Reconnect

Andy answers questions about godparents. 

Andy interviews his pastor, Arthur Andrews from Hephatha Lutheran Church. Andy finds out why Pastor Andrews wants to start a podcast and explores other means by which Pastor Andrews has shared the Gospel using 21st century technology.

Andy and Wes close the series on Lutheran Theology discussing worship, the Church, and ministry. Topics: Liturgy Contemporary Worship Invisible Church Visible Church Marks of the Church Luther's Two Kingdom Theory Priesthood of All Believers Office of the Public Ministry Office of the Keys

First Reconnect Thanksgiving Special. Andy reads an article by Eric Metaxes that was published in 2015 in the Wall Street Journal entitled, "The Miracle of Squanto's Path to Plymouth". He also shares the top 7 Bible verses for Thanksgiving which are compiled and explained by Kristi Winkler of ShareFaith.

Andy is a Lutheran, meaning that he believes the Book of Concord (The Lutheran Confessions) accurately represent the teachings of Scripture.  However, he has never read Martin Luther's 95 Theses that he posted on the church door in Wittenberg on Oct. 31st, 1517.  In this episode, he reads them for the first time, start to finish on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  Many of these have some historical particularity that fully escapes him.  Much is still to be learned. 

Andy continues the series on Lutheran Theology. This time Wes is back and together they discuss the formal principle of Lutheran theology and the nature of Law and Gospel.

Sean Pino interviews Andy to see if he thinks Scripture and Darwinian Evolution are compatible. The literary nature of Genesis is discussed, the source and origin of physical death in creation, the interplay between scientific discovery and theory with Biblical interpretation, and why some Christians are adamant in their refusal to adapt Darwinian teaching into Christian Doctrine.

For episode 100 of Reconnect, Andy interviews Joe Joe Bongiorno, about his illustrated rock lyric book, Black Sabbath The Illustrated Lyrics, Vo1. 2: Songs of Protest and Apocalypse.  Bongiorno's book explains the lyrics of Black Sabbaths' 2nd album, Paranoid.  Some listeners might be shocked to hear about a Black Sabbath themed episode of a podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and if that is the case, please go back to episode 68 where Andy interviewed Joe about Volume 1.  Bongiorno explains how Paranoid is a collection of songs that are “ultimately polemics infused in the discourse of apocalyptic literature (with implications both ancient and modern), there is the every-present reminder that there is hope and a greater purpose at work.” Sabbath challenges us to consider the nature of war, evil, depression, addiction, the failures of transhumanism, and the warns us against aligning ourselves with Satan, but instead points us to hope in the supernatural king that will take earth under his wings.  As Bongiorno demonstrates that the imagery of Geezer Butler's lyrics is knowingly derived from the Bible, it becomes clear that Black Sabbath's album Paranoid is calling us to repentant, a turning from a sin and a turning to God and the salvation that he alone can bring.    

Andy is joined by Wes, Jonathan, and Robby to continue the series on Lutheran Theology.  This time the focus is on the means of grace, a term that is particularly Lutheran, and is used to describe the Gospel, baptism, and communion.   You'll learn why Lutherans call baptism and communion a means of grace.  Not all Christians would do this, and many would deny that they are ways in which God delievers his grace to individuals.  Most Christians won't deny the Gospel being a means of grace, so the bulk of the episode is focused on baptism and communion.  Lutherans baptize babies and believe that Jesus' body and blood is physically present in communion and is consumed along with bread and wine.  Why do Lutherans believe these things?  Listen and find out. 

Dave, Tim, and Andy sit down to discuss how to go about sharing the Gospel with kids.

Wes is back to continue the Lutheran Theology series with Andy. This episode of Reconnect covers the Material Principle of Lutheran Theology (Justification), The Work of the Holy Spirit (Sanctification), Good Works, and the Doctrine of Election.

Andy sits down with one of the campus pastor's at Concordia University Irvine, Jonathan Ruehs, to discuss a show they both really love, The Walking Dead!

Andy answers some listener questions about Lutheran theology that really are about the the divisions of Lutheranism in America.  Also a question about Lutherans and their lack of focus on end time teachings was addressed.  He then closes with more points on the Teachings of the Lutheran Church he created to be recognized as being qualified to teach Theology in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod: Christian Identity, The Bondage of the Will, and The Doctrine of Christ. 

The Nature of God The doctrine of the Trinity states that there is only one God, yet God exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 28:19; and 2 Corinthians 13:14)  All three persons of the Trinity are eternal, not created, nor made.  The Father begets the Son.  The Son is eternally begotten of the Father.  The Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son who send him.  In addition to being eternal (Psalm 90:2; Exodus 3:14; John 1:1; Romans 1:20; and Revelation 22:13), all three person of the Trinity are each omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-13 and Jeremiah 23:23-24), omniscient (Psalm 139:1-5 and 1 John 3:20), omnipotent (Luke 1:37 and Ephesians 3:20), immutable (Numbers 23:29 and Malachi 3:6), and love (1 John 4:8). Concerning the character of the Triune Lord, all three persons are holy (Isaiah 6:3 and 55:8-9), good (Psalm 145:9), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), merciful (Micah 7:18 and Luke 1:50), gracious (Joel 2:13), and patient (2 Peter 3:9).    The Origins of the Universe Scripture teaches that God created all things out of nothing by his spoken word (Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6, and Hebrews 11:3). Scripture teaches that God created all things in six days and that he rested on the seventh, which is the basis of the Sabbath command for man to work for six days and rest on the seventh. (Exodus 20:9-11; 31:15-17) Each day of creation was an evening and a morning. (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, and 31) The immediacy of creation through God's spoken word also supports a six day creation period.  The LCMS rejects theistic evolution. Man came from God's direct and intimate work of creation, not from his hand of involvement in millions of years of death in the animal kingdom. (Genesis 2)  Scripture also teaches that death entered the world through one man's sin (Romans 5:12), not through God's process of creation.  The Fall into Sin The doctrine of Original Sin teaches that all men are sinful, inheriting a sinful nature from the moment of their conception. David writes, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5, NIV). Every human inherits Adam's guilt and the wrath that comes with it. Paul writes, “By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else” (Ephesians 2:3, NLT). God's response to original sin is the new Adam, Jesus Christ.  “For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many” (Romans 5:15, NIV)!  

Andy received a Facebook message from a follower of his Contradict - They Can't All Be True page that asked his thoughts on how to respond to the question, "Why Don't Christians Care More About their Sins?"  This episode of Reconnect gives a lengthy response to this question, weaving in various Youtube videos that feature Alistair Begg, R.C. Sproul, and Paul Washer. 

David Pratt is back on Reconnect to further discuss his love of Presuppositional Apologetics. His brother, Jonathan Pratt, and Andy Wrasman have lots of questions for him, especially Andy, who prefers to lead with the Gospel and defend the message of the Gospel using historical evidence for the historicity of the New Testament. The following questions are discussed (not in the particular order of the video): Did the Apostles ever try to convince someone that God exists? Did the Apostles ever use presuppositional apologetics? Did the Apostles ever use evidential apologetics? What does 1 Peter 3:15 tell us to be able to prepared to give a defense for? Does Scripture teach that everyone knows that the Triune Lord exists or just that a Creator God exists? So Atheists are lying when they say there is no God, because they actually know there is a God? Do you find it helpful to tell Atheists, you're not an Atheist, you know God exists? Then more specifically tell them that they know the Christian God? Is Presuppositional Apologetics an argument from natural knowledge or revealed knowledge? If it is an argument from natural knowledge, then how does it show Christianity to be true? Isn't evidence beyond the existence of truth, knowledge, and logic needed to show that Christianity is true? When would you, if ever, use evidence for the historical reliability of the Gospels and the evidence of the resurrection? Are you opposed to it?

Segments: Intro The Jews Expected Rambo Jesus What Romans Said About Crucifixion Has the Cross Lost Its Punch? The Crucifixion - A Medical Perspective Bit of Christology Talk Did Jesus Die on the Cross?   Closing

First Segment: Andy responds to a reader's email about his use of Contradict for evangelism.   Second Segment: Andy responds to a video an atheist sent him that entertainly uses a game show setting to demonstrate what the video maker claims are contradictions in the Bible. 

Andy responds to an email he received from a lady claiming that he is CONTRADICTing Jesus by saying other religions are wrong. Here's the email: "Hello! My name is Summer; I'm a woman from Oregon. After reading about the Contradict movement, I do have a couple comments/questions for you. I do believe that you are CONTRADICTing the teachings of Jesus; it seems that you are saying Christianity should be the only religion on planet earth. Thing is, Jesus taught that we need to coexist with everyone on the planet. Matthew 22:39 says to love your neighbor as you love yourself. That's just one verse out of many of the teachings of Jesus that says to not persecute others based on the things that they have done or are currently partaking in. If you truly wanted to convert people to Christianity, you would have patience with those that do not agree. Shunning them and telling them their way of thinking is wrong is not how to break through to anyone. It is very confusing to me that after reading the Bible, and the words of Jesus, that you think "it would be wonderful if you could simply (and legally) replace all those COEXIST bumper stickers with another that reads CONTRADICT." That's the opposite of what is expected of Christians. Christians are "persecuted" because of things like this; it makes it look like you think you are better and above everyone else. Also, the fact that some people never found Jesus' skeleton is NOT proof that he ascended into the heavens." Contradict Movement: https://www.contradictmovement.org Andy Wrasman: https://www.andywrasman.com

Andy speaks with high school senior Morgan Lunsford about the Church's involvement in the Crusades.   Does the Church need to get off its high horse when addressing Islamic invasions, Islamic terrorism, and the many Islamic nations that treat women far from equal because of the Church's involvement in the Crusades?   What are the Crusades?  Why did they start?  Were there any good reasons that the Church was involved in the Crusades?  Why does the Church get such a bad wrap about the Crusades?  Did leaders in the Church condemn any of the evil actions done by members of their side during the time of the Crusades, or only centuries later?   Check out Morgan's notes at Episode 88 accessed at www.andywrasman.com. 

Ben Fisher's back from his Reconnect sabbatical and he guides three high school seniors through Sye Ten Bruggencate's website, “Proof That God Exists.”  The website has an interactive questionnaire that uses presuppositional apologetics to guide visitors to the conclusion that God exists based on the visitor's admission that absolute truth exists, that you know things to be true, that logic exists and that it is universal, not made of matter, and does not change.  If visitors don't come to the conclusion that truth, knowledge, and logic exist in absolute, unchangeable, immaterial terms, then they are eventually redirected to Disneyland's ticket ordering web page. 

Aaron Puls shares the Doctrine of Justification with Andy Wrasman and Jonathan Rutherford, using Dr. Rod Rosenbladt's sermon “Christianity in Five Verses” as a guide.  Justification is God's declaration that sinners are innocent on account of Christ's death on the cross that atones for all of our sins.  This is pure gift!  We are declared innocent, though we are guilty.  Justice is still served, since the penalty for our sins were paid in full by Jesus of Nazareth.  Objective Justification is a doctrine that states that Jesus died for all sins, past, present, and future, for all people.  Individual receives the benefits of Christ's saving work through faith, which is the doctrine of Subjective Justification.  This means that though Jesus died for everyone only those who receive the grace he won for us through faith are saved.  Another important doctrine is Sanctification.  Unlike Justification, which is instantons, and a declaration of innocence for the sinner, Sanctification is a process.  It is the process of becoming holy.  Though we are declared holy, it does not mean that we are now sinless.  In Justification, we are declared just though we are sinners.  At the exact moment of Justification, the process of Sanctification begins, and it carries on throughout the life of the believer, completed at death, at which time the sinful nature is gone for the believer, once and forever.  Sadly, many Christians look to their Sanctification as the assurance of their Justification.  This is a mistake which plagues the believer with doubt of salvation, leading to utter despair or self-righteousness.  The mingling of Sanctification and Justification points the believer away from Christ's work inward to each man's own heart and works.  Aaron plays video clips from John MacArthur, Francis Chan, N.T. Wright, and John Piper.  Do they get Justification right?  Or do they mingle Sanctification and Justification?  Do they point us to Christ for assurance of salvation, or do they point us to ourselves? 

Part I – The Majority of Muslims in America are Concerned (Fearful?) about Islamic Extremism I read a recent article by Ken Chitwood, a guest on episode 16 of Reconnect, entitled, “What Does God Require of Us Amid Rising Islamophobia?” that exhorts us to defend the rights of Muslims, reach out to Muslims with compassionate friendship, and to be humble knowing that we cannot rebuild the brokenness of the world on our own (namely, we need God to wholly fix the world).   These points are very good reminders to us for what we need to do and I affirm them throughout the episode, yet with caution. In the article Ken states, “A recent study by Public Religion Research Institute shows that people who interact with Muslims — even those who have just had a few conversations in the past year — hold much more positive views of Muslims and refugees.”   It seems to be implied that if more Americans just knew Muslims personally and had more knowledge of Islam they wouldn't be as fearful of Islamic extremism.  However, according to a 2011 Pew Research study the majority of Muslims in the United States are concerned (is that the same as fearful?) about the rise of Islamic extremism within America, as well as a large number of Muslims in America (231,000) that say suicide bombings and violence against citizens can sometimes be justified to defend Islam, while ONLY 33,000 Muslims in America say such attacks on citizens is often times justified.   The report also says, ““A significant minority (21%) of Muslim Americans say there is a great deal (6%) or a fair amount (15%) of support for extremism in the Muslim American community.” This means that one in five Muslim Americans say there is a great deal or fair amount of support for extremism in the Muslim American community? Really? So about 660,000 Muslim Americans say there is a great deal or fair amount of support for Islamic extremism in the Muslim American community.    To support this perception within the Islamic community, the study also showed that 5% of the Muslims in America are favorable of al-Qaeda. That's 165,000 American Muslims who are favorable of al-Qaeda. Since such answers come from the Muslims in America, it helps explain why there is a fear of Islam in America? I don't think it is an irrational fear based on the numbers, especially when we ask how many would legitimately tell the truth about supporting al-Qaeda and suicide bombings while living in America. Then consider that the statistics on these points in Islamic states is extremely high, and the fear is very much understood among Americans. It shouldn't be dismissed as white America simply not knowing Muslims or Islam, when the Islamic community in America itself has a majority concern for the rise of Islamic extremism in America too! But the Christian is exhorted to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly as Ken reminds us in his article.  How do we then respond if we are fearful, or simply concerned about Islamic extremism as many of the Muslims in America are also concerned?  Many of the examples Ken gives, we should follow, but I don't think we ALL should follow them, depending on our family duties and responsibilities, which I explain in this first segment. Part II – In God We Still Trust I read quotes from the early founding fathers, statesmen, and presidents of America!  If America is a nation under God, which God are we under?  Wouldn't the founding fathers' words best tell us?   The quotes are compiled by Dr. Richard G. Lee in his book, In God We Still Trust. As usual, both of these parts are connected to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  

In Episode 83 of Reconnect, Wes and Andy kick around some thoughts on a list of spiritual conversation starters compiled by Southern Nazarene University.  To frame the discussion of this list of questions, they use three evaluation points for evangelism conversation starters as laid out and described by J. Warner Wallace in his article, “The Best Question To Ask When Starting A Conversation About God?”: Diagnostic, Disarming, and Directed.  In other words, does the question let us know what the other person believes when he answers the question (Diagnostic), is the question easily received and doesn't cause the person to put his guard up and make him want to flee the conversation (Disarming), and is it a question that has a trajectory set on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Directed)? 

Andy has David Rueter, the Director of the Director of Christian Education Program at Concordia University Irvine, and Jonathan Pratt as guest on this episode of Reconnect to share their thoughts on why it's beneficial to the Body of Christ to have kids in church services, no matter how young, or how noisy they might be, and why it's detrimental if we keep them separated.   Anna Mussmann's article, “Four Reasons It Is Good Your Kids Are Being Too Noisy In Church,” provides a framework for their conversation, as well as research data from David's Concordia Publishing House book, Teaching The Faith At Home: What Does This Mean? How Is This Done?.  

Andy brings another eclectic bullet episode that touches on public prayer with mixed religious adherents and how Christians should respond when put such a situation, the Women's March, the March for Life, the messages of the movie Boyhood, and the reality of La La Land.  First Topic: Trump's Inauguration – Praying with Adherents of Other Religions in Public Second Topic: The Women's March Compared to the March for Life in the Media Third Topic: Boyhood – A Very Real Depiction of How Broken Families Impact Children and the Need we all have for God's Design for Marriage and Family Fourth Topic: La La Land – Being a Shooting Star without God is Meaningless, Hopeless, and Unfulfilling

Ellie, Robby, and Andy discuss some common English sayings that originate from the Bible!  They were all shocked to see many of these phrases to be from the Bible.  Andy for instance thought, “Can a leopard change its spots?” came from a Dr. Seuss book and that “how the mighty have fallen” was somehow a reference to “Mighty Casey at Bat”.  They discuss which ones they hear most often, which ones they use the most personally, and how we could take advantage of the Biblical origin of these common sayings for the purpose of evangelism, or at least take advantage of the easy opening to be able to naturally turn a conversation towards God's Word!  A few of these sayings are virtually incomprehensible apart from the Biblical context, so Christians can really take advantage of the popularity of such Biblical phrases in our day to day conversations. 

Andy has a website called Contradict Movement, where he sells stickers that spell Contradict using various religious symbols.  He also sells Contradict Gospel tracts to accompany these stickers and his book, Contradict - They Can't All Be True.  Links are also given to his blog, Youtube channel, and Reconnect Podcast.  All of these resources are purposed to equip Christians to defend the good news of Jesus Christ in a pluralistic age.   Periodically, Andy receives messages that call for him to stop Contradict Movement, because it is a distortion of what Coexist actually is and that Contradict is a hateful movement!   In this episode, he shares the following email and the several back and forth replies that followed: "I'm not sure I understand your message or your goal for this "movement".  The Coexist Movement is simply a call for peace among religions.  Pointing out that different religions are different seems to be a mute point. Why go against a peaceful movement to point out our differences? No one is claiming that all religions are the same. We know that all religions are diverse and different from one another, we are just trying to coexist peacefully and respectfully. Will you please stop this movement? You are making a bad name for Christians everywhere, making Christianity the "hateful religion". Please stop."

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2) This star is often depicted as a bright, roaming globe that shines a spotlight directly on the house of Mary and Joseph for the magi to follow.  If this star actually appeared in this fashion, wouldn't it be obvious to everyone, not just wise men from the east who studied the stars?  If this star didn't exist, what would that mean for the truthfulness about the entire Gospel narrative?  Is there evidence outside of the Bible that this star existed? These questions prompted Andy Reese to dig deep into astronomy, historical records, and the bread crumbs left in God's Word concerning the historicity of this special star phenomenon.  In this episode he will answer these questions and many more.  Andy Reese is a church leader, teacher, and writer.  His website is andyreese.org. 

In the first segment, Andy shares his article, "Seeing Christ In Your Christmas," and in the second segment, John Campbell discusses why Christians shouldn't worry about celebrating Christmas out of fear that they are somehow endorsing paganism!   “Seeing Christ in Your Christmas” by Andy Wrasman There are many simple ways to see Christ in Christmas.  One way to accomplish this goal is by drawing Biblical parallels with the traditional Christmas tree décor.   As long as Christians are not glorifying pagan beliefs and practices, or bowing at the altar of gluttonous consumerism through our American Christmas tree traditions, then there is freedom in Christ to take what has become a hallmark of the secular world at the time we celebrate the birth of our Lord, and point it all back to Jesus being the reason for the season.  With no plea to reject Black Friday shopping as the day to get your Christmas season started off on the right foot, and with no “Bah Humbug” towards the secular spirit of Christmas, here's a list to check twice to see Christ this Christmas. The Christmas tree is an evergreen tree, because it doesn't lose its needles through the winter.  Using this type of tree points to the eternal life that Jesus Christ offers to the world.  Jesus is the one who was, and is, and is to come! (Revelation 4:8).  The Christmas tree also harkens us back to the tree upon which Christ was slain, the tree by which eternal life has been given to the world. (Galatians 3:13) The traditional tree toppers – a bow, an angel, or a star – all point to the Christmas tree representing Jesus.  Bows adorn gifts, and the coming of Christ into the world is a reminder that the Father gave Jesus as a gift out of his great love for us. (John 3:16) At Jesus' birth, Luke records a great multitude of angels proclaiming the Good News of his arrival to shepherds who watched over their flock at night.  (Luke 2:8-18)  Matthew tells of wise men traveling from the east, following a star to the birth place of the awaited Messiah (Hebrew for Christ).  (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-12) The wise men from the east, who followed the star of Christ, brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, valuable gifts that were common to give to a king.  If the Christmas tree is seen to represent Christ, the gifts at the foot of the tree draw us back to the gifts the wise men laid before baby Jesus as they worshiped him.  (Matthew 2:11)  Our gift giving at Christmas should serve to remind us that as we give to others who are in need, we are giving to Jesus.  (Matthew 25:34-40)  And if the gifts at the tree are seen to have come from Santa Claus, an all-knowing, all-loving, apparently all-powerful, and never dying father-figure who cares for children, it should point us to the true gift-giver, God our heavenly Father.  (James 1:17) The lights that are held up by being draped across the Christmas tree's branches are a final touch that point back to Christians, the Church.  John begins his Gospel biography of Christ by saying that in Jesus “was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4, ESV).  The light of Jesus shines in the darkness of this sin cursed world.  (John 1:5)  The light of Jesus enlightens men as to who God is.  (John 1:9) Later in his Gospel, John directly quotes Jesus as having said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  As Christians know the Lord through Jesus, and possess eternal life and the light of Christ, we become just what Jesus calls us in his Sermon on the Mount, “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). When we look at the Christmas tree, we are reminded that Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us.  The Light of the World has revealed himself, lighting the path to eternal life.  As Christians are connected to Christ, we shine the light of Christ into a fallen world.  The Church that is spread out across the world, and is still growing, shines as many dispersed beacons of hope in a fallen and depraved world.  Jesus came, died for our sins, rose for our salvation, and is patiently waiting for more to come to know of his love and grace. This Christmas, remember that Jesus came once with angels and with a star as the ultimate gift of God to this world, and Jesus will come again; this time with the entire heavenly host with the falling of all the stars as he returns for his chosen and holy people.  Let's help the world see Christ this December, as we hold out the Good News of Jesus Christ in all that we say and all that we do in our Christmas celebration.

Should some Christian worship songs and hymns not be song in corporate, public worship?  Are some songs good or at least OK songs, for personal worship in your car driving to work, but not for congregational singing?  Jonathan Pratt says, “Yes!”  He has compiled and edited a list of criteria for discernment in hymn selection.  If you have never asked yourself, “What types of songs are sung in your church's services and gatherings and why?” this episode of Reconnect is a must listen for you.  If you are a pastor or worship leader in charge of selecting your congregation's music and you can't explain why each and every song was picked for the service, and if you do have the answers, but your answers don't contain theological reasons, you should definitely listen to this episode! Jonathan Pratt lays out six categories of criteria for song selection in congregational singing while Tyler Dawson and David Pratt critique or confirm Jonathan's list.  Andy Wrasman for the most part just moderates and asks questions for this episode.  “Criteria for Discernment in Hymn Selection” as compiled and edited by Jonathan Pratt Theology Christ-Centered Biblically Grounded Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel Theology of the Cross Linguistic Doctrinal Precision Poetic Integrity Corporate Nature of the Text Musical Music Serving the Text Proper Union of Text and Tune Musical Integrity of Tune and Setting Churchly Character of the Tune Liturgical Church Year and Lectionary Appropriate Sacramental Focus Supportive of Daily Devotional Life Ability of Text and Tune to Withstand Repeated Usage Pastoral Catechetical Use Cultivating Faith and Piety Provides Comfort to the Believer Church Historic Catholicity Ethnic Catholicity

Scripture mentions John's baptism, Jesus' baptism, baptism of water, baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, baptism by fire, and baptism of the Holy Spirit.   Some of these descriptions are just different ways of describing the same type of baptism, and certainly most Christians would agree with this.   One particular denomination, the Assemblies of God, hold specific teachings about Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Their denomination confesses that Baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct and separate for water baptism and the new birth of a believer.  This baptism is the bestwoal of the Holy Spirit upon a believer that gives the believer certain spiritual gifts and a boldness to share the Gospel and an overflowing joy, or sense of the Spirit's presence.  This baptism according to the Assemblies of God is recognized by the physical sign of speaking in tongues.  So if you haven't spoken in tongues, it would mean you haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit.   Andy lays out what he thinks is the proper Scriptural understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit to Jonathan Bennet and Jonathan Pratt.  This is a type of baptism that many Christians circles typically associate with water baptism (washing in the name of the Triune Lord) or the moment a person's conversion.  Andy however sees something entirely different from the Assemblies of God and most other Christian groups!   To present his understanding of what he calls, Spirit-Baptism, for short, Andy answers the following two questions: 1.  Is there a difference between having the Holy Spirit and the filling of the Holy Spirit? 2.  Is there a difference between having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and having been baptized in the Holy Spirit? Check the Scriptures used in this episode and see what you think.  Is Andy properly interpreting Scripture?   Show Links: Spirit-Baptism by Andy Wrasman Contradict - They Can't All Be True by Andy Wrasman

The presidential election for 2016 is over!  So it's time to talk about a different kind of election, the election of sinners by God to salvation. Andy shares the five points of Calvinism and Arminianism, the two common theological systems that are debated and compared when discussing God's role in salvation.  But then the curveball comes, the Lutheran position on election is presented, a position which rarely discussed in the predestination debate among Christians.  The Lutheran understanding of single-predestination is by far a different election from Calvin's double-predestination.  Some show notes: Five Points of Calvinism T – otal Depravity U – nconditional Election L – imited Atonement I – irresistible Grace P – reservation of the Saints Five Points of Arminianism Free-will, human-ability Conditional Election (Election is Foreknowledge) General Atonement (Objective Justification) The Holy Spirit can be resisted. Falling from Grace Lutherans hold to 1.5 points of Calvinism and 3 Points of Arminianism– Total Depravity and Predestination for Salvation General Atonement, Grace is Resistible, and Falling from Faith We are saved by grace through faith.   John 3:16 Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 4:5 Faith is not our work but the work of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 1 Corinthians 12:3 John 1:13 Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 2:5 “God makes us alive.” Romans 9:16 John 6:29 We are incapable of deciding to have faith. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Ephesians 2:1 “We are dead in our sins and trespasses.” John 1:13 John 6:441 Corinthians 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Any verse about being born again indicates this also, for what role do we play in our natural birth?  None! Since faith is purely a gift of God and we play no role in our conversion, then it could be assumed that God then chooses who will be saved, and also chooses who will not be saved. Here's what Scripture says on the matter: God elects/predestines to salvation! Ephesians 1:3-13, 4:3-5 John 1:13 Ephesians 2:4-5 “God made us alive (spiritually). Romans 8:29-30 2 Timothy 1:8-9 It is the will of God that no man should perish! 1 Timothy 1:3-4 2 Peter 3:8-9          

Andy is flying ranting solo for this episode of Reconnect.   This episode was released on Sunday, earlier than the typical Tuesday release.  The Friday of the release week is Veterans Day, so Andy shares some thoughts on Christian vocation and quotes from Martin Luther to illustrate how soldiers are loving God and their neighbors through their calling in the military.   The rest of the episode is an eclectic bullet that covers the following topics, fit for Election Week: 10 questions Andy received that are to be answered by a pro-life candidate running for federal office The damaging consequences of homosexuality and why the government shouldn't approve gay marriage Health Care is a commodity not a right. Common Core Ben Carson Quote Students at Berkley protesting for spaces on campus that are to only be for students of color and students who are LGBTQAZB+ and how they kept white students from entering the campus – No Liberal, Social Justice Warrior outrage – WHY?   There is only one race – the Human Race!   Trey Gowdy  – “I hate relativism!”   The Gospel – Christ died for all sins! 

Jesus said that he came to give life and to give it the full.  He also said that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) It should be pretty obvious which side of the abortion debate Jesus stands and which side the devil hides. In this episode, James Conrad shares his family's personal experiences with multiple abortions and the tragic aftermath that these murders have left for the survivors in his family.  The good that has arisen from these horrendous loses of lives is that James' mother started a pro-life activism group who has fought relentlessly for the rights and lives of the unborn. James shares why all lives matter and why everyone has equal rights to life and how abortions are very harmful to women.  He also responds to the argument that abortions should be legal to save the life of the mother and gives some important advice on responding to several political questions that pro-life advocates often times encounter.   

Andy and Tony discuss an article written by Sara Benincase entitled, "A Gentile Reminder That Jesus Was A Brown Skinned Middle Eastern Refugee Who Would Not Have Voted For Trump." Sticking the Reconnect dedication of sharing and defending the Good News of Jesus Christ, Andy and Tony do share the Gospel in this episode, but there is a large focus on a broadened use of the term Gospel that refers to the Gospel biographies, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.   The article they are discussing claims that Jesus was a refugee, that he started free healthcare, that he was killed by conservatives, and that he certainly wouldn't have voted for Donald Trump, so Andy and Tony focus on discussing if Sara's article accurately portrays what is revealed about Jesus in the Gospel biographies.  They also spend a good bit of time discussing if Sara's article accurately portrays the things Donald Trump has said about Mexicans and women.   Finally, they discuss how and why many Christians do plan to vote for Donald Trump and how it's possible for them to do so with a clear conscience.  Show Links: Show Links: “A Gentle Reminder That Jesus Was A Brown Skinned Middle Eastern Refugee Who Would Not Have Voted For Trump” by Sara Benincasa “Women's Healthcare Will be Vastly Improved if Planned-Parenthood is Defunded” by Arina Grossu “Donald Trump's History of Empowering Women” excerpts from a Washington Post Article Did Donald call all Mexicans rapists?  Check the actual quote that Andy read on the episode for yourself. Hillary Clinton: Career Criminal – Must Watch Video If You Are Voting For Hillary “I wrote about Max and Beth to Defend Christian Trump Supporters” by Mario Murillo

All Christian church congregations and denominations read God's Word and have baptism and communion.  However, baptism and communion are both divisive within God's Church.  In this episode, Wes and Andy discuss what Scripture says about baptism.  In particular, they address the questions: Does Baptism save you? Does a person have to be baptized to be saved? The answers to these questions are important since they involve salvation and they have divided the Church for centuries.  Please look up the Bible verses they share as you listen.  Ask yourself if the verses convey promises of forgiveness of sins in baptism or promises of being connected to Christ's death and resurrection in the waters of baptism.  Ask yourself if the verses they share emphasis the work of the believer in his or her baptism or the work of God through baptism.  Ask yourself how the forgiveness of sins that Christ won on the cross is delivered to people today.  Show Links “Does Baptism Save You?” by Andy Wrasman “Means of Grace Questions” by Andy Wrasman “What is Baptism?” by Andy Wrasman Contradict Movement Video Production Donation

Scripture reveals that Jesus, from the time of his incarnation, is both fully God and fully man.   The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD produced the Chalcedonian Creed to counter the false explanations of the union of the two natures of Christ and the down-right heretical teachings concerning the incarnation of Christ.  Four key statements can be drawn from this creed: 1.     Christ is fully (perfectly) God. 2.     Christ is fully (perfectly) human. 3.     The divine nature and human nature are united in the person of Jesus Christ.   4.     Jesus Christ is one person.   These four statements can be placed along each side of a box.  This box is the Chalcedonian Box. As long as any teaching, anecdote, or analogy of the person and work of Christ maintains that Jesus is fully God, fully man, one person, with two natures, it lands within this box.  When one of these doctrines is distorted, or worse, erased, the teaching lands outside of the box is appropriately labeled a heresy.   Alan Shlemon, a speaker, teacher, and writer, for Stand to Reason, created a slide for a presentation he gave on the incarnation of Christ.  At the center of the slide is the Chalcedonian Box with a clipart image of Jesus in the middle of the box.  Outside of the box lies DC's Batman and Superman and Marvel's the Hulk and Spider-Man.   Wes and Andy discuss this excellent image Shlemon created!  Jon Pratt sits like a fly on the wall once again.   How are Batman, Superman, the Hulk, and Spider-Man not good analogies to use to explain how Jesus can be one person with natures?  Why does it matter if we are missing the mark of Scripture with these comic book analogies?  Also, more importantly, what Christological heresies align with these modern day comic book superhero analogies to let us know that people have actually taught Christ in these throughout history, and in some cases still do! 

Joe Bongiorno is the owner and operator of The Royal Publisher of Oz.  He serves as the guest for the 2016 Reconnect Halloween Special to discuss Supernatural Horror in Music, the subtitle for his book, Black Sabbath The Illustrated Lyrics Volume 1. For many Reconnect listeners, it might come as a shock that a podcast dedicated to sharing and defending the Good News of Jesus Christ has an entire episode devoted to the lyrics of Black Sabbath, much less a Halloween special episode, however, Bongiorno took a surprising approach on how to start his eight volume anthology.  Even before the inside title page, publisher information, copyright listings, ISBN numbers, and table of contents, the first words are from the Bible.  Bongiorno chose to start Black Sabbath The Illustrated Lyrics by quoting, Acts 26:17-18: “I am sending you to them to open their eyes so that they may turn away from darkness to the light, away from the power of Satan and to God.”  This is not what most people would think about to describe a rock n roll band, and certainly not what they would first think of for Black Sabbath. Bongiorno shares the distinctions between supernatural horror and natural horror and explains examples of supernatural horror within Black Sabbath's first album.  The horrors and consequences of the occult are revealed, a Christ-like figure emerges as a wizard that demons fear, the devil woos a woman he loves (or is it all deception?), while the wicked world spins on a man receive omens in the sky that he ignores to his and our peril, while all along at the center of the album, the “wall of sleep is lying broken” as the “sun shines in, you have awoken.” There is hope.  There is light. The centerpiece message of "Behind the Wall of Sleep" contains what Bongiorno thinks is the underlying philosophy of Black Sabbath's full body of work: “Now from darkness, there springs light.”  Over, and over, and over again, light triumphs over darkness in metanarative of Black Sabbath's lyrics.  Paul echoes this sentiment pointing us back to creation and the renewal of man that comes through Jesus Christ: “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Show Links: Black Sabbath The Illustrated Lyrics The Royal Publisher of Oz The Star Wars Expanded Universe Timeline Black Sabbath Live in Paris 1970 (Full Show)

Andy again takes a look at Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love.  Chan, like many Christians, desires to see Christians living godly lives that demonstrate a radical transformation, lives that should be drastically distinct from those of everyone else's who is not Christian by demonstration of crazy generosity, crazy humanitarian aid, crazy devotion to the Lord and to all people, crazy abstinence from all forms of sinful desires, short Christians should love crazily, just as God has crazily loved us.  But how often and consistently do Christians truly and sincerely exhibit such crazy love?  If such love is the standard of being a Christian, then many of us are not saved, by Chan's presentation of this crazy love mark of a Christian.  Where would David or Solomon fit with this standard?  Where would the chief of all sinners, Paul, who did not do the good he desired to do, but instead did the evil he hated, stand before an almighty God?  Would they be called friend?  Will they receive the praise, “Well done, good and faithful servant?”  Will any of us?  Judging our salvation by our adherence to the Law of God is devastating to one's faith in Christ.  It takes our trust off of Jesus Christ crucified.  Instead of boasting in Christ, we are turned inwards towards our own deeds.  We must point to our works to demonstrate our crazy justifying love.  However, Scripture demonstrates that it's from God's love for humanity that he sent Christ who demonstrates that love for us by dying for all of our sins.  The penalty for all of our sins is paid in full.  That's where our assurance of salvation comes, from an alien righteousness, a righteousness from outside ourselves that is imputed on us.  It is not an infused righteousness.  Show Links: What is Law and Gospel? Discerning Law and Gospel when Interpreting a Text Reconnect Episode 27: Law and Gospel Reconnect Episode 23: Law and Gospel on Facebook Reconnect Episode 19: How do I Know I am a Christian? You Shall Recognize Them by Their Fruits – Judging Other Christians

Andy listens to Chapter 4 of Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love.   Chan teaches that a crazy love from God demands a crazy response from us.  But... too many people who claim to be Christian are responding in lukewarm ways.   In Chapter 4 of Crazy Love, Chan details the profile of a lukewarm person.  The lukewarm person is not the good soil of Jesus' "Parable of the Sower and Soils."  The lukewarm person is not a lukewarm Christian, since lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron.   The kicker though is that we all have elements of lukewarmness in our lives, and even Chan admits this, so wouldn't that mean none of us our saved?  How would we know if we have too much lukewarmness in our lives to be counted among God's people?   The biggest problem is that Chan is pointing us towards ourselves for assurance of our justification and not to Christ and his saving work.  He is saying that a fulfillment of the Law on our part is how we can know if we are really saved or not.   Crazy Love is an immensely popular book and Andy knows someone who doubted his salvation after reading Crazy Love.  Whenever we are pointed to look at ourselves and not to Christ, we will inevitably doubt our salvation if we are are not deceiving ourselves concerning our sinfulness. 

Adam Ford is the man behind the prolific and often viral producing online comic-strip Adam4D.  He's a Christian, a husband, and father of three young boys.  Back in 2014, he quit his job to create comic strips full-time.   Since launching the Contradict – They Can't All Be True Facebook page to help promote my book by that title, I have regularly found myself sharing Ford's work.  Those posts generally draw many likes and shares.  His strips are often times found on many other Christian social media pages, typically groups or individuals who accept that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God.  Groups and individuals who are not labeled as liberal Christians or heretics!   When he's not using presuppositional apologetics to tear down false-worldviews, or picking apart the lies of Darwinian Evolution, Ford is typically highlighting the pitfalls of legalism and self-justification within Christian circles, or the way verses are often times ripped out of their context and twisted to mean something that was never implied within the text.   The Gospel typically had predominance in his doctrinal and homiletical comic strips, so he gains many fans who recognize that we truly are saved solely by the work of God that faith really is a gift and work of the Holy Spirit.   But sometimes, even when we are pointing to Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith, the only one who works in our conversion and salvation, we can still twist Scripture.  And when Jesus and his saving work is front and center, it's easier for us conservative mongergists to clap, clap, clap and share, share, share, when we shouldn't.   I think Adam Ford took a misstep when he was taking a swing at the prosperity Gospel preachers in his strip entitled, “Good News: We Are Not David.”  I saw many people share this strip, people I personally know, but I couldn't hit the like button this time, and I couldn't hit the share button without posting a critique.   For this episode, I gathered Conni Schramm, back from episodes 7 and 64, Jon Rutherford, back from some recent episodes, and Jonathan Platt, who was sitting on the wall like a fly, but kept  hopping on a mic to interject questions.   http://adam4d.com/david/

Andy, Conni, and Jonathan discuss the importance of church choirs from their Biblical support and historical role in the Church.  Jonathan Aigner's blog post, "9 Reasons to Keep the Church Choir Alive"  serves as a guide for the discussion topic too.  As always on Reconnect, the church choir theme is tied to sharing the Gospel.  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/ponderanew/2014/09/23/9-reasons-to-keep-the-church-choir-alive/

Andy was a guest on Fear Knot Radio, where he got to share Contradict Movement with Vincent and Cynthia Hill, the hosts of Fear Knot Radio.

This episode is short.  It's an update for the state of the podcast.  Andy's taking two months off from releasing any new episodes.   In the meantime, he hopes to finish a process of being a called Theology teacher in the LC-MS and get some Sunday School curriculum made that will be available on the Contradict Movement website. 

A gorilla was recently killed at the Cincinnati Zoo to save the life of a toddler that had fallen into the gorilla's cage.   The result was a social media uproar!  There was immense outrage that the gorilla was shot.  Many suggested that the child should be the one to have died or that the parents should be charged with the death of the gorilla.  At stake in such backlash to the zoo's decision to kill the gorilla to save the child is the value of human life in comparison to that of animals.  Is all life equally valuable?  Are some species more valuable than others?  Is human life more valuable than the life of all other species?  Would the zoo have killed 10,000 gorillas to save the life of one toddler?  Where is the value of life derived?  Where does human value find its grounding?   Wes, Ben, and Andy discuss all of these questions from a Christian worldview, while trying to get inside the inner workings of some other belief systems. 

Andy received the following email in response to a Contradict tract a man was handed: Hey Andy Wrasman, Someone handed me a pamphlet about your movement! I read through it and I noticed a few problems. You say, "In light of these contradictions, all religions simply can't be true. They could all potentially be false, but they can't all be true" and I'm inclined to agree! However, if this statement about contradictions is true, how do you reconcile all of the contradictions among the Gospels like Joseph having different genealogies in Matthew and Luke, the date of the Last Supper which differs from the others in John, and the nature of Judas' death in Matthew and Acts? By your own logic, shouldn't the Gospels be viewed as false? Secondly, you say in your pamphlets that "the original Gospels were written by eyewitnesses, or written by people who wrote using eyewitness testimony." The earliest Gospel, Mark, was written 30-40 years after Jesus died, allowing plenty of time "for myths to have crept into the accounts." I know you're probably just trying to take advantage of fundamentalists who want to buy cool and edgy shirts and bumper stickers, but come on dude, you should be able to do better than this. Best, Jim     In this episode, Andy gives his response!

Andy watches an episode of CrashCourse, an educational channel on Youtube, that answered "The Problem of Evil".  The answers from the show focus on a Theistic response to evil and the existence of God, which utterly fail to present the answer to the problem from a Christian worldview.  Enjoy! 

How can all-good and all-powerful God allow evil to exist? Listen along as Jon takes a quiz that Andy created to help facilitate a conversation to answer this common and difficult question against the consistency of the Christian worldview.  Visit www.andywrasman.com and see the post for Episode 57 to access show links. 

Episode 16 of Reconnect featuredguest, Ken Chitwood, sharing an article he wrote entitled,“Building Bridges: Toward Constructing a ChristianFoundation for Inter-Religious Relationships in the Shift fromReligious Privilege to Spiritual Plurality”.  Thekey points for inter-religious dialog that Ken suggests are: payattention, find, and form, friendships, listen and learn, dine,dialog, and do together, discern, and witness to the worldview.While I agree with many of Ken's points to approachinginter-religious dialog, I have a different application of the term“building bridges”.  I explain this approach in an articlethat I wrote for Reformation 21: “Embracing Religious Contradictions to ProclaimChrist Crucified: Tolerance andCoexistence”.   Looking at Acts 17, I see how Paul knew thebeliefs and culture of those he was sharing the Gospel ofJesus.  He made the presentation of the Gospel from startingwithin their belief system with a point of contact that he coulduse to make a connection to the Biblical narrative ofsalvation.  I was given the opportunity to share this approachto evangelism at Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield,Wisconsin.  This episode contains that sermonmessage. Senior pastor at Brookfield Lutheran Church, Robert Mrosko, was a guest onReconnect Episode 39, discussingStar Wars.The building bridges technique I am advocating for is alsoshared in Episode 34: “Storytelling Evangelism”.

David Pratt has been a Lutheran high school teacher for twelve years.  In his theology classes, no matter the course title, he constantly sprinkles apologetics into the lesson plans.  After listening to episodes 22 and 29 of Reconnect, which both explained and critiqued the use of various approaches to Apologetics, he had a lot of feedback to provide.  In this episode, David shares his commentary on those episodes, correcting what he thought was not always an accurate depiction of presupositional apologetics in those episodes.  Hopefully, you'll learn as much from his feedback as I did.  His explanation and use of presuppositional apologetics has certainly given me a much better understanding of the usefulness and tactful approach to take with presuppositional arguments for the purpose of sharing both the Law and Gospel of God's Word.   – Andy Wrasman Show Links: Episode 22: Mixed Martial Apologetics with J. Warner Wallace Episode 29: What's up with Presup? with Andy and Ben David's School: Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School in Las Vegas