SPOTLIGHT: The Eclipse of God in America

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

Dr. Erwin Lutzer is the pastor emeritus of Moody Church in Chicago and is the author of the highly acclaimed books including The Church in Babylon, When a Nation Forgets God, and The Eclipse of God.

In this special episode of Spotlight, Dr. Lutzer sits down with Monte Larrick to discuss what inspired his newest book, The Eclipse of God.

“If the baboon is our grandfather– if we are only animals on a continuum with animals… we have no argument against abortion, euthanasia.

SPOTLIGHT: Live Up to America’s God Given Freedoms with Anni Cyrus

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

As a young girl, Anni Cyrus was sold as a child bride in Islamic Iran. Because of the courage of her grandmother, Anni was able to escape the horrors that she faced at the hands of Islam and make her way to America– to freedom.

As a legal American citizen, Anni Cyrus is now a human rights activist that speaks out against the horrors and oppression that Islam brings.

In this special episode, Anni specifically addresses Christians in America and how they can embrace their God-given freedoms.… Continue Reading

Praying Outside of an Abortion Clinic is Terrorism?

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

Is praying outside of an abortion clinic terrorism?

In this episode of Spotlight, Monte Larrick sits down with Constitutional attorney David Shestokas to discuss how pro-life activists in Illinois have been targeted by Eileen O’Neill Burke, a candidate for the Cook County State’s Attorney position, as it regards their Constitutional rights.

“She’s going after free speech… Possibly potentially freedom of religion… She’s intending to prosecute people not necessarily based on their conduct, but based on the content of their message.”

Trump vs. Harris: Their Record on Religious Freedom and Other Key Issues

Written by Jorge Gomez

Are you a faith voter? Do you want to know how President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have approached the issues that matter to you?

First Liberty has a side-by-side comparison of their records. Here’s a quick look at how both candidates fare on religious liberty:

Donald Trump and the Trump Administration on Religious Freedom

• Created a religious liberty task force at the U.S. Department of Justice
• Provided religious exemptions from the contraceptive mandate
• Advocated for the repeal of the Johnson Amendment
• Supported wedding vendors and faith-based foster care providers in Supreme Court cases
• Strengthened religious liberty protections in the military

Kamala Harris and the Biden/Harris Administration on Religious Freedom

• Introduced a bill to weaken the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
• Opposed religious exemptions from the contraceptive mandate
• Co-sponsored the ‘Equality Act,’ which some view as the most serious threat to religious freedom ever considered by Congress
• Opposed free speech for religious wedding vendors and business owners
• Opposed a landmark Supreme Court ruling that held Americans do not lose their religious freedom when they open a business

Our legal experts also break down how Trump and Harris approached the Supreme Court, judges, free speech, families, life and other important faith-related issues.… Continue Reading

The Last Leg of a Long March

Written by Thomas Hampson

The Democrat Party of 2024 bears no resemblance to the Democrat Party of the 1960s. To be fair, neither does the Republican Party. The important difference is that the Republicans have maintained a commitment to and love for our original principles, while the Democrats have become the party that is ashamed of our founding.

In an August 15^th post on X, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. wrote that the Party today “would be unrecognizable to my father and my uncle .… Continue Reading

Chicago…Weeping For Her Children

Written by Mark Elfstrand

The alarms were sounded throughout every village and upon every non-existent city hill—the Democrats are coming to Chicago! And indeed it’s true! The Democratic National Convention chose Chicago as their host city in 2024.

The dates are Monday, August 19th through Thursday, August 22nd.

They could hardly have picked a more like-minded community in which to gather. A cursory look back at the city’s history would inform us that William Lane Thompson was the last of his kind to be Mayor of Chicago.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Babylon & Christianity

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

How can Christians faithfully live in a culture that is actively opposed to God?

Martyn Iles, Attorney and Chief Ministry Officer at Answers in Genesis, answers this question at the 2024 ICHE Convention.

They [Daniel and his three friends] were now living in a pagan culture, in a pagan society. And the question they had to face is: How then shall we live? What should we do? How do we live fruitfully and faithfully for God in a culture that is completely different– that is actually God-opposing?

“What Kind of Country Do You Want to Live In?” In Speech to Teachers’ Union, Kamala Harris Revives Culture War Against People of Faith, Families, and Freedom

Written by Kathy Athearn

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke before the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) last Thursday. This was her first speech as a presidential candidate, since President Biden ended his campaign and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee.

Rather than hiding the fact that the AFT has had a tremendous amount of power and influence on the Biden administration and the country, Harris proudly announced it, thanking AFT president, Randi Weingarten, in particular saying that she has been a “great force” and “an incredible friend and adviser” to the president and her.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: How Did Our Founders View Freedom?

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

How did our Founders view freedom?

In this episode of Spotlight, former Illinois state representative, Peter Breen, tackles this question.

Peter Breen is the executive Vice President and Head of Litigation for the Thomas More Society, a non-profit national public interest law firm that is dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, religious liberty, and election integrity.

In his speech, Breen proves that the Founders not only tolerated Christianity, but they also directly promoted it.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: How Can You Mess with Success?

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

This episode of Spotlight focuses on the topic of homeschooling.

Kirk Smith, ICHE’s (Illinois Christian Home Educator) executive director, gives encouragement to parents who don’t know how to homeschool, gives direction on how to choose good curriculum, and much more.

Parents, especially moms, feel like they’re unworthy- that they are not capable of homeschooling… if it’s [homeschooling] is a principle of God, it works– regardless of how good or how unprepared we feel as parents.