Episode 268: When people suffer, typically it is not arguments or formulae they seek to explain their pain. When people suffer, they are angry, hurt, mad, upset, furious with God. “Why me?” The greatest issue with people and suffering is not intellectual but emotional. Tune in as we explore how God does not try to get Himself “off the hook” with suffering but actually puts Himself on the hook through Jesus.
Tag Archives: Christian
What is the Meaning of Suffering?
Episode 267: This is the 5th question in the “Six Question to Ask a Skeptic” series of lesson. Everybody suffers at some point in their life. Whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, regardless of race or sex or religion – everyone suffers. So is there any meaning or significance to the suffering? Tune in as I explore this question and deal with the problem of evil.
Death of a Comedian
Episode 265: Comedian Robin Williams took his own life last week. His frenetic style could be rather blue at times. However, I knew him from his kid-friendly movies like Aladdin and Mrs. Doubtfire. He was brilliant, but tortured by depression. It was ultimately depression which lead to his suicide.
Depression is a serious mental condition which is not to be taken lightly. The church historically has been a haven for the mentally ill. In fact, early church writers considered conditions like depression as primarily a spiritual issue which must be handled with devotion to certain spiritual disciplines (i.e. fasting, prayers, etc.). While there may be a tendency on the part of some to scoff at this idea, we must remember that Christianity is a religion of the mind. We are to love the Lord our God with all our mind (Mark 12.30). Our minds are to be renewed so that we become transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12.2).
Tragically, many who suffer from depression unfortunately turn to suicide and Robin Williams is a most recent example. Suicide is murder of self and murder is categorically condemned in Scripture (Genesis 9.6; Exodus 20.13; Leviticus 24.21; Deuteronomy 5.17; Luke 18.20; Romans 13.9). Murder is an affront to God because it strikes right at the crown jewel of His creation: His image in man. Suicide is smashing to pieces God’s image in one’s self.
Suicide is a sin. It is not the unforgiveable sin, but a sin nevertheless. Like all sin, it is selfish, focused on the gratification of the irrational thought (there’s the mind again) that the world would be better without me. However, doing yourself in is not doing your loved ones a favor. The grim truth is that family members and loved ones are left heartbroken and grief stricken as they attempt to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and move forward without this person.
Why are Children Intuitive Theists?
Episode 264: Question four (4) in our Six Questions to Ask a Skeptic series – why are children intuitive theists? Even skeptics admit that man seems naturally inclined to belief in God. Tune in as I explore why this is so.
Conversion
Episode 263: A prominent philosopher is telling people not to believe the doctrine of the rapture which will be given prominence in an upcoming movie. Leaders of the homosexual movement are upset that the Center for Disease Control has released the figures for the number of gay American adults – a paltry 1.6%. What do these two events have in common? Whether you hold to the erroneous doctrine of the rapture or cling to the sin of homosexuality, you must be converted! Tune in as I explore this vital Bible subject.\
Question of the Day: How Can We Know Truth?
Can We Be Good Without God?
Episode 262: The demographic I am calling “skeptics” (composed of atheists, agnostics, & non-religious folks) makes up about 20% of the American population. 1 in 5 people fall under this definition. So another good question to ask our skeptical friends to open dialogue with them is – Can We Be Good Without God? Tune in as I explore this sobering question.
What is the Meaning of Life?
Episode 261: Still another question which has been pondered by philosophers and thinkers throughout history has to do with the meaning of life. What is the meaning of life? Is there ultimate meaning and purpose to this life? Tune in as I tackle this question and provide what I believe is a more satisfying answer than that offered by our skeptical friends.
Objective Moral Values
Episode 260: Atheists like to argue that we can be moral animals without a god. But can we be good without God? If God does not exist, moral values are merely subjective human inventions. If God does exist, moral values are objective and real. Tune in as I discuss this subject which has far reaching implications.
Why is There Something Rather Than Nothing?
Episode 259: It is a question which has been pondered by philosophers for millennia. Why is there something rather than nothing? Atheists like Dr. Lawrence Krauss have offered answers from quantum mechanics, but are their answers satisfying. Tune in as I explore this answer and offer what I believe to be a more satisfying conclusion.
A World of Evil
Episode 258: The Supreme Court ruled on Hobby Lobby’s case. It has been interesting to hear the dissent from secular progressives on this ruling, especially the claim that now a boss is imposing their religious convictions on employees. Really? What does it REALLY look when a boss imposes their religious beliefs on employees? Tune in as I discuss this, plus…
Is it just me or does anyone else find it coincidental that the same week gay pride events are being held in America, parts of Iraq and Syria are declared an Islamic state? If that is not a contrast in countries I do not know what is. Here in the states, freedom has been hijacked to such a degree that immoral behavior is literally paraded down Main Street. There in the Middle East, a self-proclaimed religion of peace rapes and murders women for not paying a tax. The world over evil abounds.
The Bible says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14.34). When a nation or people put into practice and keep the word of God, it is a blessing. As the Psalmist says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (33.12). However, whether that nation of people be Hebrew, American, or Islamic, sin is a black stain on any people. So we see two very different yet equally sinful situations on opposite sides of the planet. “‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 48.22).
What leads to this? The abandonment of God’s word. In America, secular progressives have sought to legislate God’s word out of schools, buildings, and monuments. In the Middle East, the Koran is the religious book of choice and any other alternatives are ruthlessly eradicated. In both nations there is famine in the land, “not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8.11). “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord” (Jeremiah 22.29, ASV). “For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26.9). And with righteousness comes exaltation.
Live from the Pulpit 