Episode 342: Many people have questions about angels & demons. In this episode, I deal with the origin of all angels – good or fallen – as well as address their nature (what are angels like?). Along the way I’ll work to clean up some common misconceptions about angels.
Question of the Day: Do we have guardian angels?
Episode 311: A number of states still have the death penalty. However, some Christians do not believe that the death penalty should still practiced. It is too “barbaric” or “cruel and unusual punishment” and America is better than that. Is it ever morally permissible, though, to execute a criminal when the nature of the crime demands such punishment? Tune in as I explore this question from the Bible.
Episode 310: Many Christians not only today but throughout history have believed that in certain circumstances it is morally permissible if not morally imperative to wage war. So what are the guiding principles which should inform Christians if they do engage in conflict? Tune in as I unpack the just war theory and the necessary elements of a just war. ALSO, what are some of the implications for just war and ISIS. PLUS, why American Christians make terrible martyrs…in my opinion.
Episode 309: Some Christians hold to a strict non-violent pacifist view. Other Christians believe that Christians can engage in war. Some are idealists; others are realists. Who is right? What does the Bible say? Are either of these positions Biblical? Tune in as I take a look at what the Bible says about the Christian’s view of war.
Today in Church History: John Bright makes his eloquent speech against the Crimean War (1855)
Episode 302: If spiritual growth were likened unto a swimming, too many Christians would be hanging out, splashing around in the shallow end. God expects & desires for His people to learn to swim and go out into the deep end. Tune in as we see God’s rebuke of shallowness and His request for us to go deeper from Hebrews 5.11-6.3.
Today in Church History: Hilary of Poitiers dies (368)
Question of the Day: What is an Arian?
Episode 300: Wow! The 300th episode of the podcast. And for this episode I will do what I do best and that is break down a controversy with eloquence & clarity: Can we pray to Jesus? May we pray to Jesus? Tune in as I unpack a little background on this controversy and provide a Biblical answer.
Music Credit: Led Zeppelin. “When the Levee Breaks.” Led Zeppelin IV. Atlantic, 1971.
Episode 299: God atones for sin through the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus. But why? Why was the death of Jesus, the Lord of glory, necessary for atonement? Tune in as I break down a few different views of the necessity of atonement.
Episode 296: How did we get to the place where Lauren from Lipscomb is the now the Preaching Intern for the 4th Avenue Church of Christ in Franklin, TN? What is the process for normalizing error? Tune in as I discuss the process and the consequences such choices can bring if left unchecked.
Question of the Day: Can women serve in leadership roles in the church?
Today in Church History: Marriage of Ruth Magongo to Enoch Litswele who serve as missionaries in Africa (1960) & the death of Karl Barth (1968).
Episode 295: Lauren from Lipscomb is the new Preaching Intern at 4th Avenue Church of Christ in Franklin, TN. It looks like she has a bright future ahead of her as a preacher. Does anyone else sense a disturbance in the Force here? Tune in as explain the situation and offer what the Bible says concerning spiritual leadership.
Today in Church History: Rose Lathrop & Alice Huber found the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, also known as Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer. (1900)
Question of the Day: What about the women?
Episode 288: J.C. Ryle once wrote, “For your own soul’s sake, dare to make up your mind what you believe, and dare to have positive, distinct views of truth and error. Never, never be afraid to hold decided doctrinal opinions; and let no fear of man and no morbid dread of being thought party-spirited, narrow, or controversial, make you rest contented with a bloodless, boneless, tasteless, colourless (sic), lukewarm, undogmatic Christianity.” Today’s episode is my extended “Amen” to this quote.
Today in Church History: John Eliot arrives in Boston (1631)
Question of the Day: Are Christians perfect?
Live from the Pulpit 