth.