Episode 314: Many Christians want to know how to turn negatives into positives. When your boss seems only to have negative feedback for you; when your spouse only has bad things to say; when your kids are behaving badly; when a potential health crisis looms – how can we find the silver lining in any of this? In this episode, I explain how we can get off the complain train and “own it and hone it” to turn negatives into positives.
Question of the Day: How do I become a Christian?
Episode 313: Last night the final “yes” vote needed to gain a majority was cast and same-sex marriage was approved into the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). They are but the latest denomination to do this and their move is instructive. What happens when people who claim to follow Christ approve of and even aid people in committing what God has categorically condemned throughout His Word? Tune in as I open the word and allow it to shed some light on this dark news.
Presbyterians Approve Same-Sex Marriage
Cultures Picks & Chooses What is Changeable
Today in Church History: The First Lateran Council opens in Rome (1123)
Episode 312: Have you heard about Pastor Creflo Dollar’s capital campaign to raise $65 million for a Gulfstream jet? These guys just make it too easy sometimes. Tune in as I discuss this & late breaking developments. PLUS, today is St. Patrick’s Day so I’ll be delving into the history and hysterics surrounding this holiday.
Creflo Dollar’s $65 Million Jet
Today in Church History: St. Patrick Died (c. 460 or 493) AND the 1st St. Patrick’s Day celebration in America (1737)
Question of the Day: Can/Should Christians drink alcohol?
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 308: Having reviewed the history of the Crusades, is it right to compare the Crusaders to present day ISIS terrorists as some do, the President included? Tune and let’s see what the (real) causes & consequences of the Crusades were.
Question of the Day: Should Christians be pro-war?
Episode 307: Once more I take up the history lesson concerning the Crusades. Was it really “in the name of Christ” that the Crusaders did “horrible deeds”? Or is history much more complicated than how our President makes it out to be? Tune in as I unpack the history & consequences of the Crusades.
Today in Church History: (On or around today) Defeat and captivity of the King Louis IX of France, “St. Louis,” in a crusade (1250).
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.
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.
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?
Live from the Pulpit 