It’s Thursday, April 16th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)

By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus

1 million Lebanese displaced by Middle East conflict

The recent war in the Middle East between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has displaced over one million people in Lebanon.

Israel has bombed targets in Lebanon associated with Hezbollah, a Muslim militant group backed by Iran.

Christians make up a third of Lebanon’s population. Sadly, Israel’s bombardments there have lead to the deaths of over 2,000 people, including Christians.

Michel Constantin with the Catholic Near East Welfare Agency said, “Towns and villages in which Christians live in south Lebanon have also been violently attacked without any warning. Israel has bombed areas that have nothing to do with Hezbollah.”

United States brokers peace deal between Lebanon and Israel

The United States brokered peace talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. It’s the first time the two countries have held diplomatic talks in decades.

Lebanon and Israel agreed to work towards ending the influence of Hezbollah, the terrorist group.

Listen to comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

RUBIO: “This is a historic opportunity. We understand we're working against decades of history and complexities that have led us to this unique moment.

“Some of you are shouting questions about ceasefire. This is a lot more than just about that. This is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollah's influence in this part of the world.”

Slow economic growth this year because of Middle East war

The International Monetary Fund expects global economic growth to slow this year due to the war in the Middle East.

The conflict is driving up energy prices and disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The International Monetary Fund projects global growth to slow to 3.1 percent this year. That’s down from its original forecast of 3.3 percent.

70% of Americans think taxes too high

Yesterday was tax day in the United States.

A new Fox News Poll found a record 70 percent of voters think their taxes are too high. That’s up from 60 percent in 2025.

Also, 75 percent of people see government spending as wasteful. That’s up nearly 20 percentage points since 2025.

The average single worker in the U.S. sends just under a third of their income to the government. That’s according to a report by the Cato Institute.

U.S. fertility rate down

The U.S. fertility rate fell to a new low last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The general fertility rate in 2025 was 53.1 births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 44. That’s down one percent from the rate in 2024 and down 23 percent from 2007.

The fertility rate for women in their 20s has dropped significantly. Meanwhile, the rates for women in their 30s and early 40s is growing.

Hegseth and Rubio will read the Bible aloud

Nearly 500 leaders from all spheres of influence are about to gather in Washington, D.C. to read the entire Bible aloud.

The Museum of the Bible is hosting its “America Reads the Bible” event from April 19 to 25. Participants will read Scripture for 12 hours each day.

Readers include Rev. Franklin Graham, Dr. Ben Carson, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Six governors and 20 members of Congress will also be reading the Bible aloud.

The event’s website says, “In honor of the 250th birthday of the United States, America Reads the Bible serves as a spiritual celebration of our nation’s founding ideals and a call to rediscover the truth that still anchors us today.”

Nehemiah 9:3 says, “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one-fourth of the day; and, for another fourth, they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.”

Oklahoma principal risked life to stop school shooter

An Oklahoma high school principal risked his life to stop a school shooter last week.

The 20-year-old shooter opened fire inside the lobby of Pauls Valley High School last Tuesday afternoon. The principal, 60-year-old Kirk Moore, charged the shooter, tackling him to the ground. Another staff member helped disarm the gunman.

Moore was the only person injured in the incident, suffering a shot to his leg. However, he is healthy and recovering after being hospitalized.

He wrote in a statement last Friday, “I am grateful that my instincts and training, as well as God’s hand, were available to me on Tuesday.”

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Today is the FINAL day to see “A Great Awakening” Christian film

And finally, as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the word “liberty” is resurfacing in cultural debates, but for Sight & Sound President Joshua Enck<...