Politics, Culture, and Faith

Watchdog Alert: Who Does Scripture Belong To?

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Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

This from EWTN News on Thursday 2/12/26:
Pope Leo XIV affirmed Wednesday that sacred Scripture has been entrusted to the Catholic Church — that she preserves and explains it, and supports its purpose of making Christ known to the world.

“The Church is the rightful home of sacred Scripture,” the pope said during the general audience on Feb. 11.

Say what?

Pope Leo went even further in his address, stating the following:

He quoted from Pope Benedict XVI’s postsynodal exhortation Verbum Domini. In that document, Pope Benedict affirmed that “the intrinsic link between the word and faith makes clear that authentic biblical hermeneutics can only be had within the faith of the Church, which has its paradigm in Mary’s fiat… the primary setting for scriptural interpretation is the life of the Church.”

Mary drove a Fiat? Kidding.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) is Mary’s fiat according to Catholic tradition. However, I don’t see any correlation between Luke 1:38 and the idea of Scripture belonging solely to the Catholic Church.

Although Pope Leo XIV says some helpful things about the inspired nature of the Bible and the importance of Christians studying and meditating on God’s Word, he completely misses the mark by claiming that “…biblical hermeneutics can only be had within the faith of the Church.”

That is complete and total nonsense.

Ye Shall Be As Gods

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The theory of religious relativism is gaining ground in our culture. Simply stated, this type of relativism promotes the idea that there is no Truth, but that every person perceives their own truth as derived from their own experiences and perceptions.

While it is true that we all filter our experiences through our own unique personality and understanding, and that we can change and improve our lives by adjusting our thoughts and words, the basic tenet of relativism – namely, there is no Truth – proposes serious problems for the Bible believing Christian.

Let’s begin with the theory of relativism itself. If truly there is no truth, then that itself becomes Truth, which is counter-intuitive to the foundation of the theory!

Truth be told, the heart of relativism is a useful tool in the arsenal of tools used by our spiritual adversary, the devil, to delude mankind. Relativism must deny not only the existence of a One True God, who is Truth, it must also deny the need for a savior to get us back to God, whom we know to be Jesus Christ. Finally, it must deny the existence of the devil.

Voilé! The deceiver has achieved his ultimate goal: if we do not believe he exists, then evil can be counted for good and good for evil. Nothing we do is “wrong.” No need for repentance or salvation.

Not only that, but “Ye shall be as gods,” becomes cultural truth. The first lie of the devil to mankind is still his greatest promotional tool today. What I find fascinating is that the second part of the devil’s comment to Eve, that not only would they be as gods, but they also would “know good and evil,” fades away into nothingness. There is no good and evil as one embraces relativism and becomes as a god. What a trickster the devil truly is!

In addition, how could we know God anyway, when there is no Truth from which to discern his will, his ways, and his very nature?

The Bible becomes a nice, historical fairy tale about man’s moral condition, with no answers as to how man should conduct himself or how God might be trying to connect with His creation. Creation is not, after all, something God did.

It all begins with the devil effectively negating the reality of Truth. Welcome to Relativism! I once heard the statement concerning the devil, “The secret of his success is in the secrecy of his moves.” I found that to be true then, and I find it to be true now. If we fail to recognize there is Good and there is Evil, then everything can be called good. After all, one cannot judge another man’s truth. Then the worst crimes and the worst criminals must be embraced as part of a positive human experience.

Somehow, I just can’t buy it.

Watchdog Alert: Latest From The Holy Land

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Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com

Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on events from the Middle East and around the world of interest to people of faith and brings that content to our readers.

Israeli forces capture militant figure in Lebanon; drone strike kills 3

Israeli forces conducted a cross-border operation in southern Lebanon, capturing a local militant allied with Hamas. Separately, an Israeli drone strike in the region killed three people, including a child, amid continuing hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border — highlighting ongoing tension with Hezbollah and allied groups following the 2023–24 conflicts. AP

U.S. issues new guidance for ships near the Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. government issued updated navigation guidance for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for oil exports, urging caution amid rising tensions with Iran. The advisory follows several confrontational incidents between Iranian forces and commercial vessels, even as diplomatic talks continue with Tehran. Reuters

Iran arrests leading reformist politicians

Iranian authorities detained at least four senior reform-minded political figures, accusing them of plotting to undermine the government. The arrests occur amid internal unrest and growing pressure from international tensions — including negotiations with the United States and continued protests. Financial Times

U.S.–Iran tensions persist as Tehran downplays military buildup

Amid continued U.S. military deployments in the region, Iranian officials stated that additional American forces in the Middle East “do not scare us,” while reaffirming Tehran’s position on uranium enrichment — a key sticking point in tensions with Washington. Hindustan Times

Prosperity Gospel, Or Jesus?

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The other day I came across the meme I’m using for this post and it reminded me of a previous series I did on the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ and the ‘Health And Wealth’ theology. So I want to revisit and focus on one of the subjects of that series – Joel Osteen.

Who is Osteen?

Joel Osteen, the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, has an estimated net worth that varies across sources. Some reports suggest his net worth is around $100 million (Celebrity Net Worth), while others estimate it to be approximately $40 million to $60 million (Wikipedia).

Additionally, some sources claim his net worth is as high as $180 million (CA Club India).

Osteen resides in a 17,000-square-foot mansion valued at $10.5 million in the River Oaks neighborhood of Houston. He has stated that he does not receive a salary from Lakewood Church, which has an annual budget of $70 million, relying instead on income from his best-selling books and related products (Wikipedia).

But What did Jesus teach?

Well, it seems pretty clear to me—or to anyone else with a lick of common sense—that when Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you…” He didn’t have $10 million mansions, private luxury jets, and massive piles of cash in mind.

But what did He have in mind? Read the context:

Matthew 6:25–34 (NKJV)
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

You don’t need an advanced degree in theology or philosophy to understand the plain words spoken by our Lord here. All you need is basic reading comprehension.

What things “shall be added to you”? Mansions? A fleet of luxury fishing boats? A hoard of gold coins? No—the “things” are the necessities of life, like food and clothing.

Does He teach that you can’t or shouldn’t have more than the necessities? No—but our Lord’s message is clear: the desire for God’s righteousness is muddied and distorted when we focus on the riches of this age instead of His kingdom.

It’s impossible to have total reliance on God when one has lots of cash, cars, jets, and Swiss bank accounts to fall back on—right?

Watchdog Alert: Trouble In Iran As Israel Waits

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“After months of publicly threatening Iran, Israel has gone quiet, waiting to see how the protest movement develops and giving US President Donald Trump space to make his own decision on whether to take action.” From CNN

Here’s a brief reminder on the importance of Iran (Persia) in the Bible in relation to Israel in the Old Testament.

In the Bible, the land and people of ancient Persia (roughly corresponding to modern-day Iran) play a significant role in the history of Israel, especially after the Babylonian Exile.

The Persian Empire rose to power in the 6th century BC when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, fulfilling earlier prophetic promises (Isaiah 45:1–2; Cyrus is even called God’s “anointed”) and recorded in Ezra 1:1–4.

Later Persian rulers such as Darius I and Artaxerxes continued to support the restoration of Jerusalem’s worship and governance (Ezra 6; Nehemiah 2). The Book of Esther is set in the Persian royal court at Susa and tells of Jewish deliverance under King Ahasuerus (often identified as Xerxes) and his queen Esther, illustrating Jewish life and providence under Persian rule (Esther 1:1–2).

Persian figures and encounters also appear in prophetic visions (e.g., Daniel 8’s ram symbolizing Media-Persia) and later biblical prophecy (Ezekiel 38:5), showing both its historical influence and ongoing theological significance.

Watchdog Alert: Latest From Israel And The Middle East

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Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com

Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on events from the Middle East and around the world of interest to people of faith and brings that content to our readers. Here’s the latest.

New U.S.-Proposed Demilitarized Zone on Israel-Syria Border

Jan 6 2026
The U.S. put forward a proposal during Paris-hosted negotiations that would establish a demilitarized economic zone on the Israel-Syria border. The plan aims to reduce military tensions, involve joint security coordination, and potentially lead to partial Israeli troop withdrawals — a rare move in decades of conflict along that frontier. Axios

Israel Launches Airstrikes Against Hezbollah & Hamas in Lebanon

Jan 5 2026
The Israeli military carried out strikes targeting Hezbollah and Hamas “military infrastructure” in southern and eastern Lebanon. These actions mark a clear escalation in near-daily operations along the northern border, despite a ceasefire that ended the 2023–24 Israel-Hezbollah war. Civilians were evacuated from targeted villages beforehand, but the strikes have drawn international concern over stability in the region. Reuters

Wider Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Ahead of Disarmament Talks

Jan 5 2026
In addition to the above, additional airstrikes hit areas including Sidon, described by Israel as weapons storage sites used by militant groups. These strikes come just before crucial Lebanese government efforts to disarm Hezbollah — highlighting ongoing tensions between military pressure and political negotiation. AP News

U.S. & Allied Operations Kill or Capture IS Fighters in Syria

Late Dec 2025
The U.S. Central Command said about 25 Islamic State fighters were killed or captured in Syria during coordinated operations after an ambush that killed U.S. forces. These missions involved airstrikes and coordination with Syrian and regional partners — underscoring continued counter-ISIS activity even amid broader regional tensions. AP News

Watchdog Alert: What Is The ‘West Bank’?

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Israel Approves 19 New Settlements in the West Bank

Israel’s government officially approved 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including 11 newly established ones and recognition of previously unauthorized outposts. This move significantly expands settlement territory and draws criticism from Palestinian advocates and international observers for further complicating peace efforts.
From France 24

But what is the ‘West Bank’ historically and why does it matter today?

Biblical History

The West Bank corresponds largely to the biblical regions of Judea and Samaria. It was inhabited by ancient Israelites and is central to the narratives of Abraham, David, Solomon, and the prophets. Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, Shiloh, and Shechem are all located in or adjacent to the area.

Control passed through many empires: Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman. After Jewish revolts against Rome (66–73 AD, 132–135 AD), many Jews were exiled, though a continuous Jewish presence remained.

Modern History

  • During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jordan captured and later annexed the West Bank.
  • The name “West Bank” comes from its location west of the Jordan River.
  • Jordan’s annexation was recognized by only a few countries.
  • Jews were expelled from areas such as East Jerusalem and Hebron, and Jewish holy sites were restricted.
  • Palestinians in the West Bank were granted Jordanian citizenship.

Israeli Control (1967–Present)

  • In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan.
  • Israel has controlled the territory since then, though it did not formally annex most of it.
  • Jewish settlements were established, beginning in the late 1960s.
  • Palestinians sought self-determination, leading to uprisings (Intifadas) in 1987 and 2000.

Why it Matters

The West Bank is disputed territory under international law. Palestinians seek it as the heartland of a future Palestinian state. Israel cites historical ties, security needs, and unresolved borders.

The region remains fragmented politically and geographically. Tensions continue over settlements, security, governance, and final borders.

Watchdog Alert: CNN’s Witchcraft Article

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In a November 25, 2025 post on this blog I mentioned an article from CNN about the rising popularity of witchcraft in America.

You can read the whole CNN article here. Here’s an excerpt:

Witchcraft is surging in popularity

Green and Samayoa are both full-time witches, proficient in the typical rituals and spells of witchcraft — Green performs a banishing ritual every morning to rid his environment of negative influences, and Samayoa makes a curse-removing wash with herbs, citrus, witch hazel and quartz to keep harm at bay.

While they practice witchcraft solo, they’re performing it for an audience. Green and Samayoa are both popular figures on WitchTok, a popular TikTok community whose members share tips for improving their craft with fellow witches of all experience levels.

On TikTok, Green, who also hosts a podcast and a Patreon, performs readings using bones and tarot cards for commenters who ask him heavy questions about their love lives, careers and safety of their families. It’s a weighty task, so Green chooses his words carefully.

As people of faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, we need to remember that regardless of how innocent or ‘normal’ the practice of witchcraft may be portrayed, it remains an offense to God Almighty and is one of the many deceptions deployed by our adversary, the Accuser.

Watchdog Alert: The Nightmare In Nigeria

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The kidnappings, murder, and ongoing Christian persecution happening in Nigeria right now is an alarming reminder of the darkness and evil in our current age.

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (KJV)

The roaring lion remains loose in Nigeria.

According to a January 2025 report by Open Doors, Nigeria topped the world’s list for the number of Christians killed (3,100) and kidnapped (2,830) in 2024 — far more than any other country. Catholic News Agency

A watchdog group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), estimated that in the first seven months of 2025 alone, over 7,000 Christians were killed and around 7,800 abducted. wng.org

In state-level incidents earlier in 2025: for instance, “Fulani herdsmen” reportedly killed five Christians during a Bible study in Kaduna. CBN

In response to mounting pressure, the Nigerian government has denied systematic persecution claims, characterizing reports as distortions propagated by “foreign lobbyists.” Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom. The Nigerian Inquirer

Here’s the Latest

More than 300 students and teachers abducted from Catholic school in Niger State

Gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papyri, Niger State, and abducted 303 pupils and 12 teachers — one of the largest mass kidnappings recorded in Nigeria. Victims were both male and female. TIME

This attack came in a week that also saw other kidnappings and church attacks. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) issued alarm, and the incident has increased international scrutiny on Nigeria’s ability to protect religious minorities. TIME

Christian leaders call on U.S. action amid alleged systemic “genocide” against Christians

On November 20, 2025, a coalition of Nigerian Christian and civil-society groups publicly urged the U.S. government to intervene, warning that the ongoing targeted killings, mass displacements, and destruction of Christian communities may amount to genocide. International Christian Concern

Their appeal signals a growing belief among Nigerian Christians that the violence is not random or isolated — but rather a systematic and sustained campaign against them. This raises major human rights, diplomatic, and security concerns. International Christian Concern

Our Free Monthly Newsletter: What Is ‘Curious Fearless Faith’?

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