The Eric Metaxas Show - Myra Adams

Episode Date: February 17, 2023

Myra Adams shares several Fun Fact Friday Bible phrases in common use today; then, Eric shares a couple of interesting emails from listeners in another installment of "A Listener Writes."

Folks, welcome to the Eric Mataxis show, sponsored by Legacy Precious Metals. There's never been a better time to invest in precious metals. Visit legacy p.m.investments.com. That's legacy p.m. Investments.com. Welcome to the Eric Mataxis show. We'll get you from point A to point B. But if you're looking for point C, well, buddy, you're on your own. But if you'll wait right here in just about two minutes, the bus to point C will be coming right by.

And now here's your Ralph Cramden of the Airways, Eric Matt, Texas. Hey, Albin, what day is it? I think it's Friday. It's Friday, and it feels like hour two. Yeah. Because in hour one, we were talking to our friend Tim Gigline about his terrific book. My gosh. In this hour, we've kind of got a hodgepodge in this hour.

You're the one, you invented this fun facts Friday. thing. Maybe you should explain what we're going to do. Yeah. Yeah, I did invent it. In fact, if you put in Fun Facts Friday, you'll find other people have picked up on it, but it's not before the fall of 2016 when it was the first time we ever did it on the Eric Mattaxas show, okay? Well, this one is with Myra Adams, and she's going to talk about how there are Bible verses that we have in the modern day culture that we think, well, where'd they come from? Well, she's going to explain how we have phrases that are actually biblically based. So Myra Adams, Fun Facts Friday, a Bible twist on the whole deal.

That's for a couple segments, right? And then you're going to follow up with a listener rights. You're going to explain that one. Oh, that's right. When you write to us, folks, whether it's via my website, Ericmetaxis.com or the radio website, metaxis talk.com, I still read everyone. And believe me, I have no time.

but I manage by God's grace to read everything that people write in. We can rarely respond because I don't have the staff and the bandwidth and the budget because we really don't. But I do read everything. And every once in a while, I think, you know what, I should read this on the air. So I'm going to read two letters that I received on the air today coming up after Myra Adams. Albin, a couple of things I got to mention real quick. Yeah. I am traveling like crazy in the next few weeks.

Tomorrow I'm flying to San Diego to speak at Awaken Church in San Diego. You got to go to my website, Ericmetaxis.com to find out the details. But I'm speaking there twice on Sunday morning. Then I am going to Pasadena where this, I, I, tell you, I could just flip out. I get so excited. I'm going to Pasadena to do a Dennis Prager event. This is, if you can be in Pasadena on Monday night, you all know how much I love Dennis Prager. I love that man. And I enjoy teasing him and having fun with him and being serious with him. So we're doing an event in Pasadena. The details are at my website, Eric Metaxis.com, under speaking.

It is just a joy for me to get to do that. So I'm flying in California tomorrow. Oh, Guacamole. Then I'm going to be in Monclova, Ohio. That's not very far from Toledo, probably flying into Detroit, but Monclova, Ohio on the weekend of the 26th of this month. And then, of course, on the 28th, ladies and gentlemen, we have a Socrates in the city event. If you haven't signed up or if you know somebody in the New York area,

and you want to send them to something that will be meaningful in their lives, I encourage you strongly to go to Socrates in the city.com and to sign up. And if there are people who can't afford it, a donor gave us a gift so that we could offer some discount, 50% off discounted tickets. I don't know how many of those, 10 or something like that. But if you put it in VIP 50, if they're still available, those tickets usually go pretty fast. But I just think it's going to be such a wonderful event. You've heard me talk about it a lot.

Jeannie Constantine's book, The Crucifixion of the King of Glory, is unlike anything I've ever read in my life, literally, very powerful. And the scholarship, what I'm amazed. is that 2,000 years later we can discover all kinds of new things about what happened around the Passion Week. I mean, who would dream that that's possible? She's done it. It's just hard to believe except it's true. She's a very special person.

So she's my guest at Socrates in the city. That's the 28th of this month, February 28th, here in New York. If you can't get to New York, we're doing a new thing. You can live stream it. That night, you can watch it live. That's kooky. because we can't edit out the flubs and fluffs. So you're just going to get it raw.

And what can I tell you? But anyway, I had to mention those things. Can I just say real quick, you're going to be in Ohio on Sunday, right? Is that anywhere near Palestine and the explosion and the gases? I don't know. That's February 26th. But yeah, Montclova, Ohio. That's a whole story.

I mean, since I'm on the subject, I'm going to be in St. Louis, Missouri on the 4th of March. Now, by the way, March 4th, here's a fun fact Friday tip for you. March 4th is the only date in the calendar that is also a military command. Oh. Thank you very much. You've been a great audience. Good night. March 4th, Grace Church, St. Louis, Missouri.

I'm going to be speaking a couple times there. men's conference. And I'll be speaking on the Sunday morning services on the fifth. Wow. And it goes on and on from there. I will be in North Carolina, High Point, North Carolina, and then Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the middle of March. I'll be speaking at an event at the Wesleyan Christian School and at the Beth

Barra Moravian Church. I mean, it is, it's just, it goes on and on. I'm looking at my calendar here. I have a lot coming up. Yeah, I just love it because you're speaking about your book, a letter to the American church, and that's important. Yeah, actually, listen to that, listen to this. I've been doing so much media around this book that I'm starting to, like,

lose track of my schedule because I am busy, and some of that's good and some of that's not good. Yesterday, I was running around the Central Park Reservoir, and my assistant calls me. I go, this can't be good. Hello? I'm running around the reservoir. Eric, you're supposed to be live right now doing a radio interview in Denver. Can you please call this number?

So on the street in New York, or actually in the park and then on the street. And I did an interview about letter to the American church. But I want to say this is to me a sign of health that all kinds of people are reaching out to me to talk about letter to the American church. Why? Because this is where we are right now. I mean, it's, you know, the one hand, we want to lead our lives as though nothing has changed. On the other hand, we are where we are. God has put us in a place in this country where if we don't stand up and fight and recognize the evil that we're dealing with,

it is tough to recognize, but it's our job because it's what's happening is true. So anyway, yesterday that was just absolutely crazy to do a radio interview on the street or anyway. It was wild. It was wild. And I've got a bunch more radio today. There's a lot going on. But I think these are signs of health. A letter to the American Church has struck a nerve. I honestly had no clue when I was writing it. I was being, as they say, obedient to God because I felt a very strong, clear direction that I was supposed to write what I wrote in the book. I don't say that stuff lightly. And when people say things like that lightly and over. spiritualized things. I sneer. I don't like that. But this was unlike anything I've ever felt. So I need to mention that, that that book is doing better than any book that I've ever written, really, out of the gate. The Bonhofer book eventually, that's the longest book I ever wrote. That took a long time to kind of catch on. Yeah. But this book, it's right out of the gate. There seems to be a lot of attention because I think a lot of people recognize, yes, this is exactly where we are.

Yeah. Is there anything? Oh, my book, Fish Out of Water. Yes. The story of my life. The comic but true tale of my search for meaning fish out of water is coming out in paperback March 7th with this beautiful, happy blue cover of a fish jumping out of a bowl. It's just beautiful.

And I just want to say, we'll be talking about that more in the future, releasing some excerpts. Okay. this is our two. Fun facts Friday with Myra Adams coming up. A listener writes coming up more, more, more, more. We'll be right back. In case you haven't been paying attention, the Biden administration has caused a financial crisis and they have no clue how to fix it. Oil prices have skyrocketed. And when oil prices go up, the cost of transportation and shipping spikes, leading the prices of goods to rise. And when we're already seeing record inflation, that's the last thing we need. Our economy is in trouble. need to take steps to protect yourself. If all your money is tied up in stocks, bonds, and traditional markets, you are vulnerable.

Gold is one of the best ways to protect your retirement. No matter what happens, you own your gold. It is real, it is physical, it's always been valuable since the dawn of time. Legacy precious metals is the company I trust for investing in gold. They can help you roll your retirement account into a gold-backed IRA where you still own the physical gold. They can also ship gold and precious metal safely and securely to your house. Call Legacy at 866-528-1903 or visit them online at LegacyPMinvestments.com. Hey there, folks.

You may remember recently I had on as my guest, Myra Khan Adams, who is the host, or I'm sorry, who is the author of a Bible study every Sunday at townhall.com, which she has collected into two wonderful books. those books are titled Bible study for those who don't read the Bible. Bible study for those who don't read the Bible. Now, here's a little secret. If you do read the Bible, you can also read these books. You don't read to not, you don't need to not read the Bible to read these books.

But the idea is if you're not someone who is as familiar with the Bible as you'd like, this is for you, Bible study for those who don't read the Bible. Myra, first of all, welcome back. Thank you for having me again. Well, you and I, we have a lot in common, whether you know it or not. I think, you know, when we talk about things like the culture, you and I both know that it's impossible to live in American culture, in English culture, in England, without hearing phrases that are from the Bible. And so if you don't know the Bible, it's a little bit like being,

utterly ignorant of Shakespeare, you are culturally illiterate because there are so many phrases that come from Shakespeare and from the Bible. And if you don't know about those things, I mean, I'm big on cultural literacy. And you have a chapter in your book, Bible study, for those who don't read the Bible, where you talk about some of the sayings that we think of as common sayings but are rooted in the Bible. You posted it in your town hall column on June 27, 2021. That was my birthday a year and a half ago. Why don't we start there? Okay.

Well, you bring up a really good point about how cultural literacy is what's really declining. And, you know, both the Bible and Shakespeare were two of the works that were really the foundation of education and literacy for centuries in Western culture. And both of them seem to be on the decline. particularly the Bible, and I guess probably Shakespeare is probably, well, he's probably been canceled too by this time. But, you know, the Bible can be considered hate speech. Senator Marco Rubio had told me that years ago, that he believed that at some point the Bible study, the Bible would be considered hate speech.

And a year ago, I said, remember when you said that a year ago? The Bible would be considered hate speech? And he said, I was right, wasn't I? And I said, yes. And that's today's left in the United States of America. And but today's left in the United States of America, in thinking of the Bible as hate speech, they're in good company because the Taliban, the North Korean regime, they also think of the Bible as hate speech. So if you're on the left and you think of the Bible as hate speech, join those clubs. In fact, you're already members.

So, but let's talk about these, about some of the things, some of the common sayings that we hear them all the time. their common sayings, but they come from the Bible. Right. Eat, drink, and be merry. Who would have thought that came from the Bible? Nobody knows that. And when you say that, what is the context for that? Can you remember where that comes from?

Honestly, I know it's the New Testament. I believe, oh, boy. It's a New Testament. Because it doesn't say eat, drink, and marry for tomorrow we will die. It doesn't say that. That's been added to it. I don't know where it's from, but I know it's from the Bible. So I don't even know if it's in that study.

It may not even be in that study. Because keep in mind, my town hall Bible studies, I'm limited to about a thousand words. So there's so many of these sayings that I only could put a few of them. But I know Edry could be Mary is one of them that may not be in the study, but it's definitely one of them. Here's one. The handwriting is on the wall. Yes, yes. Most people are you, are you, can you tell us?

That's a little bit about that come, where that comes from. That was Old Testament. It was, I believe it was Nebuchadnezzar. And the story of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, I believe that's, that's where it's from. But I know it's Old Testament. And it's a, it's a chilling thing because the actual story is that a hand appears. This is obviously a supernatural, this is a miracle, that a hand appears and writes this writing on the wall. And not only does it happen, but the writing says, mini, mini, takele eupharsin,

which effectively means you've been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Another words, you are being judged. You're in big trouble. And so today people cavalierly say, oh, that the handwriting's on the wall. And they're just not aware of where it comes from. Right. That's exactly right. And there's so many of them.

They're not aware where they comes from. But that points back to the fact that the Bible is the foundation of culture and literacy. and it's these sayings that keep the Bible alive, but people don't know it's from the Bible. So it's fascinating what's happening in our society today because of this lack of knowledge of the Bible and lack of reading the Bible. I just opened up to the page of your book

where it says eat drink and be merry. The verse actually is from Ecclesiastes, which is considered the Old Testament. You already knew that. I'm teasing you. Oh, yeah. I didn't remember that. The verse in Ecclesiastes says, So I commended enjoyment because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry.

For this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. Although, in a weird way, the author of Ecclesiasis is being like a little sarcastic or a little, it's, it needs context. But the phrase comes from the Bible, eat drink and marry, eat drink and be merry. a man after my... That's true of all these. These all have a context to them. Right. But you can't use a paragraph in, you know, to make a phrase, to make a point.

Okay, here's one that I didn't know. These common phrases have been narrowed down. Here's one that I did not know. And I'm surprised because I thought I knew all these. Drop in the bucket. That comes from Isaiah 4015. It says, surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket, but they regarded it as dust on the scales. He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. I did not know that drop in a

drop in a bucket comes from the Bible. This is incredible. Just just another example. There's so many I want to memorize this chapter. Can you remember any off top of yet? I know that when I write books, I forget what's in them. So I don't know if you can remember any off the top of your head. What was the year that was done? Was that 20, 21? The year that this book was done? No, that that study, that study that you're talking about. I think it's volume number, Yeah, it's about a year and a half ago, about a year and a half ago. Yeah, my Bible study this week was volume number 146. So it's been a while.

So you have to quote it to me. But, you know, there's some of them also. I do know at the top of my head, for instance, the most famous one is Good Samaritan. Another famous one is scapegoat. People have no idea that scapego came from the Bible. Rise and shine. You know, go the extra mile. Put up, what is it?

Fight the good fight. I mean, all these sayings, people have no idea where they're from. And it's really interesting. You all have to put them in context, though. The Good Samaritan, you're right, unless you're familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan, these are phrases that are just thrown around. What I also like is when you find something, people think it's in the Bible, but it's not. I mean, one of the classic examples, and I know I wrote about this in one of my books,

everything you always want to know about God, but we're afraid to ask. but they, everybody says like, you know, God helps those who help themselves. That's in the Bible. No, it's not in the Bible. Now, the concept of it, it's not an unbiblical concept. But God helps those who helps themselves is not in the Bible. It's an ancient Greek saying, and it's got nothing to do with the Bible. But a lot of people kind of assume things are in the Bible.

And here's one that always grabs me. When people say money is the root of all evil, that's in the Bible. guess what folks it's not in the bible it says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil big difference big difference and you you have that on page 52 of volume two of bible study for those who don't read the bible the love of money is the root of all evil uh some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierce themselves with many griefs um that's a That's a big one. So it's not that money is the root of all.

It's the love of money. And even the love of money to understand that an unbridled, kind of a lust for money, greed is the root of all kinds of evil. Not of all evil, but of all kinds of evil. Here's one. The truth shall set you free. Do you remember what you wrote about that? I do not. Is there anybody in the room?

Anybody. Quote me to myself. Is there a doctor in the house? Is there an etymologist in the house? Well, you know, what I like, too, is it brings up the idea that people often, they quote parts of what the Bible says. You know, like they talk about, you know, peace on earth, goodwill toward men. That's not what it says. It says peace on earth good will toward men for those who love God or obey God.

It's a pretty big difference, right? So we're going to go to a break, folks. We're talking to Myra Khan Adams. She's the author of Bible study for those who don't read the Bible. There are two volumes. You can find them individually at townhall.com. Townhall.com. We'll be right back to the Eric Mataxis.

So you can find me at Eric Mataxis.com. And please, folks, if you haven't yet, sign up for my newsletter because we try to get these videos out to you. So you can see what we're wearing. We'll be right back. Tell me why Relief Factor is so successful at lowering or eliminating pain. I'm often asked that question just the other night. I was asked that question. Well, the owners of Relief Factor tell me they believe our bodies were designed to heal.

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year are happening right now, so don't miss out. They're also extending their money back guarantee for Christmas until March 1st, 2023, making them the perfect gifts for your friends, your family, and everyone you know. So go to mypillow.com and use promo code Eric or call 1-800-9-7, and you'll get huge discounts on all MyPillow betting products, including the Giza Dream Bedsheets for as low as 2998, and get all your shopping done now while quantities last. Again, use code Eric and save. MyPillow. Hello.com. Folks, welcome back. We're talking to Myra Khan Adams, who has written two books, Bible study for those who

don't read the Bible, part one and part two. And, Myra, we're focusing just today on there are so many phrases in the Bible that we hear in the normal course of life, but we don't realize that came from the Bible. And one of those is, you know, don't put words in my mouth. kind of an amazing concept. Don't put words in my mouth. That comes from the Bible. Yes, it does.

It's actually from Second Samuel. And it's actually, you can really look at it two ways. You put words in my mouth or don't put words in my mouth. But the actual verse in the Bible says, then go to the king and speak these words to him. And Joab put the words in her mouth. So the verse pertains to some royal levels of dysfunction and deceit. So it is important to understand the context, but the context gets lost because people don't read the Bible.

But they say all these phrases that they have no idea where they came from. We talked about this in an earlier segment, but something that really struck me when the Russians invaded Ukraine back in February of 2022, you would hear constantly the comparison of David versus Goliath. And I mean, you would think that most people would know what that was. It's probably one of the most common. But I would venture to say not everyone really understands what David versus Goliath means. I find that shocking, actually. That is absolutely shocking.

Because people don't read the Bible. They have no idea that so many aspects of our culture, you know, art, music, history, everything has so much relating to. the Bible. And that's why the Bible should, in fact, still be read all the time and studied all the time. Because it's the basis. It's the foundational basis of our law, our nation, our founding, our culture. It's so much to it that it's just getting lost. Well, all educated people all through history have known the Bible. And we are really at the first time in modern history where that's not the case. And it's scary for many reasons, not just because people don't get referenced. that's the least scary, but that these principles and these ideas, which were really embedded

in cultural life, whether one was an outspoken Christian or was not, important ideas are being lost. One of the phrases that you highlight also, which some people might know, the blind leading the blind. Right, right. That's right. Where, let me see where that is from, but just the concept of people will follow someone that can't see the way. That's the theory behind it. But the term blind leading the blind is such a common phrase. And it can be applied to so many things in our life where you hear information, you think that person is right, or even you get directions from someone in the days before GPS.

You get directions from someone who obviously had no idea and they gave you the wrong directions. So the concept of blindly and the blind can be applied throughout. our culture. And obviously those are the words of Jesus. He's describing the Pharisees as spiritual leaders who are the blind, leading the blind, and they will lead you into a ditch, and you will follow them, you know, into a ditch. It is amazing. I'm amazed by how many things Jesus himself said that have come into the culture. One of the most famous, of course, is, you know, turn the other cheek. But there are so many things and you kind of wonder what would it have been like to hear him say these things. Were they as fresh then as they are if we hear them now? It is, it's difficult

unless you really are hyper familiar with the context of that culture to know where he got it from. I mean, some of the things he gets from the Old Testament. The truth shall set you free. That's a great one. the truth shall set you free. Without vision, the people perish. I believe Jesus said that. But what's interesting to me is that we often just quote parts of it. Like the one that you're referring to, it's on page 53 of your volume 2 Bible study for those who don't read the Bible. But it says the truth shall make you free or the truth will set you free.

But the actual verse says, to the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus. Jesus said, if you hold to my teaching, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. So it's totally conditional. If you are my disciples and you are really my disciples and you're actually holding to my team, not saying that you believe in me, but actually holding to my teaching, only then will you know the and the truth will set you free. So Jesus is saying something, which is a little bit of a conundrum. In other words, he's saying you can't know the truth unless you obey me, unless you follow me. That's wild. That's the opposite of what a lot of people would say. A lot of people would say,

well, I know the truth and then. And there's something, I know Bonhofer talks about it in the cost of discipleship, but this idea that by obeying God, it in a sense frees you to understand, which just sounds like a conundrum. But that's part of what Jesus is saying here. He's saying, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. So there seems to be like a moral imperative that if you obey God, it enables you to perceive truth.

That's very, very heavy and very different from, you know, the truth will set you free, the truth will set you free. But the bigger problem these days is truth is all relative. that is the biggest problem we have in our society. And that's a story for another show. There's no truth anymore. That is a story for another. But that is actually one of the biggest problems we have in our whole culture.

Right, which I think ties into what I was just saying. Well, it's fun to talk to you. Myra Khan Adams, the author of Bible study for those who don't read the Bible. God bless you, Myra. Thank you. Thank you for having me. With the overturn of Roe v. Wade, lots of companies are coming out saying they'll pay for employee abortion, travel, and expenses.

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Go to inspireadvisors.com slash Eric. That's inspireadvisors.com slash Eric. Advisory services are offered through Inspire Advisors LLC, a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Hey there, folks. Every now and again, we do a segment on this program called a listener writes. Right, right, right. Because a lot of you out there do write to us. I read everything that comes in

at Ericmetaxis.com and at metaxisotalksotalk.com. And I really couldn't possibly respond to most of them. And I, but sometimes I read something and it's very sweet. And I thought, let me read it on the air, just so you know we're hearing from people. So this one comes from Lois at Cornerstone Christian School. These are delightful people that write to us. Dear Mr. Metaxus, thank you for seven men and the secret of their greatness and seven women and the secret of their greatness. Okay, so these are two books that I wrote seven men, seven women, and then I also wrote seven more men. I teach eighth grade English in San Antonio, Texas.

For the last few years, I've had my students read your books as part of our curriculum. I cannot tell you the impact your books have had on me and my students. Your books are a magnificent tool to use with young people or anyone to show how God can use us to change the world if we are obedient to him. Every time I read through them, I'm struck again with the power of God in our lives. My students respond well to your style of writing, and I love hearing them discuss the various lives they're reading about. They get especially excited when they find out you wrote for veggie tales at one time.

Anything that catches an eighth-crator's attention is important in my mind. Thank you for impacting the next generation with your work. God bless your continued endeavors. And this is Lois from Cornerstone School in Texas. I am really just people don't understand what it means to me when I read letters like this. I mean, the idea that somebody is assigning these books. I mean, that's my dream because I, you know, I don't write these things to make money, folks. I write these books because I'm trying to get this stuff out.

But the book seven men and the book seven women and then the sequel, seven more men and seven more women will come out eventually. These are the stories of heroes. And I always say that part of the way we learn, the principal way we other learn is from seeing other people. But when you have it summed up, whether it's in a book or in a chapter, in these books, these are chapters, it just somehow inspires you. You can't help it. And that's why I wrote these books. So I am to know that in some schools that eighth graders are reading and enjoying and discussing my book, Seven Men and Seven Women. I'm just practically speechless.

So when I read this, I said I want to read this on the air because it's just, it's really gratifying because this is a struggle. We're in a struggle. Albin knows. We're in a struggle, folks. I don't just mean we as Americans. I mean I, Eric Mataxis, we're a lot of what we do. It's not easy. And so when somebody sends me something like that, I am very moved, and I want to say thank you.

This is a Susan from Delaware has written another letter, and I think I have time to read this. Susan from Delaware writes, Dear Mr. Metaxus, thank you for writing your latest book, a letter to the American Church. It's so resonated with me. as a member of a congregation where the messages on Sundays, while biblical and lifting up Jesus, seem disconnected to our cultural rot and destruction. And I hear this kind of thing a lot. The messages are biblical and lift up Jesus,

but they seem disconnected to our cultural rot and destruction. She continues, I am appalled weekly regarding what I learn about, about our children under attack, woke culture, proliferating violence in the name of justice, to mention but a sliver. My heart is breaking for our country. What saddens and angers me is the paralyzing dichotomy of Christian friends. They either deny the trauma happening in front of their eyes. Violence is only in small pockets or only a few people are perpetrating the trans agenda with the children, so they say. And if they do concede, so some people deny the trauma,

if they do concede the hideous cultural decomposition, their answer is Jesus is returning or God is in control. I know God is in control, but is it ordained that we lose the country, destroy our children, have our history forgotten, and our culture transformed? Oh, would that President Obama and never put his plan into action. And the country will be lost as the people of God silently watch it happen. I'm despondent, thanks for working against evil, sincerely Susan in Delaware. Now look, I hear the same stuff all the time. There's some people that they can't bear this.

They look away. They pretend nothing's happening. It's fine. Nothing to see. Nothing to see. Folks, there's plenty to see, and you're guilty if you ignore it because God has called you to do something about it. So when Christians say, and I hear them say this all the time,

Actually, you get two things that Christians say. Some give this Pollyanna, oh, the Lord's in control, the Lord's on his throne. It's a meaningless statement. Yes, the Lord is on his throne. He was on his throne when Jews were being tortured and murdered. And just because God is on his throne doesn't mean you don't have a job to do now here. And to wave things away over which you may have some say, over which you may have some say, over which you may have some,

you may have an ability to do something about it. To wave it away is really to abdicate and to allow evil to have its way. And that is what I write about in my book letter to the American church, that that's what the German church did. They would say, oh, God's on his throne. It's all going to work out. Jesus is coming back. It's like, no, no, no.

You, Christian, have a job to do right now. and the Lord will come back when he decides, but then you get other Christians, and this woman doesn't write about this, who they're almost happy to say that it's kind of like the Jesus is returning. Like, look, it's over, we're under judgment, there's nothing we can do, who cares?

And I think, wow, that is the voice of the devil speaking through a Christian thinking that he is speaking Christian thoughts. That's the voice of the devil. When you say either, hey, God is on his throne to imply everything's great, don't worry about it, that's insane. When you say, well, God's judgment

is coming, the Lord's returning, so there's nothing we can do, so why bother? Both of those are wrong. We are called, and that's why letters like this touch my heart. I love the fact that your original title for this book, Letter to the American Church, was Faith Without Works is Dead. You've got to do something, folks. Citizen of both kingdoms, folks. That's at the heart of it. So I say to people, if you're going to a church, as this woman describes, they're totally disconnected to the cultural rotten destruction. Give them a copy of my book. Or just leave the church, folks. Do not participate with people who refuse. It's like singing louder as the Jews go by in the box cars. You have a job, and God is going to judge each one of us. You can't say, well, that's what's

happening in my church. You don't need to go to that church. In any event, we're at a time that ends this segment of a listener writes two wonderful listeners to important letters thank you okay albin we're almost done with the week we've just got moments left while while we're while we're here i don't think i've mentioned this we raised something like 22 000 for the turkey syria earthquake relief that's thanks to you our listeners god bless you folks thank you thank you thank you thank you for giving that was as urgent an appeal as we've ever done. I just want to thank you for that. I also want to say, I believe I mentioned it earlier,

but I am tomorrow flying to San Diego. I'm speaking at Awaken Church in San Diego. The details go to my website, Ericmetaxis.com. Please go to Ericmetaxis.com and you'll see the details. And I can't wait to, go out there because after that I get to go to Pasadena and do an event with Dennis Prager

on Monday night. I can't. It's Ask a Jew, Ask a Gentile. I believe I'm playing the role of the Gentile. So that's happening and lots of other travel. By the way, speaking of Ask a Jew, Ask a Gentile, Israel. The Israel Tourism

Ministry is our newest sponsor on this program. And as you most of you know, we only take on sponsors we believe in. And I think that it can be, it almost always is life changing for people to visit Israel. It's very hard if you've never been there before when you get there to believe those things happened right here. It changes your relationship to the text, to the Bible, because it, you know, to use the cliche, it comes to life. So,

So the website is holyland.israel. Dot travel. Holyland. Israel. Dot travel. I think, Albin, I also mentioned that a donor offered to Socrates in the city gave us a gift recently for anybody who wants to come to the event. This is very limited, okay, but I'm saying if you can get to the event.

on February 28th. And your funds are limited. There are a few tickets available now if you use VIP 50 as the code. So if you use VIP 50 as the code, you get 50% off. Now I want to be blunt. These events cost more. If you pay full price, the events cost more. It's only because of donors to Socrates and City that we can do these.

I usually don't get paid anything. I mean, these are, they're wonderful events. And we do them, I do them really as a public service because I think their voices out there that are so special that I want to record them and I want to get them out. And you can see them at our Socrates and City YouTube channel or you can just go to Socrates in the city.com. I encourage you to go there. But I do encourage you particularly the event coming up February 28. So while supplies last for the 50% off tickets, and again, I think they're 10, but you use VIP 50 and you get a discount, it's going to be a very special event. I've never done one like this before.

This is really effectively to kick off Lent. I'm not big on Lent, but I think it's something that I should be bigger on. And I thought this book, when I read it a year ago, I said, this is so special. that we need to do this around the beginning of Lent, just to draw people in to the story and to prepare your hearts. Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living. Well, guess what? Examining your life is what Lent is all about, thinking about your life.

So I want to encourage you to go to Socratesandciti.com. And again, while the supplies last, I don't know if they're still there, but if they're still there, use VIP 50 and you can get 50% off. And you can do live streaming. And I think that's it. Goodbye. See you soon.