Tag Archives: church

Star Wars & Generations

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Episode 397: With The Last Jedi set to hit theaters in just a few short weeks I thought I’d discuss how the Star Wars franchise is approaching the main characters’ story arc, both with the heroine & the villain. Related, how does Disney’s writing in the new & improved rebooted Star Wars franchise connect with the current target demographics? Tune in as I discuss these important topics & what they have to do with the church.

Question of the Day: What do you believe Jesus looked like?

Today in Church History: John Brown died (1858)

Working Together as the Hands of Christ

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Episode 378: Paul says, “I…urge you…[be] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Although we are exhort to maintain peace, it seems like we allow church autonomy to handcuff and handicap our efforts at working together. What does it look like for churches to cooperate with one another? Tune in as we explore Acts 11 where the early church serves as a model for cooperation among churches.

Today in Church History: Philip Melanchthon was born (1497)

Question of the Day: Is a small church without elders or deacons a scriptural church?

The Rise of Secularism

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Episode 331: New pew survey data shows that, coupled with a decline in (progressive) Christianity, secularism is on the rise in America. But why? On this episode, we dig into societal & cultural reasons that secularism seems to be on the rise as well as what the Bible says about this current phenomenon.

Obama administrations hostility toward the Bible

Unprecedented “Assault” on Religion

Today in Church History: The Council of Nicea begins (325)

Question of the Day: What did Jesus mean by “turn the other cheek”? How does this relate to “eye for an eye”?

The Decline of (Progressive) Christianity

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Episode 329: No doubt by now you have seen the Pew Research Survey data which says that Christianity is in decline. If you haven’t click the link below. However, when you look closer at the numbers, you find a noteworthy trend distinguishing progressive branches of Christendom and more conservative strains of Christianity. What are these findings? Tune in as we dig below the surface and explain what it all means.

Pew Survey

If You Want to Destroy Your Church, Follow a Liberal’s Advice

The Crusades, pt.1

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Episode 306: Recently, our fearless leader President Barak Obama gave a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast and made some remarks concerning the Crusades that has rankled the hair on the back of some Christians necks. “Lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.” But is that really the case? Is history really that simplistic? Tune in as I give a history lesson on the crusades and what really drove the Crusaders into battle.

Historians Weigh In

Sources:

Gonzales, Justo. The Story of Christianity. Vol. 1. New York: Harper One, 1984. Print.

Shelley, Bruce L. Church History in Plain Language. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2008. Print.

Deflate-gate

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Episode 305: So the New England Patriots are going to the Super Bowl, but only because they cheated. 11 of the 12 footballs they played with were underinflated. Tune in as I work to find the spiritual perspective on this current event.

Today in Church History: Pope Clement VI issues papal bull Unigenitus (1343)

Question of the Day: Is cheating a sin?

Pope Flip Flops

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Episode 293: Recent news report seem to indicate that the Pope is waffling and even flip flopping on the issue of homosexuality. One month he’s dogmatic about it; the next month he seems about ready to sign a papal bull welcoming them into the church; the next month he’s saying kids need both a mommy & a daddy. Today I address this flip flopping and show why we should expect this from a mere man who claims to be the head of the church.

Today in Church History: Pope Boniface VIII publishes Unam Sanctum

Question of the Day: What’s wrong with the Catholic Church?

Gays with Gifts

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Episode 283: The Catholic Church has said gays have gifts to offer the Catholic Church…er, uh, wait…No, they don’t. What’s going on and do gays have gifts for the (true) church? Hmm…Tune in as I cover this story and discuss how gays might be given gifts by Christ for the church.

Monday’s Article: Gays Have Gifts to Offer Catholic Church

Tuesday’s Article: Catholic Officials Walk-back Reports

Question of the Day: Did Jesus say anything about homosexuality?

Booted from the Baptist Church

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Episode 275: Did I ever tell you about the time I got kicked out of a Baptist church? I say kicked out; I was asked to not come back ever again or they’d call the police. It’s not what you think. Tune in as I tell my story and why truth matters.

Question of the Day: What’s wrong with the Baptist Church?

Three Questions for Church Growth

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Episode 272: Everyone I talk wants the church to grow. If we want the church to grow, we need to make sure we are asking the right question. In this episode, I ask three questions every member and every congregation can ask to determine if they are “keeping the main thing the main thing.” Tune in to find out what questions we should be asking.

Question of the Day: The only Gospel account of the woman taken in adultery is John’s. A commentary I have says the last verse of ch. 7 – Ch. 8:11 (or there about) is not contained in some of the manuscripts. I checked Codex Sinaiticus — not in that collection. Any doubts we should have to its canonicity?