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Almost every Christian denomination accepts that God is sovereign--which is interpreted to mean that He always does precisely what He pleases, and everything that happens on earth has either His explicit or implicit stamp of approval. So when we find ourselves in a crisis--we or someone we love gets a terminal diagnosis, or we don't have enough money to make the mortgage and may lose the house, or we're in the direct path of a natural disaster, etc--we pray for a miracle, because we all know that God can do anything He wants. And who knows? Maybe He'll say yes. But if He says no, the common theology goes, it's because He sees the bigger picture. He knows more than we do, and we have to just trust that He knows best. That sounds so spiritual, doesn't it? Some believers manage to weather these trials of faith, pointing to Job as their example, when he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) and "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15). (One side note. When you hear of a great saint who loses everything and yet clings to their trust in God anyway, certain that He has a greater purpose for their loss, does that inspire you to praise God--or to praise that great saint? Who actually receives the glory for that?) This theology has its roots in Calvinism, which espouses an extreme form of predestination (meaning that God chooses whether each of us will ultimately be saved, or damned, before we're ever born. He has to do this, they argue, because it is God who gives us the faith even to be saved, Eph 2:8-9, and if He withholds that faith, salvation for that individual is impossible.) So God, in this theological persuasion, decides a priori who will be saved and who will not, and then punishes those to whom He has not given the faith to be saved for their sins. They do have scriptures to back up their argument--if you take them out of context. One of the big ones is Romans 9:18-21, which says: "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?' But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?'" In this passage, Paul was comparing Israel's hardness of heart in rejecting the Messiah to Pharaoh from the time of the Exodus (Romans 9:15-17). The reason it took ten plagues and the decimation of Egypt for Pharaoh to finally release the Israelites was because Pharaoh's heart was hardened, far beyond reason. Paul's point in this passage was that God did this so that He could display His power to the Israelites, delivering them with great signs and wonders (Romans 9:17). If Pharaoh hadn't resisted, it would not have taken great miracles to do it. (In the same way, Paul argues, the fact that Israel had rejected Jesus gave the Lord the opportunity to bring the Gentiles in to the New Covenant, too.) But if God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, is Pharaoh still responsible for his own actions? If we go back to the original source text, we can see that this isn't quite the whole story. God did tell Moses in advance that He would harden Pharaoh's heart before the plagues ever began (Ex 4:21, 7:3). But for the first five plagues, Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7). It was only by the sixth plague that the scripture says God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Ex 9:12). Pharaoh still made his own choice first; God just enforced it and used it for His own purposes. I love the analogy Charles Capps uses to explain this. If one sets clay and wax out in the hot sun, the sun will harden the clay, but melt the wax. The sun adds the same heat to both, but the substance (wax or clay) determines its effect. A potter chooses whether to make “noble or ignoble” vessels from clay not arbitrarily, but on the basis of the quality of the clay. If the clay is supple and pliable, it can be made into something beautiful; if it is brittle, it might not be fit to shape into something worthy of display. God works with what we give him. In the same way, in Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the sower sows the Word indiscriminately, but it is the condition of the soil that determines the harvest. Luke later writes that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and Peter writes that He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9, more on this later). Likewise, any reasonable person would have been terrified into obedience by the plagues, long before they progressed to the death of the firstborn. And some of the Egyptians did believe and take refuge in Goshen, and the final exodus included “a mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38), meaning some of the Egyptians were convinced, converted, and left with them. God gave the Egyptians the opportunity to escape the plagues that might otherwise have caused death, telling them to pull their livestock and their servants inside before the hail (Exodus 9:19), and to paint their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:22-23), which was symbolic of and foreshadowing the blood of Christ. Again, the Lord is “not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He didn't want to harm the Egyptians, but neither did he want them to keep His people in bondage. So, did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Yes, but perhaps only in the sense that God performed the miracles, and Pharaoh’s heart was such that those miracles caused him to dig in his heels. We’ve all met stubborn people like this, with whom any direct attempt at persuasion will cause them to double down on their original position. God does not override our free will, so in this case, He worked with it, using it to His advantage. Our choices do matter. But He's so amazing that He takes those choices and still manages to work “all things together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). As a result of Pharaoh’s stubbornness, God’s people had a legacy of spectacular stories to remind their children and their children’s children of His might on their behalf. My point in saying all that is just that the argument that God sovereignly controls everything that happens is inconsistent with the overall teachings of scripture; even the individual verses that seem to suggest that don't stand up to scrutiny. But a larger problem is that, taken to its logical conclusion, the theological position that God's will is absolute, and will come to pass no matter what we do, leads to a sense of futility. Why pray--why even evangelize--if God is going to do what He's going to do, regardless? To their credit (though against logic), most Calvinist denominations recognize that the scriptures are very clear that we should still both evangelize and pray, and they therefore preach that we should do both, just because God said we should. (Sort of the equivalent of a parent saying, "Because I said so, that's why!") But historically, many Protestant denominations stemmed from or were heavily influenced by Calvinist doctrine. As a result, until about the late 18th and early 19th century, almost all missionary activity around the world came from the Catholic church, which I suspect was precisely because it held no doctrine of predestination, so they thought their efforts could make an eternal difference. Motivation matters. (Protestant missions largely date back to William Carey's work in India in 1793. The London Missionary Society was founded two years later, in 1795, and in 1810, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded.) Even if we're not ultimately each predestined for heaven or hell, God is still sovereign, though, right? He knows way more than we do. So doesn't that mean sometimes He'll say no to our prayer requests, and when we all get to heaven, we'll understand why? Yes, God is sovereign in the sense that He is all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing, but He is not all-controlling (and I covered this extensively in this podcast https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective on why bad things happen, from a biblical perspective). God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; they did anyway. Was that God's will? Certainly not! He did everything He could to keep them from doing it, short of making them automatons, when He told them, don't do it. Likewise, any sovereign can set laws that his citizens may not necessarily obey. The US is a sovereign nation and in 1974 the administration set the "National Maximum Speed Law" of 55mph. But many drivers exceeded that speed limit daily. The New English Translation has the word “sovereign” appear more than any other biblical translation (368 times). Not one of the original Hebrew or Greek words connotes the idea that He controls everything that happens. Most of the time, "sovereign" is just the way they render God’s names. The word sovereign is often translated from Shaddai (meaning Almighty) when it’s part of God’s name (48 times in the OT). Other times it’s translated from ‘elohiym: supreme God, as a superlative, or ‘elyown, meaning High or Most High. Sometimes it's thrown in as part of the transition of ‘Adonay: an emphatic form of the Lord. Sometimes it's translated from tsaba’, also translated the Lord of Hosts, meaning one who commands an army. In some cases the word sovereign is used to describe God's characteristics, but in context, it doesn't mean what we typically mean by the word (that His will always happens). The NET version of 1 Chronicles 29:11 says, "O LORD, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all." Only this translation uses the word sovereign; the others , translate it Head. This word connotes the idea of a supreme ruler, but not of one who always gets His way. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield (magen: shield, buckler, protector).” The same verse is translated in NET: "For the LORD God is our sovereign protector." Clearly the word magen does not indicate that He always gets His way, either. Sovereign power is also translated as holiness from qadash: "to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate." This word is used in Ezekiel 28:25: "'This is what the sovereign LORD says: When I regather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are dispersed, I will reveal my sovereign power (or holiness) over them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob." It doesn't mean supreme dictator there either. Micah 5:4 says, "He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the LORD's strength, by the sovereign authority of the LORD his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honored even in the distant regions of the earth.” Sovereign authority here is the words ga'own (exaltation, majesty, pride) shem (name, reputation, fame, glory): thus, it's better translated “in the majesty of the name” of the Lord. Not a supreme dictator there either. Habakkuk 2:14 says, "For recognition of the LORD's sovereign majesty will fill the earth just as the waters fill up the sea." Sovereign majesty here is yada (to know, to perceive, to make known) kabowd (glory, honour, glorious, abundance), also translated “for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.” Still not indicating ultimate control over everything that happens. Of course God's will does not always come to pass. As I mentioned earlier, the classic example of this is 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,” and 1 Timothy 2:4: “[He] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Matthew 18:14 also says, “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world, not just those who are saved. 1 John 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”, and 1 Tim 4:10 says, "That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” This doesn't sound like a God who created anyone for the expressed purpose of eternal damnation to me. On the contrary, He did everything He could possibly do to save us all, short of making us automatons. But not everybody will be saved, because He doesn't force us to choose Him--nor does He make any of our other decisions for us, either. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." God wills it; He paid an enormous price for it; but He won't get all of us, because we get a choice. There are other verses that imply the concept of sovereignty as we typically define it (in the sense that when God decides to do something, He does it, and no one can stop Him). Here are a few of those verses: Job 42:2: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Isaiah 46:10: “I declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” Romans 8:28: “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” (i.e. He can use bad and work it for good.) But these verses refers to God’s right and His power -- they say nothing about voluntary restrictions that God has placed upon His own power. Those limitations are defined by the covenants God had in place with mankind at various points in history. Once He gives His word that He will do this and not that, He cannot violate it--He exalts His word even above His name (Psalm 138:2). It's the integrity of His word that literally holds the universe together (Hebrews 1:3). Again, more on this in this podcast: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective and extensively more in "Blood Covenant Origins" and "Blood Covenant Fulfilled" from this book series: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/books/biblical-retellings). A quick overview, though: since God gave the earth to man in the garden, and man decided to obey Satan, God had to find a legal entry to get back in. That was the purpose of the covenants—first the Adamic, then the Noahic, then the Abrahamic, then the Mosaic, and now finally, the New Covenant. In the middle three there were stipulations of what we had to do, and therefore what God would do for us, if we kept up our end. But there were provisions for blessings even in those. For instance, a common Old Testament example I've heard preached to back up the idea that we never know what God's going to do, but we should have faith in Him anyway, is Daniel 3:18. Here's how that verse is preached: "If you throw us into the fiery furnace, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not save us, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Except that's not what that verse actually says. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, the Hebrew kids in Babylonian exile in that story, were under the Mosaic covenant, and they were on the right side of it--so they had a right to the blessings (Deut 28:7), and they knew it. They knew God’s promises. That’s why they were able to stand up to the king—just like David could call Goliath that “uncircumcised Philistine,” absolutely convinced of the outcome, because he had a covenant, and Goliath didn’t. In the story in Daniel, what the verse actually says is, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” The Jewish captives respond saying, “If that is the case” (implying, if you will throw us in to the furnace, the subject of the previous verse). Then they say, “But if not”—and the Hebrew never qualifies if not what. People tend to assume they are saying “but if God doesn’t deliver us” (the end of the previous thought). But it could just as easily have meant, “If it is not the case that you will throw us into the fiery furnace,” just like it did in previous verse. This would change the entire meaning of the verse, and would be far more consistent with the rest of scripture. I can think of no instances anywhere in scripture where someone put faith in God’s covenant promises, and God did not come through. He can’t not come through—because again, He exalts His word above His very name (Ps 138:2)! In the New Covenant, Jesus paid to make sure we are always on the blessing side, having fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf, and become the curse for us (Gal 3:13). Because of that, every single promise is now Yes and Amen in Him (2 Cor 1:20). When Christ saved us, the word in Greek is sozo—that word appears 110 times in the New Testament. It includes spiritual salvation, but it also means physical healing, to rescue from physical danger, and to deliver from the penalties of judgment. All of these things are accessed by faith. Scripture doesn’t say that sometimes God says no to physical healing; on the contrary, every time someone came to Jesus for healing, they got it—and He was the exact image of the Father (Col 1:15), doing nothing but what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). He turned no one away, saying, “Nope, this one is God’s will for you, to bring glory to Himself.” What brings God glory is healing, not sickness (John 9:1-4), and the “fruit” of answered prayers (John 15:7-8). It’s the blessings of God on our lives that are supposed to get the attention of the world around us. So back to the issue of praying for miracles. The theological position of most Christian denominations is that God can do anything, but there’s no guarantees that He will. Because of course, we can look around and see so many good Christians (some of the best!) who pray, and don’t seem to receive. What are we to do with that? Shouldn’t we adjust our theology to account for all of these practical examples… no matter what the Bible actually says? My dad died of cancer when he was 48 years old. We had lots of people praying. I had several well-meaning believers after the fact try to console me with the idea that God “allowed” this to happen for some inscrutable reason of His own… maybe someone might come to the Lord as a result of our loss, someone suggested. (What actually happened was that I became a religious Pharisee for about 10 years, going through the motions, but I didn’t trust God at all. I figured, based on that theology, that God was like an army general who made sacrifices for the greater good, and sometimes—sorry!—it’s you. The effect on the rest of my family's faith and outlook on the world was similar to mine, or worse.) All of that is predictable in hindsight, because cancer and death are the fingerprints of the Enemy, not of God. The Enemy comes to “steal, kill, and destroy”—Jesus came that we might “have life, and have it more abundantly.” It’s very clear who does what. But the vast majority of the body of Christ today preaches this confused theology, attributing horrific things to God under the strange explanation that because God’s ways are higher than our ways, somehow from His perspective, bad is good, and wrong is right, and once we all get to heaven, we’ll understand. (No wonder I didn’t trust God anymore when I believed this. How could I trust a God like that?) I get why the Church at large preaches this—they’re trying to make the Bible fit our experience. God's supreme sovereignty is a nice, spiritual-sounding explanation which borrows from the long Calvinistic tradition, even if we don't take it quite to that extreme (though some denominations still do even that). But what finally set me free was when I realized that God’s definition of good and mine are actually the same. That my dad’s death at such a young age was never His will. That how God dealt with mankind at various times in history was dependent upon the covenants in place at the time--and today, we're under the best covenant of all, the one where all the curses for disobedience are paid for in full, and all that's left is the blessing, which we can receive by faith. Here's what that doesn't mean: it doesn't mean that faith is a new form of works, that God now watches to see if we reach the critical threshold of faith before He doles out our miracle... and if we don't quite get there, ah, too bad, try harder next time. No! He's not responding in real time to our faith at all, deciding which requests to grant and which to refuse. God already provided every blessing in spiritual form in Christ’s atonement, 2000 years ago (Gal 1:3, Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24). We receive all of those blessings now the same way we receive salvation: by faith. It's "in your account" already, as it were, just waiting for you to make a withdrawal--just like salvation is freely available, waiting for you to accept it. But God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He doesn’t sovereignly say yes to one person and no to another for things that we know are in His will—if we know that we’re asking for something already in His explicit will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us, we know we already have the requests made of Him (1 John 5:14-15). (That is the key, though--we can only have faith that we'll receive things that were already paid for in the atonement of Jesus. We can ask God for other things outside of that, but in those cases, God might say yes, or He might say no, for our own good--James 4:3. So it's quite useful to know scripture, so you can know for sure what you can stand on!) Back to my dad, and so many others besides. At that time, my family didn’t know any of this. We thought, we should pray, we should ask, and maybe God will say yes and maybe He will say no. But that’s not faith—that’s hope. And God didn’t say no—He said yes, 2000 years ago! Jesus paid an incredibly high price for God to say yes. Jesus also gave us the formula of how to receive in Mark 11:23-24: believe, and don’t doubt. If you do that, it’s as good as done. Unopposed faith (without doubt, James 1:6-8) is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). It’s cruel to tell people that they didn’t receive their miracle because they didn’t believe hard enough, or pray long enough, though. But the solution to that isn’t to blame God’s “sovereignty” instead! (That’s how people lose their faith—who wants to serve a God whom they believe “allowed” the Holocaust, or 9-11, or child trafficking, or etc to happen?) Rather, the solution is to understand that we’re in a war, and that Satan is seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). While he’s a defeated foe ever since the cross (Col 2:15), and we now have authority over him through Jesus (Matt 28:18, Eph 1:17-19), most of us don’t know it. We don’t know that, with the authority we now have, Satan’s only weapon against believers now is deception and fear (2 Cor 10:3-5)—and of course anything he can indirectly control against us that is part of the fallen world. But Jesus has already overcome the world on our behalf (John 16:33). And understanding God’s perfect love for us casts out fear (James 4:18). Because if He loves us enough to send Jesus, how will He not also freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)? But most of us are so focused on what we see, on the things this world says, that a cancer diagnosis, for example (or any other terminal doctor’s report, or insurmountable financial problem, etc), strikes fear into our hearts. Whatever we focus on, we magnify—and if we’re in a church that tells us maybe God will come through and maybe He won’t (for things that He’s explicitly promised in His word), then we’re standing on shifting sand. It’s hard enough to deal with our own doubt and unbelief, without being surrounded by the doubt and unbelief of others. But absolute trust God’s word—even if it means isolating ourselves from well-meaning believers who might cause us to doubt—is the only way. Jesus on numerous occasions got away from the crowds or put everyone out of the house except for his few top disciples before he performed a miracle. Abraham received because he did not consider anything except God’s promises (Romans 4:19). He didn’t have a contingency plan (or at least he didn’t anymore after the whole Ishmael thing was out of the way). Because he didn’t consider any of the natural circumstances, he didn’t waver in his faith. In the same way, today, our lack of fear of Satan’s schemes is proof to him that we’re going to win (Phil 1:28)—and if we stand firm (Eph 6:13-14) and resist the devil, sooner or later, he has to flee (James 4:7). We’ll win, if we don’t quit. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Desert Fathers make it very clear that in every element of our faith life we are being drawn into the mystery of God and the kingdom. Therefore, we must become comfortable with living in mystery; of being immersed in a reality that is beyond intellect and reason and comprehended solely through the gift of faith and the light that God bestow upon us. We often move very quickly to dissect what has been revealed to us by God, both for ourselves and others. Discussing matters of faith and reading books about dogma, however, can cause a man's compunction to wither and disappear. We often cling to the notional and the abstract rather than focusing upon our relationship with God and seeking purity of heart. The Fathes tell us it is the lives in the sayings of the elders that enlighten the soul and fill it with spiritual tears. Our lives then must be shaped by the Gospel and as one elder tells us we must seek to draw Christ into every part of our life. We love and follow a humble and crucified Lord; One who has been afflicted for our sin and who seeks our healing. Thus, our lives should mirror the simplicity of our Lord. We must not pamper the body in such a way that we weaken the spirit of contrition within our hearts. Neither must we fear affliction, but rather embrace it when it comes into our lives; knowing that God and his Providence allows it and through it perfects our virtue. To a certain extent, we must be willing separate ourselves from the world and surround ourselves with those who seek and desire the same thing. How else can we maintain the spirit of contrition? The world itself and our culture has become antithetical to the gospel. The cross has been and always will be a stumbling block to those without faith. The more those in the world become focused upon material goods and comforts and a manner of life that is contrary to the teachings of the gospel, we must strive to genuinely and heroically to conform our lives to Christ regardless of the costs. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:31 Maureen Cunningham: I think it like a rally good restaurant it always word of mouth 00:10:56 Maureen Cunningham: What is sub stack and how is it different 00:11:10 Maureen Cunningham: You tube is also a big 00:11:38 Bob Čihák, AZ: substack.com in short. 00:11:50 iPad (2): Yes Father I agree with you 100% 00:11:56 Bob Čihák, AZ: Look & see. 00:15:53 Andrew Adams: I vote website, but I don't do social media anyway. I found you effectively by word of mouth. 00:16:23 Kevin Burke: I agree with Myles.. YouTube channel is the best.. 00:16:51 Mark South: I agree youtube is great 00:16:58 Maureen Cunningham: Yes I agree 00:17:15 Bob Čihák, AZ: Please do let us know when you DO need support! 00:17:21 cameron: Suggest you think of making efforts to avoid being cancelled. 00:17:45 Maureen Cunningham: We love to support you 00:19:35 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 256, # 24 00:24:27 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 256, # 25 00:32:03 Forrest Cavalier: This footnote is on this page: https://archive.org/details/Evergetinos/Euergetinos%20II/page/423/mode/2up?view=theater 00:39:44 Anthony: R. C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries commented on Martin Luther's long confessions, saying what did he confess? To coveting another's potato salad? Little did Sproul know what monks face. 00:41:01 Andrew Zakhari: I am currently reading the Minor Prophets, and as messengers of God they seem to get angry at God's people for falling away. How do you understand this prophetic anger? 00:42:05 Myles Davidson: Replying to "R. C. Sproul of Ligo..." Calvinists
Send us a textThis week Greg recommend one of his favorite devotions called "The Valley of Vision". This is a collection of personal and corporate prayers written by Puritans used in there daily prayer life. Greg read the preface, gave a little history of the book, and then read one of the prayers named "The Dark Guest" that we are sure will be impactful and relevant for you today, even though it was written almost 400 years ago. This is a powerful little book that everyone should have in their collection. Enjoy!Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
All Have Sinned 9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have […]
The Revolt Against Rehoboam 10 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. 2 So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), that Jeroboam returned from Egypt. 3 Then they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and […]
Send us a textThis week Greg sat down with Marcus Pittman. Marcus is the CEO of Loor.tv and a digital content creator. They discussed both the theological and practical implications of Artificial Intelligence. Should Christians fight it? Accept it? Will it usher in the Beast? Towards the end of the episode they discussed the practical applications AI will have for content creators, as well as the potential for creators to lose their livelihood. Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
This is Part 5 of a 5 Part series on the evaluation of Reformed Theology, also referred to as Calvinism. We hope you will join us for this complete series.The age-old theological tension between God's sovereignty and human choice takes center stage in this illuminating episode. We dive deep into the most common criticisms of Reformed Theology and examine how its defenders respond to these challenges.What happens when someone claims that Reformed Theology makes God unrighteous? How do Reformed thinkers answer the charge that their theology renders human responsibility meaningless? We examine these provocative questions through quotes from prominent Reformed theologians like R.C. Sproul and A.A. Hodge, while carefully evaluating both sides of each argument.At the heart of this theological divide lies a fundamental question: does regeneration precede faith, or does faith precede regeneration? This seemingly technical distinction dramatically shapes how we understand salvation, God's character, and human responsibility. We explore biblical examples like Cornelius, Rahab, and Ruth that challenge simplistic theological formulations on both sides.The debate isn't merely academic—it touches on our deepest understanding of God's nature. Is God's love conditional or unconditional? Does His sovereignty mean He chooses some for salvation while leaving others without hope? Or does Scripture reveal a God who genuinely desires all people to be saved while respecting their freedom to reject Him?Whether you're a committed Calvinist, a convinced Arminian, a consistent Biblicist or simply curious about these theological traditions, this episode offers thoughtful, balanced perspectives that will deepen your understanding of these vital spiritual questions. Listen now to sharpen your theological thinking and gain fresh insights into how we can faithfully reason through Scripture.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve
What does Scripture mean when it says Christ was “made sin for us”? In this episode, Catholic apologists address a Protestant caller’s concern about Psalm 51 and the Catholic rejection of penal substitution. Learn how the Church understands Christ's sacrifice—not as punishment in our place, but as a redemptive offering rooted in love and union with humanity. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 08:01 – I'm Protestant. I’ve listened to a lot of Catholic radio. I’ve had no change. Is this lack of movement of desire to change from Satan? 18:38 – How do we catechize older boomers who prioritize politics and social views over religion? 23:32 – What evidence do we have that the Catholic Church is the true Church? 34:09 – in Friday morning’s psalm prayer it says, “He who knew no sin was made sin for us to save us and restore us to your friendship” Psalm 51. We don’t believe in Calvinism substitutionary atonement. So, in what way was Christ made sin for us? 40:45 – Is there any point in saying “If God wills it, it will happen?” Especially if he has two wills? 48:22 – Is it possible for a person to sin in purgatory or if they have not died?
Chris Athavle Romans 2:25-3:8 Psalm 100 What Advantage has the Jew?
Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr are answering if both Calvinists and Arminians teach a works salvation. Is one group more honest about their works gospel than the other? What are the distinguishing features of each? What does the Gospel of John say to each group? Thank you
This is Part 3 of a 5 Part series on the evaluation of Reformed Theology, also referred to as Calvinism. We hope you will join us for this complete series.Does God choose us, or do we choose Him? This age-old theological question lies at the heart of Reformed Theology (Calvinism), and in this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the biblical text to find answers.Moving beyond theoretical discussions, we examine the actual passages that form the foundation of Reformed thought. Starting with the Greek word "electos" (chosen), we explore what it means when applied to God's actions before the foundation of the world. Does God deliberate in His choices? Can an eternal God who knows all things actually "choose" in the way humans understand choice?Ephesians 1:3-4 becomes our central text: "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." We carefully analyze what Paul means by being "in Christ" and whether God chooses specific individuals or establishes a mechanism for salvation. The subtle but crucial shift in Ephesians 1:12-13 from divine action ("He blessed, chose, predestined") to human response ("you listened, you believed") provides a fascinating window into the interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility.Throughout our examination, we maintain a commitment to letting the text speak for itself rather than imposing theological systems onto Scripture. This approach reveals nuances often missed in heated debates between Calvinists and Arminians, suggesting that perhaps both sides capture important truths about salvation.Whether you're a committed Calvinist, a strong proponent of free will, or simply seeking to understand what the Bible actually teaches, this episode offers fresh insights that will challenge your thinking and deepen your appreciation for God's redemptive work.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve
James Hogg's ghoulish metaphysical crime novel 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner' (1824) was presented as a found documented dating from the 17th century, describing in different voices the path to devilry of an antinomian Calvinist, Robert Wringhim. Mikhail Bulgakov's 'The Master and Margarita', written between 1928 and 1940, also hinges around a pact with Satan (Woland), who arrives in Moscow to create mayhem among its literary community and helps reunite an outcast writer, the Master, with his lover, Margarita. In this extended extra from ‘Fiction and the Fantastic', Marina Warner and Adam Thirlwell look at the ways in which these two ferocious works of comic horror tackle the challenge of representing fanaticism, be it Calvinism or Bolshevism, and consider why both writers used the fantastical to test reality. ‘Fiction and the Fantastic' is part of the LRB's Close Readings podcast. Sign up to Close Readings: Directly in Apple Podcasts: https://lrb.me/crapplefflrbpod In other podcast apps: https://lrb.me/closereadingsff Sponsored link: Deaf Republic at the Royal Court: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/deaf-republic/
Send us a textThis week Greg sat down with Gabe Rench. Gabe is one of the hosts of Cross Politic and the Director of Fight Laugh Feast. They discussed everything you need to know about the upcoming Fight Laugh Feast Conference titled: "School Wars" happening in Nashville, Tennessee October 16th-18th, 2025. See you there! Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
James Hogg's ghoulish metaphysical crime novel 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner' (1824) was presented as a found documented dating from the 17th century, describing in different voices the path to devilry of an antinomian Calvinist, Robert Wringhim. Mikhail Bulgakov's 'The Master and Margarita', written between 1928 and 1940, also hinges around a pact with Satan (Woland), who arrives in Moscow to create mayhem among its literary community and helps reunite an outcast writer, the Master, with his lover, Margarita. In this episode, Marina and Adam look at the ways in which these two ferocious works of comic horror tackle the challenge of representing fanaticism, be it Calvinism or Bolshevism, and consider why both writers used the fantastical to test reality. Non-subscribers will only hear an extract from this episode. To listen to the full episode, and all our other Close Readings series, subscribe: Directly in Apple Podcasts: https://lrb.me/applecrff In other podcast apps: https://lrb.me/closereadingsff Further reading in the LRB: Liam McIlvanney on James Hogg: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v26/n22/liam-mcilvanney/about-myself Michael Wood on Bulgakov: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v19/n20/michael-wood/sympathy-for-the-devil
This is Part 2 of a 5 Part series on the evaluation of Reformed Theology, also referred to as Calvinism. We hope you will join us for this complete series.The age-old theological tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility takes center stage as we evaluate Reformed theology and Calvinism. Building on our previous overview of Reformed doctrines, we now assess their biblical validity and practical implications for Christian faith.We tackle several problematic aspects of classical Reformed teaching, particularly the concept that regeneration must precede faith. This foundational Calvinist doctrine creates unnecessary contradictions with Scripture's clear pattern of "believe and be saved" rather than "be saved in order to believe." Biblical examples like Cornelius and Lydia demonstrate that unregenerated people can genuinely seek God before their salvation moment, challenging the Reformed understanding of total depravity.At the heart of our discussion lies the false dilemma Reformed theology creates between God's work and human response. Scripture consistently distinguishes between faith and works, showing that believing is not a "work" that earns salvation. By recognizing this distinction, we can affirm both God's sovereign election and genuine human responsibility without theological contradiction.Perhaps most troubling is how some Reformed teaching creates uncertainty about salvation when people wonder if they're among "the elect." This stands in stark contrast to 1 John 5:13, written "so that you may know that you have eternal life." We propose a more balanced approach that honors God's sovereignty through His "infinite persuasion" while maintaining that the gospel invitation remains genuinely open to all.Though we disagree on certain theological points, we demonstrate that Christians can engage these complex issues with mutual respect and without division on core gospel truths. Join us next time as we examine the specific Bible passages addressing election, predestination, and free will to determine what Scripture actually teaches.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve
Why do evangelicals trust a Jewish canon finalized centuries after Christ over the Bible of the apostles? In part two of our Seeking Roots, Finding the Church series, Greg shares his journey from a Calvinist seminary where the Masoretic Text was taught as the “authentic” Old Testament to Catholicism, where he discovered the Septuagint's role in the apostolic Church. Explore how evangelicals' search for “Jewish roots” leads them to a post-Christian Rabbinic tradition and the myth of the “Council of Jamnia,” missing the Church's authority as the New Israel. Discover why the Septuagint, affirmed by early Church councils, offers the true Christian canon and covenant, rooted in the apostles celebrated on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com
In this sermon on Romans 3:9–20, titled "There's None Righteous," Pastor Byron explains that all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—are under sin, and none are righteous on their own. Paul lays out the total depravity of man, showing that no one naturally seeks after God and all stand guilty before Him. Pastor Byron clarifies that while no one can come to God unless drawn by Him, unlike the Calvinist view of irresistible grace, he believes man still has the free will to accept or reject Christ. He also emphasizes that the Law was never given to save but to expose our sin and lead us to Christ. Justification comes only through faith in Jesus—not by works or religious status.
I will be covering MORE of my points and arguments that I didn't get to and rushed through in the debate. Send Superchats at any time here: https://streamlabs.com/jaydyer/tip Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnt7Iy8GlmdPwy_Tzyx93bA/join PRE-Order New Book Available in JULY here: https://jaysanalysis.com/product/esoteric-hollywood-3-sex-cults-apocalypse-in-films/ Get started with Bitcoin here: https://www.swanbitcoin.com/jaydyer/ The New Philosophy Course is here: https://marketplace.autonomyagora.com/philosophy101 Set up recurring Choq subscription with the discount code JAY44LIFE for 44% off now https://choq.com Lore coffee is here: https://www.patristicfaith.com/coffee/ Orders for the Red Book are here: https://jaysanalysis.com/product/the-red-book-essays-on-theology-philosophy-new-jay-dyer-book/ Subscribe to my site here: https://jaysanalysis.com/membership-account/membership-levels/ Follow me on R0kfin here: https://rokfin.com/jaydyer Music by Amid the Ruins 1453 https://www.youtube.com/@amidtheruinsOVERHAULBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jay-sanalysis--1423846/support.
I will be covering MORE of my points and arguments that I didn't get to and rushed through in the debate. Send Superchats at any time here: https://streamlabs.com/jaydyer/tip Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnt7Iy8GlmdPwy_Tzyx93bA/join PRE-Order New Book Available in JULY here: https://jaysanalysis.com/product/esoteric-hollywood-3-sex-cults-apocalypse-in-films/ Get started with Bitcoin here: https://www.swanbitcoin.com/jaydyer/ The New Philosophy Course is here: https://marketplace.autonomyagora.com/philosophy101 Set up recurring Choq subscription with the discount code JAY44LIFE for 44% off now https://choq.com Lore coffee is here: https://www.patristicfaith.com/coffee/ Orders for the Red Book are here: https://jaysanalysis.com/product/the-red-book-essays-on-theology-philosophy-new-jay-dyer-book/ Subscribe to my site here: https://jaysanalysis.com/membership-account/membership-levels/ Follow me on R0kfin here: https://rokfin.com/jaydyer Music by Amid the Ruins 1453 https://www.youtube.com/@amidtheruinsOVERHAULBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jay-sanalysis--1423846/support.
The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah's Victory A Michtam of David. 16 Preserve[a] me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” […]
The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles 17 [d]Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest[e] on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher […]
Can a pope change infallible doctrine? What does the Church teach about receiving the entire Trinity in Holy Communion? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we explore key theological topics and respond to common questions about the Catholic faith. Learn how to respond to Calvinist interpretations of key Scripture passages, understand why the Eucharist is more than just Christ's flesh and blood, and dive into the origins of the doctrine of receiving Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity. We also examine why the Catholic Church typically uses pouring rather than full immersion for Baptism. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:52 – How can Catholic theology respond to Calvinist interpretations of Matthew 1:21, Philippians 1:6, or 1 Peter 3:18? 09:00 – Does receiving Holy Communion also mean receiving the Holy Spirit and God the Father, based on the doctrine of the Trinity? 30:04 – What prevents a pope from changing infallible Catholic doctrine? 42:51 – What is the origin of the teaching that the Eucharist is the reception of Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity—not just His flesh and blood? 50:12 – Why doesn't the Catholic Church practice full immersion Baptism as the normative form?
Send us a textThis week was a family episode! Just Greg and the Dead Heads! Greg discussed his journey having two teen age daughters, what that looks like as they start to notice others of the opposite sex, practical ""best practices" that he has used, as well as biblical foundation for how to treat possible future in-laws. If you have children at any stage of life, or thinking about filling your quiver, this will be a great episode for you. Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
Steve and Matthew discuss Reformed Theology, Calvinism, and why they might get a bad rap. We pray that Grounded has become a useful and regular part of your Christian learning and growth! - the Grounded team Would you like to know one of the best ways to help our ministry? Telling others about Grounded, we would be very thankful if you did!
Audio Download Questions Covered: 03:52 – How can Catholic theology respond to Calvinist interpretations of Matthew 1:21, Philippians 1:6, or 1 Peter 3:18? 09:00 – Does receiving Holy Communion also mean receiving the Holy Spirit and God the Father, based on the doctrine of the Trinity? 30:04 – What prevents a pope from changing infallible […]
What does Scripture say about Mary's perpetual virginity and sinlessness? Is an annulment needed if a spouse dies after a civil divorce? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we explore these and other challenging questions about Catholic teaching and Scripture. Discover the meaning behind Jesus' command to “take up your cross,” learn how to recognize mortal sin before receiving Communion, and understand the Church's view on praying for those who die by suicide. We also discuss key Church Fathers to reference in conversations with Calvinists and explore the importance of forgiveness in light of Matthew 5:21–26. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:05 – Where in Scripture can the doctrines of Mary's perpetual virginity and sinlessness be found or supported? 20:26 – If a person's spouse dies after a civil divorce, is an annulment still required for the surviving party? 22:24 – When Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me,” was this a known expression at the time, or only understood after the Crucifixion? 29:20 – Which Church Fathers are most effective to reference in discussions with Calvinists? 42:24 – Is it worthwhile to pray for someone who died by suicide? 47:11 – How can someone know they are free of mortal sin before receiving Holy Communion? 50:16 – What does the Catholic Church teach about the need to forgive as emphasized in Matthew 5:21–26?
All across social media this week, there has been on topic and subject that's been getting more attention than anything else, and surprisingly, it has little to do with Trump authorizing airstrikes on the Iranian nuclear facilities. The main thing people are talking about is Replacement Theology, and how Christians have replaced the Jews as God's chosen people, and the Church has replaced Israel as the apple of God's eye. The fact that these things are not true does not stop people like Catholics and Calvinists from believing it. In my message today, I want to talk to you about the current state of the Jews and Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” Romans 11:25 (KJB)Today we held our very first Sunday Service at the Bible Believers House Church in the Bookstore, we had a full house and it was a blessing. The old hymns were sung, a strong message was preached, and when it was over we had a nice little Open Forum Q&A to close out the service. We praise the Lord for this open door, and invite you to come and be a part of what the Lord is doing at the Bookstore every Sunday morning at 11:00 AM EST. Please follow our Facebook page for event information.
Send us a textThis week Greg welcomed back J Chase Davis to the podcast. Chase is a Pastor, Author, and podcast host of Full Proof Theology. They discussed the strange information coming out about Vance Boelter, the christian duty in regards to foreign aid, Israel, and the impending Iran War, and finished up with the sad state of affairs within the Contemporary Christin Music scene, and the Michael Tait scandal. Lots of hot topics and hot takes in this episode! Enjoy! Read J Chase Davis' substack HERE!Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
In this thought-provoking episode of G220 Radio, we sit down for a gracious and respectful discussion with Omar Kamal of the Boise Street Preacher YouTube channel. Omar recently shared a video expressing strong anti-Calvinist views. As Reformed Baptists holding to the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith, we noticed some common misconceptions and misrepresentations about Calvinism in his content. Rather than respond with hostility, G220 Radio reached out to Omar to have a civil dialogue about the doctrines of grace, free will, election, and God's sovereignty—topics often misunderstood or mischaracterized. Our goal is not to “win a debate,” but to foster clarity and understanding in this discussion on the topic of Calvinism. If you're interested in Reformed theology, debates, or you're just looking for solid biblical discussion on predestination, salvation, and evangelism, this episode is for you.
Joe’s response to Redeemed Zoomer (and the other Calvinists) who said he was strawmanning Calvinism in my last video. Transcript: Joe: If you can watch ’em in the video, skip my entire third part where I lay out how this is a logical contradiction and he just says, well, let me know if I missed anything important. You did. You missed the crux of the argument. Welcome back to Shameless Popery. I’m Joe Heschmeyer and I’d originally planned to do an episode unpacking the biblical usage of terms like love and hate. Particularly when you hear God saying things like, Jacob, h...
Send us a textThis week Greg sat down with J.T. Knox. J.T. is an author and former City Councilman. J.T. talked a bit about his new overtly christian fiction novel aimed at fathers and sons, and a bit of his upbringing. They also discussed J.T.'s work in politics and as an elected official which took them into the responsibility of christians in elected office. It was a great episode. Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
Today Joe demonstrates how Calvinism is actually completely illogical, and how if true, it demands that Christians have more love than God…not joking. Transcript: Joe: Welcome back to Shameless Popery. I’m Joe Heschmeyer, and as far as I can tell, Calvinism is logically impossible. That is, I don’t just disagree with how Calvinists interpret scripture and theology reform, Protestantism seemingly cannot be true because it doesn’t actually make logical sense within its own rules. Now, I realize that’s a big claim and I’m about to set out an argument that I don...
Send us a textThis week Greg sat down with Kiefer Likens. Kiefer is a Pastor, Author, and Graphic Design artist. (He made the logo on this weeks episode) They discussed his church that meets in a field, his desire for bible based church vs entertainment, as well as his latest book Measured by Grace. They discussed graphic design too. Fun episode and a new friend of the podcast! Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
An episode that explores the heart of autistic insight, authenticity, and truth-telling.In Episode 137 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon continues our journey through the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture as we move onto Pillar 3— Norm Challenging. Here's what defines this core Autistic trait:* ❓Autistic culture doesn't just question norms — it reimagines them. Being misunderstood is often a sign of being ahead of our time, not behind. Our literal minds challenge euphemism, dishonesty, and performative niceness. We ask “why” not to be difficult, but because truth matters.*
In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Peter Kreeft—Catholic philosopher, longtime Boston College professor, and author of over 100 books—for a candid and moving conversation about his personal conversion story, told in his latest book, From Calvinist to Catholic.Raised in a devout Calvinist household and educated at Calvin College, Dr. Kreeft's journey to Catholicism was not a rebellion, but a pursuit of truth. With humor, humility, and deep clarity, he shares what drew him to the Church, what nearly kept him away, and how his love for Jesus only deepened along the way.This episode is full of wisdom for anyone discerning the Catholic faith or seeking to understand the beauty of the Church more deeply.Topics Covered:Why Dr. Kreeft initially resisted writing his conversion story—and what changed his mindThe most difficult Catholic doctrine to accept—and how he came to embrace itThe influence of C.S. Lewis, Church Fathers, and personal conscienceHow reading Church history challenged his assumptions about ProtestantismLessons from Boston College and years of teaching Catholic studentsThe surprising role Calvin College played in leading him to CatholicismWhy the Church's sacramental system initially felt foreign—and how it became foundationalAdvice for anyone discerning conversion to CatholicismWhat Catholics can learn from Protestants—and vice versaWhy joy, not just truth, is essential to the Christian life
Dr. Ray Guarendi interviews Dr. Peter Kreeft about his new autobiography, “From Calvinist to Catholic.”
Send us a textThis week was a family episode! Just Greg and the Dead Heads! As many listeners know, Greg is a Real Estate Broker servicing Michigan and Ohio. Greg told stories of his early real estate career working in Detroit, MI. It included guns being pulled on him, breaking up an illegal prostitution ring, and stumbling upon dead bodies. By the providence of God he was kept safe, and learned alot! Enjoy this odd, but entertaining episode! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
Dr. Ray Guarendi interviews Dr. Peter Kreeft about his new autobiography, “From Calvinist to Catholic.”
Send us a textThis week Greg sat down with owners Jared and Seth of Frog & Fable Tobacco. They specialize in American grown pipe tobacco, and are quickly expanding. The boys discussed the growing pains of a new start up, different tobacco profiles and flavors, as well as techniques and best practices. If you partake in the pipe or cigar, or if you're thinking about it, this is the episode for you! Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
Both Thomism and Calvinism talk about predestination—but they mean very different things. We break down the Catholic (Thomistic) view vs. the Calvinist model, focusing on grace, free will, and God’s sovereignty in salvation. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:17 – How can I rectify the evil caused by free will and the love of God? 22:42 – How did Protestants come up with the concept of the Rapture? How can I combat this? 32:52 – Can you explain the difference between Thomistic predestination and the Calvinist view? 50:07 – Why does the Bible use the translation “the Jews” instead of “Jewish Authority”?
On today's program, Calvin Robinson was dismissed by the Anglican Catholic Church earlier this year after making a nazi-like salute at a pro-life summit. This week, another denomination has restored him to service…but not without pushback. We'll have details. The Episcopal Church is ending its partnership with the U.S. after refusing to settle refugees from South Africa. We'll take a look. Plus, long-time Carolina University President Charles Petitt passed away last week. His two-decade tenure transformed the small North Carolina school. First, influential Calvinist pastor has been suspended from his church over multiple fake social media accounts he ran where he criticized pastors and elders in his inner circle. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Bob Smietana, Kathryn Post, Tony Mator, Jack Jenkins, Bruce Barron, Kim Roberts, Shannon Cuthrell, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Illinois Baptist and Bruce Barron for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you. MANUSCRIPT: FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you this week from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I'm Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, Calvin Robinson was dismissed by the Anglican Catholic Church earlier this year after making a nazi-like salute at a pro-life summit. This week, another denomination has restored him to service…but not without pushback. We'll have details. And, the Episcopal Church is ending its partnership with the U.S. after refusing to settle refugees from South Africa. We'll take a look. Plus, long-time Carolina University President Charles Petitt passed away last week. His two-decade tenure transformed the small North Carolina school. Natasha: But first, influential Calvinist pastor has been suspended from his church over multiple fake social media accounts he ran where he criticized pastors and elders in his inner circle. Warren: Josh Buice, founder of the G3 Conference and pastor of Pray's Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, Georgia, was placed on indefinite leave last week after church leaders “uncovered irrefutable evidence that Dr. Buice has, for the past three years, operated at least four anonymous social media accounts, two anonymous email addresses, and two Substack platforms.” According to a statement from the church. “These accounts were used to publicly and anonymously slander numerous Christian leaders, including faithful pastors (some of whom have spoken at G3 conferences), several PMBC elders, and others,” “These actions were not only sinful in nature but deeply divisive, causing unnecessary suspicion and strife within the body of Christ, and particularly within the eldership of PMBC.” Natasha: Buice has also resigned as president of G3, which was founded in 2019 and brought in $2.3 million in revenue for the 2023 calendar year, according to its public IRS financial disclosures. The group grew out of a conference started by Buice in 2013 — the name G3 stands for “Gospel, Grace, Glory.” The group claimed its annual conference drew 6,500 people in 2021, according to the G3 website. Warren: The board of G3 has canceled the group's annual conference, which had been planned for September, and promised full refunds. Natasha: So who was he criticizing? Warren: Buice especially criticized former Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore and Bible teacher Beth Moore (not related) for allegedly promoting liberal ideas in the church, as well as former SBC President Ed Litton for alleged sermon plagiarism. He has also apparently been running anonymous social media accounts that criticized other pastors...
Send us a textThis week Greg welcomed back Andrew Rappaport to the podcast. Andrew is the Director of Striving for Eternity, Author, and international speaker. At the top of the show they discussed the Josh Buice scandal and how Andrew has been personally been affected by this situation. They went on to discuss how christians, and more specifically pastors, should use social media, and how that looks biblically. Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
This episode begins with a high-stakes battle of identity between Richard and his more successful French Canadian biochemist doppelgänger. Things escalate quickly to NBA heartbreak, papal betting odds, and whether Calvinist theologians would bet on a Pope “if predestination already picked the winner.” Gerrit helps Kristy prepare her Mother's Day sacrament meeting talk and then we discuss shared visionary experiences that make LDS history uniquely hard to dismiss. Kristy's KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): D&C 45 Stand in Holy Places Standard of Truth Pope Predictions: Pietro Parolin Luis Antonio Tagle Matteo Zuppi Pierbattista Pizzaballa Peter Turkson Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2026: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 14th through June 20th Palmyra/Kirtland – June 21st through June 27th – SOLD OUT Palmyra/Kirtland – July 12th through July 18th Sweetwater Rescue Temple Project: Helping the Saints of Lithuania get to the Helsinki, Finland Temple https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/current If you would like to donate, please click on the link: https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/donate Sign up for our free monthly email: https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Send us a textThis week Greg welcomed back to the podcast David Reece. David is a Pastor, Speaker, Founder of The Reece Fund, and CEO of Armored Republic. They got into all kinds of fun stuff! Starting with how believers should react to property and income taxes, then they discussed a new poll with the younger generation leaving evangelicalism and flocking to islam and mormonism, as well as a personal discussion on excommunication and ending with whom the United States should have alliances with. David is always a suburb guest and a great discussion. Enjoy! Dominion Wealth Strategists: Full Service Financial Planning! Click HERE for a free consultation today! Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close" Facebook: Dead Men Walking PodcastYoutube: Dead Men Walking PodcastInstagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcastTwitter X: @RealDMWPodcastExclusive Content: PubTV App
It's Tuesday, May 6th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Chinese Communists intensifying regulation of churches Christian Daily Korea reports that communist China intensified its regulation of Christian churches effective May 1st. The additional regulations will place controls on missions, Christian education, fundraising, and religious activities over the internet. Specifically, many South Korean missionaries have already been expelled or denied visas under China's increasingly aggressive crackdown since 2017. South Korean election coming up The South Korean election is planned for June 3rd. A professing Christian, former Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo, is running as an independent in the race. His wife, Choi Ah-young, is a fourth generation Christian. Her father is an elder. And her great grandfather founded a number of churches during the Japanese colonial period of the 1920s and 1930s. Han's entry heats up the scramble among conservatives to unify behind a candidate to compete with liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung, whose campaign recently was set back by a court decision to open a new trial on election law violation charges, reports ABC News. 106,745 Russian soldiers and 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died Since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian War, 106,745 Russian soldiers have been killed. The last year was the most deadly, with a reported loss of 45,287 Russian lives. Ukrainian casualty numbers vary widely — with as many as 13,000 civilians and 60,000 soldiers counted among the dead. Australia lurches left like Canada Following the Canadian election which tipped towards the anti-God, secular humanist, progressive side, Australia did the same thing over the weekend. The liberal Labor Party has secured at least 86 seats in parliament, up from 77 in its last go around. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set for his second three-year term in power. Muslims have six kids on average compared to low fertility of others The global birth rate is crossing the 2.2 children-per-woman mark, crossing over the replacement level of 2.1.That's down from 5.3 children per woman in 1963 worldwide. World Bank data points to the Muslim-heavy nations of Somalia, Chad, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the highest fertility rates exceeding six children per woman. Countries with the lowest birth rates below 1.0 child per woman include South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Chile, and Puerto Rico. Eastern Europe is seeing the steepest declines in birth rates. Deuteronomy 28:15-18 reminds us of God's dealings with nations: “But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all His commandments and His statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Cursed shall you be in the field. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb.” Oil becoming less expensive World oil prices have sunk to $57 per barrel — about the same price as it was in 1987. The average gas price in the United States is $3.26 per gallon, down from $3.76 per gallon last summer. Disney pushes homosexual scene in “Star Wars Andor” Disney has incorporated a prominent homosexual scene in its latest episode of Star Wars Andor. This marks another milestone in the ongoing homosexualization of Disney, with the scene marking the first prominent display of homosexuality for featured characters. Disney has increased its revenues to $91 billion per year, and has registered another 5% increase in its first quarter in 2025. Overall revenues for the entertainment company are up about 20% since the pro-homosexual organization entered into a conflict with Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. Levi Strauss and Disney were the first companies to provide benefits to homosexual employees between 1992 and 1995. Conservative Presbyterians growing and Liberal Presbyterians fading The Presbyterian Church in America, the largest conservative Calvinist denomination in the United States, is registering its highest number of members in its 51-year history — topping 400,700 this year. Offerings were up 7.4%, year-over-year, according to stats just released by the denomination. Another conservative denomination, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, registers 33,520 members, growing at a rate of 3% per year. Meanwhile, the more liberal PCUSA church membership has dropped off from 3.1 million to 1.1 million over the last 40 years. Warren Buffet gave $8.4 billion to fund abortion And finally, Warren Buffett has announced his retirement from Berkshire Hathaway, as Chief Executive, effective January 1st. The 94-year-old Buffett is currently listed as the sixth richest man in the world behind Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison, and Bernard Arnault of France. Buffett's foundations have provided $8.4 billion to pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation. Plus, Buffett was a major supporter of the “RU-486” abortion kill pill. Forbes reports that other major pro-abortion billionaire donors include: Mackenzie Scott (Amazon's Jeff Bezos's ex-wife), the Bill Gates Foundation, the Hewlett Family, Michael Bloomberg, and George Soros. But now, take comfort in these words from Isaiah 49: 24-26. The prophet asks, “Can the prey be taken from the mighty or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? For thus says the Lord: ‘Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, May 6th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
In this episode of GraceNotes from no. 87 "Arminianism and the Gospel of Grace," we dive into the theology of Arminianism and its views on the gospel of grace. Named after Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius, Arminianism challenges the strong determinism of Calvinism, particularly in its views on salvation, free will, and God's grace. We'll explore the historical roots of Arminianism, from Arminius' objections to John Calvin's doctrines to the formalization of Arminian theology in the early 17th century. Through this study, we'll unpack key points of disagreement between Arminianism and Calvinism, such as the nature of election, the concept of prevenient grace, and the question of whether salvation can be lost. While Arminianism emphasizes human free will and the ability to choose salvation, it also presents challenges to the gospel of grace, particularly when it comes to assurance of salvation and the idea of works in maintaining salvation. How do Arminians reconcile their belief that salvation can be lost with the Bible's teaching on God's unconditional grace? We'll also look at how Arminianism compares to biblical teachings on eternal security, examining the struggles many believers face with assurance of salvation when their security is tied to human effort rather than God's grace. This episode seeks to bring clarity to these complex theological systems and highlight the importance of understanding the full gospel of grace. Whether you're familiar with the terms TULIP, prevenient grace, or the history of Arminianism, this episode will equip you to better understand both Arminian and Calvinist views and how they relate to the truth of the gospel. Join us as we unpack the core of the gospel message—salvation by grace alone, through faith alone—and why it's essential for believers to rest in the assurance of eternal security.