A New Television Program: Cross Examine

Posted on September 22, 2009
Filed Under Personal, Worldview |

One of the more serious consequences of relativism and postmodern thought, is the disconnection to any “larger story” or metanarrative. It shrinks us into our own little story and cuts us off from any real meaningful relationships. Everything becomes isolated and atomized. We get lost in our own little world and our own little script. The end result is that we increasingly can’t connect cause and effect. It is a horrible pathology now inflicted upon our younger generations. They cannot see how their actions result in the consequences from which they suffer. To them, and to many in our culture, things just “happen”. This is especially true when we lose sight of the reality that God has designed the physical and social realms, and defying either results in serious consequences. We have bought the lie that both have merely evolved. If they have evolved, then there is no “right” form or function. We can redefine marriage if we want. The state has no practical limits in power or scope. The sphere of labor has no ethical boundaries, whether it creates a human clone or something profane or vile.

Without an absolute blueprint…all forms are valid; all functions are justifiable.

Early next year, Coral Ridge Ministries will launch “Cross Examine”, a new television program that will help viewers “connect the dots” between a biblical worldview and what is going on around us in our culture. Patterned after “60 Minutes”, it will feature two or three stories, each followed by a brief analysis to help viewers recognize how well or poorly the situations featured in the story track with God’s design.

I am excited about it because I believe this can be a powerful way for people to not only better understand God’s blueprint for social order, but it will help us get a better handle on why there are such severe pathologies within our culture. When we conform to His design, even in a fallen world, things work well. When we deny or defy His design, things don’t work well…and the people groan and moan and weep from the consequences.

Getting the design and purpose for the fork or the rake mixed up can lead to some pathetic attempts to clean up the leaves or eat spaghetti. However, when we defy or mix up God’s purpose and design for His social institutions, it becomes a matter of life and death, heartache and despair.

Furthermore, when God’s people don’t know how it should be, they can’t be much of a light. Without that light, our culture will continue to walk deeper and deeper into chaos and agony.

There is, however, some personal excitement about this project that goes a little deeper. I have been asked to co-host the show, along with John Rabe. The first program will hopefully air next Spring. One story will feature a German couple that recently fled to the United State because they were being hounded and pressed by the authorities for home schooling their children. The analysis deals with the purpose of the family, parents, education and the power and reach of the state, including the ominous consequences if the United States were to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The second story highlights the amazing work that Desire Street Ministries is doing within some of the most devastated areas of New Orleans. They are doing it right and the blessings to those neighborhoods and their families will warm your heart. I’d like to talk more about that in my next blog.

So, that is what lies ahead. I will keep you informed as we film more of the shows. In the meantime, if you know of some stories that you think might be worth consideration, let me know.

Comments

18 Responses to “A New Television Program: Cross Examine”

  1. Jeff on September 22nd, 2009 12:43 am

    I discovered your homepage by coincidence.
    Very interesting posts and well written.
    I will put your site on my blogroll.
    :-)

  2. Tom on September 22nd, 2009 7:31 am

    What a wonderful concept! I am eager to see what you and the Coral Ridge team put together. The first show sounds especially interesting, and I’m pretty sure 60 minutes hasn’t covered the story!

  3. Doc B on September 22nd, 2009 7:37 am

    Where will the show air?

    Sounds exciting. There is certainly no shortage of ideas for this type of program.

    jbb

  4. Megan on September 22nd, 2009 4:43 pm

    This is a fantastic idea! I wasn’t aware of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child. My husband and I are planning to home school our children (when we have them :)) and the idea that yet another freedom may be in danger saddens me deeply.
    Thank you for providing alternative information sources like this - we will be anxious to see the show! On what channel will we find it?

  5. Lana on September 23rd, 2009 5:09 am

    This is so exciting! I can’t wait. Just wish you could be on the air sooner. I feel a great sense of urgency about getting this word out.

  6. Joel on September 23rd, 2009 9:31 am

    Make sure and keep us posted on the details. Hopefully, if it ends up narrowcasted, they will vidcast it as well, so we can watch it online, if we don’t the the designated network.

  7. Jorge on September 23rd, 2009 1:49 pm

    Congratulations. Do you see this broadcast to go beyond the contents of the Truth Project DVDs?

    Blessings to everyone

    Jorge

  8. Trey on September 24th, 2009 3:58 pm

    Let me share in the excitement along with the others! I would love to watch this with my wife and our eldest daughter! I cannot wait to find out the particulars!

    Trey

  9. Dan on September 24th, 2009 7:46 pm

    This is great news, please be sure to post it ALL OVER the TTP website so we can spread the word that it will be on.

  10. Karen on September 25th, 2009 5:56 am

    I am very much looking forward to this new TV program! The “Truth Project” was wonderful. I hope millions of people get the opportunity to watch also.
    God bless you for this effort to teach the Truth to our nation. Only the Truth will set us free.

  11. Diana on September 29th, 2009 6:42 pm

    Cross Examine sounds like it will be an answer to prayer for a decent, educational and theologically substantial use of TV media. Really looking forward to it. Praise the Lord!!

  12. Pat on September 30th, 2009 11:52 am

    Fantastic Idea. If the show becomes successfull and I hope it will, it might be a good idea to remind viewers why the secular media will try to destroy such a show. The secular media continuously lifts up evil and degrades rightousness in any form.

  13. Ron on October 14th, 2009 9:55 am

    A must read is an editorial in the Tuesday Oct 13 Wall Street Journal: God vs Science Isn’t the Issue by William McGurn. (You can view it free on their website).

  14. Marie on October 15th, 2009 11:14 am

    I’m excited to hear about this new show. Pleas let me know when it will air; I will let all my friends know about. We need more wholesome Christian tv.

  15. lorraine on December 1st, 2009 8:45 am

    Dear Del, we so appreciate the Truth Project we use it for our small group bible study and alos at our church. Thank you so much for your God given wisdom and concern for world views vs biblical. I just heard about the cross examine . I was wondering if that will be a series like the truth project geared toward the younger crowd they so need to know truth and we as grandparents need to tell it. Thanks again may God bless you in all you are doing. I so love James Dobson he was the dad i never had. He has helped me through the years so so much !! Again thanks!!

    Lorraine

  16. Andrea on February 6th, 2010 6:01 pm

    Can’t wait to see the TV show - Cross Examine! Please keep us posted on the date of the first show in the series!

  17. Pat on March 4th, 2010 8:43 pm

    Will you continue with Focus at the same time as Coral Ridge? Thanks for your part in equipping the saints. Your efforts through the Truth Project have brought clarity to my thinking.

  18. Chane Myers on September 1st, 2010 8:41 pm

    Any Idea what network this may be on?

    [I'll post that info next week. It is on Inspiration Network for sure, air date 9/12. dt]

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