Christianese

God has woven his wisdom through the world and even collected it into a series of books for us. All we have to is listen to his voice. In this first part of our investigation into the wisdom books of the Bible, we will investigate what (or who) wisdom is and walk through the sage sayings of Proverbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If "it is for freedom that Christ has set us free," then why does Christianity feel like a list of rules? Why is it so difficult to feel the freedom Jesus talks about? And why are conversations about Christian liberty so divisive? It may be that we've fundamentally misunderstood Christian liberty... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen at all? Can God really be all good and all-powerful, even though he allows us to god through pain and suffering? Despite our tragedies and pains, God is good and there is hope, even in our darkest times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

God's will is unknowable, unfathomable, and completely hidden. It's also accessible, simple, and necessary for us to know. And, truth be told, some of our biggest, most difficult decisions are not oppressive but opportunities for joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We pray for what we care about the most and for what we believe we need. If you were to watch TV or go on social media, you would think Christians want money and success more than anything else. Jesus offers us something better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Praying for you!" has become the equivalent of a Christian sympathy card. We often say it without ever meaning to pray for someone at all. This empty promise affects us more than we may understand and reveals the dark side of Christianity most of us would rather not think about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people believe what Hollywood teaches them about the Biblical canon. Don't be most people.

It almost goes without saying that faith and science are in conflict with one another. But what if I told you that this conflict was as fictional as Flubber? What if Christianity and science were a match made in heaven?

The Sabbath isn't a new idea to Christians, but who has the time to rest and "keep the Sabbath"? Hustle culture tells us rest is for the weak, grind is glorified, and everyone wants to be successful. But that lifestyle is driving us into the ground. What if this ancient practice was countercultural, radical, and necessary as it was three thousand years ago?

Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity. So why is it so hard to remember when Easter is? Why is it such a small holiday compared to Christmas? And what is Lent, anyway? We answer all those questions and more by taking a deep-dive into the story of Easter.

The most cringe-worthy phrase in all Christendom is more than a grammatical nightmare. Could it be that one of the weirdest "Christian" phrases reveals some startling shifts in the way the church thinks about community and marriage?

You may not buy into "new year new you", but the start of a new year fills us all with hope. The deep cry of our culture is to discover our identity, to craft our true selves, and to become the best version of us that we can. But for Christians, we don't have to craft our true selves– our identity is given to us. How will that change your 2021?

We've all been going through a tough year with COVID and the madness of 2020. But, in the Biblical view, this is a passing season. When we think deeply about our live, eternity, and Christmas, we find a source for love, joy, peace, and hope that no year or season could ever take away.

After the 2016 election, Christians wrestled with what it means to be an evangelical in a world that sees them as a political group. On the eve of a new election, we need to wrestle with how to live in a nation as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Faith-Based movies promise to change Hollywood, influence culture, and are said to be the "greatest evangelistic tools of our era." But are they successful? Could we–should we– be doing better?

What do Calvinist believe? What do Arminians believe? Why is this such a big issue? This episode, we get past the straw-man arguments and dismissiveness that often surrounds this debate to get down to the nuts and bolts of soteriology.

Some parts of the Bible can be intimidating. But those parts- the people with names we can't pronounce and the ideas that seem irrelevant- contain some of the deepest and most life changing truths in all of Scripture.

When Jesus talks about the law, he talks about love. How do they work together, and what on earth does that have to do with 2020?

Some ships are big, and some ships are small, but the most important ship is fellowship- God's purpose for us all. 

The church has often seen culture as a monolithic dirty thing- it isn't. We have both an incredible call to our culture and are living in a perfect time to live out that calling. 

Creativity is exciting but frequently derailed, discouraged, or diverted by criticism. So how do we, as ambassadors of Christ, give and receive criticism in a way that causes redemption?

It is nice to be creative, but for a Christian it is imperative. You need to be creative is more than a simple desire to be an artist, it is a universal status that allows you to operate freely and fully under the Lordship of Christ. 

A divine appointment is a moment when God invades your world, interrupts your day, and makes it abundantly clear that He is present. But isn't God always present? Certainly, we don't always feel him but that doesn't mean God isn't there. Haven't you ever wondered how involved in our lives is God, really? 

It may seem banal and vague to talk about "our walks", but it's worth thinking about. How are we doing as Christians? Is there a goal to Christian living? And how do we make lasting changes in our lives?

You have probably heard about the war on Christmas. You are at battle, so to speak, but not in the way you might think.

Is the end of the world really near? Jesus is returning– imminently if not immediately– but when? Now that's a good question.

The big ideas and theology of Christianity shouldn't be locked in seminaries. Theology is for you. It should change the way you think and live. Today we cover the Imago Dei, the image of God, and try to figure out how our design changes everything.

Miracles, violence, punk rock, and a church led by a former terrorist- and that's just the first half. The book of Acts is a wild, unsafe, deep book full of stories we never read. Come check it out.

Nothing is more "youth group" than talking about quiet times. They sure seemed important at the time, but I still don't know many people who have figured them out. What were our youth pastors talking about? It it really important to have a scheduled time to pray?

Doubt is often seen as the enemy of faith. But that is not true. We can use our doubt to reject God or we can follow our questions into deeper faith, hope, and dependance on God. All the music on this episode comes from South of Royal's debut album "Deliverance and Doubt." Check it our wherever you get your music. You will be #blessed 

Many evangelicals believe that you become a Christian by inviting Jesus into your heart, reapeating a simple prayer that brings salvation. But is that really all there is to it? Why do people feel like they have to say it over and over again? Is it a trump card to sin, allowing whomever says it to live however they please? What does a person really have to do to be saved?

What is your heart? and why should you protect it? If you think this is just about dating, you're going to be surprised. 

In the wake of an exhausting election cycle many Christians have been left wondering, "What is an Evangelical?" In fact, many who once thought of themselves as evangelicals are questioning if they still are- or ever were to begin with. So, what is an evangelical? Well, it all depends on where you look for your definition...

The Trinity is a foundational doctrine in Christianity, but actually describing it is particularly difficult. It may be complex, but it is neither inaccessible nor impractical. Understanding God's Triune nature will change the way you live. 

What does God sound like? How do you know God has spoken to you? Often we desire an experience over the Word of God. But the truth is, the Word is much more satisfying than any fleeting experience.

We all know Bible stories, but do you know how they all fit together? The story of the Old Testament is an epic tale that looks an lot like our own lives and leads us to look for the coming Messiah.

You may have heard someone pray for a hedge of protection and wondered what good a row of bushes could possibly do for anyone. Besides, do we need to pray for protection to actually receive it? And how does God actually protect us? Do we have guardian angels? You are protected by God and may not even know it. Spoiler: that's a good thing.

We all want to be blessed and many of believe we already are. But if you were to ask five people to define blessing, you would get five different answers. What is blessing and what should we expect God to give us?

Welcome to Christianese, a podcast investigating cultural Christianity. In every episode, Drew dissects a piece of Christian culture, theology, or practice to find out why we do the things we do and how we can do them better. It's about understanding, redeeming, rebuilding, and making the seemingly incomprehensible accessible.