What Does it Mean to be a Christian?

In this episode (the first) I talk to Pastor Steve Surine about how and when pastors should address political issues. Also addressed: Francis Chan and Lord of the Rings.

Christians, especially those of a certain stripe, talk a lot about "salvation." What does that mean? How does the idea of salvation fit into the story line of the whole Bible?

As we wrap up our walk through the Bible we trace two more themes: The Holy Spirit and the Church.

Jesus came as a King, but he didn't overthrow Rome. He wasn't the Messiah that many people weren't expecting. Still, his earliest followers, and everyone who came since, has seen him not only as the Savior of Israel, but the Savior of the world. Given what appeared to be many as a failure, why do Jesus' followers view his death as a great victory?

The Christian language of authority is uncomfortable to many given how much authority has been misused throughout history. My goal in this episode is to present a Christian vision of authority based on the upside down kingdom of Jesus.

In this episode we look at how the gospel writers describe Jesus' birth, life, teaching, and death, in light of the Israelite hope for the coming King who will rescue his people.

We tell ourselves stories to make sense of the world around us, to help us see where we're coming and where we're going. God tells us The Story of humanity in the Bible. This episode looks at how the Old Testament fits into that story.

In this episode we look at the central conflict in the Bible story: Evil has entered into the good world that God has created.

What do we mean when we use the term "God"? Can we have true knowledge about such a Being? What do we find when we actually read the Bible?

What is Christianity all about? Is it a way to be good, to be happy, to change the world, to get to heaven? Or, is it more than all of those things?