Below are this week's Articles of Interest as compiled by Mr. Van Baker. This collection of articles is cultivated by Mr. Baker with the goal of highlighting some of the trends, upheavals, and things to watch for in our society. These articles are not necessarily the express views of the United Church of God, Mr. Baker, or me as the pastor, but they are informative of what is occurring in our nation and culture. In accordance with Christ's warning to correctly discern the times (Matthew 16:1-4), it is wise to be aware of what is going on around us. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How the West Became Pagan... Again – In trying to map out our religious landscape today, it’s natural to reach for the data. Michael Graham, Jim Davis, and Ryan Burge will tell you that in the last 25 years, we’ve lived through the “great dechurching,” where 40 million Americans stopped attending church. Similarly, Christian Smith will argue that religion has become “obsolete,” much like how the automobile replaced the horse and buggy. But these surveys only give a partial answer. Burge notes that “None” doesn’t always equal “atheist.” Moreover, when Smith talks about obsolescence, he’s not pointing to a dramatic growth in atheistic secularity. He’s pointing to its replacement with varieties of 'spiritual' but 'not religious' options. God hasn’t been removed from the picture; He’s been "relocated." Where did God go?
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/west-became-pagan-again/

Hobby Lobby Giving Away Half a Million Copies of Book Defending Biblical Christmas Story – Hobby Lobby, a Christian-owned retailer, is giving away half a million copies of investigative journalist and author Lee Strobel’s book defending the biblical story of Jesus’ birth. [Strobel] came to faith in Jesus years ago as a journalist for the Chicago Tribune when he set out on an ultimately failed endeavor to disprove the Gospel.
https://www.faithwire.com/2025/12/16/hobby-lobby-giving-away-half-a-million-copies-of-book-defending-biblical-christmas-story/

That Time St. Nicholas Punched a Heretic at the Council of Nicaea – Nicholas resided in modern-day Turkey, where he served as a Christian bishop, and eventually became known as the patron saint of sailors. As an early "father" of the church, Nicholas suffered for his faith in Christ. The true story of St. Nicholas of Myra, the man whose story became the basis of our modern-day Santa Claus, reveals that his gift-giving is partly what got him into trouble. He was even imprisoned and tortured for his faith, for refusing to call the Roman emperor 'Lord' and standing firm in his faith that only Jesus Christ is Lord.
https://cbn.com/news/world/naughty-or-nice-time-st-nicholas-punched-heretic-council-nicaea

U.S. House Rep questions Chicago Public Schools’ exclusion of Christian student teachers – A U.S. House Republican leader pressed Chicago Public Schools for answers about its anti-discrimination policies this week after a Christian college recently accused the employer of religious discrimination against its student teachers. In a letter, U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg raised concerns about the public school system compelling Moody Bible Institute “to abandon its Biblically-based doctrinal positions” on human sexuality.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/u-s-house-leader-questions-chicago-public-schools-exclusion-of-christian-student-teachers/

Gold Jumps 2% to All-Time $4,440 Peak – Gold jumped more than 2% to a record high on Monday [12/22], powered by safe-haven flows as U.S.-Venezuela tensions flared, while silver also touched an all-time peak.
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/gold-record-venezuela/2025/12/22/id/1239285/

Archaeological finds in the Holy Land in the second half of 2025 – Recent finds include an 8th century B.C. monumental dyke in Jerusalem, a Byzantine gold treasure at Hippos, and an emotional Aramaic inscription from the Bar Kojba Revolt near Ein Gedi.
https://www.omnesmag.com/en/articles/archaeological-finds-in-holy-land-in-the-second-half-of-2025/

New York Moves Toward Legalizing Doctor-Assisted Suicide – New York state is on track to legalize physician assisted suicide for adults in early 2026, joining 12 other states and Washington D.C. that allow such "intervention."
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/12/19/new-york-moves-toward-legalizing-doctor-assisted-suicide-sparking-ethical-debate

FDA warns ‘breast binder’ manufacturers to stop marketing to gender-confused girls – Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Dr. Marty Makary has sternly warned companies manufacturing “breast binders” to cease marketing and supplying their product to gender-confused girls seeking to make their bodies appear masculine. “Today the FDA is taking action,” said Makary in a press conference. “We are sending warning letters to 12 manufacturers and retailers for illegal marketing of breast binders for children, for the purposes of treating gender dysphoria.” “The warning letters will formally notify the companies of their significant regulatory violations and require prompt corrective action,” said the FDA head.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/fda-warns-breast-binder-manufacturers-to-stop-marketing-to-gender-confused-girls/

‘Hope in a bottle’ for a deadly cancer and the firefly gene that lit the way – The first FDA-approved treatment for an incurable brain cancer gives the gift of time. [excuse the credit(s) given to "evolution"]
https://www.popsci.com/health/new-brain-cancer-treatment-fireflies/