Dummies With Wisdom

The two of us decided that DWW has run its course and it is now time to move on to other things. For those who have listened over the years, we truly thank you and hope that we have been able to impact you positively in some way. This is the final episode where we reflect on the last 3 1/2 years of Dummies With Wisdom.

So many churches sit empty 5 or 6 days a week. Is this acceptable? Is it not? Is there something in our philosophy of ministry that we should change?

Today the Dummies discuss two issues: First, where do we stand on coffee shops in church lobbies? Second, is it okay for churches to take on debt?

In this episode, the Dummies discuss Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University. Is his program good or bad? Is it biblical? Should churches promote it?

Today, the Dummies dive into self defense. Is it biblical? What about if you're protecting property? Is there a difference between self defense with a gun or with other weapons?

Today's episode is all about youth. What should youth group look like? Should the youth area be separate from the rest of the church? How should church adults interact with the church youth?

In this episode, the Dummies discuss church leadership. What should the structure generally be? What sort of mindset should the leaders have? What problems have we seen in church leadership structures?

Paul's writings in the New Testament have been the core of the debate about woman pastors. Today, the Dummies discuss theology of women's roles inside and outside the church. Was Paul writing to a specific culture and time, or is this instruction for us today? Where is the line between what we find acceptable and unbiblical? Is the Bible clear at all about this topic?

In the gospels, Jesus makes it clear that he submits himself to the Father. But is there a hierarchy in the Trinity? Where does the Spirit fit in? Do the three persons of the Trinity submit out of choice or is it an existential hierarchy? Is there a hierarchy at all?

From a listener's question, how should Christians respond to a friend who has a pregnancy outside of marriage, especially if there seems to be no remorse?

Content warning: some language is used in discussing this topc. In a recent sermon podcast that both JJ and Ben listened to, the pastor swore a couple times. Was this acceptable? Is it ever acceptable? How does it reflect the heart of the speaker?

In this less-serious episode, the Dummies throw out questions of who was the best or worst biblical character in different categories. Who was the most like Jesus? Who would make the best NFL player? Who would have been the best parents?

Wishing all of our listeners a Merry Christmas and a look at what is coming on Season 4 in January!

The Bible was written both in and to people living in Eastern culture. We live in modern Western culture. Is one better overall than the other? Which parts of each are preferred? Would the Dummies choose to live in Eastern culture if given the chance?

The word "evil" is overused by all sides in our society. When is a person rightly deemed evil? What about situations? The Dummies discuss the theological and the practical around the word "evil."

Responding to a listener's request, the Dummies discuss the Israel and Hamas conflict and the current evangelical reaction. Regardless of personal theology, how should believers view the situation? Be sure to listen to our past podcast on Israel and the End Times here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IyxqvI8DICcDYsaulUxqq?si=81e2deb060554ea3

From a listener's question: how much should one open their heart up in a dating relationship. The Bible is clear on physical boundaries, but what depth is appropriate for dating?

Everyone has opinions on government overreach, but where should we as Christians draw the line? Did Covid give us a better idea of where we refuse to comply? How should we respectfully decline to obey governmental orders?

Romans 13 tells us to obey the governing authorities. However, this was written to Christians under the Roman Empire. How does this passage apply to modern day America? Does the authority lie in the government or the Constitution upon which it is founded? What about when they are acting in opposite directions?

A listener wants to know about aliens. Is it unbiblical to think they might exist? Would it affect the Christian faith if humans happened to encounter real aliens? Has JJ seen UFOs as a pilot? It's all about aliens on this episode.

When churches do events, such as a youth group Super Bowl party, does there need to be a gospel presentation? Does evangelism have to be the center focus of every event? Is a gospel presentation ever appropriate in these contexts?

There is clearly a problem at our southern border. How should we understand it as Christians? We all have political opinions about it, but when we look at the Bible, does it give us answers?

Was Judas saved? Was he ever saved? Do the gospels say anything to make us believe one way or the other? Were any of the disciples saved prior to the resurrection?

From a listener submitted question, do people who get religiously married have to go through the legal process? What about government benefits that are at stake? What about immigration issues? Do people who get legally married have to go through a religious ceremony? Are the two tied together?

In today's divisive culture, we are often faced with a decision. Do we speak truth bluntly and have no care for the reactions, or do we work to win people over? The answer can be different if we are talking about social issues or church related topics. So where on the spectrum should we generally be?

In this follow up from the last episode, the Dummies discuss the exact moment that Eve sinned. While it's all referred to as her eating the fruit, was it actually the moment she ate, the moment she decided to eat, or when she engaged in conversation with the serpent? Does it even really matter?

We hit a number of short questions today, including how often churches should take communion, the possible timeline of the Fall, infant baptism, and more.

In a follow-up to the last episode, we discuss how Christians should actively hate sin while still supporting the sinner as an image bearer of God. It can be hard to act in both ways simultaneously, so where is that balance?

In a real-world scenario, JJ liked a picture on Instagram that Ben has questions about. How should we interact on social media when depictions of sin are involved? Is a like or a comment harmless? Must we simply ignore it? Should we care how others see it?

Is there such thing as a "bad Christian?" Can a Christian be deemed bad or only do bad things? Is it wrong to judge Christians when they are acting badly?

The New Testament tells its readers to respect and honor the governing authorities. The American Revolution was a result of the founding fathers declaring independence from their governing authorities. How ought we to judge their actions? Were they biblically justified in doing so? Even if they were not, can we today be thankful that they did?

Should we support Israel today? Is there an end-times plan for the Jewish people? How does Israel of the Old Testament relate to the Church of the New Testament? Today's discussion is all about how we ought to view Israel today and if it is biblically necessary to be on their side.

From a listener submitted question, we discuss two questions. First, what do we think about books such as Job and Jonah being interpreted as parables? Second, we discuss our views on the rapture and the end times.

What is the unforgivable sin? Have we committed it without realizing it? Is it actually unforgivable? Is there even an unforgivable sin? This topic seems to be taboo to talk about in the church today, so we take it upon ourselves to discuss what it is, what it means, and how we should view it in light of the Gospel message.

Many people these days use an audiobible, at least from time to time. Is this good? Is it bad? Is it neither? When might it be helpful and when might it be harmful?

Navigating the media and the internet continues to get harder every day. How do we know what is true in the news? How do we engage the internet? How ought we as Christians seek what is true online?

In this unfiltered discussion, the Dummies (along with a cameo from JJ's roommate) discuss the non-serious question of if tattoos gotten while on earth will be on our heavenly bodies.

In this first episode of 2023, the Dummies discuss new year's resolutions. Are they good? Are they bad? Is it a mindset issue? Should we be doing them? Are they worthless? Is January the best time to start a resolution?

With it being Christmas week, the Dummies have a very short debate regarding Christmas celebration rules. We hope you will join us in January for season 3 of Dummies With Wisdom!

Everyone knows Christmas has been commercialized. Is this actually a problem? Should Christians be rejecting it? Do we even need to celebrate Christmas post-resurrection? All of these questions and more in this week's discussion.

Abortion is a hotly debated topic these days. While the conversations around it are always difficult, it might be even more difficult with someone inside the church that supports abortion to some extent. In this extended length episode, the dummies discuss how we approach these conversations and how we should prepare.

A listener wants to know, are church denominations a necessary division of the church? Also, at what point is it good for a local church to divide itself?

From a listener-submitted question today, the Dummies discuss if pastors can have political signs in their yards and how vocal they can be outside of the church in politics while still being healthy and unifying for the church they lead.

Today, the Dummies discuss how the church should stay culturally relevant in the midst of a culture obsessed with ideas such as feminism, equality, COVID, and others.

In this episode, the Dummies discuss if belief in evolution means that a person is not saved. Rather than discussing the merits of the theory, we discuss how it pertains to the Bible and if someone can/should believe in theistic evolution.

From a listener-submitted question, the Dummies discuss how we manage our action against God's potential calling for our lives. How should we act when we are unsure of God's calling or at least unsure of the timing? Should we wait or should we go?

The Dummies answer two listener-submitted questions today. First, do all people hear the gospel before they die? If not, are they still destined to hell? Second, at what age is baptism necessary?

From a listener-submitted question, we discuss Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Where does each side have it right? Where do we disagree? What school of thought do we tend to believe? 

In a listener-submitted question, we discuss body alterations and to what extent they are acceptable. From tattoos to Kim Kardashian, where should we draw the line?

Many churches are concerned with their lack of diversity - not diversity of thought, but of skin color. The question is, is a "white church" necessarily something worth concern? Likewise, should black churches be seeking out more white members?

On this Fourth of July weekend, many churches will inevitably play some patriotic songs during their worship services. Is this an issue. We may love America, but how does that relate to the sacred nature of a worship service?