Podcasts about fellow christians

Topic: Testing the Spirits: Biblical Discernment in an Age of Media Lies, Tribal Echo Chambers, and “Christian” Extremes   Whiskey Review: New Riff Bottle in Bond Connect: Instagram: @manhoodneat X: Manhood Neat (@ManhoodNeat) / X Youtube: Manhood, Neat Podcast - YouTube  email: manhood.neat@gmail.com Show Notes: Zionism- “Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people have a rightful claim to a national homeland in the land of Israel, historically and politically.” Reformed Bro- “Reformed Theology is a stream of Protestant Christianity that emphasizes God's sovereignty, the authority of Scripture, and salvation by grace alone.” -But the Bro's take it to the extreme - Reformed Reformed Reformed Dispensational- “Dispensationalism is a theological system that teaches God works through distinct periods (‘dispensations') and maintains a clear distinction between Israel and the Church.” - 2 roads to one God “We've watched brothers and generations swing from naive Zionism to reactionary antisemitism. Both fail the test.” I'm reformed, I'm evangelical, I'm catholic, I am Baptist, I am a Calvinist…why not Christian Reminds me - I am of Paul; I am of Apollos.  1 Corinthians 3:4-9:  4For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. Fellow Christians (regardless of denomination) - Let us come reason together Unity of the Body of Christ for His work The enemy loves to divide. “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity” - Rupertus Meldenius Key Text: 1 John 4  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood. God's Love and Ours.7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. How do Christian men discern truth without becoming tools of deception or hatred? God demands we test the spirits (v.1) Confess Christ rightly (v.2-3 Listen to apostolic truth (v.6) Love as evidence of knowing God (v.7-21). Confronting the two ditches History (Brief Overview) Early Church: Mixed – some respect for Jewish roots, but supersessionism/replacement theology grew No longer Jew nor Gentile, but the Church and the world  Justin Martyr, later hardened replacement theology Led to disdain, pogroms (violent, mob-driven attacks—typically riots involving looting, assault, rape, murder, and destruction of property—targeted at a specific ethnic or religious groups.)  Martin Luther's later writings (On the Jews and Their Lies) exemplify tragic failure of love. Reformation/ Puritans: Varied; some future hope for Jewish people (pre-Darby).  John Nelson Darby (1800s, Plymouth Brethren) systematized dispensationalism:  distinct Israel/Church track  pre-trib rapture  literal futurist readings  Popularized via Scofield Reference Bible (1909). Fueled 20th-century evangelical support for Israel. Zionist movement: Jewish political nationalism (Theodor Herzl, late 1800s) responded to European antisemitism. Christian Zionism often overlapped but with eschatological motives. Scofield influence: Shaped views of unconditional land promises. Post-Holocaust: Shifts toward Philo-Semitism (the admiration, respect, or obsession with Jewish people, culture, or history, often by non-Jews) in reaction to Church failures, but some swung to uncritical political allegiance. Modern swing: Newly Reformed / postmillennial / reconstructionist circles reacting against shallow dispensationalism by over-correcting into ethnic suspicion or outright antisemitism.  Examples:  Holocaust minimization “Zionist Occupied Government" echoes Treating all Jewish influence as cabal-like.  This is not discernment – it's another false spirit. Practical tests for Discerning information from 1 John 4 (This is the point): Does the source confess Christ preeminent - Love the Lord your God with everything  or push fear/hate/nationalism as gospel? Does it promote love for neighbors?  Prayer for enemies? Cross-reference history, primary sources, multiple views – not echo chambers. To "Reformed" Bros: Opposition to dispensational errors is fine; becoming ethnic scoffers is apostasy from apostolic love. To Zionists: Israel's existence isn't carte blanche; critique policies Biblically. This is one area - lots of other ditches  Women's role / value Poet and Warrior Both: Media profits from division. Web algorithms radicalize.  (1 Thess 5:21). but test everything; hold fast what is good.

Scripture: Romans 14:13–15:7 Transformative Truth: Christian liberty is to be governed by love. How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. - Hebrews 9:14 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. - 1 Timothy 1:5 Christian liberty is to be governed by love. 1. For the sake of your brother 2. For the sake of Christ's body “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” - Matthew 5:6 “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” - Paul the Apostle (Philippians 3:9-10 NLT) Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. - Colossians 3:15 NLT Christian liberty is to be governed by love.  3. For the sake of God's blessing Conclusion 1. Our mandate (v. 1) 2. Our mission (v. 2) 3. Our model (v. 3) 4. Our manual (v. 4) 5. Our mantra (v. 7) 

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12 Transformative Truth: Since the Lord welcomes us, we should welcome one another.   Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. - Romans 15:7 How should I relate to fellow Christians whose consciences disagree with mine? The Problem Feel as I feel, think only as I think; Eat what I eat, drink what I drink, Look as I look, do always as I do, Then and only then will I fellowship with you. The Prescription To the strong: 1. Welcome your weaker brother (v. 1). 2. Do not despise him (vv. 3a, 10b) To the weak: Stop passing judgment (vv. 3b, 4a, 10a) Should a man not lay his hand upon his mouth before he criticizes his brethren? When we pass swift, uninformed, unloving and ungenerous judgments, surely we have forgotten that if we speak evil of them, at the same time we speak evil of the Lord whose name they bear. The Principles 1. God welcomes all believers (v. 3) 2. The Lord upholds every believer (v. 4) 3. The Lord is sovereign over every believer (vv. 5-9) “To deny the lordship of Jesus Christ in the life of any believer is to subvert the full work, power, and purpose of His crucifixion and resurrection.” 4. The Lord alone will judge each believer (vv. 10-12).  

2 Corinthians 1:11 - You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

2 Corinthians 1:11 - You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

If this congregation can help you in any way, please contact us at www.normanchurch.com

Words build worlds. What happens when our most important words—truth, freedom, justice—are stripped of their biblical meaning? In this gripping episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine sits down with culture and worldview expert Scott Allen to reveal just how much is at stake when culture redefines the language that holds our families, communities, and even nations together. Scott Allen is not only the president of the Disciple Nations Alliance, but also the best-selling author of Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice, and the driving force behind the transformative new book 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World. With decades of global ministry experience, from Africa to Latin America and Asia, Scott has seen first-hand the link between the words we believe and the lives we lead. This episode launches a powerful three-part series, exploring: “Load Bearing Words”: How pivotal Biblical concepts form the pillars of Western civilization—and what happens when those pillars are removed. Discipling People out of Poverty: A mind-blowing real-life story from Guatemala, where the introduction of a single biblical word, “dominion,” helped an entire village break free from generational poverty. Why the West Became Prosperous: Western nations didn’t prosper because God “loved certain nations more,” but because biblical concepts reshaped culture, education, and opportunity for all. The Crisis of Redefinition: The spiritual battle being waged over words, from “justice” to “freedom”—and how Christians can spot and resist counterfeits being pushed in popular culture, education, and even inside churches. The Importance of Words: How recovering the scriptural meaning behind our civilization’s foundational words is essential for both resisting cultural collapse and equipping the next generation of truth bearers. Catherine and Scott invite parents to see themselves as stewards of these transformative, spiritual building blocks. As Scott warns, “If we lose the true meaning behind these words, we are going to lose all of the goodness they have produced.” But there is hope—by reclaiming these words in our homes and conversations, parents can still lay the foundations for flourishing families and cultures. Are you ready to become a “truth bearer” for the next generation? Tune in to discover how reclaiming the true, biblical meaning of our most essential words can heal broken lives—and even heal a broken world. Call to Action:Parents, which “load bearing” word or biblical concept will you reinforce in your home this week? Share your story, start big conversations—and join us for the next episode as this essential conversation continues. Guest Bio: Scott David Allen is an author and teacher on Christianity, culture, worldview, family, biblical justice, and poverty. He has authored and co-authored numerous books, including his bestselling Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis. He serves as president of the international discipleship ministry Disciple Nations Alliance. Previously, he spent 19 years with the Christian poverty alleviation organization Food for the Hungry. His work has taken him across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, equipping Christian leaders to embrace and live out a biblical worldview in faithfulness to Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations. EPISODE RESOURCES: 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World: Restoring the Meaning of Our Most Important Words Disciple Nations Alliance Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A lack of forgiving fellow Christians leads to fellowship with the Devil. When you don't forgive your fellow Christians, you fellowship with the Devil.

a) Respect for Church Leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)b) Concern for Fellow Christians (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)c) Joy, Prayer, and Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)d) True Prophecy (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)e) Benediction and Final Words (1 Thessalonians 5:23-28)

Do Everything for the Growth of Fellow Christians The Normal Christian Life The reality is that the person right next to you in church is also struggling as they grow in their faith. And God's plan has always been for you to know you are not alone, but to grow up in the faith with other Christians in the body of Christ. 5 G Living – Do everything you do… For the Glory of God For the Good of your fellow man To get the Gospel to non-believers For the Growth of your fellow Christians With a Grateful heart Ephesians 4:11-16 We each have our part to play in the body of Christ According to Eph. 4:12, who does the work of the ministry in the church? Not just the leaders – the saints do the work of the ministry. According to Ephesians 4:16, what causes the growth of the body? When every part is working properly, when every part does its share. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. - I Peter 4:10-11 We are called to build each other up in the body of Christ So the Pastor is to build us as a church with God's truth, but church members are also called to lovingly build up themselves and each other with God's truth. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25 We are called to grow in our faith as individuals and together “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me, it has feet, it runs after me, it has hands, it lays hold on me.” - Martin Luther But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all our sin. - 1 Jn. 1:7 GROW UP – Godliness Ruling Over Worldliness Under Pressure Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. - James 5:16

Today’s Broadcast January 6, 2025Moving Fellow Christians Forward-Part CActs 18:23-28 Listen Download Today's Message Purchase Message Download Worksheet From Series: Wisdom & Maturity Purchase Entire Series Broadcast Archive Message Description Each of us must learn to biblically strengthen our fellow Christians in their faith, knowing how to encourage them and to wisely correct them when needed. Series Description In Acts 18:23 – 20:16 we can glean from the wisdom on display, as Paul and his missionary team embark on their third evangelistic journey. The trials and triumphs they encounter along the way are filled with insights we desperately need as we seek to live and represent Christ in our day. Don't miss this important eight-part series in the Book of Acts. What’s Next Pointing People to Christ Godly Confidence The Fear of God This Month’s ResourceTop Series Fatal Excuses Christianity In Real Life The Experience of Every Christian Receive Monthly Insight from Pastor MikeSign up to receive Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Monthly Ministry Update in your inbox. Contact Permission By clicking the “Subscribe” button above, I am requesting to receive e-mail communications from Focal Point Ministries, and I agree to allow my personal data to be processed according to their Internet Privacy Policy. Share This Message:

Today’s Broadcast January 2, 2025Moving Fellow Christians Forward-Part BActs 18:23-28 Listen Download Today's Message Purchase Message Download Worksheet From Series: Wisdom & Maturity Purchase Entire Series Broadcast Archive Message Description Each of us must learn to biblically strengthen our fellow Christians in their faith, knowing how to encourage them and to wisely correct them when needed. Series Description In Acts 18:23 – 20:16 we can glean from the wisdom on display, as Paul and his missionary team embark on their third evangelistic journey. The trials and triumphs they encounter along the way are filled with insights we desperately need as we seek to live and represent Christ in our day. Don't miss this important eight-part series in the Book of Acts. What’s Next Pointing People to Christ Godly Confidence The Fear of God This Month’s ResourceTop Series Fatal Excuses Christianity In Real Life The Experience of Every Christian Receive Monthly Insight from Pastor MikeSign up to receive Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Monthly Ministry Update in your inbox. Contact Permission By clicking the “Subscribe” button above, I am requesting to receive e-mail communications from Focal Point Ministries, and I agree to allow my personal data to be processed according to their Internet Privacy Policy. Share This Message:

Today’s Broadcast January 1, 2025Moving Fellow Christians Forward-Part AActs 18:23-28 Listen Download Today's Message Purchase Message Download Worksheet From Series: Wisdom & Maturity Purchase Entire Series Broadcast Archive Message Description Each of us must learn to biblically strengthen our fellow Christians in their faith, knowing how to encourage them and to wisely correct them when needed. Series Description In Acts 18:23 – 20:16 we can glean from the wisdom on display, as Paul and his missionary team embark on their third evangelistic journey. The trials and triumphs they encounter along the way are filled with insights we desperately need as we seek to live and represent Christ in our day. Don't miss this important eight-part series in the Book of Acts. What’s Next Pointing People to Christ Godly Confidence The Fear of God This Month’s ResourceTop Series Fatal Excuses Christianity In Real Life The Experience of Every Christian Receive Monthly Insight from Pastor MikeSign up to receive Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Monthly Ministry Update in your inbox. Contact Permission By clicking the “Subscribe” button above, I am requesting to receive e-mail communications from Focal Point Ministries, and I agree to allow my personal data to be processed according to their Internet Privacy Policy. Share This Message:

Greg answers questions from callers about old earth vs. young earth and feeling guilty about not having the joy of the Lord during a long, difficult, dark time.   Topics: What's your opinion on old earth vs. young earth? (06:00) Should I feel guilty for not having the joy of the Lord during a long, difficult, dark time? (37:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Donate to Stand to Reason by the 28th of this month and receive The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again by Justin Brierley Seven Days that Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science by John Lennox Reality Student Apologetics Conference – February 21–22 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, in Philadelphia, PA; April 25–26 in Dayton, OH Spurgeon quote: “My witness is, that those who are honoured of their Lord in public, have usually to endure a secret chastening, or to carry a peculiar cross, lest by any means they exalt themselves, and fall into the snare of the devil.” Related Links: Have Grace for Fellow Christians on the Age of the Earth by Amy Hall The Rightful Place of Suffering in the Life of the Christian by Amy Hall Christians, You Will Suffer by Amy Hall Why It Isn't Naive to Trust God in Your Suffering by Amy Hall

Turning enemies to allies

Turning enemies to allies

Click here to review the framework on What is Essential? What is Important? What is Personal?  https://renew.org/renew-theology-what-is-essential-what-is-important-what-is-personal/  Today's episode will help us thoughtfully engage with political issues as Christians, balancing our convictions with respect for differing views and prioritizing unity within the church. In this video, John and Daniel tackle the important question of whether Christians should care about political matters. They explore the real-world implications of political decisions on communities and the responsibility of Christians to engage with cultural and political issues rather than retreating. Through a critical lens, they discuss the balance between political engagement and maintaining the central focus on the teachings of Jesus. They also touch on the role of personal convictions in voting, using the framework of essential, important, and personal elements to discern what is worth discussing and debating within the Christian faith. Get the Book on Following Jesus in a Politically Divided World: https://a.co/d/35XLxSE  Key Takeaways  00:00 Introduction and Initial Greetings 06:08 Discipleship and Political Influence 08:33 Biblical Worldview and Political Preferences 14:50 Essential, Important, and Personal Convictions 22:23 Navigating Political and Cultural Divides 29:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Check out RENEW.org for more articles and resources: https://renew.org/ View more information about this topic here: https://renew.org/product/following-jesus-in-a-politically-divided-world-an-interactive-guide-to-21-questions-on-christianity-and-politics/  See below for a more comprehensive discussion of this topic:  In the episode titled "Politics Interview 6: Should we try to influence how fellow Christians vote?" the hosts engage in a discussion about the relationship between Christian values and political engagement. They explore whether Christians should involve themselves in politics and if it's appropriate to influence the voting behavior of fellow believers. The conversation begins with some friendly banter between John and Daniel, setting a relaxed tone. Daniel questions whether Christians should care about politics, and John responds emphatically, arguing that political decisions have significant real-world consequences that Christians cannot afford to ignore. They then discuss the Paris Olympics controversy, where a drag queen portrayed the Last Supper, sparking outrage. Whoopi Goldberg's suggestion to simply “turn the TV off” if offended prompts a debate about political disengagement. Both agree that while stepping back occasionally can be good for mental health, complete disengagement is irresponsible for Christians. They advocate for a balanced approach where Christians engage with culture, uphold biblical values, and maintain healthy boundaries. John shares a personal story about his brother, who decided to limit his consumption of political news to improve his mental health and better love those around him, even if they had differing political opinions. This highlights the need for balance between political involvement and personal well-being. The discussion then shifts to whether discipling relationships should involve guidance on how to vote. John shares his experience, emphasizing that he prefers to guide people through critical thinking and values rather than telling them how to vote. Daniel agrees, stressing that Christianity should inform political convictions without being tied to partisan politics. They both highlight the importance of focusing on core values over specific policies. John and Daniel introduce the Renew.org framework, which categorizes issues into "Essential," "Important," and "Personal." This framework helps Christians differentiate between core biblical principles and their contemporary applications, encouraging respectful and thoughtful political discussions within the church. As a concrete example, John discusses the division among Christians over mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, lamenting how differences of opinion led some to leave their churches. He underscores the importance of practicing the principles of Romans 14, which call for accepting one another despite differing convictions. The episode concludes with a call for Christians to approach political issues with respect and grace, prioritizing unity in the church over political alignment. The hosts emphasize that while political decisions should be prayerful and aligned with biblical values, Christians must also maintain love and respect for those with differing views. Ultimately, the episode encourages Christians to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with political issues, always rooted in biblical truth. Interested in more content from RENEW? Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/   Follow us!         

This fill-in pastor from a tiny church in Ponchatoula cuts through all the culture war bullsh*t to bring The Bible's message to the people that need it the most in this moment - Christians.

As a very powerful tool, AI can and will be used for evil purposes—like the internet has been. However, also like the internet, AI will also be used for great good and to greatly improve our lives. Fellow Christians should approach AI with wisdom, being aware of its risks and limitations, but willing to embrace its potential to be a very powerful tool for God’s kingdom. This episode article was written by David Thomas and podcast produced by Joseph Darnell and Preston Cornett out of the CMI-USA office. Become a monthly contributor at our site. You can also help out by telling your family and friends to check out the podcasts.

Matt Boswellfalse

Believers are commanded to flee from judging fellow Christians on matters that lack a clear biblical precedent or position.

an expository sermon on Ephesians 1:15-23 preached by Pastor Jordan Atkinson on March 3, 2024

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss one of the concerning trends for 2024 mentioned by Dr. White in a recent episode, something that was echoed by a listener-submitted question. Both had to do with the continued fracturing of the Church and Christians within it. Christians seem to have an underdeveloped skill of disagreeing agreeably. We've also lost sight of what's worth disagreeing over. Episode Links The biggest test when it comes to when it's appropriate to disagree is to ask: is it a matter or orthodoxy (right thinking) or orthopraxy (right living)? Second, is it a primary or tertiary issue related to the Christian faith? The problem is that many Christians have taken political and ideological divides and elevated them to the level of primary, theological issues - and that's heresy. There are certain values that are being embraced that are distorting the Christian faith. Dr. White has touched on this in past episodes of the podcast. We'd encourage you to go back and listen to the following for more perspective: CCP63: On Why Christians Are So Mean CCP46: On the Clash Over Religious Freedom CCP37: On Christian Nationalism Dr. White referred to an article by David Aikman titled “Attack Dogs of Christendom” where the author wrote how Christians seem to love to go after people who disagree with them, particularly other Christians. All this does is to hurt the witness of the church. He also mentioned how Francis Schaeffer was taken with the community of the church and his concerns with Christians who seem to love finding mistakes in other believers. He wrote about this in a book titled The Mark of the Christian. Another great book on the divides in Christendom that have erupted over recent years is The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism written by Tim Alberta. Because sadly, a lot of Christians believe they are engaging in a battle by promoting a political platform, and treating it as though the Kingdom of God is at stake. One easy place to identify when it comes to where to disagree is again on the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith, such as the belief that there is only one way to God. Understanding the differences between Christianity and other belief systems is important. We suggest that you go back and listen to the following episodes if you've missed them: CCP86: On Islam CCP84: On Hinduism and Buddhism CCP35: On Scientology CCP18: On Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

Welcome to 2024, we are so very happy you have chosen to join us! In this episode, Dave and Joel rally in encouragement to our brothers and sisters around the world.

When a fellow Christian sins we are not told to mind our own business. Jesus instructs us to go, in love for their soul, to lead them to repentance. This sermon based on Matthew 18:15-20 was preached on September 10, 2023, for a sermon series called "The Bible Doesn't Say That."

Today's "social justice" masquerades as truth but is completely untethered from God and his self-revelation in Scripture. To rightly understand justice, we must ground our thinking firmly in the Word of God. Timestamps Introduction - 00:28 What's the Big Picture that We Need on Justice? - 04:16 Justice Is a Moral and Essential Attribute of God - 06:44 Key Texts, Acts, & Events to Help Us Define God's Justice - 14:37 The Different Types of Justice and the Law of God - 19:52 Distributive Justice vs. Social Justice - 25:53 Thomas Sowell & Justice - 33:33 Doctrinal Clarity on Justice - 37:40 Vertical and Horizontal Implications of God's Justice - 42:40 Where Can Pastors Go to Feed the Flock on God's Justice? - 46:57 Outro - 53:09 Resources to Click Thinking Biblically and Theologically About Justice by Stephen Wellum   Books to Read Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis – Scott David Allen Reformed Dogmatics – Geerhardus Vos Systematic Theology – Louis Berkhof The Doctrine of God – John Frame

Today's "social justice" masquerades as truth but is completely untethered from God and his self-revelation in Scripture. To rightly understand justice, we must ground our thinking firmly in the Word of God. Resources to Click Thinking Biblically and Theologically About Justice by Stephen Wellum   Books to Read Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis – Scott David Allen Reformed Dogmatics – Geerhardus Vos Systematic Theology – Louis Berkhof The Doctrine of God – John Frame

We should pray for other Christians.

We should pray for other Christians.

In this episode, we talk about how we should view proper judgment between Christians and non-Christians. We must always remember that confrontation without relationship is counter productive. Join us as we discuss the importance of what judgment looks like when it's done with the heart of restoration. 

Each of us must learn to biblically strengthen our fellow Christians in their faith, knowing how to encourage them and to wisely correct them when needed.

Each of us must learn to biblically strengthen our fellow Christians in their faith, knowing how to encourage them and to wisely correct them when needed.

Today on the show the ladies sit down and talk about why Christians are always called judgemental, why it can be so difficult to say what we believe and how so many people take things out of context. They talk about how as Christians we are supposed to judge out fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, even if it's hard! If this episode resonated with you, make sure to subscribe, rate and review below!! It helps us out so much.To learn more about Olivia head HERETo learn more about Lisa head HEREFollow us on INSTAGRAM

Christians should be concerned for the faith and well-being of fellow Christians, especially those who are new to following Christ. You will learn at least 2 practical ways to live out your concern for fellow believers. In today’s podcast, you will gain at least 3 key benefits: A principle: Christians should be concerned about the faith of fellow Christians, especially new followers of Christ An easy action you can take that can make a difference in a Christian’s life today One key concept not to communicate when sharing the Gospel or ministering to a new believer __________________________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/phillipbremmerman/ YouTube - Red Word Exchange Podcast Website: https://www.redwordexchange.com Listen to more episodes! Apple Podcasts Castos Spotify Contact us! info@redwordexchange.com

Greg answers questions about what evidence convinces him the earth is old that couldn't be explained just as easily by a young-earth view, a book that explains what old-earth creationists believe, a church devoting an entire service to first responders, and more.   Topics: What evidence convinces you the earth has to be old that couldn't be explained just as easily by a young-earth view? (05:00) Can you recommend a book that explains what old-earth creationists believe that isn't heretical? (24:00) Isn't saying that “if you have scientific evidence that appears to contradict the Bible, then you should conclude you've misread the Bible” a dangerous line of thought since we have scientific evidence that men don't rise from the dead? (34:00) What do you think about my church devoting an entire service to first responders? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Seven Days that Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science by John Lennox A Matter of Days: Resolving a Creation Controversy by Hugh Ross Related Links: Have Grace for Fellow Christians on the Age of the Earth by Amy Hall Theistic Evolution: Drifting toward Darwin by Greg Koukl

What's the difference between our secular culture's concept of "Social Justice" and the Bible's true concept of justice? Since the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement in the wake of the George Floyd riots of 2020, Social Justice has been a hot topic in the cultural conversation. Whether it be through reparations and affirmative action policies, mandatory Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training at our workplaces, Critical Race Theory curriculum in schools, colleges and universities, or not-so-subtle messaging in movies and entertainment - it seems like it is unavoidable these days. As Christians, we must be prepared to give a Biblical answer to our cultural moment today. In this episode, we unpack 6 markers of true Biblical Justice in contrast to Social Justice and see how God's standards of justice are better and more beautiful than the secular perversion of justice. You can read the article version of this episode here: https://www.theotivity.com/post/social-justice-vs-biblical-justice RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice by Thaddeus J. Williams Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement Is Hijacking the Gospel - and the Way to Stop It by Owen Strachan Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe by Dr. Voddie Baucham Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis by Scott David Allen What Every Christian Needs to Know About Social Justice by Jeffrey Johnson The Victim Cult: How the culture of blame hurts everyone and wrecks civilizations by Mark Milke Discrimination and Disparities by Thomas Sowell You can also find a lot of helpful resources and book reviews on Neil Shenvi's website. ----------------- Consider supporting the work at THEOTIVITY.COM/DONATE Visit theotivity.com for more content. Sign up for our monthly email Newsletter to stay updated on all the latest content. Please consider sharing this episode and leaving a 5-star review on your podcast app to help us grow. Follow us at @theotivity on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Rumble).

Greg discusses harmonizing our observations of nature with Scripture, talks about a billboard that uses a Bible verse to advertise getting an abortion in California, then answers questions about David saying he sinned only against God and whether desires can be sinful, not just actions.   Topics: Commentary: All truth is God's truth. (00:00) Commentary: Does loving our neighbor entail facilitating abortions? (09:00) Why does David say, “Against you only have I sinned,” in Psalm 51? (31:00) What do you think of the phrase “Attractions are not actions”? (42:00) Is it really the case that if you don't act on homosexual feelings, then they're not sinful, or are thoughts sins? (42:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Billboard in Mississippi advertising getting an abortion in California Related Links: Have Grace for Fellow Christians on the Age of the Earth by Amy Hall Are We Accountable for Unchosen Sinful Desires? by Alan Shlemon

As a follow-up to a previous question, Greg talks about how some Christian thinkers in the past have resolved the question of when it's appropriate for Christians to resist those in authority, then he answers a question about whether we should use the Big Bang theory if parts of it contradict Scripture.   Topics: Commentary: When is it appropriate for Christians to resist those in authority? (00:00) Should we use the Big Bang theory for arguments like the kalam cosmological argument if parts of it contradict Scripture? (36:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 23–24 in Orange County, CA; October 14–15 in Seattle, WA; November 11–12 in Minneapolis, MN; February 24–25, 2023 in Dallas, TX; March 24–25, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA; April 21–22, 2023 in Augusta, GA Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy (archives here) The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates by Matthew J. Trewhella Crimson Tide film Listen to the original question: Should a Christian Take up Arms to Defend Himself against Physical Persecution? Related Links: Have Grace for Fellow Christians on the Age of the Earth by Amy Hall

You can read the article version of this episode here. Wokeness is a big issue in our culture today and it is seeping into the Church. Yet many don't realize just how insidious and dangerous this ideology really is to the Church and the Gospel. This episode builds on our last episode - "Wokeness, Social Justice and the Church" - to dive deeper into the underlying worldview issues. Woke ideology has a different account of origins and purpose, of sin and what's wrong with the world, of what we must do to make things right again and of its hope for the future. Stemming from its Marxist origins, it tends to be utopian in its outlook, yet brings with it destruction and division leading to dystopia. It is applied to a wide array of cultural issues today such as racism, feminism, LBGTQ issues, post-colonialism, ableism, gender studies, and many more. However, as we will see in this episode, wokeness is an Anti-Gospel that only offers perpetual guilt, never-ending penance with no hope of absolution or forgiveness and a false promise of a utopian future that it can't deliver on. Christians must be aware and prepared to give an answer to these important issues. Recommended Further Resources: Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice by Thaddeus J. Williams Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement Is Hijacking the Gospel - and the Way to Stop It by Owen Strachan Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis by Scott David Allen Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe by Dr. Voddie Baucham Christianity and Social Justice: Religions in Conflict by Jon Harris Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity―and Why This Harms Everybody by James Lindsey & Helen Pluckrose The Victim Cult: How the culture of blame hurts everyone and wrecks civilizations by Mark Milke ----------------- Please visit theotivity.com for more content. Sign up for our monthly email Newsletter to stay updated on all the latest content. Please consider sharing this episode and leaving a 5-star review on your podcast app to help us grow. Follow us at @theotivity on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Gettr, YouTube, Rumble).

You can read the article version of this episode here. Social Justice is an often misunderstood, hot-button issue these days. Yet it is one which the Church must grapple with. However, instead, many churches have succumbed to it, adopting anti-biblical doctrines and woke ideologies, they have forfeited biblical justice for the world's secular version of social justice. In this episode, we take a look at how woke ideology and social justice have invaded the Evangelical church through many prominent teachers and pastors and take a look at the dangers it poses. We also define some of the common phrases and concepts such as Postmodernism, Cultural Marxism, Critical Theory, Intersectionality, and Equality versus Equity to see how they are applied on a host of issues such as racism, ableism, feminism, LBGTQ issues, and more. Finally, we will compare and contrast the Bible's vision of justice with that of woke social justice to see that it is antithetical to Scripture. Recommended Further Resources: Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice by Thaddeus J. Williams Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement Is Hijacking the Gospel - and the Way to Stop It by Owen Strachan Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis by Scott David Allen Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe by Dr. Voddie Baucham Christianity and Social Justice: Religions in Conflict by Jon Harris Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity―and Why This Harms Everybody by James Lindsey & Helen Pluckrose The Victim Cult: How the culture of blame hurts everyone and wrecks civilizations by Mark Milke ----------------- Please visit theotivity.com for more content. Sign up for our monthly email Newsletter to stay updated on all the latest content. Please consider sharing this episode and leaving a 5-star review on your podcast app to help us grow. Follow us at @theotivity on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Gettr, YouTube, Rumble).

In this episode we take the time to pray for all Christians in China and especially for those who listen to our podcast. We thank you.

How to Disagree with Fellow Christians on Non-Essentials Series

How to Disagree with Fellow Christians on Non-Essentials Series

How to Disagree with Fellow Christians on Non-Essentials Series

How do we confront church hurt? What do we do when we experience anger, frustration, pain and lack of trust among fellow Christians? Rich and Brittni break down what sparks church pain and how to react. "If you allow church hurt to get inside of you, it is going to affect you in every way possible," Rich proclaims in this powerful episode. Dive in to listen today!

How do we confront church hurt? What do we do when we experience anger, frustration, pain and lack of trust among fellow Christians? Rich and Brittni break down what sparks church pain and how to react. "If you allow church hurt to get inside of you, it is going to affect you in every way possible," Rich proclaims in this powerful episode. Dive in to listen today!