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The Ruling Elder Podcast talks with Roger Wagner and David Winslow about ruling elders encouraging covenant youth.  One of the tasks of ruling elders, as set out by BCO X:3, is that ruling elders should "nourish and guard the children of the covenant”.Rev. Roger Wagner, now a retired minister, was ordained to the ministry in 1973, serving ten years at Sonora, then he became pastor of Bayview OPC in Chula Vista, California in 1983 where he served for the next forty years until his retirement. Ruling Elder David Winslow has served as a ruling elder for over forty years in Westminster OPC, in Westminster CA and was interviewed for this podcast in April 2023.Books and Articles MentionedKevin DeYoung, The (Not-So-Secret) Secret to Reaching the Next Generation, Crossway, 2024Carl R. Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, Crossway, 2020Eric Watkins, "Where Have the Children Gone? A Reflection Upon OPC Identity and a Postmodern Generation", Ordained Servant, Vol 12, No. 3, pages 50-51. Available here.John Murray, Christian Baptism, P&R Publishing.Lewis Bevens Schenck, The Presbyterian Doctrine of Children in the Covenant: An Historical Study of the Significance of Infant Baptism in the Presbyterian Church, first published in 1940. Republished by P&R Publishing, 2003.Gerard Berghoef and Lester De Koster, The Elders Handbook, A Practical Guide for Church Leaders, 1979.Robert S. Rayburn, “The Presbyterian Doctrines of Covenant Children,  Covenant Nurture and Covenant Succession.” Available here.

Is the new birth still relevant? Join Jonathan and James as they answer this vital question, a central theme in Jonathan's latest book, You Must Be Born Again. They discuss the significance of regeneration, its biblical foundations, and the necessity for spiritual transformation in every believer's life. The new birth or regeneration means a radical transformation promised in the Bible. – Jonathan Master Explore how this doctrine challenges superficial religious practices and highlights the need for a genuine heart change through the Holy Spirit.  Cleaning yourself up religiously isn't going to cut it. – James Dolezal Thank you to our friends at P&R Publishing; we are pleased to offer a couple of copies of You Must Be Born Again, written by our very own Jonathan Master.  Enter here.    Show Notes: You Must Be Born Again https://reformedresources.org/you-must-be-born-again-hardcover/

Dr. Mark Farnham graduated from Westminster's PhD program in Apologetics. His book, "Every Believer Confident" was recently released by P&R Publishing. He currently teaches at Lancaster Bible College. Nate sits down with Dr. Farnham to discuss apologetics and how every Christian believer is equipped to do the work of apologetics. It's not just a discipline for those who are trained philosophers or expert theologians. The early Christians didn't get sent off to Athens to learn Aristotelian philosophy before they were allowed to engage their friends and neighbors in evangelism. The Scriptures are sufficient for apologetics. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at wm.wts.edu. You can also get a copy of Dr. Farnham's book at the Westminster Bookstore. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the gospel for Christ and his global church, visit wts.edu/donate

Join Dr. Stephanie as she discusses disability theology and disability ministry with Stephanie O. Hubach, author of Same Lake Different Boat.Questions Stephanie and Stephanie Discuss:What is Disability Ministry and Why Does it Matter?a. How would you define disability ministry?b. Why doesn't your definition of disability ministry even have the word disability in it?c. What is the role of disability ministry in the local church?d. If disability ministry is “central to the life of the church” what do you mean by that?e. How does the presence of people with disabilities in a church change the fabric of congregation life?f. What type of steps need to be taken to help a church that is not disability-friendly to move towards people with disabilities?g. You refer to the biblical concept of “equal concern” in your philosophy of disability ministry. What does that look like in practice?About our Guest:Stephanie Opdahl HubachBiographical InformationStephanie Hubach is a Research Fellow in Disability Ministries and a Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministries in affiliation with Covenant Theological Seminary. From 2007-2016 she served as Mission to North America's Special Needs Ministries Founding Director. Mission toNorth America (MNA) is associated with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Steph currently serves on the Wheaton Center on Faith and Disability advisory board and the board of directors for Key Ministry.She formerly volunteered as a member of the board for The Arc of Lancaster County, chairperson of the Lancaster County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Advisory Board, and president of the board of directors for the Infant Evaluation Program of State College, PA.Steph is the author of Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in Gods' Presence (P&;R Publishing, 2021), Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability (P&;R Publishing, 2006; Revised and Expanded 2020), director of a Christian Education DVD seriesbased on Same Lake, Different Boat, and author of All Things Possible: Calling Your Church Leadership to Embrace Disability Ministry (Joni and Friends, August 2007).She has been published in ByFaith magazine, Covenant magazine, Focus on the Family magazine, and Breakpoint online magazine. Steph currently writes for Key Ministry's Special Needs Parenting blog, which is for parents of children with special needs, and for the Presbyterian Church in America's enCourage blog. She has been a guest blogger for The Gospel Coalition and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and has been interviewed on a wide variety of podcasts.Steph also coordinated a writing team for Christianity Today to provide a Disability Ministry Track in The Ministry Essentials Bible, released in September 2014. Stephanie is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College), has an MA in Economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and an MATS from Covenant Theological Seminary.Steph and her husband, Fred, have been married for 41 years. They have two deeply loved sons, Fred and Tim, the younger of whom has Down syndrome. In 2013, the Hubachs were blessed with a wonderful daughter-in-law when Cecelia married Fred, and in 2019, they were thrilled to welcome their first grandchild, Caroline. In 2022, twin grandsons joined the family—Everett and Dietrich. The Hubach family resides in Lancaster County, PA.Stephanie's Book Same Lake Different Boat-Revised Ed. and other resources:https://www.stephaniehubach.com/Dr. Stephanie's Uniquely Us:https://www.christianneurodiversemarriage.com/uniquelyus

Jonathan and James explore the vital topic of church membership with guest, Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor and author. Together, they discuss why church membership is not only a biblical principle but also a profound blessing for believers despite its imperfections.  The person who is hurt the most by the church is the one who loves her the best, and that's Jesus Christ. And even knowing the failures of his followers and future leaders in the church, he still says to his disciples, says to his believers, says to Christians, that church is the place to be. -- Jonathan Cruse Based on his new book, Church Membership, Jonathan Cruse addresses common objections and highlights the importance of commitment, accountability, and spiritual growth within the church community.  I'm not a joiner. But this is the one thing which I've always felt: I must be joined in membership to the local church. This is that one thing where membership is a must and membership matters. I think people are members of all sorts of things right now but that membership has such low-level obligations that it's just easy to transfer that mentality over into the church as well. – James Dolezal For the opportunity to win a copy of Church Membership, thanks to the generosity of P&R Publishing, enter here.    Show Notes: Church Membership by Jonathan Landry Cruse https://reformedresources.org/church-membership-hardcover/

Jonathan Cruse talks about how Ruling Elders can foster and energize congregational singing.Further ReadingResources by JonathanJonathan Landry Cruse, What Happens When We Worship, Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.Jonathan Landry Cruse, “What Every Elder needs to Know About Congregational Singing” in Faithful and Fruitful, Essays for Elders and Deacons, Eds. William Boekestein and Steven Swets,  Reformed Fellowship Inc. 2019.Books mentioned in the podcastJonty Rhodes, Reformed Worship (Blessings of the Faith), P&R Publishing, 2023.Ligon Duncan, Does God Care How We Worship? P&R Publishing, 2020.Jonathan's three recommendations for every Ruling ElderThomas Watson, The Godly Man's Picture, Drawn with a Scripture Pencil, or, Some Characteristic Marks of a Man Who is Going to Heaven, Banner of Truth Trust.David Dickson, The Elder and His Work. The Westminster Directory for Public Worship (The Westminster Directory for Public Worship discussed by Sinclair B. Ferguson and Mark Dever is currently out of print.Two examples of John Wesley's Directions for Singing.IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your Heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.

How do we know if we're making the best choices possible? Todd and Carl discuss this important topic with their guest, T. David Gordon, former professor at Grove City College and the author of Choose Better: Five Biblical Models for Making Ethical Decisions. Over the centuries, Christians in different traditions have distilled scriptural guidance into five models for ethical decision-making: law, imitation, communion, wisdom, and warfare. Today, the discussion centers around the relevance and application of these five models in everyday life and pastoral ministry. "One of the things I really appreciate about the book, David, is with each of the models, you give sort of pluses and minuses in order to bring out the fact that we can't just have one model or even two models. They all complement each other." – Carl Trueman   Biblical, profound, and practical, these models provide clear questions to ask in every situation. They help us improve our choices and better understand the choices of fellow believers—especially when they differ from ours. We are pleased to offer three copies of Choose Better to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at P&R Publishing. Register here for the opportunity to win.   Show Notes: Why Johnny Can't Preach by T. David Gordon: https://reformedresources.org/why-johnny-cant-preach-paperback/

 What can ruling elders do to promote better preaching?On this issue of the Ruling Elder podcast, John Currie, OPC pastor and Professor and Dean of Pastoral Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, discusses why this is so important and gives practical suggestions on how and when to do it, and, just as importantly, how not to do it.The OPC Form of Government says “[Ruling Elders] should have particular concern for the doctrine and conduct of the minister of the Word and help him in his labors.” (Fg. X.3)Several resources are also available online at Ordained Servant.“What Ruling Elders Can Do to Promote Better Preaching.” (Edwin J. Kreykes) 11:2 (Apr. 2002): 40-42. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV11N2.pdf“How to Assess a Sermon: A Checklist for Ruling Elders.” (William Shishko) 12:2 (Apr. 2003): 43-44. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV12N2.pdf“What Is Faithful Preaching?” (Alan D. Strange) 27 (2018): 25-30. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=686Further ReadingT. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can't Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers, (P&R Publishing; 2009)Christopher J Gordon, “How to Evaluate Your Pastor” in Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons, eds. William Boekestein and Steven Swets, (Reformed Fellowship Inc. 2019, pp. 181-193).Christopher Ash, Listen Up: A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons, (The Good Book Company, 2009)John Angell James, An Earnest Ministry: The Want of the Times, (Banner of Truth Trust)Charles Spurgeon, “The Necessity of Ministerial Progress” in Lectures to My Students, (Banner of Truth Trust)John's recommneded reading for Ruling EldersJohn Calvin, Institutes of Christian ReligionR. B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ: A Scriptural Appreciation of the One Holy Church, (Banner of Truth Trust)Harry Reeder, From Embers to a Flame: How God Can Revitalize Your Church, (P&R Publishing, 2008) 

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Compton examines the intersection of fantasy writing and theological themes with OPC Pastor Rev. Jeremiah Montgomery. As the author of The Dark Harvest trilogy, Montgomery discusses his journey into writing fiction with a distinctively theological flavor. We explore his approach to storytelling, the influence of his reformed faith, and how his experiences in ministry have shaped his writing. From the seeds of historical events to the imaginative creation of fantasy worlds, Montgomery reveals the depth of thought behind his work and the power of fiction to convey profound truths. Tune in to learn more about how fiction can reflect the reality of good and evil, the importance of imagination, and the role of storytelling in communicating the Christian worldview. You can purchase the Dark Harvest Trilogy from P&R Publishing ⁠here⁠.

Award-winning author and editor Donald McKim joins James and Jonathan to discuss his book, Daily Devotions with Herman Bavinck. Bavinck was a significant Reformed scholar and theologian whose popularity has increased in recent years. Though Bavinck did not leave behind a body of devotional material, Don has written eighty-four brief devotional readings accompanied by Scripture exploring Bavinck's thoughts to deepen readers' understanding and faith. Donald McKim's book is doing for Bavinck what earlier Dutch Reformed theologians had done for themselves, which is step you into that practical application, and there's nothing unnatural about it. It feels like exactly the next step that you should take. – James Dolezal  With Bavinck, McKim understands that Christian belief is to be joined with Christian living, and he has given us an excellent practical application of Bavinck's theology. We're giving away two copies of Donald McKim's book courtesy of P&R Publishing. Register here for an opportunity to win.   Show Notes: Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck in 4 volumes: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/reformed-dogmatics-4-volumes/291090 Other books by Donald McKim: https://www.prpbooks.com/authors/donald-k-mckim

Introduction (Full Notes Here)      The debate over James 2:14-26 revolves around how to reconcile faith and works in the context of salvation.[1] Catholics and Arminians traditionally see faith and works as both essential for eternal salvation. Reformed theologians see James as setting forth a litmus test for authentic faith, contending that true saving faith is evidenced by a life of obedience and good works. In other words, while salvation is by grace through faith, genuine faith results in a transformed life marked by obedience to Christ as Lord. According to John Frame, “James 2:24, which speaks of justification by works, tells us that a faith without works is not saving faith, not true faith. So, works are evidence of a true, saving faith.”[2] John MacArthur adds, “Good works are inevitable in the life of one who truly believes. These works have no part in bringing about salvation (Eph 2:9; Rom 3:20, 24; 4:5; Tit 3:5), but they show that salvation is indeed present (Eph 2:10; 5:9; 1 John 2:5).”[3] R. C. Sproul states, “every true believer bears some fruit. If he does not, he's not a believer.”[4] Even some of my favorite Bible teachers hold this view. For example, Arnold Fruchtenbaum says, “Is a faith that produces no work whatsoever really a saving faith? The obvious answer is, ‘No.' The issue here is saving faith.”[5] And Charles Ryrie states, “Can a nonworking, dead, spurious faith save a person? James is not saying that we are saved by works but that a faith that does not produce good works is a dead faith…Genuine faith cannot be ‘dead' to morality or barren to works.”[6] According to Warren Wiersbe, “Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration. That kind of faith is dead faith…Dead faith is not saving faith. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a false confidence of eternal life.”[7] William MacDonald states, “works are not the root of salvation but the fruit; they are not the cause but the effect. Calvin put it tersely: ‘We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone.'”[8]      Many proponents of this view assert that merely professing faith without a corresponding life of obedience can lead to self-deception and a false sense of security regarding one's salvation. One of the flaws of this view is that Christians spend much of their time looking at themselves and wondering if their works are genuine, or if they've done enough to prove their eternal salvation. Because sin continues in the lives of all Christians, and this to varying degrees, it leaves the believer in a state of uncertainty about their eternal destiny because they never know if their works represent a genuine saving faith.      In James 2:14-26; James is not distinguishing genuine from false faith; but rather, a useful faith that works to bless others, versus a useless faith that cannot save the Christian from divine discipline and loss of reward at the bema seat of Christ. For James, a dead faith is a useless faith that benefits no one, and his reference to salvation is from divine discipline, not the lake of fire. It's noteworthy that James 2:14-26 is sandwiched between two sections concerning divine judgement (Jam 2:12-13; 3:1). Biblically, disobedient Christians face God's judgment in this life as they are subject to divine discipline (Heb 12:6), which can eventuate in physical death (1 Cor 11:30; Jam 1:15, 21; 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16), as well as future judgment before the bema seat of Christ in heaven (Rom 14:10-12; 2 Cor 5:10). At the judgment seat of Christ, all Christians will stand before the Lord Jesus, not to determine if they have eternal life, for that is already secure for them (John 5:24; 10:28; 1 John 5:13), but to be evaluated on how they lived and rewards given for obedience to Him (1 Cor 3:10-15). This is important to understand, for when James poses the question, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (Jam 2:14), he's talking about a useful faith that benefits others and saves the Christian from divine discipline in this life, which can eventuate in physical death, and loss of reward at the bema seat of Christ. The Usefulness of Faith      For James, faith must be put into use to be beneficial to others. In one sentence, James said, “faith, if it has no works, is dead” (Jam 2:17), and in another sentence, said, “faith without works is useless” (Jam 2:20). A dead faith is a useless faith. It is useless to God and others, being of no benefit to the needy. We use similar language when we talk about a “dead battery,” we're talking about a battery that is useless. And when we talk about Latin being a “dead language,” we mean it's no longer in use. Likewise, a dead faith is a useless faith. However, unlike a dead battery or a dead language, we have volition and the ability to put our faith into practice, making it useful to others. Which is why James previously wrote, “prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves” (Jam 1:22).      The teaching of Scripture is that sinners are saved totally apart from works. Paul wrote, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom 3:28), and salvation comes “to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly” (Rom 4:5). We are “not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Gal 2:16), for “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). God “has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works” (2 Tim 1:9a), and “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness” (Tit 3:5a). Good works do not save us eternally. They never have and never will.      James is not contradicting Paul. They are addressing two different matters. Paul addresses justification before God, which is based entirely on the work of Christ at the cross and the imputed righteousness that comes to the one who trusts in Christ alone for salvation (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). James addresses justification in the sight of others, what we might call vindication. God does not need to see our faith. He knows it's there. But others cannot see our faith, so good works help them to see what we claim to be true. Once saved, we are called to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). God said, “My righteous one shall live by faith” (Heb 10:38), for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6). And we know that “whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23). Furthermore, Christians are commanded to love others (John 13:34; Gal 5:13; 1 Th 4:9). This love is to be actionable and tangible (Jam 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18). Also, we are directed to do good works, which glorify God and edify others. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16; cf. Eph 2:10). God's Word directs us to “do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal 6:10), “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Tim 6:18), to be “zealous for good deeds” (Tit 2:14b), to “learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs” (Tit 3:14a), “to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Heb 10:24). Failure of Christians to put their faith into action means they are disobedient to the Lord and subject to divine discipline. Scripture reveals, “those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and chastises every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:6). Jesus said, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline” (Rev 3:19a). Paul wrote, “But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world” (1 Cor 11:32).[9] With these doctrines in mind, let's look at James 2:14-26. Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] James clearly wrote to saved persons, Jewish believers, whom he called “brethren” (Jam 1:2, 16, 19; 2:1, 5, 14; 3:1, 10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9-10, 12, 19), confirmed they were born from above (Jam 1:17-18), and said they had “faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (Jam 2:1). He said the Holy Spirit dwelled in them (Jam 4:5), which proved they were Christians, for “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Rom 8:9). The main purpose of James' letter was to exhort Christians to spiritual maturity (Jam 1:4), which manifests itself in practical righteousness. James in no way contradicts Paul. Paul wrote about justification in the sight of God (Rom 3:28; 4:1-5; Gal 2:16), whereas James wrote about being justified in the sight of others (Jam 2:18, 24). [2] John M. Frame, Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2006), 205. [3] John F. Macarthur, Jr., “Faith According To The Apostle James” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol 33/1: March 1990, 18. [4] R. C. Sproul, Can I Be Sure I'm Saved?, vol. 7, The Crucial Questions Series (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2010), 15. [5] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude, 1st ed., (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2005), 253 [6] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update, Expanded ed. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995, 1970), 1970. [7] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 354. [8] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 2229. [9] He gave to us It is never the will of God that we sin (1 John 2:1), but all saints commit sin, and there is no such thing as a sinless saint. David wrote, “my sins have overtaken me…they are more numerous than the hairs of my head” (Psa 40:12), and “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psa 51:3). Paul said of himself, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want…I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good” (Rom 7:19, 21). And the John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us…If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8, 10). James said, “we all stumble in many ways” (Jam 3:2a). Though forgiven all our sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), and saved (Eph 2:8), Christians continue to possess a sin nature (Rom 6:6; 7:14-25; 13:14; Col 3:9; Gal 5:16-17, 19-22; 1 John 1:8), and commit personal acts of sin (Eccl 7:20; 1 John 1:10; 2:1). Though the power of the sin nature is broken (Rom 6:11-14), the presence of the sin nature is never removed from us until God takes us from this world and gives us a new body like the body of Jesus (Phil 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2, 5). It is possible for saints to commit any sin an unbeliever can commit, to the same degree, and for the same duration of time. That's not what God wants from us. He wants righteousness. It's possible for Christians to live sinfully, though not without consequences. Living sinfully does not mean loss of eternal salvation, for that is not possible. Jesus said, the one who believes in Him “has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24), and “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Paul wrote, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). But if Christians choose to operate by the sinful flesh (1 Cor 3:1-3), love the world (1 John 2:15-16), and live sinfully, like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24), they open the door to divine discipline and great suffering (Heb 12:5-11), which can eventuate in physical death (1 Cor 11:30; Jam 1:15, 21; 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16), and the loss of eternal rewards (1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 John 1:8).  

Many faithful Christian parents today grieve for their adult children who have left the faith. They ask, "Where did we go wrong? What should we have done differently?" Carl and Todd discuss this important topic in this episode and encourage parents not to give up hope.  "Parents have enormous impact on their kids' lives, even into adulthood. Even when there's been pain, a parent has enormous influence. See how best to leverage that for the soul of your child.  – Todd Pruitt We are pleased to offer a few copies of Wayward Children: Finding Peace, Keeping Hope to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at P&R Publishing. Register here for the opportunity to win.

••• The Wisdom Of Abraham, Ep 333 . ••• Bible Study Verses: Genesis 18:1-19, Genesis 22:7-9, Isaiah 3:5, Isaiah 4:1, I Corinthians 4:15, Genesis 49:26, Romans 4:11, Hebrews 1:3, John 15:1, 4-9, Malachi 4:5-6, Matthew 3:16-17, John 8:38, John 14:7-24, John 5:17, Proverbs 22:28, Timothy 5:8, Romans 1:27, Psalm 68:5-6 . ••• “Being a godly father requires much perseverance and prayer as we seek God's guidance in being the types of fathers He wants us to be”, Jonathan Pate Falwell, 1966- , Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) in Lynchburg, Virginia † ••• “Fathers, discuss what you read in your morning devotions. It takes no preparation, and is conducive to spontaneous discussion. If you missed morning devotions, discuss the Sunday sermon, or read through a book of the Bible together. The possibilities are endless. The point is this: You don't need to be a Bible scholar or a schoolteacher to teach your children. What you need is diligence, consistency, perseverance, and confidence that repeated exposure to the gospel will ultimately change your children's lives”, William Farley, Author of Gospel-Powered Parenting, Gospel-Powered Parenting, 2009, P&R Publishing, p. 191 †† ••• “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse”, Malachi 4.5-6, NKJV .••• Why did the Angels tell Abraham the Purpose of their mission to Sodom? ••• Why was it important for Abraham to be instructed on how not to walk with the Lord? ••• Why do many allow the fatherless situation to persist? ••• Who is a Father? ••• Why are Fathers Important? ••• Why are fathers important in the lives of their children? ••• Why are Fathers not in the Lives of their Children? ••• How can we reverse the tide of Fatherlessness? ••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray to help us reverse the tide of fatherlessness through the power of Holy Spirit? ••• Pastor Godwin Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounters Radio Podcast originally aired on June 15, 2024 on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcasted to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible .••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is brought to you by Christian Leadership International and all the beloved of God who believe in it's mission through prayer and support. Thank you .••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ .••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by The Mac Doctor Photography, https://www.macdoctorcomputers.com, https://www.musiccitymacs.com, https://www.musiccitymax.com. Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software .••• † http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Jonathan-Falwell-Quotes/ .••• † † https://gracequotes.org/ .••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/240615-the-wisdom-of-Abraham-ep-333 .••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes .••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/john.1%20 .••• FERP240615 Episode#333 GOT240615Ep333 .••• Beyond Common Sense - The Wisdom Of Abraham, Part-6 . Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Jeff Dalrymple, the executive director of ECAP and Chairman of the Board at Anchored Hope, as our guest host. We spend time discussing the mission and vision of Anchored Hope, a biblically grounded, clinically informed virtual counseling center. We share the story of our journey, how we began, and how we've grown, highlighting our dedication to making counseling accessible worldwide. We also talk about the personal lives and stories of the team members, giving listeners a glimpse of the people behind the mission. This episode provides a deeper understanding of who we are and what we do at Anchored Hope. ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Rebecca McLaughlin and Ed Welch. Rebecca and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠events.anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

On today's episode, Wisdom steps behind the curtain of the music business with Jess Loper, a seasoned veteran in the A&R and publishing world. In this insightful episode, Jess shares her wealth of knowledge and experience, demystifying the often-opaque realms of artists and repertoire (A&R), music publishing, and sync licensing. From scouting talent to navigating the intricate landscape of royalties and recoupment, Jess offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the industry. Whether you're an aspiring artist, songwriter, or simply a music enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the business side of music. Jess Loper began her career in the newsroom serving as an Editor with Business Wire who services the Associated Press with press releases for publicly held companies. From there she took her love of words into the music industry in the A&R department at Capitol CMG/Universal Music. In this position, she was an integral part of the production process for CMG's roster of artists (Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, TobyMac, Passion/sixstepsrecords) while also working with business affairs, union negotiations, and film & tv licensing for the label. In 2017, she joined the team at Gotee Records as VP of Brand Management (Gotee Records) and Publishing (Emack Music). Gotee Records and Emack Music are a record label and a music publishing and administration company started in 1994 under the leadership of artist, TobyMac and label president, Joey Elwood. In this position, she handled A&R for artists Jon Reddick, Hollyn, Aaron Cole, Joseph O'Brien, Charly Beathard, and RENEE, cultivated writer relationships for Emack writers Tyrus Morgan, Hunter Leath, Ben Shive, and Lindsey Sweat, assisted with film and tv placements (ESPN, Fox Sports, ABC, NBC & VH1) and handled administration for Man Cub Music (Bryan Fowler & Micah Kuiper). Most recently, she launched Without Labels Collective, a company that focuses on music supervision and licensing for film & television (The Jesus Music Documentary, Trinity Broadcasting Networks, The Huckabee Show, Compassion International, and Thrive just to name a few). This new venture is also focused on educating and supporting songwriters & artists on the business side of the creative process. She serves on the Board of the CMPA and works closely with the GMA Dove Awards. Outside of her career in the music industry, her writing has been featured in the Huffington Post & Business Week Magazine among other digital news outlets and printed publications. Her greatest role in life has been getting to be a mom to Brody (15) & Kellen (12). In the Spring of '22, she married her favorite songwriter, Brent Loper, on the front porch of their little farmhouse in Culleoka, TN SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All other platforms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH US: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wisdom Moon on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lula Music Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lula Music Group on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Artist Coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lula Street Records⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Music Industry Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Mosaic Collective⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christianmusicindustry/message

On this episode of This vs. That, we discuss the upcoming auxiliary event at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference. This special event is held in partnership with Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling, two organizations that share a common goal of providing quality, gospel-centered counseling. In this episode we'll look at the origins of this collaboration, the benefits of joint efforts, and our shared passion for helping people. We firmly believe that these organizations' combined strengths can lead to a significant impact on the local church and the wider community. 00:00 Introduction to the Special Edition and Event Collaboration 01:44 The Genesis of the Collaboration 03:09 The Importance of Collaboration and Community 04:37 Unpacking 'Wise Words for Challenging Times' 06:03 The Power and Impact of Wise Words 09:37 Panelist Insights: Applying Wisdom in Today's World 13:57 The Challenges of Cultivating a Life of Wisdom 18:07 The Vision and Hope for the Event 23:01 The Role of Community and Friendship in Wisdom 26:47 Event Registration Details and Encouragement ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Rebecca McLaughlin and Ed Welch. Rebecca and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠events.anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

James and Jonathan welcome their bowtie-clad friend, T. David Gordon, to discuss his latest book, Choose Better: 5 Biblical Models for Making Ethical Decisions. How do we know if we're making the best choices possible? T. David says that over the centuries, Christians in different traditions have distilled scriptural guidance into five models for ethical decision-making. These models give us clear questions to ask in every situation, helping us improve our choices and better understand the choices of fellow believers—especially when they differ from ours. The creature made in God's image has the capacity for reflection, for contemplation, for decision making, and so any choice we make about any aspect of our life is a reflection of the image of God in us, and therefore, it is subject to ethical inspection. – T. David Gordon Tune in to discover how T. David's five biblical models for making ethical decisions equip believers to think biblically and choose better. And also learn why one of these models has him regularly spending a night sleeping in the forest. You may be inspired to grab a hammock and follow suit! For the opportunity to win a copy of Choose Better, thanks to the generosity of P&R Publishing, enter here.    Show Notes: Why Johnny Can't Preach by T. David Gordon: https://reformedresources.org/why-johnny-cant-preach-paperback/  

     Total depravity is the biblical doctrine that sin permeates all aspects of our being—mind, will, and sensibilities, and renders us helpless to save ourselves. It does not mean we are as bad as we can be, for there are many moral unbelievers in the world. Being contaminated by sin means whatever morality we produce can never measure up to the perfect righteousness God expects. Is there any person who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?” (Prov 20:9). The answer is an emphatic No! The human heart is corrupt, for “the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” (Jer 17:9). And “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins” (Eccl 7:20), and “There is none righteous; not even one. There is none who understands; there is none who seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become useless. There is none who does good, there is not even one” (Rom 3:10-12; cf. Rom 8:8). Some might argue that we can perform good works and help to save ourselves. This is wrong. Scripture states, “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” (Isa 59:2), “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away” (Isa 64:6). Salvation does not come by human works; rather, we are “justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom 3:28), and salvation comes “to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly” (Rom 4:5), and we are “not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Gal 2:16), “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9), and God “has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Tim 1:9), and “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Tit 3:5). By human standards, even the worst person can do some good. But human estimation is lower than God's estimation and it is God's standards that define what is truly good. According to Charles Ryrie, “Total depravity must always be measured against God's holiness. Relative goodness exists in people. They can do good works, which are appreciated by others. But nothing that anyone can do will gain salvational merit or favor in the sight of a holy God.”[1] Calvinist View of Total Depravity      For Calvinists, total depravity means total inability. They regard people as totally unable to respond to the things of God; like a physical corpse. Notable scholars such as B. B. Warfield, R. C. Sproul, John Piper, Wayne Grudem, John Frame, John MacArthur, and J. I. Packer hold this view. B. B. Warfield wrote, “nothing is more fundamental in the doctrine of the Reformers than the complete inability of man and his absolute need of divine grace.”[2] John Frame states, “We can never come to God out of our own resources. We are helpless to do anything to save ourselves. This condition is sometimes called total inability” (italics his).[3] J. I. Packer states, “Total depravity entails total inability, that is, the state of not having it in oneself to respond to God and his Word in a sincere and wholehearted way (John 6:44; Rom 8:7–8).”[4] That is, lost sinners cannot respond to God at all, as they are spiritually unable (dead) to respond apart from God's granting life and the ability to believe. This leads Calvinists to conclude two things. First, God sovereignly acts by Himself to regenerate the spiritually dead and make them spiritually alive. Second, God gives the newly regenerate a special kind of faith whereby they can and will trust in Christ as Savior. According to Wayne Grudem, regeneration is “the act of God awakening spiritual life within us, bringing us from spiritual death to spiritual life. On this definition, it is natural to understand that regeneration comes before saving faith. It is in fact this work of God that gives us the spiritual ability to respond to God in faith.”[5] According to John MacArthur, “Our response in salvation is faith, but even that is not of ourselves [but is] the gift of God. Faith is nothing that we do in our own power or by our own resources...Paul intends to emphasize that even faith is not from us apart from God's giving it.”[6] The result of these divine actions in God's elect means they will produce good works and will persevere in those works throughout their lives until they die. John MacArthur states, “The same power that created us in Christ Jesus empowers us to do the good works for which He has redeemed us. These are the verifiers of true salvation.”[7] Thus, good works from regeneration to the end of one's life are the proof of salvation. Failure to produce ongoing good works until the end of one's life is offered as proof he was never saved (Matt 7:21). The Biblical View of Total Depravity      The correct biblical view is that total depravity means total unworthiness, not total inability to respond in faith to God's offer of salvation. Despite the profound impact of sin on human nature, the Bible does not portray people as entirely incapacitated. Yes, all mankind is “dead” in their sins (Eph 2:1); but death does not mean total inability, but total separation from God, for even those who were dead still “walked according to the course of this world” (Eph 2:2). Mankind is totally depraved in the sense that sin corrupts every part of our being, intellect, will, and sensibility. However, it does not mean that fallen people are unable to respond in faith to the gospel of grace.      The first example of spiritual death in the Bible is found in the Garden of Eden. God had warned Adam and Eve, saying, “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen 2:17). The warning was that if they disobeyed God, on that very day, they would die (and death means separation, not cessation). Adam and Eve experienced spiritual death at the moment they disobeyed God. Yet, immediately after the fall, in their state of spiritual death, they could sense God's presence in the Garden, as they “heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden” (Gen 3:8). Furthermore, Adam heard God's voice when He “called to the man” (Gen 3:9), and Adam responded to Him, saying, “I heard the sound of You in the garden” (Gen 3:10a). Though they could not undo their newly fallen sinful state, it did not render them totally unable to perceive God or to respond to Him when He called out to them. And they did respond positively to the Lord when He promised to provide a descendant, a Seed of the woman, who would crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15). They also responded positively by accepting God's provision of clothing after He killed an animal, took its skin, and covered their nakedness (Gen 3:21).      Furthermore, God made mankind in His image, as Scripture states, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Gen 1:27). Even after the historic fall of Adam and Eve, all people are said to be “in the image of God” (Gen 9:6), and “in the likeness of God” (Jam 3:9). Despite the fall of humanity into sin, the image of God in humanity remains intact, implying that humans still retain some moral capacity, which includes the ability to accept God's offer of salvation by faith. Though people are deeply affected by sin, they still possess some capacity for moral choice and responsibility, thus arguing against the notion of total depravity meaning total inability.      Regeneration is entirely the work of God in saving lost sinners who cannot save themselves (Rom 5:6-10). The sinner brings nothing of worth to salvation, but receives all that God has to offer by grace. John Walvoord states, “Regeneration is wholly of God. No possible human effort however noble can supply eternal life.”[8] Paul Enns states, “Succinctly stated, to regenerate means ‘to impart life.' Regeneration is the act whereby God imparts life to the one who believes.”[9] Regeneration occurs in the one who believes in Christ as Savior. According to Charles Ryrie, “Salvation is always through faith, not because of faith (Eph 2:8). Faith is the channel through which we receive God's gift of eternal life; it is not the cause. This is so man can never boast, even of his faith. But faith is the necessary and only channel (John 5:24; 17:3).”[10] The Bible teaches there is only one kind of faith, and that only those who place their faith in Christ will be saved. Faith does not save. Christ saves. The Strict-Calvinist believes there are two kinds of faith, one that is common to all, and another that is special and imparted only to God's elect. Believe to Receive Eternal Life      There are numerous passages in the Bible that place faith as the necessary prerequisite to regeneration. It is written, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and Jesus said, “This is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life” (John 6:40), and “he who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47). Paul wrote to Timothy about “those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Tim 1:16). In these and other instances, “eternal life” is given after we believe in Jesus as our Savior. Furthermore, people are condemned, not because God has not made a way for them to be saved, but because of their unwillingness to come to Christ as Savior. The issue is individual choice, not inability. The apostle John said, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). Jesus, speaking to unsaved persons, said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life” (John 5:39-40). Jesus said the Holy Spirit convicts everyone of sin (John 16:8), particularly the sin of unbelief, “because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:9). There is only one sin that keeps a person out of heaven, and that is the sin of unbelief; of rejecting Jesus as the only Savior. Apparently unbelievers may resist the Holy Spirit, as Stephen said in his sermon, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51a).      Scripture reveals that “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30). This means they must not trust in themselves or any system of good works to save, but must trust in Christ, and Christ alone to save. Faith does not save. Christ saves. Faith is the non-meritorious instrument by which we receive eternal life. The Strict-Calvinist believes Christ died only for the elect (Matt 1:21; John 10:15), and only the elect are savable. The Bible teaches that Christ died for everyone (John 3:16; Heb 2:9; 1 John 2:2); therefore, everyone is savable. Paul said, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Tit 2:11), and that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4). Peter stated, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). Anyone can be saved by believing the gospel message “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). Jesus is Free from Sin      Concerning total depravity and the transmission of original sin, Jesus is the sole exception, for Mary's virgin conception (Isa 7:14; Luke 1:30-35) meant Jesus was not born with the taint of original sin. Being free from original sin, Jesus also had no sin nature. Furthermore, Jesus lived His entire life and committed no personal sin. Scripture reveals Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21), was “without sin” (Heb 4:15), “committed no sin” (1 Pet 2:22), and in whom “there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). His sinless life qualified Him to die a substitutionary death in our place, “the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus died for everyone and paid the penalty for our sin (John 3:16; Heb 2:9; 1 John 2:2). Though His death is sufficient for all to be saved (unlimited atonement), the benefits of the cross are applied only to those who believe in Him, which includes forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9), and eternal life (John 10:28). Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology, 253. [2] Benjamin B. Warfield, The Plan of Salvation: Five Lectures (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915), 44. [3] John M. Frame, Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2006), 112. [4] J. I. Packer, Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1993), 84. [5] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 702. [6] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Ephesians (Chicago, Ill. Moody Press, 1986), 98. [7] Ibid., 101. [8] John F. Walvoord, The Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 1977), 132. [9] Paul P. Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1989), 338. [10]

     Total depravity is the biblical doctrine that sin permeates all aspects of our being—mind, will, and sensibilities, and renders us helpless to save ourselves. It does not mean we are as bad as we can be, for there are many moral unbelievers in the world. Being contaminated by sin means whatever morality we produce can never measure up to the perfect righteousness God expects. Is there any person who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?” (Prov 20:9). The answer is an emphatic No! The human heart is corrupt, for “the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” (Jer 17:9). And “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins” (Eccl 7:20), and “There is none righteous; not even one. There is none who understands; there is none who seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become useless. There is none who does good, there is not even one” (Rom 3:10-12; cf. Rom 8:8). Some might argue that we can perform good works and help to save ourselves. This is wrong. Scripture states, “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” (Isa 59:2), “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away” (Isa 64:6). Salvation does not come by human works; rather, we are “justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom 3:28), and salvation comes “to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly” (Rom 4:5), and we are “not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Gal 2:16), “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9), and God “has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Tim 1:9), and “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Tit 3:5). By human standards, even the worst person can do some good. But human estimation is lower than God's estimation and it is God's standards that define what is truly good. According to Charles Ryrie, “Total depravity must always be measured against God's holiness. Relative goodness exists in people. They can do good works, which are appreciated by others. But nothing that anyone can do will gain salvational merit or favor in the sight of a holy God.”[1] Calvinist View of Total Depravity      For Calvinists, total depravity means total inability. They regard people as totally unable to respond to the things of God; like a physical corpse. Notable scholars such as B. B. Warfield, R. C. Sproul, John Piper, Wayne Grudem, John Frame, John MacArthur, and J. I. Packer hold this view. B. B. Warfield wrote, “nothing is more fundamental in the doctrine of the Reformers than the complete inability of man and his absolute need of divine grace.”[2] John Frame states, “We can never come to God out of our own resources. We are helpless to do anything to save ourselves. This condition is sometimes called total inability” (italics his).[3] J. I. Packer states, “Total depravity entails total inability, that is, the state of not having it in oneself to respond to God and his Word in a sincere and wholehearted way (John 6:44; Rom 8:7–8).”[4] That is, lost sinners cannot respond to God at all, as they are spiritually unable (dead) to respond apart from God's granting life and the ability to believe. This leads Calvinists to conclude two things. First, God sovereignly acts by Himself to regenerate the spiritually dead and make them spiritually alive. Second, God gives the newly regenerate a special kind of faith whereby they can and will trust in Christ as Savior. According to Wayne Grudem, regeneration is “the act of God awakening spiritual life within us, bringing us from spiritual death to spiritual life. On this definition, it is natural to understand that regeneration comes before saving faith. It is in fact this work of God that gives us the spiritual ability to respond to God in faith.”[5] According to John MacArthur, “Our response in salvation is faith, but even that is not of ourselves [but is] the gift of God. Faith is nothing that we do in our own power or by our own resources...Paul intends to emphasize that even faith is not from us apart from God's giving it.”[6] The result of these divine actions in God's elect means they will produce good works and will persevere in those works throughout their lives until they die. John MacArthur states, “The same power that created us in Christ Jesus empowers us to do the good works for which He has redeemed us. These are the verifiers of true salvation.”[7] Thus, good works from regeneration to the end of one's life are the proof of salvation. Failure to produce ongoing good works until the end of one's life is offered as proof he was never saved (Matt 7:21). The Biblical View of Total Depravity      The correct biblical view is that total depravity means total unworthiness, not total inability to respond in faith to God's offer of salvation. Despite the profound impact of sin on human nature, the Bible does not portray people as entirely incapacitated. Yes, all mankind is “dead” in their sins (Eph 2:1); but death does not mean total inability, but total separation from God, for even those who were dead still “walked according to the course of this world” (Eph 2:2). Mankind is totally depraved in the sense that sin corrupts every part of our being, intellect, will, and sensibility. However, it does not mean that fallen people are unable to respond in faith to the gospel of grace.      The first example of spiritual death in the Bible is found in the Garden of Eden. God had warned Adam and Eve, saying, “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen 2:17). The warning was that if they disobeyed God, on that very day, they would die (and death means separation, not cessation). Adam and Eve experienced spiritual death at the moment they disobeyed God. Yet, immediately after the fall, in their state of spiritual death, they could sense God's presence in the Garden, as they “heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden” (Gen 3:8). Furthermore, Adam heard God's voice when He “called to the man” (Gen 3:9), and Adam responded to Him, saying, “I heard the sound of You in the garden” (Gen 3:10a). Though they could not undo their newly fallen sinful state, it did not render them totally unable to perceive God or to respond to Him when He called out to them. And they did respond positively to the Lord when He promised to provide a descendant, a Seed of the woman, who would crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15). They also responded positively by accepting God's provision of clothing after He killed an animal, took its skin, and covered their nakedness (Gen 3:21).      Furthermore, God made mankind in His image, as Scripture states, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Gen 1:27). Even after the historic fall of Adam and Eve, all people are said to be “in the image of God” (Gen 9:6), and “in the likeness of God” (Jam 3:9). Despite the fall of humanity into sin, the image of God in humanity remains intact, implying that humans still retain some moral capacity, which includes the ability to accept God's offer of salvation by faith. Though people are deeply affected by sin, they still possess some capacity for moral choice and responsibility, thus arguing against the notion of total depravity meaning total inability.      Regeneration is entirely the work of God in saving lost sinners who cannot save themselves (Rom 5:6-10). The sinner brings nothing of worth to salvation, but receives all that God has to offer by grace. John Walvoord states, “Regeneration is wholly of God. No possible human effort however noble can supply eternal life.”[8] Paul Enns states, “Succinctly stated, to regenerate means ‘to impart life.' Regeneration is the act whereby God imparts life to the one who believes.”[9] Regeneration occurs in the one who believes in Christ as Savior. According to Charles Ryrie, “Salvation is always through faith, not because of faith (Eph 2:8). Faith is the channel through which we receive God's gift of eternal life; it is not the cause. This is so man can never boast, even of his faith. But faith is the necessary and only channel (John 5:24; 17:3).”[10] The Bible teaches there is only one kind of faith, and that only those who place their faith in Christ will be saved. Faith does not save. Christ saves. The Strict-Calvinist believes there are two kinds of faith, one that is common to all, and another that is special and imparted only to God's elect. Believe to Receive Eternal Life      There are numerous passages in the Bible that place faith as the necessary prerequisite to regeneration. It is written, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and Jesus said, “This is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life” (John 6:40), and “he who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47). Paul wrote to Timothy about “those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Tim 1:16). In these and other instances, “eternal life” is given after we believe in Jesus as our Savior. Furthermore, people are condemned, not because God has not made a way for them to be saved, but because of their unwillingness to come to Christ as Savior. The issue is individual choice, not inability. The apostle John said, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). Jesus, speaking to unsaved persons, said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life” (John 5:39-40). Jesus said the Holy Spirit convicts everyone of sin (John 16:8), particularly the sin of unbelief, “because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:9). There is only one sin that keeps a person out of heaven, and that is the sin of unbelief; of rejecting Jesus as the only Savior. Apparently unbelievers may resist the Holy Spirit, as Stephen said in his sermon, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51a).      Scripture reveals that “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30). This means they must not trust in themselves or any system of good works to save, but must trust in Christ, and Christ alone to save. Faith does not save. Christ saves. Faith is the non-meritorious instrument by which we receive eternal life. The Strict-Calvinist believes Christ died only for the elect (Matt 1:21; John 10:15), and only the elect are savable. The Bible teaches that Christ died for everyone (John 3:16; Heb 2:9; 1 John 2:2); therefore, everyone is savable. Paul said, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Tit 2:11), and that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4). Peter stated, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). Anyone can be saved by believing the gospel message “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). Jesus is Free from Sin      Concerning total depravity and the transmission of original sin, Jesus is the sole exception, for Mary's virgin conception (Isa 7:14; Luke 1:30-35) meant Jesus was not born with the taint of original sin. Being free from original sin, Jesus also had no sin nature. Furthermore, Jesus lived His entire life and committed no personal sin. Scripture reveals Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21), was “without sin” (Heb 4:15), “committed no sin” (1 Pet 2:22), and in whom “there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). His sinless life qualified Him to die a substitutionary death in our place, “the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus died for everyone and paid the penalty for our sin (John 3:16; Heb 2:9; 1 John 2:2). Though His death is sufficient for all to be saved (unlimited atonement), the benefits of the cross are applied only to those who believe in Him, which includes forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9), and eternal life (John 10:28). Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology, 253. [2] Benjamin B. Warfield, The Plan of Salvation: Five Lectures (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915), 44. [3] John M. Frame, Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2006), 112. [4] J. I. Packer, Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1993), 84. [5] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 702. [6] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Ephesians (Chicago, Ill. Moody Press, 1986), 98. [7] Ibid., 101. [8] John F. Walvoord, The Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 1977), 132. [9] Paul P. Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1989), 338. [10] Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 377.

This episode includes an important discussion about OCD, including its definition and symptoms. Mike Emlet is a counselor an faculty member at CCEF, and he has written a book called OCD: Freedom for the Obsessive-Compulsive, which is part of the Ask the Christian Counselor series published by P&R Publishing. Mike shares his extensive wisdom about how to think about OCD and what sufferers need in order to find healing and hope.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships are for one year and automatically renew each month.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with Dr. Russell Moore, the editor in chief of Christianity Today and author of the book Losing Our Religion: an Altercall for Evangelical America. We discuss a variety of topics, from the current state of politics and its impact on the church, to the personal struggles individuals face within this politically charged environment. We also explore the concept of political engagement versus political idolatry, delving into the nuances of each and their implications for our spiritual lives. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation. ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Rebecca McLaughlin and Ed Welch. Rebecca and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠events.anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

On this episode of This vs. That, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dani Treweek. Joining us from Sydney, Australia, Dani is a renowned Christian theological researcher, author, speaker, and the founding director of Single Minded Ministry. We discuss her work, which focuses on exploring God's purposes for singleness and equipping Christians. Throughout our discussion, we touch on the intricacies of singleness within the church and the societal pressures that surround it. We also address the gendered experiences of singleness and the challenges that come with it. Finally, Dani provides insightful perspectives on celibacy and sexual stewardship within the Christian faith. This episode offers much-needed conversation for both single and married listeners. Resources Mentioned: Single Minded Ministry - A parachurch ministry focused on exploring God's purposes for singleness and equipping Christians. It features a resource library with extensive materials on singleness and related topics, available at www.singleminded.community. The Meaning of Singleness: Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church - A book by Dani Treweek that provides a dense, robust exploration of the theological and eschatological significance of singleness. Seven Myths About Singleness - A book by Sam Allberry that challenges common misconceptions about singleness, offering a biblical perspective that affirms the value and importance of singleness in the Christian life. ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Michael Keller and Ed Welch. Michael and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠events.anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

Mark Jones is back on the podcast today, chatting with Carl and Todd about his latest book, The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life. Vowing not to write another book for a long time because of the toll it takes on his life expectancy, Mark explains why he chose to address the uncomfortable topic of backsliding believers—and, to a lesser extent, apostasy—in his latest work.  After Covid and all that it did to the church, there's a very serious need to confront what is an obvious pastoral issue for many pastors, and that is a lot of people have fallen away or become extremely lazy in their Christian living. - Mark Jones An important topic infrequently discussed in many Reformed churches, Mark addresses backsliding in this serious, hopeful, and pastoral work informed by wise theologians of the past and present.  P&R Publishing has provided a few giveaway copies of The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win. Show Notes: For a copy of The Pilgrim's Regress: https://reformedresources.org/the-pilgrims-regress-guarding-against-backsliding-and-apostasy-in-the-christian-life-paperback/ Antinomianism and other books by Mark Jones: https://reformedresources.org/books/authors/mark-jones/ Mark recommends the following titles: Personal Declension and Revival of the Soul by Octavius Winslow: https://reformedresources.org/personal-declension-and-revival-of-religion-in-the-soul-paperback/ Holiness by JC Ryle:  https://reformedresources.org/holiness-its-nature-hindrances-difficulties-and-roots-hardcover/

On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome Tim Challies. Our conversation centers around the challenging and deeply personal topic of grieving with hope versus grieving without hope. We explore how Tim's faith shaped his response to loss, the role of lament in the grieving process, and how to navigate the difficult balance between accepting God's decree and dealing with personal sorrow. This episode is an insightful journey into the spiritual and emotional aspects of grieving, providing listeners with a thoughtful perspective on a universally human experience. Resources Mentioned "Seasons of Sorrow" by Tim Challies "Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament" by Mark Vroegop "When God Weeps" by Joni Eareckson Tada ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Michael Keller and Ed Welch. Michael and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: ⁠⁠⁠events.anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠ ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

In December 1560, Jeanne d'Albret, Queen of Navarre, displayed great courage by publicly professing her Reformed faith at a time when the larger Kingdom of France, to which Navarre was strongly connected, was firmly Roman Catholic. Join Lucy, Trinity, and Christian as they discover what happened after Jeanne's profession of faith and how the Reformation in France progressed for a while and was eventually suppressed by the government. Their guest today is Christine Farenhorst, author of Wings Like a Dove: The Courage of Queen Jeanne D'albret, published by P&R Books. Thanks to P&R Publishing, we have two copies of Christine Farernhorst's book to offer our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win one. 

On this episode of This vs. That, we talk with with Mark Vroegop about the concepts of frustration and anger. We explore how these emotions are often intertwined, and how they can be both righteous and unrighteous. Mark shares his experiences at College Park Church in Indianapolis and also provides a glimpse into his personal life. We examine the complexities of these emotions in the context of our faith and our responses to a world marked by sin and brokenness. We also discuss the balance of asking questions from a place of suffering versus a place of demand. Finally, we contemplate how dealing with these emotions requires strong theological foundations and faith. Resources Mentioned "Good and Angry" by David Powlison "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges "Future Grace" by John Piper "Waiting on God" by Andrew Murray "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment" by Jeremiah Burroughs "How Does Sanctification Work?" by David Powlison ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Michael Keller and Ed Welch. Michael and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: ⁠⁠events.anchoredhope.co⁠⁠ ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

On this episode of This vs. That, we have an enriching conversation with John Starke about the importance of balancing talking and listening in prayer. John shares valuable insights from his book, The Possibility of Prayer, and highlights the transformative power of stillness. As we explore the challenges many Christians face with prayer, John explains the significance of allowing our anxieties and guilt to rise to the surface and how these 'intolerable things' can be healed through prayer. We also discuss how interpreting and applying scripture can guide us in our communication with God. Join us as we navigate these essential aspects of the Christian life. ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Michael Keller and Ed Welch. Michael and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: ⁠events.anchoredhope.co⁠ ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

On this episode of This vs. That, we welcome back Jonathan Holmes, executive director at Fieldstone Counseling. Together, we explore the complex topic of humility versus self-loathing. We examine how these two concepts can often be confused and how this issue frequently arises in counseling. Jonathan offers insightful responses to challenging questions about self-esteem, self-care, and humility, allowing us to comprehend the nuanced differences between self-loathing and true humility. We also discuss the influence of self-perception on our experiences and the importance of focusing on God's voice in our lives. ----- We're thrilled to announce an exciting event held in partnership between Anchored Hope and Fieldstone Counseling. On June 21st of this year, we'll be hosting an exclusive lunch at the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring two of our dear friends, Michael Keller and Ed Welch. Michael and Ed will be sharing their unique perspectives on navigating the challenges that we face, both at home, in our relationships, and in the world with the wisdom of Christ. I hope that you'll make plans to join us at this event. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. All registrants will receive a boxed lunch, access to the event, as well as a complimentary book from P&R Publishing. For more information or to register, visit: events.anchoredhope.co ----- This vs. That is a podcast of Anchored Hope. Anchored Hope provides practical help to those hurting by anchoring their hope in Jesus and helping others gain a better understanding of his promises. We offer reputable, biblical counsel to those suffering or experiencing difficult seasons. Our counselors are highly trained and bring a vast experience in addressing the various issues of life. To meet with a counselor, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredhope.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and schedule an appointment today.

In this episode we discuss some of the differences between anxiety and a specific form of anxiety, Social Anxiety. We talk about the symptoms of this struggle and ways we can come alongside someone who is suffering in this way. Today's episode is sponsored by P&R Publishing, whose mission is to serve Christ and his church by producing clear, engaging, fresh, and insightful applications of Reformed theology to life. For more information on P&R's many resources for Christian living, ministry, family and counseling, visit prpbooks.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships are for one year and automatically renew each month.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

Stephen Tracey talks to Thomas Crumplar about the issue of domestic abuse. Tom is a ruling elder at Emmanuel OPC in Wilmington, Delaware, and co-founder of the law firm Jacobs and Crumplar, P. A.The New Horizons edition for February 1997 featured several articles on Domestic violence. It is available here.  Also the edition for January 2021, available here.Suggested further reading:Jeremy Pierre & Greg Wilson, When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church, Christian Focus (2021).Darby A. Strickland, Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims, P&R Publishing (2020)Brad Hambrick, Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused, B&H Books (2019).

Christine Chappell is an author, certified biblical counselor, and host of the Hope + Help Podcast for the Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship (IBCD). Her books include Help! I've Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder and Help! My Teen is Depressed, and her writing has been featured on platforms such as Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. Christine lives in South Carolina with her husband and three children. Visit her website at www.christinemchappell.com. Christine joins us for this episode of 15:14 to discuss her new book from P&R Publishing, Midnight Mercies: Walking With God Through Depression in Motherhood. Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.   Link from our sponsor: The New MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

This episode features Liz Edrington, minister to young adults and author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story. Liz shares her expertise about the anxiety teens are facing and how God's Word speaks to their struggles. She offers years of experience in leading our teens into conversations that will help them experience God's love and comfort. Today's episode is sponsored by P&R Publishing, whose mission is to serve Christ and his church by producing clear, engaging, fresh, and insightful applications of Reformed theology to life. For more information on P&R's many resources for christian living, ministry, family and counseling, visit prpbooks.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships are for one year and automatically renew each month.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

Staying emotionally healthy is essential in order to create longevity in ministry. In this episode we discuss some of the common struggles faced by pastors, ministers, and counselors, and we talk about four things that will help us continue to stay emotionally resilient and keep our faith strong. Today's episode is sponsored by P&R Publishing, whose mission is to serve Christ and his church by producing clear, engaging, fresh, and insightful applications of Reformed theology to life. For more information on P&R's many resources for christian living, ministry, family and counseling, visit prpbooks.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships are for one year and automatically renew each month.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode, we talk with Adam O'Neill, psychiatric physician's assistant. Adam shares with us his perspective on holistic Christ-centered care for the mind and body. He speaks specifically to some common concerns Christians voice about the use of psychiatric medications in the treatment of struggles such as depression and anxiety. Adam has created resources for those who want to learn more about this topic. Visit aoavirginia.com for more information. Please note that Adam is licensed to practice medicine only within the state of Virginia.Today's episode is sponsored by P&R Publishing, whose mission is to serve Christ and his church by producing clear, engaging, fresh, and insightful applications of Reformed theology to life. For more information on P&R's many resources for christian living, ministry, family and counseling, visit prpbooks.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships are for one year and automatically renew each month.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

There is a battle within all of us. It is a struggle to triumphantly embrace and hold on to the identity that is ours in Christ. In this episode, we talk with Paul Tautges, a pastor, biblical counselor, and author of many books on topics related to Christian living, pastoral ministry, parenting, and counseling. Paul is sharing from his heart about the content of his new book, Remade: Embracing Your Complete Identity in Christ. He unveils the importance of understanding our God-given identity as saints and the ways in which suffering and sin affect that identity. This episode is sponsored by P&R Publishing, whose mission is to serve Christ and his church by producing clear, engaging, fresh, and insightful applications of Reformed theology to life. For more information on P&R's many resources for Christian living, ministry, family and counseling, visit prpbooks.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships are for one year and automatically renew each month.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode we will talk with Christine Chappell, author of the book Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood. Christine offers compassion for mothers who are struggling with despair and sadness as she shares her own story and gives wisdom from Scripture for those who need encouragement and motivation to keep moving forward.Today's episode is sponsored by P&R Publishing, whose mission is to serve Christ and his church by producing clear, engaging, fresh, and insightful applications of Reformed theology to life. For more information on P&R's many resources for christian living, ministry, family and counseling, visit prpbooks.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships are for one year and automatically renew each month.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

Tim Witmer, one of Carl's only friends (or so Carl claims), is back on the podcast today to discuss his latest book, The Shepherd's Toolbox. Designed to complement his well-loved book The Shepherd Leader, Tim's latest book gathers seven church leaders to show how they and their churches have innovatively addressed specific shepherding challenges. Tune in to hear more and discover why Carl has called Tim “The PCA's answer to Frank Sinatra.” P&R Publishing has generously provided three copies of The Shepherd's Toolbox for our listeners. Register here to enter the drawing.   Show Notes: The Shepherd Leader: https://reformedresources.org/the-shepherd-leader-paperback/ The Shepherd's Toolbox: https://reformedresources.org/the-shepherds-toolbox

This episode is a narration of Dewey Dovel's work titled "The Holy Spirit in Christian Education." Here are the sources for his paper: [1] Steven B. Cowan and James S. Spiegel, The Love of Wisdom: A Christian Introduction to Philosophy (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2009), 1-4. [2] Although the disciplines of philosophy, science, and theology are often seen in conflict with one another, Vern S. Poythress demonstrates how this should not be the case on pages 13-31 of Redeeming Science: A God-Centered Approach (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006) and pages 13-19 of Redeeming Philosophy: A God-Centered Approach to the Big Questions (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014). [3] “Social Media Statistics Details,” Undiscovered Maine, October 8, 2021, https://umaine.edu/undiscoveredmaine/small-business/resources/marketing-for-small-business/social-media-tools/social-media-statistics-details/. [4] Even secular neurological and psychological studies have disclosed that human cognition is foundational to human experience. Consider the following resource as a sampling of this research: Celeste Kidd and Benjamin Y. Hayden, “The Psychology and Neuroscience of Curiosity,” Neuron 88, no. 3 (November 4, 2015): 449–60. [5] On the basis of recorded human history, Tyrel Eskelson argues for at least 5,000 years of formal education in “How and Why Formal Education Originated in the Emergence of Civilization,” Journal of Education and Learning 9, no. 2 (February 5, 2020): 29–47, https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v9n2p29. [6] A sample of book length treatments teasing out competing methodologies of formal education are Russell Lincoln Ackoff and Daniel A. Greenberg, Turning Learning Right Side Up: Putting Education Back On Track (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2016) and James M. Lang, Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons From the Science of Learning (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2021). [7] James N. Anderson, What's Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014), 69-70. [8] As defined by John M. Frame in A History of Western Philosophy and Theology (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2015): “[Materialism is the belief that] all events can be explained in terms of matter and motion. On this view, there is no immaterial soul. If there is something we can call soul, it is either material (the Stoic view) or an aspect of the body” (10-11). [9] Greg L. Bahnsen, Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith, ed. Robert R. Booth (Nacogdoches, TX: Covenant Media Foundation, 2000), 51. [10] George R. Knight, Philosophy & Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2006). 224. [11] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are derived from the New American Standard Bible (1995). Furthermore, this paper is not arguing that it is impossible to attend or work for a secular academic institution and be faithful to one's Christian witness. Rather, this paper is observing that at the philosophical level, secular and Christian academic institutions are operating from fundamentally antithetical presuppositions. By definition, secular academic settings seek a neutral/non-religious stance from the outset of formulating curriculum, hiring staff, etc. On the other hand, Christian academic settings seek a positive religious stance from the outset of formulating curriculum, hiring staff, etc. Yet ironically—given the philosophical impossibility of neutrality—the former approach is not only unable to satisfy its own expressed intentions, but it also necessarily sets itself in opposition to biblical Christianity (e.g., Matt. 12:30; Luke 9:50). Therefore, by virtue of being incompatibile with biblical Christianity, secular educational philosophies should be understood as materializing from the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4). At bottom, Believers who choose to be immersed into secular educational contexts need to be aware of the preceding antithesis from the outset of their involvement. [12] Although all of the triune God's ad extra works in creation are inseparable, many passages of Scripture will appropriate specific works to one person of the Godhead. For more on the “essence-appropriate”—“persons-appropriate” distinction, see Mark Jones, God Is: A Devotional Guide to the Attributes of God (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2017), 22-23. [13] The inescapability and universality of presuppositions is teased out on page 5 of Cornelius Van Til, Christian Apologetics, ed. William Edgar, 2nd ed. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2003): “Everyone ‘sees' through a lens. There can be no neutrality, because everything in our awareness flows out of some kind of presupposition.” [14] Theologians have historically designated God's revelation in nature as general revelation, and God's revelation in Scripture as special revelation. More expansive definitions of these terms can be found on page 936 of John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017). [15] Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith, ed. K. Scott Oliphint (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2008), 176. [16] Lamenting the state of secular education in “What Shall We Feed Our Children?,” Presbyterian Guardian 3 (1936), Cornelius Van Til calls for the people of God to retrieve a distinctly Christian education: “Our child will certainly attend the grade school for several years and that for five days a week. In Sunday school our child has learned the nineteenth psalm. As he goes to school those beautiful words, ‘The heavens declare the glory of God' still reverberate through his mind. But when he enters the school room all this has suddenly changed. There the ‘starry universe above' somehow operates quite independently of God. And what is true of ‘the heavens above' is true of everything else. At home the child is taught that ‘whether we eat or drink or do anything else' we must do all to the glory of God because everything has been created by God and everything is sustained by God. In school the child is taught that everything comes of itself and sustains itself. This much is involved in the idea of ‘neutrality' itself. At best this means that God need not be brought into the picture when we are teaching anything to our children. But is it not a great sin for Christian parents to have their children taught for five days a week by competent teachers that nature and history have nothing to do with God? We have no moral right to expect anything but that our children will accept that in which they have been most thoroughly instructed and will ignore that about which they hear only intermittently” (23-24). [17] On this point, the axiom “all truth is God's truth” is especially applicable. For insights into the utilization of such an axiom, see Frank E. Gaebelein, The Pattern of God's Truth: Problems of Integration in Christian Education (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1968), 20. [18] In Reformed Dogmatics: Prolegomena, ed. John Bolt, trans. John Vriend, vol. 1, 4 vols. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003), Herman Bavinck argues that the “operation of God's Spirit and of his common grace is discernible not only in science and art, morality and law, but also in [false] religions” (317). Hence, the ability for humanity to know any true things in reality is an extension of God's common grace, with a special appropriation to the Holy Spirit's work in creation. [19] These twin truths were championed by the Dutch Reformed Neo-Calvinists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A sampling of this observation is portrayed in Cory C. Brock and Nathaniel Gray Sutanto, Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2022), 91-92. [20] Upon reflecting on Christian teachers' absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit throughout the educational process, J.T. English offers sage insights in Deep Discipleship: How the Church Can Make Whole Disciples of Jesus (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2020): “There is no path for deep [learning] other than living the Christian life by the power of the Holy Spirit; only he can make us whole again and conform us to the image of the Son. If not for the work of the Holy Spirit, all of our best ministry plans [and efforts] would be laid to nothing” (136). [21] As argued by Stephen Wellum in “From Alpha to Omega: A Biblical-Theological Approach to God the Son Incarnate,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 63, no. 1 (2020): 71–94, the Lord Jesus Christ is both at the center of Scripture and is the goal (telos) of Scripture. [22] By virtue of divine simplicity, and the ensuing doctrine of inseparable operations, the entirety of the Godhead co-equally receives glory through any self-revelation in creation or Scripture. As footnote 12 indicates, “persons-appropriate” language does not undermine the co-equality of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. [23]  Daniel J. Treier's chapter in Christian Dogmatics: Reformed Theology for the Church Catholic, ed. Michael Allen and Scott R. Swain (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016), 216-42 is especially helpful in accentuating the lordship of Christ subsequent to His humiliation and exaltation (e.g., Phil. 2:5-11). [24] James D. Bratt, ed., Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998), 488. [25] The following excerpt from Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley, Reformed Systematic Theology: Revelation and God, vol. 1, 3 vols. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019) incisively communicate the unique relationship that Jesus has to God's special revelatory purposes: “Possessing unique intimacy with the Father, the Son is uniquely qualified to make known. Christ is ‘the Word,' the living Revelation of God who has been from the beginning, so that no one has ever known God unless ‘the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father,' has ‘declared him'” (266). [26] See footnotes 12 and 22 for clarifying comments about “persons-appropriate” language in Scripture. [27]  In Institutes of the Christian Religion, trans. Henry Beveridge (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2015), John Calvin unpacks how the Old and New Testament authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to divulge the person and work of Jesus Christ: “If what Christ says is true—‘No one sees the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him' [Matt. 11:27]—surely they who would attain the knowledge of God should always be directed by that eternal Wisdom… Therefore, holy men of old knew God only by beholding him in his Son as in a mirror (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18). When I say this, I mean that God has never manifested himself to men in any other way than through the Son, that is, his sole wisdom, light, and truth. From this fountain Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others drank all that they had of heavenly teaching” (763). [28] The Holy Spirit's role in bearing witness to the person and work of Christ is summarized on pages 13-14 of Roy B. Zuck, Spirit-Filled Teaching: The Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Ministry (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1998). [29] Perhaps the quintessential evidence of global confusion surrounding Christology, and other basic tenets of orthodox Christianity, is encapsulated in the bi-annual State of Theology Survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research. To access the results of every survey from its inception in 2014, see “Data Explorer,” The State of Theology, accessed August 30, 2023, https://thestateoftheology.com/. [30]  Chapter 17 (i.e., “The Holy Spirit and Scripture”) of Gregg R. Allison and Andreas J. Köstenberger, The Holy Spirit (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2020), 307-23 supply readers with many helpful insights pertaining to the connection between a believer's reverence for God's written word, and how such a reverence cultivates a posture of submission to Christ's lordship. [31] Although the notion of “thinking God's thoughts after Him” is usually attributed to Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), Jason Lisle provides several practical ways in which believers can “think God's thoughts after Him” on pages 54-61 of The Ultimate Proof of Creation: Resolving the Origins Debate (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2022). [32] The definition recorded for education is a paraphrase of the more expansive definition transcribed in Robert B. Costello, ed., Random House Webster's College Dictionary (New York, NY: Random House, 1992), 425. In the technical sense, this definition is a faithful synopsis of what any education experience will offer. [33] Based on the model of Acts 2:37, Lawrence O. Richards and Gary J. Bredfeldt propose that there are three integral dimensions to imparting divine truth to students (or people in general): (1) cognitive; (2) affective; (3) behavioral. The cognitive dimension pertains to exposing others to truth, the affective dimension alludes to the process whereby one explains how attitudes/values should be impacted by the truth, and the behavioral dimension refers to how a lifestyle should be impacted as a result of embracing the newly discovered truth. Each of these insights documented by Richards and Bredfeldt signify a uniform perspective on the relationship between what one knows intellectually and how one applies that particular data. To access the chapter long treatment of these subjects, see Creative Bible Teaching (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2020), 145-63. [34] Arthur W. Pink, The Holy Spirit (Seaside, OR: Rough Draft Printing, 2016), 107-8. [35] Despite many individuals and institutions who claim the name Christian, and embrace orthodox doctrinal/ideological convictions, an evaluation of their observable lifestyle reveals that they are not Christian in any meaningful (i.e., biblical) sense of the term. Francis Turretin highlights the nature of those who model proper head knowledge, but display no fruit of living it out: “[Unbelievers of this kind possess knowledge that] sticks to the uppermost surface of the soul (to wit, intellect); [but] it does not penetrate to the heart, nor does it have true trust in Christ.” Institutes of Elenctic Theology, ed. James T. Dennison, trans. George M. Giger, vol. 2, 3 vols. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 1994), 588. [36] This threefold line of argumentation employed throughout the paper has followed this biblically-based template: Knowledge: Christian Education Must be Shaped by Divine Revelation. Righteousness: Christian Education Must be Shaped by the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Holiness: Christian Education Must be Shaped by Holiness of Living. Incidentally, a synonymous line of reasoning is likewise expressed in Question and Answer 13 of the Baptist Catechism: “Question: How did God create man? Answer: God created man, male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:26-28; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24).” An online edition of the Baptist Catechism can be accessed here: “The Baptist Catechism,” Founders Ministries, September 12, 2022, https://founders.org/library/the-baptist-catechism/#:~:text=God%20created%20man%2C%20male%20and,4%3A24).

Should Christians be involved politically? “How can they not be?” asks David Innes when he sits down with Carl and Todd to discuss the upcoming Prince George's Conference on Reformed Theology, The Political Christian: Citizens of Heaven in the City of Man. Partisan politics has divided our country and, sadly, even our churches. How are we to think biblically about government and our role in it?  To sign up to win a copy of David Innes' book, Christ and the Kingdoms of Men, provided by P&R Publishing, register here.   Show Notes: To find out more about the Prince George's Conference on Reformed Theology, September 29-30, 2023 in Washington, D.C. and to register to attend, visit https://www.alliancenet.org/thepoliticalchristian.

On Culture Friday, the tragic real-life unraveling of the adoption story in the film The Blind Side; reviews of Blue Beetle and Gran Turismo; and on Word Play with George Grant, an enjoyable catalog of authorisms. Plus, commentary from Steve West and the Friday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from P&R Publishing. Celebrating the release of two new children's books - Pilipinto by Valerie Elliot Shepard and God's Servant Ruth by Doug Bond. Use promo code WORLD at prpbooks.com.From Ridge Haven Camp and Retreat Centers … youth, adult, and campus ministries year-round in Brevard North Carolina and Cono Iowa. More at ridgehaven.orgAnd from Endure, a Christian Man's guide to Finishing Strong, a practical, Scripture-based book for individuals and groups. More at billnewton.us

Two years after the Taliban took over Afghanistan, refugees in the U.S. are still trying to find what home means now; a report on forever chemicals raises questions about the safety of tap water; and going to school for exterminating rodents. Plus, a bookstore safecracker, commentary from Cal Thomas, and the Thursday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.​​Additional support comes from Endure, a Christian Man's guide to Finishing Strong, a practical, Scripture-based book for individuals and groups. More at billnewton.usFrom P&R Publishing. Celebrating the release of two new children's books - Pilipinto by Valerie Elliot Shepard and God's Servant Ruth by Doug Bond. Use promo code WORLD at prpbooks.com.And from Ridge Haven Camp and Retreat Centers … youth, adult, and campus ministries year-round in Brevard North Carolina and Cono Iowa. More at ridgehaven.org

On Washington Wednesday, A Georgia grand jury has indicted Donald Trump on racketeering charges; on World Tour, news from around the globe; and a Christian school in Mississippi offers full-ride scholarships for students who choose to stay local. Plus, getting attacked by a snake and hawk at the same time, commentary from Ryan Bomberger, and the Wednesday morning news Read Kim Henderson's story about a Christian college paying students' tuition here: https://wng.org/articles/full-ride-1691468370Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Ridge Haven Camp and Retreat Centers … youth, adult, and campus ministries year-round in Brevard North Carolina and Cono Iowa. More at ridgehaven.orgfrom Endure, a Christian Man's guide to Finishing Strong, a practical, Scripture-based book for individuals and groups. More at billnewton.usAnd from P&R Publishing. Celebrating the release of two new children's books - Pilipinto by Valerie Elliot Shepard and God's Servant Ruth by Doug Bond. Use promo code WORLD at prpbooks.com.

Armed with his leather-bound copy of Robert's Rules, Fred Greco joins Todd and Carl to discuss the recent General Assembly meeting of the Presbyterian Church in America and his role as moderator. Breathing a sigh of relief, Fred and Todd report that the 2023 GA was more charitable and constructive than in previous years, and good progress was made. And yet we find Carl is still not ready to change teams. P&R Publishing has provided a few giveaway copies of Guy Prentiss Waters' book, How Jesus Runs the Church, for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win.

New York City struggles to house waves of migrants who come to stay; educators start the school year with ChatGPT as both a useful learning aid and a concerning cheating tool; and learning to love the wild Canadian wilderness at a fishing lodge. Plus, picture day for 17 pairs of twins in Scotland, commentary from Calvin Robinson, and the Tuesday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from P&R Publishing. Celebrating the release of two new children's books - Pilipinto by Valerie Elliot Shepard and God's Servant Ruth by Doug Bond. Use promo code WORLD at prpbooks.com.From Ridge Haven Camp and Retreat Centers … youth, adult, and campus ministries year-round in Brevard North Carolina and Cono Iowa. More at ridgehaven.orgAnd from Endure, a Christian Man's guide to Finishing Strong, a practical, Scripture-based book for individuals and groups. More at billnewton.us

On Legal Docket, the tragic case of a girl and her goat; on the Monday Moneybeat, the mixed bag of CPI and PPI numbers; and on the World History Book, 25 years ago, Bill Clinton lies about his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Plus, an extravagant anniversary flower arrangement and the Monday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Endure, a Christian Man's guide to Finishing Strong, a practical, Scripture-based book for individuals and groups. More at billnewton.usFrom P&R Publishing. Celebrating the release of two new children's books - Pilipinto by Valerie Elliot Shepard and God's Servant Ruth by Doug Bond. Use promo code WORLD at prpbooks.com.And from Ridge Haven Camp and Retreat Centers … youth, adult, and campus ministries year-round in Brevard North Carolina and Cono Iowa. More at ridgehaven.org

Voters in Ohio reject a plan to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution; Russia exploits coup in West Africa to gain allies; and a missionary pilot organization turns 75. Plus, a bear crashes a Colorado wedding reception, commentary from Cal Thomas, and the Thursday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.P&R Publishing. Celebrating the release of two new children's books - Pilipinto by Valerie Elliot Shepard and God's Servant Ruth by Doug Bond. Use promo code WORLD at prpbooks.com.from Dordt University. Dordt's Master of Public Administration program provides training in areas like leadership and policy analysis. More at Dordt.edu/M-P-AAnd from Ambassadors Impact Network, an angel investing network that funds early-stage businesses seeking to further the gospel through their values, operations, and products and services. More at ambassadorsimpact.com.

On Washington Wednesday, Ron DeSantis replaces his campaign manager amid a decline in fundraising and poll numbers; on World Tour, news from Pakistan, India, Lebanon, Ethiopia, and…space; and canning used to be a way of life for home economies, but now preserving food is a hobby. Plus, a suspicious sprinter sets a record time in China, commentary from Janie B. Cheaney, and the Wednesday morning newsCheck out World Watch for free at worldwatch.today. Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from P&R Publishing. Celebrating the release of two new children's books - Pilipinto by Valerie Elliot Shepard and God's Servant Ruth by Doug Bond. Use promo code WORLD at prpbooks.com.from Ambassadors Impact Network, a nationwide group of angel investors committed to funding entrepreneurs whose Christian convictions have hindered secular financing sources. More at ambassadorsimpact.com.And from Dordt University. Dordt's Accredited M-S-W program equips faithful social workers to maximize their impact. More at Dordt.edu/M-S-W

Dr. Jonathan Master speaks about his book, Reformed Theology (P&R Publishing), which is part of the Blessings of the Faith series edited by Jason Helopoulos. Master provides a concise and accessible introduction to the historic and orthodox Christian tradition of Reformed theology. In this book, he emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, […]

In this episode of BRIDGE Radio, we are joined by counselor and author Liz Edrington to share about her new devotional for teens, Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by P&R Publishing. Liz addresses what anxiety is, how we see it in scripture, and how we navigate the human reality of anxiety. 

Carl and Todd sit down with long-time friend and Theology on the Go podcast host, Jonathan Master, to discuss his latest book, Reformed Theology. In this practical book, Jonathan provides a helpful primer for church leaders, study groups, and anyone who wants a well-rounded and concise overview of Reformed theology. Now what was it that Carl said that had Jonathan so concerned? Tune in and find out. We have a number of copies of Jonathan's book for giveaway, courtesy of P&R Publishing. Enter here for a chance to win.