Oklahoma principal risked life to stop school shooter; 70% of Americans think taxes too high; 1 million Lebanese displaced by Middle East conflict

It’s Thursday, April 16th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. ([email protected]) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus 1 million Lebanese displaced by Middle East conflict The recent war in the Middle East between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has displaced over one million people in Lebanon. Israel has bombed targets in Lebanon associated with Hezbollah, a Muslim militant group backed by Iran. Christians make up a third of Lebanon’s population. Sadly, Israel’s bombardments there have lead to the deaths of over 2,000 people, including Christians. Michel Constantin with the Catholic Near East Welfare Agency said, “Towns and villages in which Christians live in south Lebanon have also been violently attacked without any warning. Israel has bombed areas that have nothing to do with Hezbollah.” United States brokers peace deal between Lebanon and Israel The United States brokered peace talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. It’s the first time the two countries have held diplomatic talks in decades. Lebanon and Israel agreed to work towards ending the influence of Hezbollah, the terrorist group. Listen to comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. RUBIO: “This is a historic opportunity. We understand we're working against decades of history and complexities that have led us to this unique moment. “Some of you are shouting questions about ceasefire. This is a lot more than just about that. This is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollah's influence in this part of the world.” Slow economic growth this year because of Middle East war The International Monetary Fund expects global economic growth to slow this year due to the war in the Middle East. The conflict is driving up energy prices and disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The International Monetary Fund projects global growth to slow to 3.1 percent this year. That’s down from its original forecast of 3.3 percent. 70% of Americans think taxes too high Yesterday was tax day in the United States. A new Fox News Poll found a record 70 percent of voters think their taxes are too high. That’s up from 60 percent in 2025. Also, 75 percent of people see government spending as wasteful. That’s up nearly 20 percentage points since 2025. The average single worker in the U.S. sends just under a third of their income to the government. That’s according to a report by the Cato Institute. U.S. fertility rate down The U.S. fertility rate fell to a new low last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The general fertility rate in 2025 was 53.1 births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 44. That’s down one percent from the rate in 2024 and down 23 percent from 2007. The fertility rate for women in their 20s has dropped significantly. Meanwhile, the rates for women in their 30s and early 40s is growing. Hegseth and Rubio will read the Bible aloud Nearly 500 leaders from all spheres of influence are about to gather in Washington, D.C. to read the entire Bible aloud. The Museum of the Bible is hosting its “America Reads the Bible” event from April 19 to 25. Participants will read Scripture for 12 hours each day. Readers include Rev. Franklin Graham, Dr. Ben Carson, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Six governors and 20 members of Congress will also be reading the Bible aloud. The event’s website says, “In honor of the 250th birthday of the United States, America Reads the Bible serves as a spiritual celebration of our nation’s founding ideals and a call to rediscover the truth that still anchors us today.” Nehemiah 9:3 says, “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one-fourth of the day; and, for another fourth, they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.” Oklahoma principal risked life to stop school shooter An Oklahoma high school principal risked his life to stop a school shooter last week. The 20-year-old shooter opened fire inside the lobby of Pauls Valley High School last Tuesday afternoon. The principal, 60-year-old Kirk Moore, charged the shooter, tackling him to the ground. Another staff member helped disarm the gunman. Moore was the only person injured in the incident, suffering a shot to his leg. However, he is healthy and recovering after being hospitalized. He wrote in a statement last Friday, “I am grateful that my instincts and training, as well as God’s hand, were available to me on Tuesday.” John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Today is the FINAL day to see “A Great Awakening” Christian film And finally, as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the word “liberty” is resurfacing in cultural debates, but for Sight & Sound President Joshua Enck, it carries a deeper meaning, inspiring the ministry’s new film, “A Great Awakening,” reports The Christian Post. “On the Liberty Bell, it quotes Leviticus 25:10 which says, ‘Proclaim liberty throughout all the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.’ Wnck, who also directed this film, said, “I want that liberty to ring out over this nation once again in the hearts of men and women.” The film centers on the unlikely friendship between 18th-century evangelist George Whitefield and Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, a deist. Whitefield, widely regarded as one of the most influential preachers of the Great Awakening, traveled thousands of miles on horseback throughout the American colonies. Enck said, “It was the first shared experience across the colonies. Eighty percent of colonists didn’t just hear about Whitefield; they heard him preach. They were unified by something they could all believe in.” Remarkably, he spoke 18,000 times to 10 million people in person. One scene depicted in the film shows Whitefield preaching in a coal field in Bristol, England, drawing miners from underground. He wrote in his diary that he saw white streaks down their blackened cheeks from tears. The director explained, “They were a team. Franklin was the greatest promoter of the greatest event in American history. There were many preachers leading up to 1776, but there were none like Whitefield, and when you combined the power of his voice with Franklin’s ability to get the word out, it unified the colonies.” According to Enck, before the political revolution came spiritual awakening. He noted, “Our tagline says it all: ‘Before the revolution, there was a revelation.’” In the film, Whitefield delivers a line that encapsulates Enck’s understanding of biblical liberty: “Blood will be shed for the liberty you’re talking about, but blood was already shed [by Jesus Christ] for the liberty.” He added, “This film doesn’t shy away from the Gospel. We don’t soft-shoe anything.” Rather than portraying historical figures as flawless icons, the film highlights their humanity and need for a Savior. Today is the final day that A Great Awakening is in the theaters. Make it a priority for your family to see it. Bring some friends. Check out special links to watch the trailer and purchase tickets in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. The film’s website is www.AGreatAwakening.com. Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, April 16th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus ([email protected]). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.