Viewpoint - The Bible and Culture

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 

Politics & Elections

How should Christians vote? Does the Bible provide insight on how we should engage in the political process? What if you like a candidate's policies, but struggle with their character? In a culture that continues to drift further from biblical values, is the political process even worth our time?

We'll take on these questions and more as we take a biblical tour of how God has worked through leaders and voting throughout history. Along the way we'll read God's desire for His people to serve others and seek the good of the communities in which He's placed us, including by using our vote. We'll even explore the results of leaders throughout the Bible with questionable character and seek to understand God's perspective.

Have questions or show ideas? Email us at viewpoint@highlandschurch.org

School Choice (Part 2) - Public, Private or Home School?

What kind of school should Christians send their kids to? The U.S. provides a wide range of choice when it comes to educating kids - and our home state of Arizona is one of the most school-choice-friendly places in the nation, with financial support for any number of choices. So how does a parent decide which path to take?  Is public school too progressive? Is private school too exclusive? Is home school too limited of an experience?

This episode is part two featuring guests from each school experience - public, private and home school - to talk about the pros, cons, misconceptions, benefits and challenges of their experience.

School Choice (Part 1) - Public, Private or Home School?

What kind of school should Christians send their kids to? The U.S. provides a wide range of choice when it comes to educating kids - and our home state of Arizona is one of the most school-choice-friendly places in the nation, with financial support for any number of choices. So how does a parent decide which path to take?  Is public school too progressive? Is private school too exclusive? Is home school too limited of an experience?

This episode is part one of two that features guests from each school experience - public, private and home school - to talk about the pros, cons, misconceptions, benefits and challenges of their experience.

A.I. and Faith (Live Class Session)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm, transforming businesses, education, and life all around us - including the church. Rapid change from revolutionary technology brings new opportunities, but it also brings many questions and even fears. Some believe AI will be as significant of a change for our world as the automobile or the internet.

How should Christians view and respond to the brave new world being ushered in by AI? Can AI be used as a tool for sharing the gospel and making disciples? This live Viewpoint class session was hosted in July of 2024 by Pastor Joe Infranco and his guest Jim McGuire.