Viewpoint - The Bible and Culture

War in the Middle East

How do we think biblically about war - especially war in the Middle East? Are these events tied to biblical prophecy about end times? And most importantly, how do we have conversations with people who are fearful or anxious and point them to the hope of the gospel?

This episode features a live class session held at Highlands Church and hosted by pastors Joe Infranco and Ed Lutz, discussing the recent conflict between Israel, the U.S. and Iran, and how we can be ambassadors for Christ in the midst of a turbulent world.

A.I. in Church?

Artificial Intelligence tools are finding their way into every aspect of life, from our phones to our cars, inboxes, photos and beyond. But what about church? Can A.I. aid in faithful Bible study? Should pastors use A.I. to help write sermons? Should church members turn to A.I. for answers to questions about faith, the Bible and Christianity? This episode features a live class session that discussed these questions and many more as we look at where A.I. is headed, the impact it's having on churches and faith conversations, and what biblical discernment looks like in the face of these powerful tools.

The class was led by Pastor Ed Lutz and features Highlands Elder Jim McGuire and guest Steve Laureanti - an intellectual property attorney and Christian author who has extensive experience examining the question of what place A.I. tools have within businesses, industries and churches.

Bold Public Faith: Sharing Gospel Hope in a Culture of Conflict (Live Class Session)

What do the recent acts of violence in our country show us about the deep brokenness in our culture? What opportunities do we have as Christians to bring the hope of the Gospel to a nation that is hurting, confused, fearful, angry and looking for answers? In this live class session held at Highlands Church, our panel of pastors takes a deeper look at the events surrounding the murder of Charlie Kirk, the boldness with which he shared his faith, what it says about our current cultural moment, and what the Bible teaches us all about sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with others.

Masculinity (with Dr. Jeffery Ventrella)

What does it mean to "be a man"? Our culture is wrestling with all kinds of definitions - from the hyper-masculine on one side to those on the other who claim there is no defining characteristics and we can completely decide for ourselves. But what does the Bible say about what it means to be a man? What does God's created order have to do with it? What characteristics should men aspire to?

Dr. Jeffery Ventrella has written extensively on the subject of the Bible and culture and provides a great framework for our discussion, including the pitfalls of social media's "man-o-sphere", and even mixed messages the church itself has sent young men over the last 20 years.  You can find more of Dr. Ventrella's work discussing the Bible and culture at Truth Xchange: https://truthxchange.com/

From Islam to Christ (with Al Fadi)

How does someone raised in the Islamic faith hear the message of the gospel? In this live Viewpoint class session recording, Pastor Joe Infranco is joined by special guest Al Fadi, who came to the U.S. as a Muslim and was led to faith in Jesus Christ. Al shares his conversion story, and about the family and cultural pressures that he and others encountered afterward. His experience gives us great insight on how to reach out to our Muslim neighbors with the hope of the gospel.

Learn more about Al Fadi's ministry, CIRA International, at https://cirainternational.com/

Find out about more upcoming Viewpoint class sessions at Highlands Church at HighlandsChurch.org/Viewpoint

The Unseen Realm - Angels and Demons

Our culture presents us with a steady view of the supernatural, especially in TV and movies. Stories range from how angels get their wings to gruesome horror portrayals of dark spirits. But what does the Bible actually teach on the spiritual dimension and human interaction with this unseen realm? Are there things we can know for sure? As Christians, how much should we be thinking about the spiritual realm in our day-to-day life? 

This episode features a live class session held in February of 2025 hosted by our Pastor of Adult Education, Joe Infranco, and our Equipping Pastor, Dr. Ed Lutz. You can find the notes referred to in the episode at this link (PDF).

Pronouns, Paul and Preferences

Should Christians use someone's preferred pronouns? This is a question made complicated by our culture's ever-changing ideas around identity. What happens when a friend or family member asks you to refer to them using a pronoun that's opposite of their biological sex? Should you agree out of respect? Or is that denying a fundamental truth about who God made them to be?

Joe and Brendan take a tour of the Bible as it relates to the concept of identity and how the Apostle Paul gives us a roadmap for entering into conversations with people who share a different view. Ultimately we'll explore how we can best love the people around us like Jesus - with both grace and truth - pointing them always to the hope of the gospel.

Abortion (with Erica Steinmiller-Perdomo)

Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in our culture. The political and media machinery of our society often exploit the issue for their own gain, trying to convince us that we can either be in favor of women or in favor of unborn children, but not both. We can quickly lose sight of the true human cost: women who are in crisis, and unborn children who are losing their lives.

This episode breaks through the soundbites to look at the heart of the issue. What does the Bible say about life and the lives of unborn children? How does the gospel bring hope to women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy as well as women who have had an abortion? What is the church's role and responsibility in advocating for God's view of the value of human life?

Our guest is Erica Steinmiller-Perdomo who has spent years as an attorney advocating for pro-life causes, churches and organizations, and who is on the front lines of the cultural debate on abortion. 

If you are in the Phoenix area and have an unplanned pregnancy and don't know where to turn for help, please contact our ministry partners at Choices Pregnancy Centers (https://www.choicesaz.com/). For information about adoption services, you can visit our partners at Christian Family Care (https://cfcare.org/).

Have a question or show idea? Email us at the podcast at viewpoint@highlandschurch.org