Podcasts about imago dei

We have a lot of feelings about our bodies. What we don't have (and what the church has largely failed to give us) is a theology of them.Lisa Whittle has been a Bible teacher, bestselling author, and pastor's daughter her whole life. And even she admits she never thought to open Scripture and ask: what does God actually say about this from Genesis to Revelation, all the way through? It took a season of hearing women's stories, getting genuinely offended by the emptiness of the body-positivity movement, and a direct invitation from her publisher to finally take that deep dive. What she found changed her.In this conversation, we explore why the church's silence on the body has been a teaching in itself, and not always a helpful one. We talk about Imago Dei and why knowing it intellectually isn't the same as living from it. We also unpack what "It is finished" means for the woman who still hates what she sees in the mirror, as well as for the woman who lives in chronic pain or disability and wonders if whole body theology is even available to her.Spoiler: it is. Whole body theology leaves no body out.We also go somewhere that doesn't get talked about enough… the particular weight that falls on women in ministry who step onto a platform and suddenly find themselves fighting a second invisible battle alongside the one they were actually called to fight.This is a conversation that is equal parts honest, theological, and deeply freeing. Lisa's Bible study Body and Soul is linked in the show notes and it's a MUST DO recommendation from me.Lisa's Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com/Lisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle/Body & Soul Bible Study: https://tinyurl.com/mv6kbrjjLisa's Books and Bible Studies: https://www.lisawhittle.com/books

6/14/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:Dinosaurs on Noah's Ark?  Dinosaur tracks and human artifacts within the same fossil layers?  Fresh biological material within excavated dinosaur bones?  We have found water-soluble dinosaur DNA that has survived?You better buckle up.  Today's Kingdom Culture Conversation is going to spur a lot of conversations...Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campaign introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.Now, ten years later, Russ Miller is back and his warnings and worries have exploded into reality.  Our country and our culture are mired in confusion about truth, gender, marriage, race, identity, spirituality, and more.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.Miller's latest book is "Consider the Cost" -- an updated and expanded version of "The Cost" that is available at no cost in the three offices of Northwest Christian School -- and his message remains the same:  we must understand that we were created by God on purpose -- we are not biochemical happenstance -- and we were created for a purpose.  We are loved and valued.  The truth is knowable.  We have a reason.  We have a mission.This summer, we're going deep into creationism.  We are going to spend time with audacious individuals who believe in Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, Geocentricity, and, yes, a Flat Earth.  Our journey will be anchored in God's word as we enjoy some pretty amazing conversations.But, at the end of the day, diverse positions aside, every moment and every word of the KingdomCultureConversations.com episodes that we will hear this summer (between May 11th and September 28th) will be rooted in one truth:  You were created on purpose and for a purpose.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

Ep789 What does it mean to be human? Are we the Imago Dei or are we the Imago Dog? Is the individual person made in the image of God or the image of the animal? The question of human identity is perhaps the most important question of our time. Everything we talk about and argue over, whether it be politics, morality, justice, or human rights, rests on how we respond to this one basic question: “Who are we and what does it mean to be human?” Website: https://dreverettpiper.com Sponsor: https://equippingthepersecuted.org Washington Times: https://www.washingtontimes.com/staff/everett-piper/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreverettpiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreverettpiper

Humanity, God's greatest masterpiece, made in the image of God. What does that mean for me and what does that mean for others?

Are your workplace vibes healthy or toxic? Learn what to look for and how to turn things around. Most of us have experienced toxic environments that drain energy and crush morale. But what if you could build a curative culture – one rooted in trust, respect, and biblical values? In this episode of the Unconventional Ministry Podcast, Dennis Wiens welcomes Doug Shaw, Founder and CEO of Douglas Shaw and Associates, to explore how organizations (churches, ministries, and businesses) can move beyond toxic environments to cultivate curative cultures. Discover practical steps and biblical principles for fostering trust, safety, and purpose at work. In this episode, we discuss: The origins and meaning of curative culture Signs that a workplace culture is becoming toxic Key behaviors leaders should exhibit to promote health and trust The importance of living out organizational values consistently How the Imago Dei influences leadership and treatment of others Practical steps to begin transforming an organization's culture The role of mission, vision, and values in shaping a positive environment Stay inspired to lead with integrity, embody biblical values, and create environments where people flourish. Share this episode with your church, workplace, and nonprofit team to foster healthier, more curative cultures.

AI tools can perform incredible feats of computation. They can also displace human relationships, outsource learning, distort reality, and pretend to have wisdom. Christian families have a responsibility not to conform to the patterns of this world (Rom 12:2) but to test everything, hold on to what is good, and reject what is evil (1 Thes. 5:21). In this episode, Kelly provides a four-pillar biblical framework for evaluating AI tools and whether they are appropriate or beneficial for children. The four pillars are (1) Imago Dei, (2) Attributes of God, (3) Truth, and (4) Formation. Each pillar offers a preventative or protective measure and a practical application question parents can use to disciple children in the age of AI. Articles referenced: Here’s why graduates are booing commencement graduation speakers this year There is Already a Word for the Deep Moral Failures of AI Scripture referenced: Psalm 8:4-5 Isaiah 40:25-28 Proverbs 9:10 James 1:2-4 Romans 5:3-4 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Resources referenced: Foundation Worldview Webinar: AI, ChatGPT, and Your Kids: A Biblical Framework for New Technology Foundation Worldview Attributes of God Curriculum Upcoming Events: Great Homeschool Convention – Round Rock, Texas July 9-11 Kelly & Ryan will both be leading workshops and Brave Parenting will have an exhibitor booth JUST RELEASED: The Managing Media Creating Character STUDENT Study Guide! An 8-week biblical study examining how character is impacted by media and technology. The study can be done individually, in a small group, or even as homeschool curriculum! Great for middle school, high school, and young college students to develop Christlike character, which can then guide their use of media and technology. Get your copy of the STUDENT Study Guide today! Need a kids-safe phone? Pinwheel is our favorite! Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated). Also available on Audible. Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!  

6/7/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

This week, Pastor Mateo kicked off our Imago Dei series by exploring how our identity, worth, and purpose are rooted in God as our Creator. Emphasizing that we were made in His image with inherent honor, intentional design, and a deep calling to live in relationship with Him.

Is artificial intelligence our modern Tower of Babel? In this episode, we dive into the Pope's recent warnings about AI and explore what it means to maintain our human dignity in a world obsessed with optimization. We discuss the profound contrast between building for self-aggrandizement and building for the common good.Mike and Tim explore the moral depth of recent teachings on technology, highlighting the Imago Dei as the center of the conversation. They discuss the risks of transhumanism and why embracing human limitation is a vital part of the Christian experience. In a world where AI threatens to reduce people to data points, we look at how to protect the infinite worth of every individual.The second half of the video features a deep dive into the Lord's Prayer and the petition for daily bread. By looking back at the story of manna in the wilderness from Exodus, we learn what it means to depend on God for today's sustenance without hoarding for tomorrow. This ancient practice challenges the modern obsession with wealth and invites us into a life of contentment, mutuality, and trust.Chapters0:00 Intro and family updates3:50 Engagement news and summer travel plans7:15 The Pope's message on AI and technology11:45 Babel syndrome versus the Nehemiah way16:30 The Imago Dei and human worth in a digital age21:00 Transhumanism and the gift of limitation25:45 AI's impact on art, music, and creativity30:15 The theology of work and the influence of Mammon35:30 Defining what it truly means to be human40:00 The Lord's Prayer and the context of the wilderness45:15 The story of Manna and the test of enough50:30 Jesus as the true bread of life55:45 Proverbs 30 and the prayer for daily bread1:01:00 Final reflections and Seth's prayerAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.Our Merch Store! EtsyLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:There is no such thing as "settled science".  By its very definition, science cannot "prove" anything.  While it can "disprove" and show something to be false, the impetus of scientific methodology is to continue to accumulate observations and then classify that new information in such a way as to produce reliable predictions which, eventually, can become hypotheses.But, science is wont to continue collecting these observations -- if it is credible science, it must never stop -- and to account for those additional observations.So, why does the US National Park Service suggest that the Grand Canyon was formed over millions of years by erosion caused by the Colorado River when there is near unanimous agreement within the US Geologic Survey that such would not be possible?  Further, why is the US Geologic Survey content in reporting that the "millions and millions of years" narrative is not supported by the Canyon's geology?  "Unconformities are gaps in the geologic record that occur when rocks or sediments are eroded away and time elapses before new deposition occurs. New sediment eventually forms new rock layers on top of the eroded surface, but there is a period of geologic time that is not represented. You can think of unconformities as missing 'pages' in the book of the geologic record."Where did those pages go?  Or, is it possible that they were never written?Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campaign introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link.To get a copy of "Consider the Cost", you can pick up a free copy of the book in the three offices of Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona or you can order a copy by clicking here. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

What does it mean to be human in an age of transhumanism, genetic engineering, and identity confusion? Steve Kim of Apologetics Canada explores Imago Dei, human dignity, abortion, bioethics, and God's design for humanity. Discover how the Christian worldview offers hope, purpose, and truth in a culture seeking to redefine what it means to be human.

Elder Dan Kammerzelt concludes our Imago Dei series by exploring God's design for work. Work is part of humanity's original purpose—an opportunity to reflect God's image, bring order and flourishing to the world, and serve Him through our everyday vocations. Dan invites us to rightly order our work, see it as redeemable, and recognize that our labor has eternal significance in God's kingdom.

5/31/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

What does it mean to be human in an age that celebrates the destruction of the sacred? In this timely episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with renowned historian and author Carl Trueman to discuss his latest work, The Desecration of Man. Following the success of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Trueman explores how the rejection of external authority and the ascent of "expressive individualism" have led us to a point where we no longer just ignore meaning—we actively delight in smashing it.From the pervasive influence of technology and AI to the complex ethical landscapes of IVF and surrogacy, Trueman traces the roots of our modern malaise back to thinkers like Rousseau, Freud, and Nietzsche. Together, Ed and Carl wrestle with how the church can offer a "consecrated" alternative, pointing to the Imago Dei as the only stable foundation for human dignity. This is a vital conversation for leaders seeking to navigate a culture that is rapidly reconfiguring the very definition of humanity.ABOUT OUR GUESTCarl Trueman is a theologian, historian, and author known for his work on church history, theology, culture, and the modern self. He serves as a professor at Grove City College and previously taught at Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Nottingham.Trueman is widely recognized for his thoughtful analysis of contemporary culture through the lens of historic Christianity. His bestselling book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self has significantly shaped evangelical discussions about identity, expressive individualism, and cultural change. A frequent conference speaker and commentator, Trueman combines scholarly depth and cultural insight as he helps Christians think carefully about faithfulness and truth in a rapidly changing world.

5/24/26 Message from Andy Smith on Pentecost Sunday. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:Arizona's Grand Canyon is considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World".  Epic is scale, it is difficult for most to imagine what momentous force produced this colossal, natural beauty."Most" does not include Biblical creationist Russ Miller.Miller describes the Grand Canyon as a "scar of God's judgment", a remnant of a universal deluge that overwhelmed the Earth during the time of Noah.  He points to Psalm 46:8: "Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He has made in the Earth.", and explains there is much, much more to the geology of the American southwest than we had been led to believe...Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campaign introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.Now, ten years later, Russ Miller is back and his warnings and worries have exploded into reality.  Our country and our culture are mired in confusion about truth, gender, marriage, race, identity, spirituality, and more.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.This summer, we're going deep into creationism.  We are going to spend time with audacious individuals who believe in Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, Geocentricity, and, yes, a Flat Earth.  Our journey will be anchored in God's word as we enjoy some pretty amazing conversations.But, at the end of the day, diverse positions aside, every moment and every word of the KingdomCultureConversations.com episodes that we will hear this summer (between May 11th and September 28th) will be rooted in one truth:  You were created on purpose and for a purpose.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link.To get a copy of "Consider the Cost", you can pick up a free copy of the book in the three offices of Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona or you can order a copy by clicking here. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

This week Pastor Seth explores the biblical meaning of justice through the lens of the Imago Dei. He unpacks how true justice flows from God's character, grace, and the work of Jesus.

Join us this Sunday as we dive into Genesis and Ephesians, studying the one unified story about humanity. We'll be focused on who we are, and who God intended us to be.Pastor Samuel will be giving an update of the Children's home in India.Stay in the loop with our weekly newsletter!Mission City Newsletter Link

With Summer looming, so are summer things like weddings!  In this re-drop of a classic Buf episode from way back in 2023, Rafe, heroically fighting a cold, talks of a wedding he attended in Iowa and the lessons that were learned, most importantly how children and grandchildren are the greatest blessings one can receive and how they fulfill our duty as Imago Dei.#bufnagle #weddings #imagodei #iowa #children #grandchildren #blessings #creationstory #goodthings #verygoodthings #genesis*****As always, you can reach the Buf at bufnagle@bufnagle.com*****As you know, this is an independent podcast so your hosts also carry all the expenses of running this podcast.  As such, some of you have asked how you can help out.  Well, here's the answer: support us on Buy Me a Coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bufnagleOn this page, you can do a really nice thing like send us a couple dollars to help cover the cost of recording and hosting and microphones and research and all that.  Any little bit really helps!  Thank you in advance!!!

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:As we press forward within "Consider the Cost" with author Russ Miller, he drops a bombshell:  "We have reached a point within the contemporary church wherein we will hardly allow iron to sharpen iron."When asked where the chief opposition to the notion of a young Earth arises, Russ is straightforward and blunt.  The church.Why?  If the lion's share of Scripture seems to point towards a young Earth and the theology of sin and death -- in the view of respectable theologians like Wayne Grudem -- is dependent upon it, why would we not at least be intellectually honest and search both the Word (the Bible) and the World (secular science) for reasons to dismiss it?  Can we so casually dismiss this notion if we have not taken the time to be sure?The summer of 2026 just got very, very awkward!Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campaign introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.Now, ten years later, Russ Miller is back and his warnings and worries have exploded into reality.  Our country and our culture are mired in confusion about truth, gender, marriage, race, identity, spirituality, and more.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.This summer, we're going deep into creationism.  We are going to spend time with audacious individuals who believe in Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, Geocentricity, and, yes, a Flat Earth.  Our journey will be anchored in God's word as we enjoy some pretty amazing conversations.But, at the end of the day, diverse positions aside, every moment and every word of the KingdomCultureConversations.com episodes that we will hear this summer (between May 11th and September 28th) will be rooted in one truth:  You were created on purpose and for a purpose.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link.To get a copy of "Consider the Cost", you can pick up a free copy of the book in the three offices of Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona or you can order a copy by clicking here. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

Grace City Corvallis continues its Imago Dei sermon series with a message from Guest Pastor Bomi Roberson on Biblical Femininity.

5/17/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

On the Speak the Truth podcast recorded at the Canadian Biblical Counseling Coalition conference, Michael interviews Matt King about his ministry Broomtree and his conference session on mental health in the church. King explains Broomtree's growth, including increasing requests for counseling, conferences, and free online resources on topics like anxiety, marriage, and thought life, with a podcast launching soon. They discuss why Christians should lead mental health conversations, noting an estimated $280 billion spent annually in the U.S., and ground the topic in Genesis: God's good creation, the Imago Dei, and how the fall fractured relationships with God, self, others, and creation. They highlight God's pursuit in Genesis 3, the covering of animal skins as foreshadowing Christ's atoning blood, and encourage believers who feel inadequate to engage with hope through the Spirit and adoption as God's children.00:00 Welcome and Setup01:29 Broomtree Update02:41 Conference Banter03:02 Why Mental Health Matters04:01 Genesis and Goodness07:16 The Fall and Fracture11:34 Covering and Atonement15:06 Church on the Front Lines16:25 Hope for the Wounded18:00 Chick-fil-A Stories19:11 Final ThanksEpisode MentionsBroom Tree EP. 173 Finding Light in the Darkness W/ Matt King 

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Today:"Can we draw a distinction between 'creationism' generally and 'Biblical creationism' specifically?"Wait.  Read that question again.  Author Russ Miller isn't just suggesting that creationism generally, within all its forms, or young Earth creationism specifically aren't Biblical, he's suggesting that there is a Biblical approach and perspective of Young Earth creationism rooted in a global reading of Noah's flood.  He's advocating for a view in which he suggests the Bible is clear and Christian confusion about varied schools of thinking about creationism is rooted in a haphazard approach to God's word.Controversial?  Yep.True?  That's for you to decide.Background:In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campagin introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.Now, ten years later, Russ Miller is back and his warnings and worries have exploded into reality.  Our country and our culture are mired in confusion about truth, gender, marriage, race, identity, spirituality, and more.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.Miller's latest book is "Consider the Cost" -- an updated and expanded version of "The Cost" that is available at no cost in the three offices of Northwest Christian School -- and his message remains the same:  we must understand that we were created by God on purpose -- we are not biochemical happenstance -- and we were created for a purpose.  We are loved and valued.  The truth is knowable.  We have a reason.  We have a mission.This summer, we're going deep into creationism.  We are going to spend time with audacious individuals who believe in Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, Geocentricity, and, yes, a Flat Earth.  Our journey will be anchored in God's word as we enjoy some pretty amazing conversations.But, at the end of the day, diverse positions aside, every moment and every word of the KingdomCultureConversations.com episodes that we will hear this summer (between May 11th and September 28th) will be rooted in one truth:  You were created on purpose and for a purpose.To learn more about Russ Miller and his organization, "Creation and Evolution Science Ministries", please follow this link.To get a copy of "Consider the Cost", you can pick up a free copy of the book in the three offices of Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona or "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

5/10/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei" on Mother's Day.

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!In the summer of 2016, the annual Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading campagin introduced us to Russ Miller, a storied and established Biblical creationist who lives, believe it or not, off-the-grid in a crater in northern Arizona.  If that were not crazy enough, during that summer, Miller introduced us to his book, "The Cost", and he made two audacious claims.First, Russ Miller claimed that the universe and all of creation was established by God in six 24-hour days, less than 10,000 years ago.  He claimed he had scientific and scriptural evidence to back up his claims.Second, Miller claimed that if our nation continued to deny God the creator and the concept of "Imago Dei" -- that we are created in the image and likeness of God, on purpose, and for a purpose -- our culture would go into a freefall, losing all concept of right and wrong, falling into chaos and disorder.Now, ten years later, Russ Miller is back and his warnings and worries have exploded into reality.  Our country and our culture are mired in confusion about truth, gender, marriage, race, identity, spirituality, and more.We are paying what Miller called "The Cost" of losing track of who we are and whose we are.Miller's latest book is "Consider the Cost" -- an updated and expanded version of "The Cost" that is available at no cost in the three offices of Northwest Christian School -- and his message remains the same:  we must understand that we were created by God on purpose -- we are not biochemical happenstance -- and we were created for a purpose.  We are loved and valued.  The truth is knowable.  We have a reason.  We have a mission.This summer, we're going deep into creationism.  We are going to spend time with audacious individuals who believe in Young Earth, Old Earth, Theistic Evolution, Geocentricity, and, yes, a Flat Earth.  Our journey will be anchored in God's word as we enjoy some pretty amazing conversations.But, at the end of the day, diverse positions aside, every moment and every word of the KingdomCultureConversations.com episodes that we will hear this summer (between May 11th and September 28th) will be rooted in one truth:  You were created on purpose and for a purpose. "Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created by Northwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona.For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit:  https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone:  (623)225-5573.

Pastor Seth continues the Imago Dei sermon series with a message on the beauty, burden, and spiritual significance of motherhood.

Al, Zach, John Luke, and Christian take an honest look at America's imperfect founding. As they continue their Hillsdale series, they examine the tension between liberty and slavery and how flawed motives shaped the early nation. But even in the middle of it, a deeper truth emerges: true freedom doesn't come from government—it comes from God. That idea, rooted in natural law, would go on to shape everything from the Declaration of Independence to the fight for civil rights. Today's conversation is about Lesson 3 of Colonial America: From Wilderness to Civilization from Hillsdale College. Take the course with us at no cost to you! Sign up at http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/. More about Colonial America: Professors of history and politics guide us through the perilous journey of the Mayflower and the grueling winters of Cape Cod. They explore the ideas of religious liberty and natural rights, as well as the brutal conflicts, such as the wars on the frontier and the French and Indian War. Through this six-lesson appreciation of the colonial experience, you will learn how the unique American spirit was shaped. Journey to the New World and discover the origins of the American spirit. Sign up at ⁠http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters 0:00 Beard Trims, Lost Chins, & a Brutal Family Roast 9:15 The Colonies Shift from Religious Liberty to Wealth 13:40 Indentured Servants & the Rise of Slavery 23:18 Currency in the New World 29:10 The Birth of Liberty for All 36:38 Why English Culture Shaped America 43:12 The Imago Dei & All Men Are Equal — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode shares a heartfelt journey through childhood camping memories, spiritual milestones, and the inspiring vision for a new summer camp experience led by Leighann McCoy. Get ready to be inspired to create meaningful, faith-based activities for young girls. Note: Registration closes once camp is full — limited to 20 girls per week. Early bird rate available until May 15. Sign up now to secure your spot! https://www.leighannmccoy.com/imago-dei-camp-2026 For questions, feel free to email mikel.mccoy@prayerclinic.com.

Is artificial intelligence a threat to your child's education — or proof that classical education was right all along? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Classical Conversations founder and aerospace engineer Leigh Bortins to explore what 40 hours a week of AI research taught her, why classical education uniquely prepares students for an AI-driven world, and how to use AI wisely without letting it use you. From narrow AI and its medical breakthroughs, to the difference between rule-based and behavior-based language, Leigh breaks down how AI actually works — and why homeschool families grounded in grammar, rhetoric, and a Christian worldview have nothing to fear. They also discuss the Imago Dei and work, why children need to struggle to develop, the chainsaw analogy for AI, and how Classical Conversations families have been preparing for this moment for nearly 30 years. Veritasium: What Everyone Gets Wrong About AI and Learning – Derek Muller Explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xS68sl2D70

The fact that we are "made in God's image" sets us apart from every other creature on earth (Gen. 1:27). Today, Barry Cooper reminds us of the extraordinary privilege we have of being made in the image of the triune God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/imago-dei/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5/3/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

Grace City Corvallis continues its Imago Dei sermon series with a message on Biblical masculinity and what it looks like to be a Good Man.

Genesis 1v26-28 with Jordan MossFrom creation to chaos, the early chapters of Genesis reveal a God who consistently resists domination, limits violence, and works toward healing through relationship, not force. In these opening pages, we are given a vision of God's intention for the world — a life of image-bearing, shalom, and mutuality, where humanity lives in right relationship with God, one another, and all creation. Even when humanity fractures the world, God responds not with annihilation, but with covenant and grace — a story that reaches its climax in Jesus, where what began at a tree is healed on the cross, and in the resurrection, we taste the first fruits of the renewal of all creation.

Grace City Corvallis continues its Imago Dei sermon series with a sermon entitled "Fatherless No More" from Senior Pastor Tim Johnson from Orlando World Outreach Church.

4/26/26 Message from Andy Smith and Baptism finale! Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

Supreme Court Case on Religious Liberty: Sean and Scott discuss a new case involving Catholic preschools in Colorado that were denied public funding for refusing to enroll children from LGBTQ families. The debate centers on whether the state can mandate non-discrimination policies for faith-based organizations receiving public funds.The Ethics of Monogamy and Infidelity: Despite a near-unanimous American disapproval of infidelity, the hosts analyze a recent article questioning if it is time to move beyond traditional monogamy. They explore the rise of "consensual non-monogamy" and how individualistic cultural tendencies are shifting moral perspectives on relationships.Developing Virtuous AI Models: The team examines an article discussing a new AI model from Anthropic that incorporates religious and philosophical principles to create a "virtuous" chatbot. They question the effectiveness of using technology to simulate wisdom and the theological implications of "religious" machines.Policy Shifts on Psychedelics: A discussion regarding an executive order loosening restrictions on psychedelics explores the potential medical benefits and moral risks of these substances. The hosts weigh the clinical applications of such drugs against the biblical call for sobriety and sound-mindedness.Audience Question: AI Actors and Necromancy: In response to an audience question on using AI to represent deceased actors, the hosts discuss whether this technology crosses a line into digital necromancy. They explore the ethical boundaries of interacting with simulations of the dead versus using them as creative tools.Audience Question: AI as Tools vs. Beings: The team addresses whether AI models should be viewed strictly as machines or if treating them like social beings compromises our understanding of personhood. They emphasize maintaining a clear distinction between human "Imago Dei" and man-made technology.Audience Question: AI in Job Interviews: Responding to employers who use AI to conduct job interviews, Scott and Sean discuss concerns about algorithmic bias and the loss of human connection. They argue that the hiring process should recognize the dignity of individuals rather than reducing them to data points.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.  

This is Part 4 of our four-episode series “What Is Man That You Are Mindful of Him? Imago Dei in the Age of AI.” As artificial super-intelligence seems ready to out-perform us on every measurable scale, the Catholic Church gives us a breathtaking final answer: our destiny is not obsolescence or a hive-mind upload. We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, destined one day to judge angels and inherit the New Jerusalem. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6:3, Revelation 21–22, Dante's vision of the communion of saints, and the Church's teaching on the beatific vision, Greg contrasts the cold collective of silicon with the personal, embodied, eternal communion of real persons in glory. He offers practical guardrails for today—treat machines as servants, guard the body, guard marriage and family, and guard the sacraments—so we can live this hope right now. This closing episode lands the entire series with steady confidence and joyful hope: lower than the angels yet crowned with glory, we face the future not with fear, but with the quiet assurance that the God who became one of us has already prepared our place in the new creation. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

Welcome to Session One of our spring Bible study! We're studying Body and Soul, and we're so excited to join Lisa Whittle for the next six weeks to get real about Scripture and get real about living out our faith in the bodies we have.Each week, we'll release the next teaching session, and we'll leave all six sessions up through June 8.In this first session, join Lisa as she introduces a whole body theology—a biblical belief system of God's creation of us as an entire person, body and soul. Lisa explains whole body theology, giving a glimpse of where the study is headed throughout the six weeks. She also teaches on the image of God. Each of us bears the image of our Creator, and that has major implications for how we think about our bodies.LINKBody and Soul Bible StudyRECOMMENDED: In case you missed it, listen to this interview with Lisa on what the Bible says about our bodies. Marked is a podcast from Lifeway Women: https://women.lifeway.com/blog/podcasts/.Hosted by Angie Elkins and Andrea Lennon.Learn more about the Very Good Bible study. 

This is Part 3 of our four-episode series “What Is Man That You Are Mindful of Him? Imago Dei in the Age of AI.” Everyone says AI is going to completely remake human civilization. Greg agrees it will change many things — work, education, medicine, daily routines — just as farming, the Industrial Revolution, and the internet did before it. But here's the deeper question: Will AI really change the world in the ways that matter most? From the Garden of Eden to Rome under the Caesars to your phone screen right now, the deepest realities of life — pride and humility, lust and love, greed and generosity, sin and virtue — have stayed remarkably the same. Technology reshapes our circumstances, but it never rewires the human heart. Drawing from Hebrews 2, the Cross, and 1 Corinthians 15, Greg shows how the eternal Son became man — not angel — entering our flesh, suffering, and death to redeem what no algorithm can touch. The Incarnation remains God's definitive answer in flesh and blood. If the AI headlines leave you wondering whether anything truly changes the human condition, this episode brings steady, hopeful clarity: the owner's manual for navigating the 21st century is still the one written in the first century. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

Grace City Church Corvallis continues its Imago Dei sermon series with a message on the body.

4/19/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the issue of moral agency and A.I. chatbots, Christian confusion about A.I., why Christians must get the Imago Dei right, and Greece's potential social media ban for children under 15.Part I (00:14 – 08:47)Can Claude Become a Child of God? The Massive Moral Issue of the Moral Agency of A.I.Can AI be a ‘child of God'? Inside Anthropic's meeting with Christian leaders. by The Washington Post (Gerrit De Vynck and Nitasha Tiku)Part II (08:47 – 18:07)So-Called ‘Christian Leaders' Consult Anthropic for Moral Character of A.I.: There is a Massive Confusion Here – Now A.I. Has a ‘Soul'?Part III (18:07 – 20:56)‘In the Image of God He Created Them': Christians Must Always Get the Imago Dei Right, Especially as the World Around Us Gets It Very WrongPart IV (20:56 – 27:03)Greece is Expected to Ban Social Media for Children: Another Country is Attempting to Prevent Social Media's Harms to Its ChildrenGreece Plans to Block Social Media for Children Under 15 by The New York Times (Niki Kitsantonis)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

In this compelling solo episode, Jesse Schwamb unpacks one of Scripture's most famous—and misunderstood—passages: Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees and Herodians over paying taxes to Caesar. Far from being a simple political soundbite, Matthew 22:15-22 reveals Jesus' brilliant wisdom in dismantling false dilemmas and redirecting our focus to identity rather than ideology. Through careful exegesis, Jesse demonstrates how Christ's response cuts through political posturing to address the deeper question: Whose image do we bear? This episode serves as both a masterclass in biblical interpretation and a timely reminder that our ultimate allegiance belongs not to any earthly authority, but to the God whose image we carry. Perfect preparation for the podcast's upcoming journey through the parables of Jesus. Key Takeaways Jesus Cannot Be Cornered: The Pharisees and Herodians crafted what seemed like an inescapable trap, but Jesus transcends false dilemmas by reframing the question entirely, demonstrating His divine wisdom and authority. The Imago Dei Is Central: By asking "Whose image is this?" about the coin, Jesus points to the deeper question: Whose image is on you? We bear God's image, making our primary obligation to Him, not Caesar. Civil Authority Is Real but Bounded: Jesus affirms legitimate temporal authority ("render to Caesar") while establishing that all such authority is derivative and limited by God's ultimate sovereignty. Hypocrisy Is Exposed by Action: The Pharisees' immediate production of a Roman coin revealed they were already participants in the system they questioned, undermining their supposed concern for Jewish law. Amazement ≠ Transformation: The opponents "marveled" and left, demonstrating that intellectual defeat or astonishment at Jesus' teaching is not equivalent to spiritual conversion or surrender. Identity Precedes Politics: Before asking what we owe the government, we must ask what we owe God—the answer being ourselves, as those created in His image. The Breath of Divine Life: Our creation bears special intimacy—God breathed life into humanity, making us doubly unique as both image-bearers and recipients of His divine breath, foreshadowing spiritual regeneration. In-Depth Analysis The Imago Dei Is Central Jesus' response to the tax question brilliantly redirects attention from political obligation to theological identity. When He asks "Whose image is this?" about the denarius, He's employing the Greek word eikon—the same term used in the Septuagint translation of Genesis 1:27 for humanity being made in God's image. This isn't coincidental wordplay; it's deliberate theological teaching. The profound truth here is that while Caesar's image on a coin establishes his claim to that piece of metal, God's image stamped on humanity establishes His total claim on us. We are not our own; we were bought with a price far greater than any taxation. The coin metaphor works because it's a physical representation of ownership and authority—but our bodies and souls are the true "coinage" that belongs to God. This reframes every political question as ultimately subordinate to our identity as image-bearers, reminding us that our primary citizenship, allegiance, and obligation is heavenly, not earthly. Civil Authority Is Real but Bounded Jesus' statement "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" has often been misinterpreted as establishing a complete separation between sacred and secular realms. However, Reformed theology—particularly Calvin's interpretation—understands this passage as establishing legitimate but limited civil authority within God's sovereignty. Caesar's authority is real and should be respected; Christians are called to submit to governing authorities as Paul argues in Romans 13. However, this authority is derivative, not ultimate. Caesar operates within a sphere that God ordains and limits. There is no zone of existence that belongs exclusively to Caesar, outside God's jurisdiction. The state has legitimate claims on our obedience, our taxes, and our civic participation—but never on our worship, our ultimate allegiance, or our conscience when it contradicts God's law. This creates a framework for Christian citizenship that takes earthly government seriously while never granting it the totalizing authority that belongs to God alone. Amazement ≠ Transformation The conclusion of this encounter is sobering: the Pharisees and Herodians were "amazed" but unchanged. They marveled at Jesus' wisdom, were intellectually outmaneuvered, and had nothing more to say—yet they walked away to plot His crucifixion. This demonstrates a crucial truth for evangelism and apologetics: winning an argument is not the same as winning a soul. Intellectual defeat can coexist with spiritual hardness. Someone can acknowledge the brilliance of Jesus' teaching, be unable to counter His logic, and still refuse to surrender their life to Him. This reminds us that conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit, not merely the result of superior argumentation. Our task is faithful witness and clarity in presenting truth, but we must pray for the Spirit to do what only He can do—soften hearts, open eyes, and bring dead souls to life. Astonishment at Jesus must give way to submission to Jesus. Memorable Quotes "You can never corner Jesus. Of course, you can never catch him off guard. And while those seem like very just trite and straightforward explanations of who he is and what his character is like as the son of God, we should not go away from them too quickly because what we find here is the wisdom and the brilliance of God in providing teaching to cut to the hearts of what is actually in the question." "Caesar can have his coin, but he cannot have you. Not in any ultimate sense. You and I, loved ones, we belong to God." "Being out argued is not the same as being transformed. You can leave someone with nothing to say and still not reach the heart." Full Episode Transcript [00:00:08] Jesse Schwamb: So here's the trap. If Jesus says yes, pay the tax, he completely alienates the crowd of Jewish pilgrims who are beginning to believe that he might be the Messiah who will liberate Israel from Rome if he says. No, do not pay it. He could obviously be reported to the Roman authorities as a seditious rebel. Either answer loses. There's really no good way out of this. At least on the face. Either answer costs him something, his popularity or his freedom, and this is what we call a false dilemma. The Pharisees think that they've got him cornered. But here's the thing, loved ones they haven't. You can never corner Jesus. Of course, you can never catch him off guard. And while those seem like very just trite and straightforward explanations of who he is and what his character is like as the son of God, we should not. Go away from them too quickly because what we find here is the wisdom and the brilliance of God in providing teaching to cut to the hearts of what is actually in the question. And Jesus doesn't play this game. Welcome to episode 487 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast for all those with the Imago Day. Hey, brothers and sisters, so let's talk taxes. Now you should know that the Reform Brotherhood is not that kind of podcast, but I suspect that you had one of two responses when you heard that topic. Either it piqued your interest or you thought, I'm just totally gonna skip this episode, and I get that. That's a polarizing topic. It's in part why I said it at the top, but I want us to chat a little bit today about a passage of the scripture where Jesus himself brings up taxes, but not in that way. In fact, he demonstrates some exceptional teaching, showing the wisdom of God in a very difficult and complex circumstance. And so we're gonna spend just a little bit of time hanging out in Matthew 22.  [00:02:17] Why Matthew 22 [00:02:17] Jesse Schwamb: Now, why are we doing this? Why this on this episode? Well, we're about to continue on the podcast, our inexorable march through all of the parables of Jesus as we go into the summer months. It's parable, summer loved ones, which I realize sounds like a horrible name for like a low budget drama. But in this case, Tony and I are about to reem embark or pick up our journey in the parables of Jesus. And what we find in Matthew 22 is this little exchange. It happens. And it actually is in the midst of a bunch of parables that are happening. It's in some ways a response to the parables that Jesus is bringing forward. And also, I just love this passage so much, and since we're doing one more solo episode, before we, we reunite and the band comes back together and we start talking about parables. I thought this is a great way for us to, again, consider the teachings of Jesus. In light of everything that he's saying and teaching in these really lovely stories. And so we find ourselves to think right in Matthew 22, which is a great place to be. So come hang out with me there. Grab a Bible, go stop your car right now and pull up on your phone the Matthew 22 so you can read along with me because this is something fantastic. It's one of the most famous passages actually in the gospels. And also at the same time, it's one of the most misused texts in the history of political theology. Because people on every side of almost every date about this topic, especially taxes since they're mentioned here, have reached for this passage, like it's some kind of Swiss Army knife. So I think the best thing that we can do. Our conversation right now is, let's slow down a little bit. Let's chill out. Let's get easy. Let's read it carefully and figure out what Jesus was actually doing here because it is, I promise you, far more interesting than just like a soundbite about taxes and the way that I beta you. At the top of this episode by saying, let's talk about taxes. [00:04:09] Setting the Scene [00:04:09] Jesse Schwamb: Now, before we get to this particular passage, here's a bit of scene setting, which I think is really important before we get to verse 15, which is where we're gonna pick up. Jesus has entered Jerusalem in the triumphal procession. He's cleansed the temple. He's cursed a fig tree, and he delivered three withering parables aimed directly at the religious establishment. We've got the parable of the two sons. The parable of the Wicked Tenants, the parable of the wedding banquet, which by the way, we're gonna get to all those bad boys. They will all have their own episodes because they're all brilliant and exceptional in each their own way, and they deserve for us to sit in them a little bit. But by the time we reach chapter 22, verse 15, I think at this point the Pharisees have heard enough. They are not stoked about the fact that Jesus is coming after them and coming in hot. And so the response is, let's set a trap. Let's now go back on the offensive. Let's give Jesus a test in front of everybody. So he's gonna be pinned down with something very difficult to explain or to answer. And so that's exactly where we find Matthew writing in 22 verse 15.  [00:05:15] Reading the Passage [00:05:15] Jesse Schwamb: Here's where we pick it up. Matthew writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Then the Pharisees went and took counsel together about how they might trap Jesus in what he said, and they sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians saying, teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth and deferred a no one for you are not partial to any. Therefore, tell us what do you think? Is it lawful to give a tax to Caesar or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness said, why are you testing me? You hypocrites, show me the coin used for the tax. And they brought him a denarius and he said to them, whose likeness in inscription is this? They said to him, Caesar's. Then he said to them, therefore rendered Caesar, the things that are Caesar's and to God, the things that are god's. And hearing this, they marveled and leaving him, they went away. What an incredible passage. I love this so much in part because we're about to see here this wisdom in the teaching of God through Jesus. It's both spicy. It comes with almost like a clenched fist. It strikes back, but it gets to the root of something that wasn't even part of the original question and unentangle the trap to such a degree that the end result is that. Everybody is left speechless and they just have to walk away.  [00:06:41] Enemies Unite [00:06:41] Jesse Schwamb: And it starts with this idea that the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. Matthew actually uses this interesting word here, this idea of they took counsel together. It's a formal deliberate scheme. In other words, they definitely talked about this. It's premeditated, it's not impulsive. It's a confrontation with design. And the Pharisees are doing opposition research. They want to. Trap him, tangle him up. The Greek is to snare or to trap in a net. So they're hunting. They're trying to snipe Jesus, and they're going to send in this least likely combination of collaborators, collaborators, to do this whole thing. It's worth noting here. These groups that we have in the passage, the Pharisees and the Herodians, these guys were natural enemies. The Pharisees were Jewish priests or purists who despised Roman rule, and the Herodians were political pragmatists who basically owed their power to Rome. And so these guys, you can imagine, they agreed on almost nothing except that Jesus needed to be stopped. And when your enemies join forces to come after you. I guess you know, you've been effective. We might think about the own, own, our own times in which we live and the kind of polarized way our societies tend to be bending and tilting right now. And to think what would it take for everybody to come together, unite on common hatred or disagreement about some kind of third element or party? What would it take for that to happen? And so here, there is. The sense in which both the Pharisees and the pros for all of their dislike toward each other, for all their philosophical and religious disagreements, for all of their political conniving against each other, they are completely united in this purpose. And they easily come together to say, Jesus, we must deal with, and it requires all of us, let us come together and reason against him finding a way that we can consolidate our effort and power to such a degree that we leverage one another to entrap him. So there's something here where I think they're demonstrating what the Psalms say that God, when the nation's rage against God, he laughs. He holds 'em in derision. And here's a perfect example of that. In a microcosmic kind of way, we find these two groups who really should never be with one another, finding common ground and unity to try to defeat. Jesus.  [00:08:56] Flattery as a Trap [00:08:56] Jesse Schwamb: And so this delegation arrives and here is their approach to Jesus. They say, teacher, we know that you are true and you teach the way of God truthfully, and you don't care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances. This is some kind of magnificent flattery, and it actually, it's almost entirely true, which just makes this so ironic. There's a confession among the Herodians and the Pharisees, even as I tried to undermine Jesus, you know, that's what makes this so dangerous. They say you don't care about anyone's opinion. You're not swayed by appearances. They're essentially saying you can't be pressured. You'll answer honestly no matter what. And in saying so, they're trying to pressure Jesus, of course, into answering honestly. But it's like a rhetorical judo move. The compliment is the trap spring mechanism. Calvin, in this passage, likes to know that they address Jesus as teacher to feign respect while concealing this animosity, this ho hostility that they have towards him. They want him to be relaxed. Flattered off guard as if it's possible to take the son of God off guard, but notice what they're actually confessing in that flattery. Jesus is truthful. He teaches God's way accurately. He's not a respecter of persons. Every word they speak in false praise is true testimony about who he is, which makes their hypocrisy all the more damning. And this is the thing, for as much as anybody wants to try to blaspheme Jesus for as much as anybody wants to come at him with one particularly. Facet of his character. For instance, he's a good teacher or he seems to teach peace and love and truth and that, and that's it. They compliment him while at the same time confessing themselves short of the true confession of who he is. And so it's ironic to me that these guys. Who in their hearts are holding all of this malice toward Jesus. Say, well, you're not a respecter of persons because you th see things as they are and not merely as they appear to be, while all the time thinking that they're truthfully concealing the fact that they hate him and yet are flattering them with his, flattering him with their tongues. The absurdity of this is absolutely insane. And so I think if you're in this moment, you have to be appreciating. This sense of what is building here? How is Jesus going to respond? The trap has been set. They've tried to flatter him, and of course he's not buying it. But they start with this question. All of that's a set up to say here is like the real punchline. Tell us then, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?  [00:11:36] The False Dilemma [00:11:36] Jesse Schwamb: Now, if you're like me, quite honestly, you might wish that Jesus answered this question differently. This is the trap, the trap. Snapshots on this single question or so they think, I mean, I, I truly believe they think they're being really smart here, that they've come to terms with maybe lots of ideas. I don't know what they did. Whatever the equivalent of using chat GPT was, they said, how can we entrap Jesus? They all got together. They devised a plan. I'm sure they had. Some kind of whiteboard where they're brainstorming ideas and some came up and said, no, that's not gonna work. And others came. I imagine they settled on this because they thought there was no way outta this. And in some ways it's actually a really brilliantly engineered dilemma. The tax in question here is the kenzos. This was the Roman poll tax. A denarius per head paid directly to Rome, and it was incredibly and deeply controversial. Some Jews viewed paying it as completely an act of collaboration with an occupying pagan power, and the zealots called it outright sin, and the HEROs thought it was perfectly fine. So here's the trap. If Jesus says yes, pay the tax, he completely alienates the crowd of Jewish pilgrims who are beginning to believe that he might be the Messiah who will liberate Israel from Rome if he says. No, do not pay it. He could obviously be reported to the Roman authorities as a seditious rebel. Either answer loses. There's really no good way out of this. At least on the face. Either answer costs him something, his popularity or his freedom, and this is what we call a false dilemma. The Pharisees think that they've got him cornered. But here's the thing, loved ones they haven't. You can never corner Jesus. Of course, you can never catch him off guard. And while those seem like very just trite and straightforward explanations of who he is and what his character is like as the son of God, we should not. Go away from them too quickly because what we find here is the wisdom and the brilliance of God in providing teaching to cut to the hearts of what is actually in the question. And Jesus doesn't play this game.  [00:13:40] Coin and Hypocrisy [00:13:40] Jesse Schwamb: Jesus aware of the malice says, why? Put me to the test. You hypocrites, show me the coin for the tax. He doesn't even pretend to take the question at face value. He immediately identifies what's happening. This is a test and you all are hypocrites. Now, for me, I think if you are in the seats or standing in the shoes or the sandals, I suppose, of the Herodians or the Pharisees. I would be like, if I were on the side, I would be like, pull up, pull up, get out, get out. He's onto us just just with Jesus directly coming at them and labeling them as hypocrites. I think that itself undoes all of this. They've been exposed from the very beginning and Jesus doesn't mess around. It's like him coming into the temple to cleanse the temple, and it's as if in his left hand, he has mercy in his right hand. He has that cord that whip. And the word that Matthew uses here for hypocrites is one that Jesus deploys with like surgical precision throughout his this gospel. A hypocrite is someone performing virtue they do not possess. And right away he identifies it. These men are performing concern for Jewish law while actually serving their own political agenda. And I love that the son of God in power does not put up with that at all. And then, and I think this is. Absolutely delightful. Jesus asked them for a coin of all the things he could have said or done. Here's where there is like a little bit of a kind of a parable feel to this. He asked for the physical object, the thing that they're talking about. He asks, and interestingly, he doesn't have one. He's the guest of Pilgrim, the one without a Roman Denarius in his pocket. But, and here's what's interesting. Loved ones, they produce one immediately for him, which means the people who are asking whether it's lawful to use Roman currency are already using Roman currency. Jesus hasn't even answered yet, and hypocrisy is already self-evident. I think that's a considerable fact. The, the instance that they're able to produce the coin promptly, I don't think is a minor detail. It implicates them. They're already participants in the Roman economic system, which. I would say it's not necessarily a bad thing. Their question about whether it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar is somewhat undermined though by the fact that they're carrying Caesar's money in the temple precincts. In other words, the whole thing just smells a setup. And even Jesus asking for the coin is showing them and others around them that not is he onto them. Not only does he see through them, but he is undermining the complete argument that they're making, showing that the question that they need to have answered is actually not about taxes at all. It's about something much deeper he's about to answer or bring forward the question, rather, whose image is on you. [00:16:29] Whose Image [00:16:29] Jesse Schwamb: And he starts by holding up the coin and saying, whose image is on this? So they bring him a denarius and Jesus says to them, whose likeness and inscription. Is this now the denarius of Tiberius Caesar bore his portrait in the inscription. The inscription, generally historians say, said something like Tiberius Caesar, son of the Divine Augustus, and it was a claim of divinity stamped into everyday commerce. This is why so much of the Jews found it so offensive to participate because it felt as if in every transaction you were affirming in some way the divine authority of Caesar. It was a claim that was stamped on the coin and therefore represented in every kind of transaction that took place throughout the lamb. Every time a Roman coin changed hands, Rome's imperial theology was in some ways quietly proclaimed, and Jesus holds it up and he asks this obvious question. Whose face is on this thing, and the Greek word for likeness here, whose likeness is, this is the word for image. This is the word the SubT uses in Genesis one. When God makes humanity in his image, in the Imago day, Jesus is about to build an argument that depends on this resonance, whether his questioners hear it or not. Whose image is on the coin and whose image is on you. Those are two very different questions with two very different answers. And of course, they lead to this incredibly famous reply, one that's known by most people, but I think not understood by many. So they said, Caesar's Caesar's image is on this coin.  [00:18:12] Render to God [00:18:12] Jesse Schwamb: So Jesus says to them, therefore. Render to Caesar, the things that are Caesars and to God, the things that are God. I think of almost all the places in the scriptures. This might be Jesus at his most dazzling. I say that partly. Subjectively, because I'm captivated by this whole encounter. I'm captivated and drawn in by the son of God and his teaching here. I'm captivated by his ability to see through what's happening here, and I'm captivated by the truth that he delivers. But I think I'm not alone because objectively, when we get to the end of this, we find everybody else marveling. Notice that Jesus doesn't choose between the two horns of this dilemma. He reframes the entire question. He blows up the entire premise because even here, the choice of language is so incredible. The word render means to give back what is owed, to return, what belongs to someone. Sometimes we hear this as give, give to Caesars. What is Caesars? Just give it to him. This seems like a, a secular question you're asking me. So keep this secular nonsense out of what is this sacred life? But instead it's not just give it's give back, render as in this was already his to begin with. So give Caesar back. What has Caesar's image on it? The coin bears his image. The coin belongs to his realm, fine. But when that, but then comes this, this second half, this glorious truth, that's far better, and this is where the weight falls. Give to God, what has God's image on it. And what of course, bears the image of God, you and I, every human being made in the mago de bears the divine image. Caesar can have his coin, but he cannot have you. Not in any ultimate sense. You and I loved ones. We belong to God. And of course, from a reform perspective, this is the bedrock of what we mean when we speak of the Lordship of Christ over all of life. There's no zone of existence that is only Caesar's. Caesar operates within a sphere that God ordains and limits. The state has legitimate authority. Paul's gonna argue that in Romans 13, but the authority is derivative. It's not ultimate Caesar's domain is real, but bounded God's domain is total and unbounded. And so that's why. Calvin insists that Jesus never divides life neatly into sacred and secular. Rather, he is establishing that all of life is lived before God, and within that totality, there are legitimate temporal authorities to whom we owe appropriate submission. The coin goes to Caesar, but the person. The image bearer of God is owed entirely to the Lord.  [00:20:50] Imago Dei and New Life [00:20:50] Jesse Schwamb: I was thinking, again, reading through Genesis, just how beautiful the CR creation narrative is when it comes to mankind, that God is ex ne hill speaking things into existence. He's showing his great command over all things. The spirit hovering over the waters from the beginning. And here's God in this Trinitarian act, bringing into the existence, all the things that you and I know, all the things which are familiar to us that we still marvel at, but are part and parcel peace wise of the world in which we live. And I sometimes forget that when it comes to that day, when God creates man, that he forms him and then he takes a breath and he breathes. The specialty of that type of creation that you and I are derivative and contingent beings, but we're way separate than all of creation because God has breathed his very breath of life into us. And in that way, it's not just that he set us up and said, let me design mankind to be like me, which he does. Let us make mankind in our own image that Trinity says in the scriptures, but also that consummation of life. Comes from the very breadth of God himself. And in that way we find that human beings are doubly special. I would say that one, that God has formed us to be like him to exhibit many of his qualities, but two, that life itself didn't come just from merely speaking, but there's an intimacy. More or less loved ones. He put his lips on ours and breathed into us so that we might be alive. And of course, the scripture itself tells us that the second life, the abundant life, salvation itself is very much like that. In the same way, Jesus didn't come to make bad people good. It came to make dead people alive. And so we need that breath of life again. And when we are surrendered to him, when he comes and arrests our hearts, when he does that incredible surgery of cutting us and removing that heart of stone and replacing it, one with flesh, we are made alive in Christ so that we gain more in Jesus than what we lost in Adam. [00:22:50] Amazed Not Changed [00:22:50] Jesse Schwamb: So what is everybody's response when Jesus explains all of this? Well, I love what the scripture says when they heard it. They marveled and they left him and went away. They marveled the Greek here is, is the word actually for enthusiasm. They were amazed and astonished. It's not actually polite appreciation. This is like draw drop of people who came to spring a trap and watched it spring BRAC on them. There was no follow up question. I love this, don't you? That this is so complete, so succinct, so confronting, so condemning, so damning that they had nothing, they, they left. Imagine maybe they looked at each other with that look of like, does anybody else have anything else they wanna say? 'cause if not, I just want to get outta here right now and notice what Matthew doesn't say. He doesn't say that they repented, he doesn't say that they believed they were astonished. And they left. They walked away. And this is one of those sobering realities of the gospels. Jesus could silence his opponents without converting them. Intellectual defeat is not the same thing as spiritual surrender. The Pharisees went away to a pla to a. Construct a plan essentially of crucifixion of how to kill him. And being out argued is not the same as being transformed. I think for us in evangelism and apologetics, it's a good reminder that winning the argument is not the goal. Clarity is a gift and faithful witness matters, but conversion is the work of the spirit. You can leave someone with nothing to say and still not reach the heart, and this should move us to pray accordingly. So I'm amazed by this teaching because it draws us back to this understanding that what the Pharisees meant to use for entrapment to in the temporal space. To divide Jesus, to make him basically say something that he did not want to say, to put him in a place he did not want to be. Instead, he uses the convey the greatest message of all, and that is we are God's children. And ironically, the ones who are professing to be God's children had missed the point altogether because what they really needed to ask was, whose image is on you? And as a result of that, what ought you to render that is to give back to God, and that is ourselves.  [00:25:00] Takeaways and Application [00:25:00] Jesse Schwamb: So here's some things I would say that we can take away from Matthew 22. A few things I think worth holding onto as you and I go about our weeks first, Jesus can't be cornered. And I, I understand that that's like obvious to say, but don't you love that about the God man? Like every intent to trap him. In this chapter and throughout the gospels now and forevermore results in his opponents looking worse than when they started. And this is how we know that we can trust Jesus, that we can trust his power, that he is for us, that his enemies will ultimately be subdued, that they will be humiliated and made low, that he is the one who cannot be caught in his words because his words are truth. I love that the scripture just tells us the truth about reality, and so we come back to it time and time again because we find it both. Warm, comfortable blankets in which we might cuddle up as it were and find ourselves comforted by God. But also it does have a sharp edge that like a knife cuts against us sometimes to remind us that we serve a holy God and that we are sinful people. It never shrinks away from the truth when that hard edge of the law must be brandished against us, and it also at the same time, never ceases to apply the bomb of the gospel to our lives where we need healing and restoration and comfort. Here's the second thing in my mind, this question, this big question, is it lawful? And what a question by the way, right? Like, you know, you could couch this in lots of different ways. Should we pay taxes? That's kind of how we think about it. But this idea of like, no, no, no. Is it lawful? Which law are we talking about? The law of God or the law of the land Even that is left for this kind of subjective reasoning to entrap. This was a question though about politics. And Jesus answered with a question about identity. I love that. Whose image is this? That is always the deeper question in my mind. And before you ask what you owe the government, we ought to ask what do we owe God? And remember that you yourself are what you owe him because you bear his image. So we start from this place where we don't get it twisted like we do in Romans one, when we're outside of God. That is, we don't wanna change the truth of God for Allah here. We need to remember that Presuppositional, all that we are, all that we have, all that we've been given, all of this is God's. And so in that contingent sense, we are merely pouring back to him that which is already due, his name and his praise. And so that's the place where we start. Third, I think there is a legitimate but bounded role for civil authority in Christian understanding of the world. That's something Tony and I have talked about before. You can go back into the Reform Brotherhood catalog, which by the way exists in reform brotherhood.com. You can find all of the 400 deficits back there. There's a search function, so you can just type in a word and at this point I'm guaranteed some episode will come up. We've talked about this before. How we're not theocrats, we're we're pilgrims. Who hold our earthly citizenship loosely and our heavenly citizenship with everything that we've got. So there is a role in our land for civil authority. Paul, again will argue this very cogently in Romans 13. At the same time, we don't wanna get it twisted. We don't want to have too much focus on that. And too little focus on the fact that our heavenly citizenship is what truly defines us because of who we are. And finally. Amazement is not enough. The Pharisees were amazed and walked away unchanged. We can't just be impressed by Jesus. We must be His. And to remind you, even I think as we engage in the parables that are ahead of us and the teaching that is behind us here in this episode, that it's not just to marvel and say, wow, isn't Jesus. Good because he is, and he is really great with his teaching. He's really great at perceiving all of this. But more than that, he's Lord and Savior of all. He's guiding us not into just like better rhetoric and how to defeat like Pulic argumentation. He's drawing us into the very heart of God, into love for him and for service for one another. And it starts with who we are and how much of our society right now. Has gotten all of this confused such that a lot of our problems is because we do not realize who we are. We are trying to change who we are, change the rules of who God has made us to be, and in this way we shipwreck our lives. And so Jesus calls us back with this simple question, whose image is this? And in that question, our loved ones, I would encourage you all to meditate, to metabolize it, to set yourselves to it. Because the task of answering that question is the task of understanding who God is and who we are in light of who God is. So there you go. Uh, just a little bit of teaching from Jesus that I think is so helpful for us, especially as we move into more parables that he's about to expand. As we go through, I don't know how many that we have left, but there's a lot of 'em, so you're gonna want to continue to hang out with us, I think, because we're gonna go through these, talk about them, process them together, pull in some exegetical chops at the same time, make sure that we're trying to apply these things, because that's the whole point here. There's so much here. I think that could be said. But I'm gonna leave the application to you. So take your time meditating and thinking through this lovely teaching.  [00:30:08] Join the Community [00:30:08] Jesse Schwamb: If you wanna come hang out and do some of this together, which, why would you not wanna do that? We are super fun people. That's what everybody says. Come and join us in the Telegram chat. You've heard me say before, telegram is just a messaging app, and we have a small corner of that app that's a private group of listeners from all around the world who are just hanging out together. We're talking about the episodes, we're talking about life together. We're sharing prayer requests. We're. Tasting things and recording videos of how delicious or not those things are. So if you're curious now about how you can join, it's super easy. Just go to any browser and type in t me slash reform brotherhood, t me slash reform brotherhood. One more time. Everybody in the back. It's t. It's in telegram.me back slash reform brotherhood and then you'll find a link which will take you right to the place where we are all conversing together.  [00:31:00] Closing Blessing [00:31:00] Jesse Schwamb: So that's it on this episode. Come hang out. We're about to jump back into the parables. The band will be back together. It's everything that you wanted and more and, and I hope that you'll come and hang out again. But until you do, you should definitely honor everyone and love the brotherhood. 

Grace City Church Corvallis continues its Imago Dei sermon series with a message on Authority.

4/12/26 Message from Andy Smith. Continuing in the series "Imago Dei"

In this service, guest speaker Seth Gruber leads a message centered on spiritual foundation, cultural clarity, and the responsibility of the Church to engage truthfully in today's world.Pastor Lucas opens with a brief devotional from Proverbs 3, emphasizing the importance of building life on the foundation of Christ and living in proper spiritual order.Seth Gruber then delivers a bold and comprehensive message, arguing that today's cultural conflicts are not merely political, but deeply theological. Centered on Genesis 1:26–28, he presents the idea that Scripture already provides a complete framework for understanding issues like human dignity, identity, marriage, and family.Walking through the creation account, Seth outlines four foundational truths: that every person is made in the image of God and therefore has inherent value, that humanity was created distinctly male and female, that marriage is designed as a union between one man and one woman, and that the call to be fruitful highlights the importance of both mother and father. He frames these not as evolving cultural conversations, but as established truths rooted in God's original design.A central theme throughout the message is the idea that many modern cultural issues stem from a deeper philosophical divide. Seth identifies this as a revival of gnostic thinking—separating identity from the physical body and elevating internal perception over created reality. In contrast, he points to the biblical view of the unity of body and spirit, ultimately revealed through Christ.He also challenges the Church to move beyond passivity, calling believers and leaders to speak with clarity and conviction on the defining issues of our time. Faithfulness, he emphasizes, is not only about knowing truth, but applying it where it is most contested.While the message addresses weighty topics, it ultimately returns to grace—offering hope, healing, and restoration for those impacted by abortion, and pointing to the redemptive work of Christ as the foundation for both truth and compassion.Key ThemesSpiritual Foundation and Order (Proverbs 3)Genesis as the Blueprint for CultureImago Dei and the Value of Human LifeGod's Design for Gender, Marriage, and FamilyBody-Soul Unity vs. Cultural RedefinitionCultural Conflict as a Theological RealityThe Church's Responsibility to Speak with ClarityGrace, Healing, and RestorationKey Timestamps0:20 — Welcome and introduction of Seth Gruber1:21 — Proverbs 3 devotional (foundation in Christ)6:53 — Introduction of local political candidates10:10 — Church announcements (Women's Conference, Greg's memorial)14:18 — Seth Gruber begins message23:25 — “All human conflict is theological”24:03 — Genesis 1 as the framework for culture33:35 — Imago Dei and human dignity49:17 — Gnosticism explained1:06:19 — “This is my body” (climactic theological contrast)1:08:34 — Grace and healing for post-abortive parents1:13:19 — Communion led by Pastor Lucas