Podcasts about god belief

“A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it. People who go blithely through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. A person's faith can collapse almost overnight if she has failed over the years to listen patiently to her own doubts, which should only be discarded after long consideration. “Believers should acknowledge and wrestle with doubts – not only their own but their friends' and neighbors'… Only if you struggle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including yourself, that are plausible rather than ridiculous and offensive. And, just as important for our current situation, such a process will lead you, even after you come to a position of strong faith, to respect and understand those who doubt. “But even as believers should learn to look for reasons behind their faith, skeptics must learn to look for a type of faith hidden within their reasoning. All doubts, however skeptical and cynical they may seem, are really a set of alternate beliefs. You cannot doubt Belief A except from a position of faith in Belief B… Every doubt, therefore, is based on a leap of faith.” – Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.

In this thought-provoking episode of Balancing the Christian Life, Dr. Kenny Embry engages in a conversation with Tommy Humphries, a college professor at Saint Leo University, about the existence and character of God. They delve into the complexities of belief, drawing parallels between faith and marriage, and explore the transformative power of love in the Christian journey. Join them as they navigate through questions of doubt, the limitations of human understanding, and the pursuit of a deeper relationship with God.Key Takeaways:Simple but Complicated: The question of God's existence is foundational to Christianity, but it's more complex than a simple yes or no.God as Love: Tommy believes God is love, and you can't talk about God without talking about love.Human Reason & Faith: Both human reason and faith play a role in understanding God. Even atheists and theists can have similar views if terms are clarified.Doubt and Faith: Doubt is part of the human experience, even for Christians. A lack of doubt can be a sign of shallow thinking.Marriage as an Analogy: Both marriage and faith involve commitment before full understanding and deepening of the relationship over time.God's Character: Believing in God involves understanding His character, not just acknowledging His existence.Love as the Core: Love is the greatest of all virtues, and the ultimate goal is to become a perfect lover of God and neighbor.Good of Believing in God: Belief opens us to a deeper understanding of the world and a transformative relationship with God.Memorable Quotes:"I became a Christian for very different reasons than I stay a Christian, because I think the reason I became a Christian was to escape hell. But I don't stay a Christian to escape hell." - Kenny Embry"God is love, and the heart of love is the ability to give yourself completely to another for their good." - Tommy Humphries"The real work of a theologian is to present a love which cannot be deconstructed." - Bishop Daniel Flores"Faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13Call to Action:Sign up for the free Balancing the Christian Life conference.Additional Notes:Dr. Kenny Embry is a conservative church of Christ member and communication professor.Tommy Humphries is a Catholic and a college professor.The conversation explored the complexities of belief in God, the nature of faith, and the importance of love in the Christian life.Dr. Embry emphasizes the importance of learning from people with different perspectives.Remember to be good and do good.If you would like to sign up for the 2024 Balancing the Christian Life Conference, go to www.balancingthechristianlife.com and click the menu at the top.Support the show

"The resurrection is at the core of our beliefs as Christians. Without it, our faith is meaningless." - Joseph B. Wirthlin. In his book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism", Tim Keller states, "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead." In this sermon we will focus on a well-known passage of scripture, and I will start with the end of the passage which is one of my favourite verses. 2 Cor 5:21 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Website: https://gochurch.co.za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gochurchsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gochurchcenturion/

Presence has a profound impact on our lives. So does its opposite—absence. On this episode of Being Human, Steve Cross welcomes author, professor, and public theologian Esau McCaulley. McCaulley's book Reading While Black is dedicated to his father, which may lead people to believe that they had a close relationship. But, McCaulley says that dedication was his way of declaring, “I forgive you.”  During their conversation, Cross and McCaulley talk about how the absence of paternal love can shape a child. They discuss how McCaulley's childhood affects his parenting, the role of humor in processing trauma, and the power of memory. They talk about racism, shame, and the roots of dehumanization. And they consider the presence of God's love and redemption. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Esau McCaulley Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulley How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South by Esau McCaulley The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary by Esau McCaulley Horatio Alger Marvin Williams Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton “Being Human with Steve Cuss” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Produced and Edited by Matt Stevens Associate Producers: McKenzie Hill, Raed Gilliam, and Abby Perry Theme song by Dan Phelps Original Music by Andy Gullahorn Mix Engineer: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Amy Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Presence has a profound impact on our lives. So does its opposite—absence. On this episode of Being Human, Steve Cross welcomes author, professor, and public theologian Esau McCaulley. McCaulley's book Reading While Black is dedicated to his father, which may lead people to believe that they had a close relationship. But, McCaulley says that dedication was his way of declaring, “I forgive you.”  During their conversation, Cross and McCaulley talk about how the absence of paternal love can shape a child. They discuss how McCaulley's childhood affects his parenting, the role of humor in processing trauma, and the power of memory. They talk about racism, shame, and the roots of dehumanization. And they consider the presence of God's love and redemption. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Esau McCaulley Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulley How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South by Esau McCaulley The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary by Esau McCaulley Horatio Alger Marvin Williams Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton “Being Human with Steve Cuss” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Produced and Edited by Matt Stevens Associate Producers: McKenzie Hill, Raed Gilliam, and Abby Perry Theme song by Dan Phelps Original Music by Andy Gullahorn Mix Engineer: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Amy Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wrapping up our series “Engage”, this week is part 2 of a 2 part message from Pastor Jodi, equipping us with practical, logical, and helpful insights into how to engage with those who claim there is no God, including questions to ask your atheist friends and family. This is also a good message for those who identify as atheists as well, so share with your atheist friend!Key Scripture Passages:2 Cor 10:3-5, 1 Pet 3:15, 1 Cor 2:14, 3:19-20, Psa 10:4-7, 14:1, 19:1-2, 74:18, 92:5-6, Gen 1:1, Ecc 3:11, Rom 2:15, Eph 4:18Books Referenced:- J. Warner Wallace's “God's Crime Scene”- Timothy Keller's “Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism”

In this special episode of Off Stage with Greg and RD, join us as we pay tribute to the life and lasting legacy of Tim Keller, a pastor, preacher, theologian, and author who left an indelible mark on our hosts, Greg and RD. Dive deep into the teachings of Keller that resonated with them personally, exploring the profound impact his wisdom had on their work as pastors and its relevance in today's ever-changing cultural landscape.Dr. Timothy Keller was a pastor, preacher, theologian, and apologist. He founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and is the author of multiple books including The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, King's Cross, The Meaning of Marriage, and Encounters with Jesus.R.D. references Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual FormationRD references Tim's sermon after 9/11: Truth, Tears, Anger, and Grace. Greg references the book Biblical Critical Theory by Christopher Watkin. Dr. Keller wrote the foreword for the book. RD reads from Tim's book Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering. Want to read more of Kellers' work but don't know where to start? Here are recommendations from the guys:Greg's Pick: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of SkepticismRD's Pick: The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian FaithFor more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org  You can also e-mail questions or topic ideas to offstage@fellowshipknox.org   

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Adam Groza to talk about his new book he wrote with J.P. Moreland entitled Unraveling Philosophy from B&H Academic. Today, we discuss how Christians can love God with all of our minds through studying the riches of philosophy.Meet Dr. GrozaAdam serves as associate professor of philosophy and vice president for enrollment and student services at Gateway Seminary. He is a native Californian and has taught philosophy related classes at a variety of institutions including California Baptist University, Scarborough College, and Korea Baptist Theological Seminary.Resources:The Republic by PlatoConfessions by St. AugustineSexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson by Camille PagliaThe Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller—The Digital Public Square is a production of the research institute at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. 

Jordan Raynor sits down with Dr. Gordon Chen, Chief Medical Officer of ChenMed, to talk about their radical business model that is doing justice in powerful ways, how to embrace and address conflict at work in a God-honoring way, and what Jesus's work as a physician means for us.Links Mentioned:Gordon Chen on LinkedInGordon Chen on TwitterChenMedThe Calling: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and the Future of HealthcareUnlimited Memory: How to Use Advanced Learning Strategies to Learn Faster, Remember More and be More ProductiveThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership FableThe Reason for God: Belief in an Age of SkepticismMere ChristianityThe Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for BeliefSeeking Allah, Finding JesusJordan Raynor

On May 19, 2023 Tim Keller died. In the Salvation Army they would say he was “promoted to glory.” Keller was a best-selling author, pastor, apologist, co-founder of The Gospel Coalition, and fellow Presbyterian. He spoke to millions, met with Presidents, but was ever down-to-earth. On the occasion of his death I wanted to share some of his quotes that I have found particularly insightful and inspiring. I have selected sentences which are succinct, and which give evidence not only of his wisdom but of his deliberate and often poetic use of words. I never met Keller personally. My only direct interaction with him was digital. In 2013 I quoted a line from Darth Vader as it appeared in one of his books. “I find your lack of faith—disturbing.” Keller re-tweeted it. So, you know, that basically makes us pals. More seriously, my first real introduction to his thinking was through his best-selling book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. People were talking about it. I was compelled. I bought it at the now-closed Crux Books on the University of Toronto campus. His writing gave evidence of a genuine, biblical faith undergirded by a vigorous intelligence. He tackled many of the questions and issues that people were (and are) wrestling with. ‘How could a good God allow suffering? Has science disproved Christianity? Is there really just one true religion?' The book not only included defenses against popular objections to the faith, but compelling and rational reasons to believe. In that book—and in his life in general—Keller advocated a Christian faith which was theologically robust, gracious, and sensitive to the questions and experiences of modern people. This appealed to my Reformed Protestant heritage which has always taken education and learning seriously. Professor John Leith has said that... Read More

On May 19, 2023 Tim Keller died. He was a best-selling author, pastor and apologist. He spoke to millions, met with Presidents, but was ever down-to-earth. My first introduction to his writing was through his best-seller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. His writing gave evidence of a genuine, biblical faith … Continue reading With all your mind

Tim Keller, an influential minister who founded a network of evangelical Christian churches in New York City, has died.  Tim founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan in 1989 and grew the congregation into a hub for a network of churches across the city. His 2008 book, “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism,” reached The New York Times bestseller list. His books have sold more than 3 million copies.  Ed Stetzer sits down with his biographer Collin Hansen to talk about his life and legacy for the kingdom of God.

Tim Keller, an influential minister who founded a network of evangelical Christian churches in New York City, has died.  Tim founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan in 1989 and grew the congregation into a hub for a network of churches across the city. His 2008 book, “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism,” reached The New York Times bestseller list. His books have sold more than 3 million copies.  Ed Stetzer sits down with his biographer Collin Hansen to talk about his life and legacy for the kingdom of God.

Is it Reasonable to Base Our Hope on the Bible?It's Self-Brain Surgery Saturday, and today I've got a treat for you!I had a great conversation with Pastor Jarrett Stephens, pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. We talked about why it's reasonable to believe in and place our hope on God's word. Do you have to be a moron to believe? Is there any rational basis for thinking that the Bible is inspired and not just a book of old stories and ideas written by people?Jarrett takes us through why even smart people (even brain surgeons!) should have a high degree of confidence in the reliability of this book, and why the Bible isn't like any other literature in the world- it's living and active!Jarrett is also the author of two great books, The Always God: He Hasn't Changed, and You Are Not Forgotten, and The Mountains are Calling: Making the Climb for a Clearer View of God and Ourselves.Check out Jarrett's I Am Second video for more of his story. Other book mentioned in this episode- The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller.Hey, I just wrote a book about my research into how people process pain and find hope again after they experience what we call “The Massive Thing,” or TMT, Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things (coming July 25). You can pre-order it by clicking on the book cover below.Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

In his book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism", Tim Keller states "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead." In my message today we will focus on a well-known passage of scripture that has even been called “the resurrection creed” because of its creed-like structure. It is one of the earliest and most significant confessions of faith in the Christian tradition.

Pastor Garrison GreeneTEXT: John 17:17BIG IDEA: The Bible is our true and trustworthy guide.OUTLINE:1) Should We Read The Bible Literally?2) Can We Be Confident That The Bible Is True?3) What Difference Does All This Make?RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Thrill of Orthodoxy: Rediscovering the Adventure of Christian Faith by Trevin Wax; Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller; Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John by Edward Klink III; Why Trust the Bible? by Greg Gilbert; Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft & Ronald Tracelli; Fulfilled Prophecy Demonstrates the Divine Inspiration of Scripture by Steve Lawson; Literalism: Isn't the Bible Historically Unreliable and Regressive? by Timothy Keller; Sanctified in Truth! by Steve Lawson; A Peculiar Glory by John Piper

“Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8:[9]. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” As a child, I lived by all of the above. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/antonio-myers4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/antonio-myers4/support

Let's talk about doubts. Doubting your faith is so common and has become especially rampant, it seems like. From doubting your salvation, to questions about Christianity, to tapping into other religions, doubts flood the church. Megan doubted for 6 years of her walk with Christ. Today we are talking about Megan's testimony when it comes to doubting her faith, different types of doubters, truths about your doubting season, and how to conquer doubts. Sponsors: Faithful Counseling: Get 10% OFF with code 'shelivespurposefully' at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/shelivespurposefully Anchor: anchor.fm Bible Studies: https://www.shelivespurposefully.com/slp-studies/ Resources for those who doubt: Articles to TONS of questions: https://answersingenesis.org/answers/ The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion (The Gospel Coalition) The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Isaiah 65:17-25 Pastor Tenneson Longing for the City of God Will Help Us Get There Intro We have had a sweet time in the book of Isaiah hearing about Jesus from different passages. We heard two sermons about the birth of a promised child who would set the world right. Then, last week, Daniel preached a sermon about how this child, now an adult, would act to rescue his people through the shedding of his own blood. So far we have the identity of the king, Jesus. We know who his people are: the one's who trust in the king and his shed blood. What's missing is the place. A kingdom consists of a king, his people, and the place where they live. We hear many sermons about Jesus and about how we relate to him (which is great!), yet we hear too few sermons about the place Jesus opens for us by his death and resurrection. We get to hear about this place this morning. Unfortunately, many of us probably don't think of heaven or the after life often. If we do, we might think it sounds boring or even scary. We might imagine ourselves floating on the clouds or trapped in a never ending worship service. How sad that we tend to think this way about the place God has prepared for us. Do you want to have a different perspective than that? Do you think God wants you to have a different perspective than that? Then let's dive into his word and see what it says: Revelation Isaiah 65:17 NIV 17 “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Right before our verses in this chapter, God had just declared that his people would receive great fullness and joy from him while his enemies would receive pain and judgment. In our passage, God is giving the reason for what came before. These verses explain why his people “eat…drink…rejoice… and sing for gladness of heart” (Isa 65:13-14). Why is this the case? Because, God said, “Behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” That sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Let's talk more about what it means. When Jesus returns, God will will create the world all afresh again: he says, “I will create a new heavens and a new earth.” This language takes us back to the first words in the Bible, Gen 1:1 Genesis 1:1 NIV 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The heavens and the earth describe the upper and lower limits of creation, so what should come into mind is the sky above and the earth beneath and everything in between, a whole world. To create a “new heavens and a new earth” is to create a whole new creation. This includes everything we see, touch, and feel except made new again without any of the old sin and death that our first parents brought into God's good creation. Before we go any further, we need to have an expectation adjustment: the final state of God's people will not be disembodied spirits far, far away. It's true that after we leave this Earth and before Jesus returns, we will live with God as spirits without bodies. Yet, that's only temporary and not God's ultimate plan. Rather, when Jesus comes back, God will create this brand new creation, give us new bodies, and we will live with him in a world much like this one, yet without sickness, relational brokenness, or anything that brings us sorrow. This is what God means when he says, “I will create a new heavens and a new earth.” God's renewal of us and this place will be so complete that he can promise, “The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” What an amazing hope for us, especially for those of us who feel trapped by the pain and shame of the past. This doesn't mean we won't have any recollection of the things that happened in this life, but that painful memories won't continue to harm or sadden us any longer. I am aware that there are people who have been traumatized in this room. There are probably people in this room who have traumatized other people and you struggle to get over that shame. Physiologically, we now know that even if you forget about your trauma consciously, you often carry it around in your body and it manifests in physical symptoms like head aches, body pain, and insomnia.[1] Other traumatized people will think repeatedly or compulsively about their trauma (many of us have harm and pain in our past that is like this that we compulsively think about). Not in God's new creation. He will so completely renew and deliver his people “the former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.” These verses would have brought such sweet relief to God's people who in a few generations would have experienced unimaginable pain. The Babylonian armies will besiege and overthrow the city of Jerusalem. A siege is the worst kind of ancient warfare. First, the besieged city suffers hunger and starvation (during this time some people would even eat other people they were so hungry). Then the army breaks in and unrestrained bloodletting follows. Some of the first readers of this book would have known the meaning of trauma as they sat in Babylonian captivity. The words we are about to read about a restored Jerusalem would have been so precious to those who had seen the worst evils imaginable committed in it.[2] And if you are here today wondering if you will ever fully heal from a sin done against you or from a horrible sin you committed against another. Here is what God's word says to you who are trusting in Jesus, Isaiah 65:17 NIV 17 “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. As we go further into this prophecy, God's message keeps getting better, Isaiah 65:18–19 NIV 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. As the Hebrew Scriptures often do, they repeat themselves to give us a fuller image of what they are communicating. God is going to give us another image to fill out our understanding of his new creation. “I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.” God says both Jerusalem and its people will be happy: a happy city with happy people! As I mentioned before, this will soon be a ruin and filled with mourning and weeping. What a comforting image to those whose memories of Jerusalem were only pain and death to hear that the new creation God will create will be as their beloved city but completely made right. When God sets the world right, he will heal even your worst pain and sorrow. We should not think of the new creation as some kind of disembodied realm where we float around with harps, but as concrete as life in a city except everything is set right. There's a theme that runs throughout the Bible of the city of God, that is, the society and culture God is building in his people and will fully bring into being when Jesus comes back. Another word for this city of God that Jesus will build when he comes back is “the New Jerusalem.” It contrasts the city of man which characterizes our current society and world. Sinful people build the city of man on the value of personal gratification at the expense of others. The city of God rests on the foundation of self-sacrifice for the good of others. That's why in this passage when God talks about his new creation, he calls it “Jerusalem.” It will be as tangible, as concrete as a city made right. Just as a city made right should have encouraged these sorrowful Jews in captivity, so it should bring comfort to us as we experience sin and brokenness in our city around us. More than any time in recent history, we here in Minneapolis are in a position to appreciate the hope of living in the kingdom of God. No one in this room would deny that they have felt sorrow over the things that have unfolded here. The brokenness of Minneapolis and her people show that we are not yet in the city of God, we still live in the city of man. Yet, this disappointment with our world should serves a purpose. Our discontent should fuel a deep longing to live in the city of God. Our hearts were made for and desire a city where, as Isaiah puts it, “the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.” I want you to pause and imagine Minneapolis for a moment, except... there is no homelessness or joblessness there is no mental illness or drug addiction there is no racism, segregated neighborhoods, or political division there is no more car-jacking or shootings that kill little children. there is no more police brutality or riots. no more sex trafficking or abortion Church families where all kinds of people of different backgrounds come together to worship Jesus fill our city. Families and singles come together to recreate and there's not a single lonely person. Would any of you care to move to this city? The crazy thing this text is saying is that you will. That's what God means when he says, Isaiah 65:18–19 NIV 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. You will get to be the happy people of God living in the city of joy. None of the things that break your heart will ever happen again and you will get to be with Jesus. We will get to say along with Sam from the Return of the King after he finds out that his friends survived and they had defeated their great enemy, “will everything sad come untrue?”[3] And amazingly, in Jesus, yes it certainly will. Now, the Lord is going to provide a handful of images that will further capture what life will be like in the city he will create: Isaiah 65:20 NIV 20 “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. In the ancient world, infant mortality was a common occurrence. Though we have sadly lost some children to miscarriage, by God's grace, we haven't lost any of the babies that have been born in our church community. However, this would have been far different in Isaiah's day. Infant mortality would have been a consistent reminder of the curse of death. This reminder of death will vanish in God's new city because sin and death will vanish. Isaiah also says someone dying at 100 years old will be considered a “young child.” What a sweet picture that there will be no more premature or unexpected death. It always feels like a gut shot when someone you know dies, even if you were expecting it. Death is so unnatural that our minds always struggle to comprehend what even happened. One more sweet detail about this city: no more gut shots, no more grief, no more trying to comprehend and accept death. There will be no more comprehending death because there will be no more death. These images are not suggesting that there will be death in this city (as that would contradict other parts of Isaiah that say there will be no more death at all). Instead, they are images that would connect to the imaginations of the original hearers in concrete ways. These are imaginative ways of saying, as one author says, “over the whole of life, the power of death will be gone.”[4] What more do we learn about this city? Isaiah 65:21–23 NIV 21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. It seems as if the New Jerusalem is a simple place. What will be there? Houses, gardens, people, good food. It says, No longer will we build houses and others live in them,” that is, there will be no enemies or hostility. “As for the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people.” It will go on for a really, really long time. “They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune.” No one will ever have to worry that you'll lose something you worked for or your children will have to face hard things in life. It sounds like the ultimate family or friends gathering in a warm house with warm people and warm food. Perhaps you have had one of those evenings you just wish would never end. You will get one that never ends, child of God, and it will be far better than any you've ever experienced here. The descriptions of heaven are far different than our imagination of floating in the sky in an unending worship service. Instead, the Bible paints a picture for us of a new creation, filled with all of the good things God made for us to enjoy with our bodies and without any of the things that cause pain and harm. And still, there is something far, far better than what Isaiah just taught, Isaiah 65:24 NIV 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Can you imagine if you were praying one morning in your room, telling God you loved him and asking him for help, and suddenly Jesus himself was standing beside you, answering you. Would you want that? Well, you'll get that in the city of God. You will get to have perfect intimacy with Jesus. He won't ever seem far off again, and you won't ever close yourself off from him again. In the city of God, you will have perfect relationship with God all the time. Then comes our last verse, Isaiah 65:25 NIV 25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. There's a saying that goes, “nature is red in tooth and claw.” It refers to the constant violence and death that marks the animal kingdom, which points to the sin and death in us. God's restoration of the creation will be so complete even the animals will live at peace with one another. The wolf (the predator) and the lamb (its prey) will feast beside one another. The lion (a terrifying hunter) will eat straw instead of animals. A serpent (a killer of men and animals, dating all the way back to the garden) will only eat dust and harm no more.[5] God says, “they will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” a phrase that takes us back to Eden, which God had likely situated on a mountain. The New Jerusalem will be a new garden of Eden where we will enjoy all the same delights and provisions from God. Church, as I mentioned at the beginning of the sermon, understanding these things about the place God is preparing for us is essential for our lives in this broken world. What we believe about the future shapes how we live now[6]. The longer we live here in the broken city of man, the more we need the promise of the city of God. As life wears on, and we experience the inadequacy of this world at new levels, we can have one of three responses: (1) despair and distraction: we can become depressed at the state of things and flee to distractions like substances, entertainment, or anything to get our minds off our sorrow. This response does not fill us up with the presence of God, but empties us of it. If we respond to this world like the rest of society does, we should not expect we will have more joy or hope than they do. (2) finding a false savior: we can give ourselves to political and social movements with the false hope and ferver that we can set the world right without Jesus coming back. There's nothing wrong with making the world a better place, just with living with the commitment to a cause other than Jesus as if it's the thing that could set the world right. This kind of life leads to bitterness and despair. (3) What alternative is there to these responses? Longing for the city of God. Not despair or detraction but desiring. Instead of fixing our attention fully on the brokenness here, or numbing ourselves to it, we can meditate on the city God is building. Does this describe you? Do you think daily about God's promise to remake the world for his people after Jesus returns? God is inviting you to the hope in his promise to remake the world. I confess to you that looking forward to the new creation is not a daily part of my thought and prayer life as it's meant to be. God means for me to be more full of joy and more full of himself than I am. I keep myself from greater fullness of God by distracting myself from the pain of this life with empty entertainment. To be blunt: looking at my phone instead of meditating on and anticipating life with God robs me of more of God's presence. Church that leads to our main point this morning, Longing for the city of God will help get us safely home. It's the act of anticipating life in this city that God will use to supply us with strength to not fall into despair or trusting a false savior and instead safely arrive at the New Jerusalem. You could give up on following Jesus if you become too discouraged or too numbed and distracted, or too devoted to something else besides him, but not if you're thinking often of the place he is making for you. There's a song the elder team enjoys. We actually all jammed out to it in Dale's minivan when we were driving to our last retreat together. The song is Citizens by John Guerra and in it, he expresses his despair to God over the brokenness of this life, and then responds by hoping in the city of God. The chorus goes like this, Coming to you ‘cause I'm confused Coming to you ‘cause I feel used Coming to weep while I'm waiting Tell me you won't make me go I need to know there is justice and it will roll in abundance (and here it is…) and that you're building a city Where we arrive as immigrants And you call us citizens And you welcome us as children home Do you marvel God is building a city and will welcome you? Church, the thought of life forever with God is not meant to bore us, but to so fill us with hope that we can faithfully suffer well and arrive at home with God. You may wonder how you might become a citizen of this city if you have not yet. Please stick around and talk to myself or any of the members. You need to know the man who is king over it, Jesus, who shed his blood so that all who come to him could live in this place. One final word on this text. This image of a city as the new creation of God appears again at the end of the Bible in Revelation 21:9-10 Revelation 21:9–10 ESV 9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, Verse 10 which describes the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven onto a high mountain is what our church logo is depicting. We deeply long for the Lord to make the world right and the place where he dwells with his people. Our logo is a call for us to think about these things often. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:38 PM December 13, 2021. Benediction: 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Re 22:20–21). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [1] I gained these references from “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Kindle Edition by van Der Kolk, Bessel . Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle EBooks @ Amazon.Com.,” accessed December 17, 2021, https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma-ebook/dp/B00G3L1C2K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VUYJEPJTGWAQ&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score&qid=1639761584&sprefix=the+body+keeps+the+%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1. [2] John Calvin helped me see that these words would have addressed those in exile. John Calvin: Commentary on Isaiah - Volume 4 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org) [3] “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism - Kindle Edition by Keller, Timothy. Religion & Spirituality Kindle EBooks @ Amazon.Com.,” accessed December 17, 2021, https://www.amazon.com/Reason-God-Belief-Age-Skepticism-ebook/dp/B000XPNUZE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+reason+for+god&qid=1639761988&sr=8-1, 33. [4] Motyer, J. A. (1999). Isaiah: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 20, p. 451). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. [5] Cf. Motyer, J. A. (1999). Isaiah: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 20, p. 451). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. [6] Dr. Jason DeRouchie quoted Scott Hafemann as saying that in a lecture.

Episode Summary. In Hebrews 11:6, God reveals to us a profound, universal truth. Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he…rewards those who seek him. Here, God reveals that the prerequisite for drawing near to Him is an assumption about his nature—that the time, risk, and energy spent seeking to have a relationship with him is a worthwhile investment—that it is beneficial to seek God, that his goodness causes him to enrich those who seek him. If this principle is true—that confidence in God's benevolent character is a requirement for drawing near to him—no wonder Satan planted doubts in Eve's heart about God's goodness. No wonder the difficult circumstances of life so easily bring not just a complaining attitude, but subtle doubts about whether God really is as good as we had believed. This episode seeks to build biblical certainty into our hearts that God always rewards those who seek himFor Further Prayerful Thought: Why does is make sense that in order to draw near to God we must believe that he is a rewarder of those who seek him? David, among all biblical heroes, had one of the closest walks with the Lord and expressed his love for God's Law most profusely. Why might these be related?If you sensed that someone was generally interested in how God could be loving and still ordain a world with so much suffering, how would you answer?  Resources Used in Today's Episode The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, Timothy Keller.The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity, Lee Strobel.For the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men's issues click here.

Listener Question: "Can The Bible Be Trusted?" Answered by special guest Joe Robideaux, Lead Pastor of Faith Christian Community in Anchorage, Alaska.Resources: Revisiting the Corruption of the New Testament: Manuscript, Patristic, and Apocryphal Evidence (Text and Canon of the New Testament)Reinventing JesusThe Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do we mean when we confess belief in one God? How can one God be more than one Person? Why does it matter?   Join John Bacon and Father Daniel Kirk as they explore the Catholic belief in One Triune God who shares one divine nature in three co-eternal Persons.

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Michael Kruger, President of Reformed Seminary-Charlotte and author of Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College. Dr. Kruger wrote this book for his daughter, who is now a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, sharing what he wished he understood as a young believer and a student there thirty years ago, as his faith was challenged by his religion professor. Now an accomplished scholar, he is able to offer much wisdom to his daughter Emma, and so many like her, who face challenges to their faith each day on campus.  In this podcast we discuss: Why he wrote this book to his daughter, now studying at a public university How his book will also help students at Christian colleges and universities, and their parents The strong bias against the Christian faith in Religion Departments How studying at a secular university can help students grow in their faith  How students can identify and engage the biases of their professors and their own  How to disagree on “hot-button” topics in a respectful and loving way  How our theological paradigms incline us to respond to objections to the Christian faith differently (such as our response to the Problem of Evil) The importance of students understanding biblical truth to survive Religion 101  How our churches can help students prepare to thrive during college Two “flavors” of Evangelical Christianity that don't prepare students well for college Different types of doubt Christians experience, and how to “doubt well”   What to do if a student feels “Christianity just isn't working for me.” The connection between head and heart--between what we believe and what we love The only way to sustain a robust Christian faith for the long-haul   Why one unanswered objection shouldn't derail your faith Why all believers will benefit from this book (not just college students) Resources mentioned during our conversation: Michael J. Kruger, Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College  Michael Kruger's website James Anderson, What's Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions  James Anderson, Why Should I Believe Christianity?  C.S. Lewis' Free Will defense to the Problem of Evil: Mere Christianity, pp. 47-48, see also Art Lindsley, “The Problem of Evil: C.S. Lewis Speaks to Life's Most Difficult Questions” Stan Wallace, "If God Exists, Why is There Pain and Suffering?" Mark Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

Join Raza Ahmed and Hanif Khan for Friday's show where we will be discussing: Unity of God Unity of God Belief in the Unity of God helps humans to fully lay their trust in the One God that will protect and guide them. Join us as we discuss how belief in the Oneness of Allah Almighty impacts not only the individual but society as a whole to become more harmonoius. Trials Trials and tribulations are a part of life; how we deal with them is up to us – will we use them to help us grow or let them overwhelm us? Join us as we discuss the need to have faith and overcome trials as God has promised that there is ease after hardship. Guests include: Imam Kausar Mahmood Imam Abdur Rahman Khan Produced by: Faiza Mirza

This is an audio recording of our Sunday School class lesson, "Responding to 'There Can’t Be Just One True Religion'" from March 14, 2021. A video version is also available on YouTube, and linked from our class recordings and resources webpage.) We started a new book study today using Timothy Keller's 2008 (revised in 2018) book, "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism," and today highlighted Chapter 1. Our focus Bible verses for today were John 10:1-10, from both the NIV and MSG versions. Our class is taught by Dr. Wesley Fryer. Slides for today's lesson are available. This recording, these slides, and additional class recordings as well as resources are available on: followjesus.wesfryer.com/classes. Learn more about the Christian theology and background of our class teacher and presenter, Dr. Wesley Fryer, on: www.wesfryer.com/theology/. Follow Dr. Wesley Fryer's Christian Twitter channel on: twitter.com/pocketshare. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Trusting in God's blessing in our lives, we need two things. Belief in God Belief in ourselves We need to The post Trusting in God's blessings appeared first on Armenian Christian Fellowship.

Episode 631 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. I am naturally interested in studying the bible and theological books. I also have a young family and while my wife is not uninterested in these things, I also know it would not be ideal for us as a family to read and discuss the types of things I am naturally drawn to, theologically speaking. I think it would be too much for them and unhelpful. What are ways that I can better help my family learn about the faith together? 2. Does Jesus serve only as the intermediary between us and the Father, or can we also pray to Jesus as well as the Father? 3. Recently I had a mini debate with some followers and disciples of a very intense charismatic leader. In our conversation they used Acts 2 as their self-defense on personal revelation or dreams. What do you think would be a good response to these interpretations? 4. Does everyone that goes to hell suffer equally? It would seem reasonable to think that someone like Hitler would suffer more than an ethical, moral person who perhaps had never been exposed to the Word or perhaps kept putting off a decision or was led into a less than real salvation experience. Today's Offer Inner Core Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller

Episode 609 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. CoreChristianity.com   Show Notes   1. I am naturally interested in studying the bible and theological books. I also have a young family and while my wife is not uninterested in these things, I also know it would not be ideal for us as a family to read and discuss the types of things I am naturally drawn to, theologically speaking. I think it would be too much for them and unhelpful. What are ways that I can better help my family learn about the faith together? 2. Does Jesus serve only as the intermediary between us and the Father, or can we also pray to Jesus as well as the Father? 3. Recently I had a mini debate with some followers and disciples of a very intense charismatic leader. In our conversation they used Acts 2:17-18 as their self-defense on personal revelation or dreams. What do you think would be a good response to these interpretations? 4. Does everyone that goes to hell suffer equally? It would seem reasonable to think that someone like Hitler would suffer more than an ethical, moral person who perhaps had never been exposed to the Word or perhaps kept putting off a decision or was led into a less than real salvation experience. Today's Offer Inner Core Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller

Episode 547 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. How do I deal with a Christian friend who has fallen for a lot of false teaching and who is not teachable and gets offended if I don’t agree with them? 2. If God will blot out our sins, why do we have to give an account for every word that we speak?  3. What is the biblical distinction between the spirit and the soul? What role do the heart and mind play in this relationship or distinction?  4. My daughter told me about a lecture she heard in her college class where the professor said that God the Father in Christianity functions as a way to maintain patriarchal structures in society, which causes harm to women. Is there a way to encourage her and affirm that God being a good Father doesn’t have to mean what the professor seems to be saying?   Resources The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller Offers Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core.

Episode 542 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. I find myself struggling with the balance between being dedicated to growing in my faith and recognizing that I cannot fix myself. I’m wondering, how can I find peace in that tension that I am still growing? 2. I go to a church where a lot of people speak in tongues. I don’t understand it, and because I don’t, it makes me feel like I’m not a good a Christian. Why would God give a gift to some people and not to others? 3. Everywhere I look, there’s always a solid argument against the existence of God, or the reliability of the Bible, whether it’s logical or scientific. How can I combat these as a believer? 4. Where did Paul go to church, since he was always moving back and forth so much? Resources The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Gregory Koukl Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical by Timothy Keller The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller Offers Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core.

On this episode of The DiscipleMakers Podcast, we talked with Mike Chartowhich about evil and suffering. We have a good God, who created the world as perfect, but as sin entered the world, so did evil and suffering. But where does evil come from? Why does God allow evil things to happen in the world? These are big questions that can oftentimes serve as obstacles in our evangelism or in our own wrestling with the realities of our world. The good news in that the Bible has answers. We walked through these questions during our conversation and even talked about how the Christian and biblical answers to these questions are more satisfying than any others you will find. -- Resources from this episode: Help us meet students this fall! Resources mentioned in the episodeThe Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller2015 DM Fall Conference on the Glory of God General books on the topic of evil and suffering:If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy AlcornWalking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller. Christians who wrestled with the emotional problem of evil:A Grief Observed by C.S. LewisWhen God weeps by Joni Eareckson TadaTortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand A scholarly book on the topic of evilThe Many Faces of Evil: Theological Systems and the Problems of Evil by John S. Feinberg (focuses on the intellectual problem) --- Our theme music is:bedtime after a coffee by Barradeen | https://soundcloud.com/barradeenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unportedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

A "Pre-Methodological" Discussion Series | Part 4 of 4 Watch video of talk here: https://youtu.be/9ahfNpYbaTk Summary: After creating a pie chart of reasons for thinking his Christian worldview is objectively true into categories grouped by importance, Shane and I explore the attributes of his reasons and how they interrelate or possibly influence each other. Since all four of our talks cover important concepts that set the stage for exploring the quality of Shane's reasons and reliability of Shane's methods, I've dubbed this series "pre-method" or "pre-methodological" as a result. It's my hope that these four talks will resonate with practitioners of Street Epistemology and they can see the potential this line of questioning has when it comes to exploring deeply-held beliefs. I am hopeful a discussion like this will one day break through the noise and truly help people reconsider how they decide to interact with someone else's claims, reasons, and methods. Identifying the relationships and dependencies of our "categories of reasons" is a critical path people should routinely consider. Thanks to The Conru Foundation for supporting Street Epistemology International. Note: Despite my best efforts, I was unable to conduct a 5th chat with Shane. I realize this may frustrate some viewers, but felt it would still be valuable to release these four talks to the public. The primary purpose of my videos has always been to show others how to do Street Epistemology themselves. If Shane and I never cross paths again, it's my hope someone will continue engaging with him in a productive manner. Thank you for your understanding and time. Location: San Antonio, Texas Recorded: 4 December 2019 Released: 13 August 2020 Skip ahead to a desired point in the talk: -- Intro Montage: 00:02 Start: 01:27 Apprentices?: 01:34 Pie Chart: 02:37, 05:20, 11:09, 12:55, 18:09, 23:38, 25:47, 31:44, 51:00 Dependencies: 03:18, 25:37, 27:30 10,000 Hornets: 03:58 Justification (Why): 04:09, 05:50, 10:11, 25:03 Repeating: 04:25, 04:52, 05:45, 07:10, 07:27, 11:23, 21:53, 23:32, 24:32, 28:44, 29:57, 31:36, 37:13, 37:33, 39:37, 43:28 Clarifying: 06:40, 14:20, 15:18, 33:00 Encouraging: 07:51, 28:47 CRU Talk: 07:55 Skate or Die: 07:59, 12:46, 17:50, 21:44, 27:29, 46:55, 53:16 Summarizing: 09:55, 18:12, 23:21, 36:18 Claim (What): 10:44, 11:56 Confidence Scale: 11:00, 13:36, 21:53, 33:25 Acknowledging: 12:14, 20:45, 31:09, 37:08, 43:07 Observing: 12:31 Resetting: 12:55, 20:35, 37:09, 38:43, 40:53 Puzzle Pieces: 13:03, 56:02 Wondering: 13:18, 50:15 Bias: 15:03, 16:37, 46:46, 48:33, 49:22 Seen My Vids? 15:43, 42:53, 57:44 Steelmanning: 18:37 Think!: 19:44 Challenging: 21:23, 26:07, 27:56, 29:41, 30:32, 32:15, 33:25, 35:32, 41:33, 43:59, 44:57, 47:16 Morality: 23:03, 25:22 Assessing: 23:57, 29:05, 29:16, 31:02, 37:22 Telling: 25:22 Pausing: 26:05, 28:47, 33:20, 34:07, 38:49, 46:32, 47:53, 48:49 Reframing: 26:50 Linchpin: 34:42 Interrupting: 36:18, 40:01, 40:53, 42:01, 48:38 Afterlife: 36:26 Objectivity: 28:53, 31:46 Aporia: 29:41, 32:26, 39:02, 41:33 Storytelling: 34:13 Correcting: 43:12, 48:35, 55:31 Reminding: 43:38 Testing: 45:29, 49:00, 55:40, 56:36 Closing: 42:29, 47:11, 56:47 Commending: 45:56, 50:53, 52:24 Questions for Me: 48:07, 51:48 Planning: 51:12, 53:36, 55:15 Ego Check: 51:58 Truth Valuation: 52:35 Recapping: 56:59 End Screen: 58:02 -- Note: Add 35 seconds to these timestamps if listening to the podcast version of this talk. Audio correction provided by Philipp Grzemba. Artwork provided by Rebecca Fox http://rebeccaonpaper.com/ Intro and Outro Music 'New Horizons' by Futuremono, provided by YouTube. Mistakes: "I just don't also want to lose my point." It probably would have been more accurate to say "lose my place". Recorded w/Go-Pro. Edited w/PowerDirector. The views addressed here are mine and mine alone, and are not necessarily shared by members of my family and friends.

Come for Aaron's introduction of the pod, stay for Tony and Aaron's discussion of the exclusivity of Christianity, and how we can disagree well.    To read along with us, order Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin here: https://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Christianity-Questions-Largest-Religion/dp/1433564238/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3UBFFN3QDODGR&dchild=1&keywords=confronting+christianity&qid=1595541299&sprefix=confronting%2Caps%2C313&sr=8-2   Aaron's Recommendation: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller, https://www.amazon.com/Reason-God-Belief-Age-Skepticism/dp/1594483493/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=reason+for+god&qid=1595541234&sr=8-  

In this episode we're covering Part 2 of Timothy Keller's book "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism".  It's different from Part 1, but it's bad in its own way and doesn't redeem the book for us.  We also highlight some of Adam's problems with Christianity as a whole.

We realized that we've been neglecting the atheist side of our podcast lately, and so for this week's episode we're delving into the first half of "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller.  And boy do we have some strong opinions of this book so far!

We're back on our series exploring the new book by Jeff Myers entitled, Unquestioned Answers. This week Ray and I discuss chapter one, "God Said it; I Believe it, and that Settles It for Me."Recommended Resources:Unquestioned Answers by Jeff MyersThe Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy KellerThe Case for Christ by Lee Strobel See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Summary: Justin returns the next day with Kasia, who wants to explore her claim that Jesus is real, so I turned it into a breakdown video. Watch BREAKDOWN of this talk: https://youtu.be/MEcSB04qXlY (this video) Watch talk WITHOUT breakdown: https://youtu.be/H6azBRBF6F4 Location: San Antonio, Texas Recorded: 8 October 2019 Released: 27 February 2020 Thanks to The Conru Foundation for supporting Street Epistemology International. Twitter: https://twitter.com/magnabosco (follow me) YouTube: https://youtube.com/magnabosco210 (tons of videos) Facebook: https://facebook.com/magnabosco210 (like my page) Website: https://anthonymagnabosco.com (contact me, appearances) SE Resources: https://tinyurl.com/abm-se-resources SE Community: https://tinyurl.com/abm-se-community SE Discord Server: https://discord.gg/sKap3zM Skip ahead to a desired point in my breakdown (you may have to scroll back a tad from these links as these go to the start of my commentary): -- Anthony's Intro: 00:16 Wide Shot Cam Notes: 00:38 Talk Without Commentary: 01:03 What's With the First Guy? 01:49 Something Bugged Me: 02:21 He Came Back for More: 03:51 What Did He Tell Her: 04:33 Two Interlocutors?! 04:53 A Serendipitous Moment: 05:30 Rules of Engagement: 06:47 Establish Confidence Level: 07:25 Confirm Scale Adherence: 08:12 Commending Your Partner: 08:54 My Ques...Oops: 10:40 Stay Focused: 12:03 Repeating Questions: 13:13 Encourage Clarity: 13:46 Quick Reassurances: 14:12 Active Listening: 14:54 Brief, Wonderful Pause: 15:36 Whiteboard Usages: 16:16 Revisit Consent: 17:29 What Should I Ask Next? 17:49 Outsider Test: 18:38 Intentional Head Scratch: 19:13 Are They Both Theists? 19:48 Not Entirely Confident: 20:41 I Love This Line: 21:19 Commend Your Partner: 21:58 Parting Gifts: 22:37 Revealing Your View: 23:35 Whiteboard Redux: 24:10 Sharing Narratives: 24:43 You Asked for It: 25:44 Minimize Distractions: 27:04 Building Trust: 27:32 An Unexpected Pause: 28:15 Rewording For Clarity: 28:50 More Commendation: 29:26 Educational Opportunity: 29:33 I Dropped the Ball: 30:28 Testing Capability: 30:51 Math Comparison: 31:28 It All Makes Sense to Me: 32:47 Head Nodding: 33:17 Explore Their Limits: 33:41 Getting Antsy: 34:36 Not Jumping In: 35:21 Watched SE Vids? 36:26 Shaky Footage: 37:40 Wrap-Up: 38:28 -- Note: Add 35 seconds to these timestamps if listening to the podcast version of this talk. Audio correction provided by Philipp Grzemba. Thumbnail assistance provided by Bell. Intro Music 'Finally The Sun' by Audio Hertz, provided by YouTube. ** Add foreign language captions w/YouTube's community contributions tools ** Mistakes: Please let me know if you spot any. Recorded w/Go-Pro. Edited w/PowerDirector. The views addressed here are mine and mine alone, and are not necessarily shared by members of my family and friends.

The Foundational Question for God Belief in god does not make you stupid There are clues around us that God is there God says we can know he’s there because Jesus was here

John 20:19-30The Consequential Gospel1. Peace with God is now available, v. 19-20Military- Exemption from the rage and havoc of war. Spiritual- The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot.2. The story is not over, v. 223. The responsibility is ours, v. 23Absolution is a pronouncement of remission (forgiveness) of sins to the penitent. Penance is a sacrament and the power to absolve lies with the priest, who can grant release from the guilt of sin to the sinner who is truly contrite, confesses his sin, and promises to perform satisfaction to God.Here are some of the problems with the concept of absolution…Man doesn’t have the authority to pronounce forgiveness of sin. Man has the responsibility to announce forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t depend on contrition or how bad we feel.Man is incapable of satisfying God through performance. Only Jesus can satisfy God…and He has! -Hebrews 6:1-94. God knows what we doubt, v. 24-29“A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it. People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. A person’s faith can collapse almost overnight if she has failed over the years to listen to her own doubts, which should only be discarded after long reflection. Believers should acknowledge and wrestle with doubts—not only their own, but their friends’ and neighbors’.”-Tim Keller “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism”Mental chewing gum…Does your conversion still hold wonder for you?Do you, or anyone else, experience your life in Christ as interesting?How is doubt at work in your life these days?What is Jesus inviting you to today?How will you pray as a result of what you heard today?

We have a part to play in the promises of God - BELIEF. If you can get there on your own, WHY DO YOU NEED GOD?!? He will make a way when there seems to be no way. Sometimes we water down the promise of God, so that it makes sense to us. We bring the level down so that we can feel good about what is possible. BUT GOD DOESN’T WORK OR EXIST OR WANT US TO LIVE IN WHAT IS POSSIBLE. HE LIVES IN IMPOSSIBILITY. We look at life at a natural viewpoint, but God doesn’t exist in the natural. GOD IS NOT LIMITED BY WHAT LIMITS US. Your belief is either empowering or limiting. This message was spoken on: 9/24/2019 @ Elevate Life Young Adults VISIT MY WEBSITE: KEELACRAFTAMBROSE.COM

In the following talk the speaker discusses belief in God and dealing with doubtful thoughts.

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7 (Expositional Commentary) by James Montgomery Boice; Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller; Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Tim Keller; Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible: Matthew by Stanley Hauerwas

In this episode, Austin interviews Tim Gaddy on all of the above. It is a very rich episode and we pray that it is a blessing to all of our listeners. Tim Gaddy is a trusted voice in the Apostolic movement and he is a phenomenal leader. It was our honor for him to join us on the podcast!Episode Links and Resources:Recommended book: “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism” by Timothy Kellertimgaddy.comThe Ken Coleman Showleadlikeneverbefore.comEpisode Quotes:“Lean into your strengths as opposed to trying to just shore up your weaknesses.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this “What can I do as a Christian to help someone else take the next step toward following Jesus?” - Tim Gaddy tweet this “Jesus didn't say ‘go ye therefore and be fed.' He said ‘go ye therefore and make disciples.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this “My role is to help saints act in Kingdom ways which build up the body of Christ.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this “Insecure leaders breed small thinking.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this “We can be a praying church without being a process church and we can mute what God wants to do.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this “If you will find yourself genuinely interested in people, you will never want for influence.” - Kenneth Haney 

Dr. Deb and Karen discuss the difference between believing in yourself and believing in God, and where our faith comes into our belief. SCRIPTURES: 1 Peter 1:8-9, Psalm 28:7, Isaiah 40:31, James 1:2-4 For resources, visit http://www.debwaterbury.com

May 1, 2019, | Pastor Don Dixon • What does it take to get into the presence of God? • Belief is the first step • Next is baptism in Jesus name. • When we are faced with our own mortality, we instinctively ask, what will happen to me? • The Books of Acts tell us to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. • It takes God to live for God. • Faith comes by hearing and faith is necessary for pleasing God. • It doesn't matter the order, but as soon as we surrender all, we are then a candidate for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. • Many come to God when they are faced with a life-changing event. • No one comes to God unless He draws you. • We need the Spirit of God to guide us every step of the way! Without the Spirit of God, we can easily get off track and go our own way. • Salvation is a gift from God. We cannot earn it. Receive salvation from God by first believing. • Next, we repent; which literally means to change direction and go in the opposite way in God's direction. • After that, we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and erasure of our wrongdoing. Finally, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit; which leads us in the ways and direction of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This we jump into the First Commandment. What does it mean to have no other gods? How do we define idolatry? Since few in our churches are guilty of bowing down worshiping statues, does this commandment even apply to us today? Joining me to discus these questions and more is Pastor Allen Nelson of the Perryville Second Baptist Church in Arkansas and author of the book From Death to Life. Pastor Nelson also blogs at Things Above.Recommended Resources:Words From the Fire: Hearing the Voice of God in the 10 Commandments by R. Albert Mohler Jr. The Holiness of God by R. C. SproulThe Baptist Catechism Journal by Benjamin Keach The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Church teaching is an important part of our Catholic Faith. Today, Mike and Dave are going to show you how to incorporate the church into the kerygma. They explain how fellowship is not socializing and why the Church comes before the individual in the plan of God. “Our love for Jesus and for our neighbor impels us to speak to others about our faith. Each believer is thus a link in the great chain of believers. I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by my faith I help support others in the faith.” (CCC 166) Snippet from the Show: You have not given yourself faith as you have not given yourself life. The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others. (CCC 166) 5 Practical Tips 1) Meet someone at your parish that you have never met before. It can be as simple as introducing yourself. 2) Read 2Timothy 2. 3) Read CCC 176-184. 4) Pray for the staff of your parish all week long. 5) Look at the four steps of the kerygma below and compare them to your personal testimony. (You can also go to the shownotes on at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow.) Pencil in what parts of your testimony line up with the kerygma. This will help you make the kerygma center stage of your testimony and not your personal story. 4 Steps of the Kerygma: 1) God has a plan for your life. 2) Sin interrupts that plan and separates you from God. 3) Jesus Christ died and rose so that you could be forgiven of these sins and be united to God in heaven. 4) Through faith and his Church, you can be united to God forever. Recommendations 1) Fr. Spitzer’s book New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy 2) Rev. Timothy Keller’s book The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism 3) C.S. Lewis’ book Mere Christianity 4) Dr. Peter Kreeft’s book Fundamentals of the Faith: Essays in Christian Apologetics CCC #166

Books mentioned in this episode: ESV Study Bible (Crossway); Reader’s Bible (Crossway); God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life (Keller); The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Keller); Lit! (Reinke); The Beauty of the Lord: Theology as Aesthetics (King); The Magnificent Ambersons (Tarkington); In the First Circle (Solzhenitsyn)

Books mentioned in this episode: ESV Study Bible (Crossway); ESV Reader’s Bible (Crossway); God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life (Keller); The Life of Elijah (Pink); The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Keller); King Lear: The Pelican Shakespeare (Shakespeare); On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Karen Swallow Prior).

The first article of faith in Islam presents the belief in the Oneness of God. Iman (or faith in English), begins with the belief in Allah, the Glorious, from which all other facets of faith spring. A Muslim must adhere to and acknowledge the idea that no deity is worthy of his or her worship, love, subservience, hope, and fear, other than Allah. Nothing in existence is worthy of one’s ultimate loyalty and sacrifice nor worth the lowering the head in prostration or humility, except for Allah, the Creator of All. The Arabic word Allah means God. Allah is not a different God, nor a new God invented by Prophet Muhammad or by Muslims. Allah is the semantic term for God. Arabic Jews and Arabic Christians also use the word Allah in their Books. Islam is a monotheistic religion, and the belief that only One God should be worshipped is fundamental to the faith. The idea of multiple gods is rejected in Islam, as is highlighted many times throughout the Qur’an. "They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the third of three,’ And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment" (Quran 5:73) In another verse, God expresses His wrath for those that attribute a son to Him; calling it highly inappropriate and atrocious for one to commit this sin. "And they say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son’ You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom, and the earth splits open, and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son" (Quran 19:88-92) The most severe sin in Islam is known as shirk, which translates to the concept of ascribing a partner to Allah. The term also encompasses attributing divine qualities to any other besides Allah. Shirk is the only sin that God does not forgive if a person dies before repenting from. The Christian belief that Jesus is the son of God, or God himself, is an example of shirk. The belief in the concept of the Trinity--father, son, and holy spirit—is a grave sin in Islam. Allah states in the Holy Quran that on the Day of Judgement, Prophet Jesus peace be upon him will deny ever asking people to worship him instead of God or along with God: "And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): ‘O 'Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say unto men: 'Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?' ‘He will say: ‘Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours, truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden and unseen" (Quran 5:116) God is the One to whom worship is due; He is the Creator, the Provider, the Sustainer of everything. He is the Supreme, the Eternal. God has no father nor mother, no son or daughter, no partner nor equal. He is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Powerful, All-Merciful. It is He who gives life and causes death; it is He who is Unique in His Names and Attributes. Everything in this world and everything it contains, the whole universe, including you and I, belong to the One God. We use the phrases, ‘my hand,’ ‘my house,’ ‘my money,’ but in reality, it all belongs to God. "To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent" (Quran 2:284)

"Ogres have onions" - Alex Welcome back to part 2 of this conversation. Hope you're enjoying it. Stay connected and share this with someone who might be served by it. See you in the next one Please find the list of resources mentioned throughout both podcast episodes. - How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart - Who Made God ?: Searching for a theory of everything by Edgar Andrews - Unbelievable? by Justin Brierley - The Reason for God: Belief in an age of scepticism by Timothy Keller - The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel - On Guard by William Lane Craig - Reasonable faith by William Lane Craig

Thanks for tuning in everyone. This week we talk about apologetics and the conversation went quite deep. Have a notepad handy because there are a lot of things we skim over that you might want to do a little more research into. Bellow is a list of mentioned resources that might be helpful for your personal perusal! As always, subscribe if you haven't yet, leave a review and share this with someone! God bless - How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart - Who Made God ?: Searching for a theory of everything by Edgar Andrews - Unbelievable? by Justin Brierley - The Reason for God: Belief in an age of scepticism by Timothy Keller - The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel - On Guard by William Lane Craig - Reasonable faith by William Lane Craig

Is faith based on reason or is it about believing in things we don't have evidence for? This week, Mark and Marcel continue the 7-part series called, "Dress Code", where we discuss this question, and topics related to the Shield of Faith, and how this "shield" both protects us and helps us move forward. In this podcast, Mark recommended a book by Tim Keller, called "The Reason for God: Belief in the Age of Skepticism." It can be found here: https://www.amazon.ca/Reason-God-Belief-Age-Skepticism/dp/1594483493/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493215783&sr=8-1&keywords=tim+keller+the+reason+for+god Each week in this podcast, Mark Brewer and Marcel LeBrun discuss questions about searching for God in a post-truth world, based on Mark's latest weekly teaching at Crosspoint Church. A video recording of the "Dress Code" messages can be seen here: crosspointchurch.ca/sermons/dress-code/

Join host Craig Sider for this week's edition of “Leading in the City” with special guest Rev. Timothy Keller. Rev. Keller, New York Times bestselling author of, among other memorable works, “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.” He is also Chairman of Redeemer City to City, which starts new churches in New York and in other cities across the world. They discuss "church world" which is encased in the weekend, and then there's living out your faith.

REFLECTION QUOTES “All the money you earn, all the stocks you buy, all the mutual funds you trade–all of that is mostly smoke and mirrors. It's still going to be a quarter-past late whether you tell the time on a Timex or a Rolex. No matter how large your bank account, no matter how many credit cards you have, sooner or later things will begin to go wrong with the only three things you have that you can really call your own: your body, your spirit, and your mind.” ~Stephen King (1947-present), American novelist and short-story writer “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.” ~Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism “Where Christ is preached as ascended in the flesh, it cannot be said that the flesh is unworthy of the upward call. And if it is worthy, or has been made worthy, then it follows that the flesh can neither be despised nor indulged, but must rather be disciplined and trained for glory.” ~Dr. Douglas Farrow of McGill University in Montreal “Preaching should break a hard heart and heal a broken one.” ~John Newton (1725-1807) “The faster we run, the further away the dreams that we chase become And lost in the sun spinning and turning, blind in the burning light of day We have to turn away.” ~“Lost in the Sun” by Dan Fogelberg (1951-2007) “OK, a lot of people say there is no happiness in this life and certainly there's no permanent happiness … I'm not exactly sure what happiness even means, to tell you the truth. I don't know if I personally could define it.…[I]t's like water—it slips through your hands.” ~Bob Dylan (1941-present) in AARP Magazine interview SERMON PASSAGE selections from 1 Corinthians 15 (ESV) 12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead…. 50I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

REFLECTION QUOTES “Though [repentance] be a deep sorrow for sin that God requires as necessary to salvation, yet the very nature of it necessarily implies delight. Repentance of sin is a sorrow arising from the sight of God's excellency and mercy, but the apprehension of excellency or mercy must necessarily and unavoidably beget pleasure in the mind of the beholder. ‘Tis impossible that anyone should see anything that appears to him excellent and not behold it with pleasure, and it's impossible to be affected with the mercy and love of God, and his willingness to be merciful to us and love us, and not be affected with pleasure at the thoughts of [it]; but this is the very affection that begets true repentance. How much so ever of a paradox it may seem, it is true that repentance is a sweet sorrow, so that the more of this sorrow, the more pleasure.” ~Jonathan Edwards (1703-1753), “The Pleasantness of Religion” “Those who believe they have pleased God by the quality of their devotion and moral goodness naturally feel that they and their group deserve deference and power over others. The God of Jesus and the prophets, however, saves completely by grace. He cannot be manipulated by religious and moral performance–he can only be reached through repentance, through the giving up of power. If we are saved by sheer grace we can only become grateful, willing servants of God and of everyone around us.” ~Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism “Every day my conscience makes confession relying on the hope of Your mercy as more to be trusted than its own innocence.” ~Saint Augustine (354-430), The Confessions “Playing a fools game, hoping to win? Telling those sweet lies and losing again. I was looking for love in all the wrong places.” ~Waylon Jennings (1937-2002), American singer SERMON PASSAGE James 4:1-10 1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Sermon preached at St. Francis Episcopal Church, Great Falls, Virginia, on the Third Sunday of Lent, February 17, 2013, by the Rev. Benson Shelton. Gospel is Luke 13:1-9. Text preached on is 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Quote taken from Keller,"The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism."