Today’s American adolescents almost certainly know less about the Bible than any previous generation. Statistics indicate that many in this generation of teenagers have experienced almost no contact with the Bible, have no knowledge of its contents, and have no plans to do anything about it. This, we must all admit, presents biblical Christians with a huge challenge.

Absolutely convinced of the inevitable triumph of communism, V. I. Lenin once predicted, “The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.” In a similar vein, atheists must be wondering if some pastors have switched sides and are now ready to join unbelievers in putting an end to biblical Christianity.

The controversy over Alabama’s now-removed Ten Commandments monument has exposed the secular agenda determined to evacuate the public square of all biblical symbolism and content. This secular worldview is encapsulated in Thomas Jefferson’s concept of a “wall of separation between church and state” that has replaced the actual wording of the First Amendment in the public mind.

The institution of marriage is in big trouble, and on multiple fronts. The movement to legalize homosexual marriage looms as one undeniable threat, but even if this were to pass from the scene [which it will not], marriage would still be in trouble.

William F. Buckley, Jr. has accurately described pornography’s pervasive presence in our culture as “the creepy wallpaper of our daily lives.” That creepy wallpaper is now being used to sell clothing–and promiscuity–to our children. Parents had better wake up and open their eyes. The company is aiming for your kids’ full attention.

Exactly two years after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, Lawrence F. Kaplan laments that many of us have become “September 10 Americans.” Among others, Kaplan is shocked by how quickly millions of Americans have returned to a sense of normalcy as if September 11 had never happened.

Thinking Christians face difficult questions as the California recall election approaches. Should Christians support a candidate who defends abortion rights and advocates domestic partnerships for homosexuals? Is politics merely an exercise in pragmatism? Can a conservative Christian vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger with a clear conscience?

Writer Ross Macdonald once quipped, “Nothing is wrong with California that a rise in the ocean level wouldn’t cure.” Californians are headed to the polls on October 7, hoping to find a somewhat less radical solution to the state’s problems.

While America’s evangelical Christians are rightly concerned about the secular worldview’s rejection of biblical Christianity, we ought to give some urgent attention to a problem much closer to home–biblical illiteracy in the church. This scandalous problem is our own, and it’s up to us to fix it.

When Judge Robert Bork lost the battle for his confirmation to the U. S. Supreme Court, America witnessed a tragic collision at the intersection of politics and the law. That was 1987. Now, sixteen years later, the situation is even more dangerous. Miguel Estrada, President Bush’s nominee to the U. S. Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, was never even given the dignity of a Senate vote. Instead, Senate Democrats filibustered the vote, denying Mr. Estrada the up-or-down vote he deserved, and almost surely would have won.[see CNN coverage]

The state of Florida executed Paul Hill last night, thus putting an end to his life, but not to the controversy he came to represent. He went to the execution chamber without regret or remorse, and stated that he would kill more abortionists if given the opportunity.

“I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia,” said Winston Churchill. “It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Churchill made this evaluation in 1939 as Europe exploded in war. Some things never change, and Russia remains an enigma, still capable of surprises.