Maranatha Teachings

In this challenging and encouraging episode, we join Job on the ash heap of his suffering to better understand his anguished cry as he curses the day of his birth. But is it only his existence that Job curses? What do the ashes teach us and what is it that Job in his pain wishes for? The answers may surprise you.

Why did Job lose everything? Was it because he lived in fear of losing it all? Was his calamity caused by the evil archenemy we call Satan or is God simply uncaring and unsparing? What is the book of Job really about? Join us as we begin to read this masterful piece of wisdom literature in its context to understand what lessons God would have us to learn from the story of Job.

The book of Job can prove to be beautifully frustrating. We are told Job is righteous and then we watch him lose everything. His wife urges him to give up on God. Sympathetic friends pile on painful advice. Job howls to the heavens and Heaven answers. What's it all about? Join us as we begin our journey into this wild piece of wisdom literature.

In this episode, we dive head first into the most read wisdom literature of them all, the book of Proverbs. Join us as we examine the purpose of proverbs, the unique features of wisdom genre, and the rich poetic means the inspired writers used to bring God's guidance to our lives.

God promises to give wisdom to all who ask it of Him in faith. What does it mean to pray for wisdom "with no doubting"? In this powerful and practical session, we discuss what wisdom is, why we need it, and how it is that we can live in its stabilizing blessing because of the goodness of God.

To fully appreciated books like Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes it is vital to have an understanding of wisdom literature and how the genre works. But above that, one must have a clear understanding of what wisdom is. Join on us on this powerful ride into Scripture as we examine the wisdom from the Garden of Eden to the throne of God.

In gathering together the songs of Zion, the compilers did so purposefully. Join us as we examine the first three Psalms and how they together form the introduction to the whole book of Psalms.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" is arguably the most heart-rending cry in all of the New Testament. Mark and Matthew both record these words from our Lord's lips. But what was the fullness of Jesus's expression and expectation? Join us as we journey through Psalms 22-24 and discover how the Psalms, along with being prayers and praises, are also prophecies.

Though David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, did not compose all the Psalms, no other person in Scripture bears a stronger association with them than he. Join us as we momentarily step away from the psalms themselves to review David's role in establishing what would become the music service of the temple worship and how the apostles used the promise of the psalms in their evangelistic preaching.

In the life of Israel, songs and prayers were composed and collected to offer praise, give hope, and document the honesty of hearts seeking God. These are the Psalms, treasures of devotion that have stood the test of time. Join us as we examine the collection as a whole, their poetic form, arrangement, and the various types in which they appear.

Psalms is the prayer and hymn book of the Judeo-Christian faith. Join us in this introductory sharing on Psalms as we explore the features of Hebraic poetry and examine the power of poetic language.

Aside from long-standing controversies about which Old Testament laws a New Testament saint is bound to observe, the Pentateuch has many decrees that and demands that to modern ears sound criminal. How are we to understand these laws? How is a Christian supposed to apply them? Join us as we delve into the Law to find the love and grace codified therein.

Parables are a unique genre in the Bible and particularly in the Gospels. In this episode, we examine the history of their interpretation, how Jesus used them, and the surprising characteristics story parables share with well-told jokes. While the surprise ending in jokes are tailored to make us laugh, parables are intended to make us respond to the King's invitation into His kingdom.

Justin Martyr referred to the Gospels as "the memoirs of the apostles." Join us as we examine how the different Gospel writers published the life and message of Jesus to bring to the communities they were serving what the Holy Spirit needed them hear.

In this episode, we explore the different literary structures and sources of the four Gospels to see the coordinating work of the Holy Spirit in His delivery of the canon of Scripture to us. Join us in this powerful examination as we compare the Evangelists' work and hear the testimonies of the early church fathers on the production and reception of the Gospels.

In this lively and powerful episode, we begin our examination of the gospel genre and the unique contribution the Evangelists made to the canon under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In our capstone episode examining Hebrew narrative genre, we take a wide view of the Joseph story to see its structure and conclusion and how biblical historic narrative helps us navigate our lives in the present. Join us in this lively and powerful discussion as we look at the rest of the story.

In this episode, we compare Scripture's treatment of Joseph in narrative with his appearance in Psalm 105 to illustrate the differences in genre between narratives and psalms. Join us in this lively discussion as we see some of the ways Hebrew narratives were crafted and how knowing their structure helps us understand and apply Scripture better. Though this episode stands mostly on its own, be sure to check out Part 13 of this series for the introduction of the Joseph story.

In this episode, we begin our focused examination of how Hebrew narrative works to better appreciate the message the inspired writer is giving. Join us in this lively conversation as we dip our toes into the beginning of the Joseph narrative, the longest single-focused narrative in the Bible.

In this introductory session of the various genres in Scripture, we discuss the different kinds of books and writings found in the Bible and how understanding their literary forms helps us receive their intended message. Included in this episode is a cautionary tale on how not to read narrative history.

In this episode, we take a fresh look at the three parables recorded in Luke 15: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son. Taking into account the purpose and form of story parables along with the cultural context within which they were told allows us to see the point Jesus was driving home and the expected response from his declaration. Join us as we step into the audience of scribes and Pharisees to hear how this message would have impacted them and how they challenge us to this day.

In this episode, we look at the political and cultural context surrounding the birth of Messiah and contrast the King of kings' arrival and promise with the prominence of Caesar Augustus and Herod the Great.

"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse," the Lord said to Abram. Join us as we journey with the patriarch from Haran to Shechem and learn what this calling meant and what was its ultimate outcome.

Considering that the Scriptures were written and edited by approximately thirty-five different writers and other unknown persons under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit over the course of roughly 1600 years, familiarity with the biblical background of the text is crucial to our understanding and interpretation of it. We introduce the subject in this episode and discuss methods of discovering and applying the cultural context of holy writ.

Have you ever heard that "apostle" means "sent one"? How about "the church are the 'called our' or agape is the highest form of love? These were understandings that I carried for decades, not knowing that their conclusions came to me via a faulty road. In this episode, we discuss common ways of examining Scriptures that pull them out of context and thus from their intended meaning. Join us for this lively how-not-to discussion.

In this episode, we examine how reviewing words and ideas across the body of work of a particular author in Scripture can help us understand their meaning. In this sharing, we put a spotlight on Paul's use of "wrath" in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and John's use of "life" in John 10:10.

Like any skilled writer, Matthew finishes his book in a way that capstones all that he told before. In this episode, we explore the solid bullet points in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) in light of Matthew's entire Gospel. If you are not accustomed to (and even if you are) reading Matthew as an independent book, the consistency of the themes may surprise you. Join us as we launch down this fast-paced and practical review of the first book in the New Testament canon.

John 3:16 is perhaps the most widely used evangelistic verse in the New Testament. In light of John's entire Gospel, what does it mean to believe in Jesus? Join us as we examine John's exposition of faith and the various types of "believers" Jesus encountered and what he required of them and ultimately of us.

In this dynamic episode, we examine who "the least of these my brothers" (Matt. 25:40) are in light of the context of the entire book of Matthew. Give a listen as we discuss the benefits of reading aloud, review some of the history of how Scripture was published, and gain clarified insight into the meaning of Jesus's prophetic Olivet Discourse as recorded by Matthew.

In this dynamic session, we grapple with three very familiar verses and concepts: the fire baptism in Matt. 3:11, the cattle on a thousand hills in Ps. 50:10, and the thief in John 10:10. What do these verses mean in the paragraph and portion context of where they appear. If you like me learned these verses as proof texts of particular ideas, the answers may surprise you.

This episode begins an equipping series on improving our study of the Scriptures through contextual understanding. Using Dr. Craig Keener's helpful guide, The Bible in Its Context: How to Improve Your Study of the Scriptures, we begin to examine the pitfalls of building beliefs and understanding based on proof texts and word studies alone. Join us as we through contextual reading unravel the apparent contradiction between Romans 3:28 (one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law) and James 2:24 (a person is justified by works and not by faith alone).

In our concluding episode on the Apostles' Creed, we unpack the Christian hope contained in the declaration that we believe in "the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting." Join us in this lively, insightful, and powerful discussion on the realities of forgiveness, the transformative nature of the resurrection, and our eternal embodied future in a redeemed and renewed creation.

Regardless the number of denominations and multiplicity of houses of worship, the church of Jesus Christ is singular. He is the head and we are his body. We are called to eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of peace. But why are there divisions and what is truly heresy? And why do we call it "church" anyway? Join us as we discuss the words in the creed, "I believe in . . . the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints."

In this episode, we look at the impact the creeds had on the canonization of the New Testament as we examine the Person of the Holy Spirit and his function within the Godhead.

Long before Tolkien put pen to paper, the mightiest king known to mankind promised to return. In the words of the Apostles' Creed: He will come to judge the living and the dead. Join us as we examine Christ's arrival for his bride and the renewal of all things and the implications these truth on our present lives.

Humanity has gone through numerous trials in the past two thousand years, replete with plagues, wars, famines, and natural disasters. The witness of Scripture is that during this same time, Christ has been seated at the Father's right hand in heaven and placed as regent of the universe. Is this just fancy or are things really getting better? What are the practical implications of Christ actively ruling the cosmos and the culmination of the history of the age? Join us as we continue to delve into the treasure trove of truths contained in the reality of Christ's ascension and exaltation.

In the resurrection, Jesus overcame the penalty for humanity's sin. In the ascension, Christ not only returned to his former glory, he also ushered in a new era for mankind. Join us as we follow the Master from his dramatic proclamation during the Feast of Tabernacles that he would pour out the Holy Spirit to his enthronement at the Father's side and see what was set in motion at the beginning of the session of Christ.

In the words of the Apostles' Creed: He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. In this episode, we set the groundwork for understanding what was declared and accomplished in the ascendancy and glorification of Jesus the Messiah. Join us as we travel from the gates of Hades to the Mount of God and all the way into the heavens.

Without the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, Christianity would collapse like a house of cards. Our preaching would be found false, our faith in vain, and our sins remaining. But he rose and is alive forevermore! Join us as we examine the reasons why the resurrection was necessary in our continued study of the Apostles' Creed.

In this powerful episode, we conclude our discussion of Christ's conquest over the realm of the dead and the impact it has for the community of faith. Join us as we delve deeper into the underworld and come out on the other side with the Victor.

What was the purpose of Jesus's descent into the underworld? Join us in this lively discussion of Scripture's description of the realm of the dead and the Old Testament saints' view of it.

Aside from the tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea, where did Jesus go during the three days and nights he was buried? The Apostles' Creed proclaims that he descended to the dead. Join us as we examine this doctrine and what it has meant for New Testament saints ever since.

In the powerful episode, we examine Jesus's defeat of the evil kingdom by way of the cross and how to walk in cruciformity, a life identified with and led by the cross.

In the words of the Apostles' Creed, Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried." Picking up from our previous episode (The Scandal of the Cross), we delve into Jesus's proclamation of his impending death and the sign of the prophet Jonah. In this episode, we have slaughtered lambs, sacrificial doves, toppled temples, lifted serpents, and sea monsters, oh my.

In this episode, we look at the cultural context of crucifixion and how Jesus's disciples and detractors would have heard and thought regarding his public execution. Join us for this sobering and empowering look at our Lord's sacrifice, the One who suffered under Pontius Pilate.

We continue our series on the Apostles' Creed based on Michael F. Bird's work in his book What Christians Ought to Believe. The Incarnation is the greatest wonder and mystery of this era of human history. God entered his creation in human form to save it. Join us as we delve into the fulfilled promise that is Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. (Along with Bird's work, I also am indebted to Robert P. George and Christopher Tollefsen and their book Embryo as well as O. Carter Snead's What It Means to Be Human.)

The first part of the Apostles' Creed states: I Believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. Join us as we discuss the deep theological truths of the incarnation of the Son of God and the revelation of the Father through the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

That the God we worship is the Creator of heaven and earth was a foundational tenant of the apostles of Jesus Christ. In this powerful sharing, we examine the encouraging implications that our heavenly Father is the Creator of all we see, including us. Furthermore, we find that the language of creation is the language of salvation. Finally, we look at the comfort trusting our faithful Creator brings.

In this episode, we examine faith, fatherhood, and fortitude. We look at the dynamics of an open, trusting relationship with God, what it means to have a loving Father, and how the all-powerful Creator of the heavens and the earth exerts his might for our complete redemption.

This episode begins our new series on the Apostles' Creed based on Michael F. Bird's book What Every Christian Ought to Believe. Join us as we examine the history and importance of Christianity's historical creeds, their impact on the biblical canon, and their importance and benefit for us today.

In this final episode of our series, we examine the healthy functioning of the body of Christ as its members use the grace bestowments of God in their midst. Along the way we explore purpose, identity, and functionality as individuals and as a community of faith. If you have ever received instruction on "motivational gifts" out of Romans 12, you'll be blessed to find that the text has richer truths to reveal to us than a personality battery.