Avizandum with Pastor John Munro

In our culture of relativism and subjectivism, we are not surprised that the Word of God continues to be attacked. Even followers of Christ sometimes make their experience of God foundational over the truth of God. So why should we receive the Bible as absolute truth?

Therapy is often seen as an answer as people grapple with personal struggles and look for direction and peace. While therapy may have its place, it is essential that followers of Christ keep their eyes on Him, understanding Scripture as the source of truth and the center of gravity in their lives.

The concept of celebrity is not limited to the secular world. There are also preachers and teachers who attract followers and seem to attain a higher level of attention and respect. So why is this problematic?

How would you react to a definitive diagnosis of having only a few months to live? How would you view your life? How would you approach the future? Join John as he reflects on the experience and testimony of his older brother, George.

Statistics reveal that viewing pornography impacts the lives of many who are professing followers of Jesus Christ, including both men and women. Lust is not a new problem. What is the answer? What does Scripture say?

John serves full-time as Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Newcomers to Calvary and listeners to The Verdict often have questions about Calvary, so today John discusses Calvary Church, its values, vision, and mission.

"Original Sin" is the title of the recent bestseller by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. They write in terms of an "original sin" related to politics, but there is a deeper concept of original sin that we either accept or reject based on our view of human nature. What is the evidence? What does the Bible say?

Despite all kinds of advancements, we live in an age of anxiety. There is constant discussion about the causes and the statistics, but what struggles are at the root of anxiety? And why does the Christian viewpoint make such a difference?

Simple acts of hospitality can be life-changing and opportunities for God to work in your life and the lives of others. Join John as he shares personal memories about the nature and impact of hospitality.

Do you attend church regularly? Is it a priority or an occasional option if you feel like it? Join John as he revisits the biblical purpose for the local church and how our views of church and church attendance have changed.

AI as a new technology has many applications, including as a tool in ministry. But what are the considerations for AI in preaching as pastors bring messages from God's Word? Join John as he reflects on the issues and implications.

How do you feel about solitude? We live in a noisy world where it can be difficult to unplug and find a quiet time to reflect, enjoy the sounds of nature, and commune with God. Today take a break from the hectic pace of life and reflect on the beauty and value of being still and alone.

In Scripture, followers of Christ are encouraged to rejoice, even in the midst of suffering and trials. How is this possible? Be encouraged as John explains and shares individual examples to help us understand how to "count it all joy."

Based on the work of 16th-century theologian John Calvin, Calvinism often centers on the identity and implications of "the elect" as noted in Scripture. Some distinctions held by "Neo-Calvinists" can inadvertently confuse or divide--so what are followers of Christ to do?

All of us need good friends. But making or choosing good friends can be difficult. And being a good friend can be even harder! Join John as he reflects on the joys and risks of friendship, and how to be and make godly friends.

All of us want the power of God to be evident in our lives. But how is this accomplished? John discusses A.W. Tozer's Five Vows for Spiritual Power as a convicting and helpful tool in pursuing spiritual growth.

Marriage is a special and sacred relationship because it was designed by God. And it's important for those contemplating marriage (even those who have been married before) to understand the biblical nature of this important covenant, often through premarital counseling.

Every day we are all faced with trials, struggles, and suffering. But Scripture calls for followers of Jesus Christ to respond to these times of life with a different perspective. We are people of faith, people of hope. So how does this change things?

Why is preaching so important? What's different about biblical preaching vs. regular teaching or other modes of communication? And why is it so important to our spiritual growth?

How does someone read the Bible? How do you start? What should you expect? Why is it so important? Whether you're a new believer or longtime follower of Christ, go back to basics on reading God's Word!

Apparently, there are more and more standing ovations in our society. Isn't that interesting? What does this tell us about ourselves? And what are the implications for clapping and ovations in worship services? Join John for his reflections on this intriguing aspect of human behavior.

Why is the idea of people gathering in person so important to the community of believers? As we celebrate the recent opening of Calvary's new cafe, The Gathering, John comments on the significance of connecting in person vs. the modern tendency to isolate ourselves.

In the dark times of life, it can be difficult to trust that God is still with us and still for us. Join John as he discusses this hard truth and offers personal encouragement from one of his favorite hymns.

Rumors, gossip, and bizarre stories increasingly abound online. What is it about us that wants to believe the worst about people? John looks at the principles of natural justice included in the Mosaic Law and in Roman law which help us pursue and live by truth.

Have you ever read Pilgrim's Progress? It's a book (an allegory) by John Bunyan which portrays the joys and struggles of Christian, a pilgrim. In these adventures, we see many truths of Scripture illustrated in helpful ways.

What do you think about cremation? Is it wrong for a Christian to be cremated? John shares his own thoughts and some of the biblical considerations as he discusses these very personal questions.

What happens when we die? Despite the inevitable, this question deals with an important reality that many people prefer to avoid. What are the different views about the afterlife? What is the biblical view?

Today there are endless materials to help us study the Bible. As a lover of books, John would never complain about the abundance of wonderful resources! Yet there is a danger that we spend more time reading about the Bible than studying the actual Bible itself.

There are all kinds of theories about raising children. You may have heard of the parenting philosophy called "Gentle Parenting" which focuses on the child's emotional experience vs. their behavior. How does this line up with the idea of biblical discipline?

One of the most frequent questions John receives deals with baptism, often from those who come from church traditions with infant baptism. Do people baptized as infants need to be baptized as adults? What is the biblical basis?

What will happen in 2025? None of us knows. But followers of Jesus Christ are to keep our eyes on Jesus, listen to His Word, and follow Him obediently. So what does this mean in practice?

No matter where you live, New Year's Eve is a time of celebration and festivities. Join John as he remembers some interesting New Year's traditions and shares thoughts on how all of us can approach 2025.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of celebration, a time of joy. But did you ever have a Christmas where everything went wrong? Join John for the story of one exceptional Christmas, and what we can all take away!

As Calvary prepares to dedicate a new building expansion on December 22, John reflects on the role of new buildings and facilities within the church, some of the key considerations, and brings a challenge as to our ultimate focus.

The Christmas season is a time of light. We see lights on Christmas trees, homes, and yards. Even a little light dispels the darkness. Join John and explore this beautiful idea of light as we celebrate the coming of the Light of the world.

Of all people on the face of the earth, followers of Jesus Christ should be the most thankful. And because we have received the generosity of God's grace, we should be generous. So what does this mean in practice?

It may seem easy to give thanks to God, and sometimes it is. But what about when life is difficult? Is your life characterized by a thankful spirit? Why is this important?

In churches and in life, there is often the desire to want to do our own thing, to rule our own little kingdom, without interference. Where does this impulse come from, and how can it impact our relationships and ministry?

The presidential election is finally over. With its conclusion, we find ourselves in a time of transition that may seem strange after the constant media focus. What are some takeaways for followers of Christ as we go forward?

What is the role of Christian schools in our ever-changing culture? How should Christians view Christian education in light of the call to be salt and light? Join John for a frank discussion of the current issues and biblical foundation.

Next Tuesday is Election Day. Millions are voting in local, state and national elections, and the presidential race is the undeniable focus of our sharply divided nation. How should followers of Jesus Christ approach this important privilege of voting?

Jesus Christ is building His church, and this church embraces all peoples, languages, nations, and colors. But how does this work on a practical level, when we as flawed human beings tend to focus on our differences? What does Scripture say?

John's interview series continues with a conversation with Madilynn, the high school host of Real Questions, Real Truth. This time John asks the questions as they discuss many of the struggles faced by teens today, including social media, anxiety and depression, and holding true to Christ-centered values.

In the past people brought their Bibles to church. But today pastors and teachers often focus more on self-help or practical tips vs. biblical teaching. Why is this? And why does reading and using our Bibles make such a difference?

In an attempt to promote world peace, Pope Francis has recently made some troubling remarks which have been challenged not only by Protestants but also by Roman Catholics. Join John as he explains the controversy and why followers of Christ must always be guided by biblical truth.

Why do followers of Christ share our faith? Is there ever a time not to share the Gospel? What's the best way to share? Don't miss John's latest interview as he discusses communicating the Gospel with Pastor Sibu Rajappan, Pastor of Outreach & Internationals at Calvary Church.

All of us applaud and benefit from technology, but cell phones, texting, and social media have impacted communication in ways we may not realize. Join John as he considers some of the finer advantages and implications of face to face interaction.

When we think of the many sights in Europe, we often think of the magnificent cathedrals and churches. But sadly, there are more tourists visiting these buildings rather than worshippers. Join John as he shares thoughts and reflections from his recent trip.

How is the worship portion of a service organized? How does it work behind the scenes? Join John for another special Avizandum interview as he discusses the planning and leading of worship with Tim Hathaway, Pastor of Worship at Calvary Church.

What do you think about when you think of “missions”? Join John for a special Avizandum as he interviews Jim Cashwell, Pastor of Missions and Outreach at Calvary Church, on the nature, relevancy, and future of missions.

Today many people believe that we make our own truth based on what we think or feel. This is not the way of Christ, who described Himself as "the Truth." But have you noticed that the truth has a way of asserting itself?