Ep. 565: Pro-War Religious Broadcasters, Christian Romance Novels, John Piper X Controversy

CHRISTINA
Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch, and today we’re
inaugurating a new feature here on the MinistryWatch podcast. Here’s Warren Smith, the
President of MinistryWatch, to explain.

WARREN
That’s right, Christina.
For the past couple of years, I’ve been writing a column called “Signs and Wonders.”
“Signs and Wonders” is a column that shares thoughts on news items that either do not rise to the
level of a news story for MinistryWatch or are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal
charity and philanthropy “beat.” My goal with the column was to be punchy, opinionated, and
not to worry much about being slightly off brand.

CHRISTINA
And that approach has worked. Your “Signs and Wonders” column is often among our top ten
stories of the week.

WARREN
So, after talking with you about that, we decided to do this audio version of the column. We
won’t be posting this on the website. After all, the “Signs and Wonders” column itself is already
there, but we will be dropping this into the podcast feed each week, and we hope you enjoy it.

CHRISTINA
So what’s up first?

WARREN
This week, the National Religious Broadcasters became the Pro-War Religious Broadcasters.
It is not clear to me why the National Religious Broadcasters felt a need to issue a statement in
support of Trump’s War this morning, but it did. I will not reprint it here. You can find it online if
you are so inclined.

CHRISTINA
But it appears that the NRB might have outkicked its coverage, as they say in football.

WARREN
That’s right. The Associated Press reports this week that even among the president’s hardcore
media supporters there is division. It will be interesting to see of MAGA media faithful
remain…well…faithful. As up Wednesday, the American death toll is up to six people. The total
death toll has topped 800.

CHRISTINA
We don’t cover a lot of international news here at MinistryWatch, but you wanted to highlight
the worsening situation in Nigeria.

WARREN
The situation in Nigeria is not getting as much attention in the U.S. as it deserves. Islamic
radicals are trying to impose Sharia law to a large swath of the country, and local residents are
resisting. What is happening in Nigeria could erupt into a larger conflict.

CHRISTINA
Nigeria has more than 230 million people, with Christians making up 40% of the
population.

WARREN
If what is happening in Nigeria explodes into a full-blown religious war, the consequences could
be devastating. More than a dozen Christian ministries, including Cru, Samaritan’s Purse,
Compassion International, World Vision, and SIM International have a presence in the country.

CHRISTINA
Closer to home, you’ve turned your attention to Christian romance novels.

WARREN
I was interested in and mildly frustrated by an article in Christianity Today about Christian
romance writer Jeannette Oke. The 91-year-old author has sold more than 30 million copies of
her soapy, sentimental books.

CHRISTINA
Several of them have been turned into Hallmark movies.

WARREN

I was interested because the story was well-written and fact filled. I was frustrated because the
story failed to note that the romance genre has killed serious fiction in this country. Some reports
say romance novels account for 30 percent of adult fiction sales. Maybe I’m just getting old
and crotchety, but — in my view — “Christian Romance Novel” is an oxymoron. The
sentimentality of a “romance novel” are in active war against the realism of true Christian
fiction. Can you imagine a Christian publisher today bringing out Flannery O’Connor or Wendell
Berry or Walker Percy?

CHRISTINA
Warren, let’s pivot and talk about a controversy involving the beloved Minneapolis preacher and
ministry leader John Piper.

WARREN
He stirred social media last week by tweeting a Bible verse. That Bible verse is Leviticus 19:34.
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love
him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

CHRISTINA
But what seemed to generate the controversy was a one line comment he added.

WARREN
He then added this comment: “Christians know the miserable bondage we were all in.”

CHRISTINA
The post has (so far) gotten 1.9 million views and about 2000 comments. So why do you think
the tweet got so much attention?

WARREN
The tweet is controversial because our current immigration policy is polarizing. Some of Piper’s
critics have included Calvary Chapel Chino Hills pastor Jack Hibbs and James Lasher of
Charisma Magazine. One of my more perceptive readers, Salvatore Luiso, emailed me that it
was “sadly ironic” that Piper is being criticized for taking a Bible verse out of context by people
in the charismatic movement who engage in “absurd interpretations of Bible verses taken out of
context.” He has a point.

CHRISTINA
Speaking of the charismatic movement, Paula White-Cain is at it again.

WARREN

At a conference in Florida called the Unleashed Conference, covered by Christian Leader, she
urged attendees last week to give a “sacrificial seed…out of obedience to God, and she tied their
giving to spiritual breakthroughs.”

CHRISTINA
The 2026 Unleashed Conference took place in late February, and featured speakers including
former Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Anglican priest Calvin Robinson.

WARREN
In other words, people who should have known better than to associate with Paula White-Cain,
who was investigated by Sen. Charles Grassley a dozen years ago.

CHRISTINA
Can you give us a taste of what she said?

WARREN
Yes, here is a taste of White’s message: “How many of you want to be a blessing?” she asked.
“Because I’m telling you, there’s an anointing of release right now. I want $100,000 to come in. I
want $100,000. There are ten people that could give $10,000. There’s a hundred people that
could give $1,000. Get a check, make it payable to Paula White Ministries,” said White-Cain. “If
you say, ‘I don’t have it,’ give a $100. Bring up a sacrificial seed.”
To which I can only add: Stay as far away as possible from this charlatan’s theology.

CHRISTINA
Warren, I’ve noticed in your social media feeds you often remember fallen military heroes. And
this week you are remembering John Chapman. Who was he?

WARREN
John Chapman died in combat on this date in 2002. He was the first Airman awarded the Medal
of Honor since the Vietnam War. If you don't know about him, check out this article. I highly
recommend taking some time with it. It is the powerful story of a true American hero. And, I
might add, the battle which cost him his life and for which he got the Medal of Honor, was
captured on video by a drone that was flying over the battle to provide support. The video can be
found on social media and it is done tastefully. It’s not graphic. And I recommend finding it and
getting a more immersive understanding of this hero’s story. I should add that Chapman was a
husband, father, and a committed Christian as well.

CHRISTINA

Any closing thoughts?

WARREN
I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be
in Los Angeles in April and Dallas in May. I will be doing reader lunches in both cities. Let me
know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com.

CHRISTINA
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Christina Darnell, with my co-host
Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.