Inner Man Radio

Many people today are disillusioned by the nihilism that society has to offer and are turning their attention to old paths and traditions that fill the void and answer life’s mostiimportant questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What’s the point? One of the things being re-discovered is Christianity. But what is it anyway? Is it defined by what we see in the churches around us? Is it defined by what our parents or friends tell us? Or is it something more? And who is Jesus anway? When did He live? What’s the big deal about Him? Why should we even care?

In this episode, we begin answering these questions taking a step back to look at history and Jesus’ arrival on the scene. We discover some of the revolutionary ways he changed how people think and discover that many of the things we take for granted today, were actually introduced into society by none other than Jesus Himself.

Whether you’re a long-time believer in Christ or someone just dipping your toe into the pool of learning more, this episode is for you.

Some verses we’ll cover:

Luke 10:25-37
John 14:6
John 18:36-37
Luke 15:11-24
John 3:16
Luke 15:3-7
John 3:1-6
Matthew 26:28
Mark 9:42-48
Matthew 17:22-23

We reference this previous Inner Man Radio episode “Can the Bible Be Trusted Anyway?” - https://innermanradio.org/episodes/can-the-bible-be-trusted-anyway-really

It’s imperative that we make the most of our time, because the days are evil (Eph 5:16). We have a lot to do, and we don’t know how much time God has allotted for us to do it. That’s true in everything, because everything we do is spiritual, in the end. With regards to the body of Christ, this is especially aprapro. Looking for ways to make better use of your time within the body but don’t know where to start? Listen to this episode.

Passages We’ll Consider:

Matthew 25:14–30
1 Corinthians 12 (especially verse 18)
Galatians 6:2
1 Corinthians 12:22–24
Philippians 4:8
Hebrews 10:24–25
1 Thessalonians 5:11–15
Colossians 3:23

We all KNOW the meaning of the parable of the wedding feast, right? The guest that was thrown out hadn’t been clothed properly. In other words, he hadn’t been immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38. Case closed.

Not so fast. In looking a little deeper at the parable, we discover more about the guest, Christ’s expectations and our role in clothing choices. We’ll begin in Matthew 22:1-14 and Luke 13:15-24.

Charlie Kirk’s death rocked the world. From the streets of London to Seoul, South Korea, people of all ages were personally moved to publicly commemorate Charlie’s impact on them. More than that, his death revealed some important things for Christians, that give us opportunities that we may not have thought we had. Mark and Jason approach this topic from radically different starting points, but end with some thoughts that we hope are helpful. If you don’t know much about Charlie, you’ll learn a little more in this episode. If you’re looking to make some sense of what this means for us going forward, we offer our thoughts.

Sound bites of Charlie are used for discussion purposes in this episode. Credit to Turning Point USA and CSpan.

In Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus continues his teaching on the kingdom of heaven. In this case, He likens it to a net that caught a lot of fish that get sorted out by the angels at the end of time. Pretty straightforward, right? Well, mostly. We have questions:

1) Is this parable another way of saying “Do not judge lest you be judged?” In other words, if God’s going to sort the good fish in the end, what is our role in the process?
2) What practical lessons can we take from this as we fulfill our commission to make disciples?

On another note, we make Mark uncomfortable by talking about the WNBA. Enjoy!

In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus tells another story set in an earthly setting, but with profound spiritual implications. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus describes a man who sowed good seed, but an enemy planted tares (weeds) among them. So, what to do? Who is the farmer? Who is the enemy? We probably have a sneaky suspicion. But there’s more…

This passage is often used to describe personal problems we encounter in life. It’s also used to avoid conflict. What’s the real take for us?

The parable of the talents is pretty straight forward, until it isn’t. Like all of Jesus’ parables, this one is painted with broad strokes of the brush, by design. While it is precise in it’s meaning, the application to our individual lives can look different. Plus, there are a number of questions that can haunt us as we strive to deliver God a good return on His investment. In this episode, we ask (and hopefully answer) some of the nagging questions many often ask, including:

What is God’s expected return on his investment in us? How does one measure whether or not they’re giving God his deserved return? More disciples? More studies? Better relationships? What about our spouses? What kiind of return does God expect from me, regarding my spouse? And how about our kids? Even grown ones? What if we look around and see fruit that we’re not proud of. Is it our failure to deliver a good return? Is it something else? Where do I go from here?

Maybe you’ve ready Matthew 18 many times before, and have a good grasp of forgiveness. In this episode we attack the topic from a different angle

We’re all likely familiar with the parable of the soils or sometimes title the parable of the sower. The fact that this parable has multiple names assigned to it is an indicator that there’s a lot going on. In this episode we dive into the parable’s 3 components: seed, soil and the person sowing the seed, with applicable lessons we can each take away to become better soil and sowers. Matt 13:18-23, Luke 8:4-15, Isa 55:10-11, Ezek 36:26, 1 Cor 3:10-11, Heb 3, Heb 10:37-39

The parables offer insight into spiritual reality, using physical examples. Often times, there are multiple layers to them that may go unnoticed at first. This is certainly the case with the parable of New Wineskins in Matt 9:16.

At issue: What is the fundamental transformation that occurs when a person moves from being controlled by the law (as we all were) to being controlled by the Spirit? Can both mind sets co-exist? What can the Old Testament temple teach us about God’s dwelling in us? How ‘good’ do we have to be in order for God to live in us? Where’s the line between how much we should or shouln’t get away with? We answer these questions and more, as we explore the following passages:

Are you tired of failing in your battle against sin? Would you like to overcome temptation and WIN in your battle? Overcoming temptation all starts with seeing things God sees them… which is reality. In this episode we offer a view of God, His grace, Christ’s power and our state that quite simply might revolutionize your life. Ready? Let’s GO!

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
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Most Christians have been conditioned to accept losing to sin. As a result, that’s exactly what we do. Lose. But what SHOULD we expect? After all, we aren’t God. If you are wanting to win as a Christian, this second episode in our series “Overcoming Sin” is for you. Ready? Let’s GO!

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
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You’ve caught the fever! You have a glimpse of your potential in Christ and are excited to begin winning in the battle against sin. Now what to do? Here are some solid principles you can use to launch into a winning trajectory. Ready? Let’s GO!

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
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Moses didn’t have anything on you! In fact, God used Moses as a perfect example of how He works to change our character. This fourth episode in our series “Overcoming Sin” offers a truly enlightening take how God transforms us. We have a hunch you haven’t heard anything like this before. Ready? Let’s GO!

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
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After ditching failure as an option for Christians (Episode 1), catching a glimpse of our potential in Christ (Episode 2), changing our life direction from losing in Christ to winning in Christ, (Episode 3) and being blown away by how God really transforms us (Episode 4), we are now ready to put it all together in four basic action steps. This is the capstone in our series “Overcoming Sin”. THIS is where the rubber meets the road. Ready? Let’s GO!

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
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Changing the inner man takes effort and time. Here’s a QUICK FIX!

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
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After listening to episodes 1 - 5 about our potential in Christ to overcome temptation (yes - it can be done), you’ve bought in and are excited about the New Creation and Christ’s power in YOU! Woohoo! Then, you SIN. What now? Did the process fail you? Did you fail? Doubts arise. You think to yourself, “Maybe I AM STILL just a sinner saved by grace. Maybe I’m NOT a new creature. May be I CAN’T expect to overecome sin. Maybe I should just resolve that I’ll ALWAYS have some sin and just be at peace with that.” What to do? This is a follow-up to our series “Overcoming Sin” that offers a fresh take on how to deal with our failures.

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
Like us on FB - facebook.com/innermanradio

Romans 7 - Proof of Paul’s slavery to sin, right? Proof that we’ll ALWAYS be slaves to sin and that we can’t truly overcome. We take another look at Romans 7, and it’s context (Spoiler alert: It happens to fall between Romans 6 and 8). Paul says he is a wretched man, that nothing good dwells in him, that the things he wants to do, he doesn’t and the things he doesn’t want to do - he does. It’s as if he is powerless as a Christian to overcome sin. But IS HE? ARE WE? A take you have probably never heard. Ready? Let’s GO!

Know someone who could benefit from listening? Be sure to share this episode with them in a positive, encouraging way. Have questions? Feel free to contact us - innermanradio@outlook.com! Like what you hear?
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Ahhh, the “Worship Service”. Does yours resemble a circus? Monestery? Rock Concert? Rodeo? Amway Convention? Fun question, but the fact is that the atmosphere ISN’T the secret to meaningful worship. We expose what IS. Ready? Let’s GO!

Okay, so after listening to “Episode 8, where we uncovered WHAT true worship is, we are ready to blow the doors off of WHERE true worship takes place. It’s important. As important as getting the right Google Maps coordinates when you don’t have a street address. Ready? Let’s GO!

Helping others come to Christ is a struggle for many Christians. This is the first in our series “Making Disciples”, where we tackle the “why” behind this difficulty, and the “how” to overcome it. Ready? Let’s GO!

We’ve identified and are overcoming the biggest hurdle in making disciples in our last episode “Why Do I Struggle Making Disciples?” Now, we put that character into motion and God gives us an opportunity. Now what?

McDonalds is fast. Starbucks is fast. Microwave popcorn is fast. Presenting the gospel is… fast? While we don’t want to drag things out longer than they need to be, the fact is that fast-food Christianity is a lot like fast-food itself. Quickly consumed, quickly forgotten. While the consumer is left wanting, the seller feels like they accomplished something. But it seems that most methods of presenting the gospel really are the quick and easy variety. What better way is there to present the gospel that will be more likely to produce lasting fruit? In this episode we offer a better path than the Romans Road. Ready? Let’s GO!

In every relationship we have to ask the question: Is that person who they say they are? The answer to that question determines who we will trust, affiliate with and lean on. The same is true in building a relationship with Christ. Who is He? In this episode we help our friend come to the critical point of having to answer the question that Jesus asks: “Who do you say that I am?” The answer to this question determines everything. Ready? Let’s GO!

It’s okay to laugh. Really!

An impromptu conversation where Jason puts Mark on the spot, bringing up a real life scenario. Entertainment choices. They affect our kids. Honesty and some courage to ask some tough questions. This is where the pedal hits the metal… so to speak.

Without Caleb, this wouldn’t be possible. Thank you Caleb and OnRamp Web Design! Caleb didn’t ask us to plug him, which makes it even more fun!

Are you ready to MAN UP? Are you a man of your word? Would you like to be? We explore the benefits to being men of our words, the consequences for not, some tips on how to, and introduce a challenge like none-other. Ready for a challenge? Let’s GO!

Follow up to Man Up Challenge #1! Keeping our word. Mark and Jason took the Man Up Challenge and share the results, lessons learned as well as some humurous insights on what we can do to be BETTER men of our word.

A little fun leading up to Episode 25 - A Christian’s response to difficult times.

The Ashley family is an amazing family from Bozeman, MT, who has had to deal with and overcome multiple brain surgeries due to a hereditary medical condition. Support Sarah, Davis and their children as they travel to and from New York for surgeries and recovery.

Let’s hunker down in our underground shipping container, gather the children ‘round the solar internet radio and listen to this episode for some ENCOURAGING NEWS about the days we live in!

In our series “Boots On The Ground” we gain insight into what it takes to get things done by interviewing the ones who are doing the work! Jeff McGraw of Lancaster (LANkester), OH is one of those people. Jeff gives us valuable insight into how he gets it done, what challenges he sees facing Christian men today, and what the biggest opportunities we have in this day and age. Let’s learn from Jeff!

Is my child old enough to become a Christian? Is there a magical age? What if my child were to die today, would they go to heaven? At what age does the grace that covers children cease to cover them? As parents these questions are probably on the back (or front) of our minds quite often, especially as our children reach certain age milestones - 12, 16, 18, 21, etc. Here are some principles to help guide us as we ask these questions. For an in-depth study, check out Steve Compton’s work on the subject here - newcreationstudies.org/studies/childandyouthimmersion.htm

A follow up to our Youth Immersion episode, where we examined at what age is appropriate for a person to be immersed into Christ. What is a person to do if they were immersed young? What if a person isn’t sure if they were old enough? What if, as parents, we encouraged or allowed our children to be immersed as youth? What now? Mark and Jason talk through their immersions as youth, what it did (and didn’t do) for them, as well as some practical steps moving forward. For an in-depth study on this topic, check out Steve Compton’s work on the subject - newcreationstudies.org/studies/childandyouthimmersion.htm

The latest in satirical Inner Man Radio sponsors - in support of our episode “Christianese”.

What do governments (from communist to good old ‘merica) know about controlling their citizens that we should take note of in the church? In this episode, we discuss a topic (hopefully engagingly so) that most have kicked to the curb to their peril. What we say and what we mean by it can affect peoples’ souls: Ours, our neighbors & friends, and our kids. Here is a link to a video we are discussing: itbn.org/index/detail/ec/B5aWc3MzE6EbyciUOTXvh2T0FbeU7mZ7. Special thanks to Rob O’Keefe of Lancaster, Ohio for his valuable insight that helped us put this episode together!

In today’s culture it’s tempting to think that lampooning our adversaries with a quick meme or condescending label will win our argument. A few “Likes” and BOOM! We WON! While satire is a good tool for making points, if we want to truly help people move from point A to point B, we need to use some different tools in our tool belt. In this episode we compare and contrast both styles and give some tips on how to engage in a constructive way. Hint: Being willing to be proven wrong is key.

Second in our series Lies We Allow Ourselves To Believe, this lie is incideous in that it is couched in humility. Yet it renders us powerless to accomplish God’s purpose. What if we have believed (or still believe) this lie? We offer some motivation and ACTIONABLE steps to busting through the funk this lie causes.

Have you ever felt the sting of being accused of something lacking in your character? By a friend? Family member? Maybe an ENEMY? The scriptures give us some great insight into how to not only handle such criticism, but turn it into an opportunity. Ready? Let’s GO!

Join us as we interview the definition of a fascinating everday hero. Steve Doty, the founder and director of Direct Connect Humanitarian Aid sheds light on some of DCHA’s most recent projects - introducing us to people who are truly doing amazing things. DCHA is a humanitarian aid organization that exists to support local people who are already doing the work of serving others. By connecting those with a heart to serve with resources they need, DCHA is making a difference in places like Belarus, Kosovo, Vietnam and other countries as well. Steve not only introduces us to DCHA but stirringly shares his own background as a social orphan and what led him to found Direct Connect. You can learn more about DCHA at www.directconnectaid.org.

Everyday hero to many: Steve Doty in our first interview introduced us to Direct Connect Humanitarian Aid, what DCHA is doing in 8 countries around the world, and how a social orphan with a troubled past came to found a humanitarian organization. In this episode, Steve gives us the secret to overcoming sin in our personal lives. Want to win? Then you’ll definitely want to listen close and maybe even take some notes.

Part of our series “Lies We Allow Ourselves To Believe”, this lie has grown and grown to the point where most don’t even recognize it’s
roots. But they run deep and have spread far. Calvinism. Do you believe in it? Is it so bad? You may be surprised at the answers.

Are you a spiritual revolutionary? For the purposes of our discussion, a spiritual revolutionary is someone who views their relationship to sin COMPLETELY differently than most of the Christian world. As a result, people are WINNING in their personal lives. It’s not law. It’s not licentiousness. It’s new wine. Are you ready for it?

Part 2 in our series examining Calvinism. What about the scriptures that seem to indicate we are simply at the mercy of God and his soverign choices concerning our lives? Do we play any part in the salvation process? If so, what is that role? We tackle the tricky scriptures.

Highlights: God’s choice combine with our choice. God’s foreknowledge and where that fits in the picture. Marriage relationship as an illustration. Pancakes!

John 6:65, Ephesians 1:4,11, Romans 9:10-16, Exodus 5, Matt 22:14, 2 Thess 2:13 - 14, 1 Peter 1:1-2, 2 Peter 1:10

In this first episode in our journey through 1 John, we begin in verse 5 - “This is the message that we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all…”. Unpackaging this verse and connecting the not-so-subtle dots between this and other related passages in the Scriptures can be a life changing exercise. Are you ready?

1 John 1:1-5, Hebrews 1:3, Exodus 34, 2 Cor 3:6, 2 Cor 4:6, Matt 4:16, Isa 9:1-2, Isa 60:1, Genesis 1:1-5

Sin. Light. Honesty. For those trying to overcome sin, 1 John is a critical foundation. It establishes our mindset and lays forth “the rules” so to speak. So, one of the assumed “rules” in Christinaity is that to be honest, we have to admit that we are dirty sinners. That we will always be sinners. And that anyone who says they AREN’T currently embroiled in sinful habits is a liar. 1 John is used as a prooftext for that position. On the other hand, 1 John is used by others to say that if we DO sin, we aren’t walking in the light. Which is true? Both? Neither?

If you CARE about trying to please the Lord, we believe this episode is helpful in answering these questions. Ready? Let’s GO!

1 John 1:6-10
Romans 13:11-13
1 John 2:1
Ephesians 5:8-14

Tired of children in the faith? Frustruated with young men? Irratated at fathers? 1 John addresses all 3 of these, and helps us see the bigger picture. God’s system is beautiful when you step back and take a look at what’s really happening here, and it’s helpful to us no matter what stage we are in.

1 John 2:12-14
1 Cor 3:1-3
Hebrews 5:12-14
2 Peter 3:14-18
Eph 4:9-17
3 John 4
1 Thess 2:11

All sing along now!
Everything is…
What about…
A homeschool… !
Okay - what do these three phrases have in common? A lot if we view them through the right lens. Is it possible to love the world without realizing that is what we are doing? Important to identify.

1 John 2:15-17
Matt 4:1-11

The antichrist. He’s the subject of countless books, videos and so called prophesies. Yet, he may be sitting next to you at your church assembly. He may be living in your home. He may be you. Also, what does it mean when John says to Christians, “You have need of no-one to teach you?” Proof of direct revelation today? **Special thanks to Holly Tull for providing a positively unique rendition of the Rocky Theme Song.

Scriptures for this episode: 1 John 2:18-21, 2 John 7-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, John 14:26, 1 John 1:1-4.

Can a slave who has been freed not know it? Can a person who has been forgiven much not love much? Can an adopted child take their situation for granted? Can a person, after realizing how much they’ve been forgiven still act cavalierly toward his / her fellow man?

In this episode we ask some tough questions that if answered honestly can have impactful results in us and those around us.

And, we find time to have some fun reintroducing “Christian Radio”. Maybe a new low for “Christian Radio”. But really, is there anywhere to go but UP? Find out!

1 John 3:1-3

1 John 4:7-11. A slap on the back, a “How you ‘doin’?” That’s love, right? Meh. Not really. There’s love. And then there’s love. The kind of love we thought we had in Jr. High isn’t the same as what we have now, right (hopefully)? As Christians there’s only ONE guaranteed way to learn how to grow from Jr. High type love to the true adult kind. And, there is a love that ONLY Christians can give. No-one else. Period. Ready to grow up? Let’s go!

How do you know if you are abiding in Him? Abiding after all is synonymous with being “in” Christ. It’s easy to say “I’m abiding”. Do we take it for granted? Listen to find out.

When you lay awake at night, do you think about meeting your Maker? Are you afraid? If not, you’ve probably learned a valuable lesson about love. If so, here’s something that will help you out. Our text is 1 John 4:18 -5:3.

We celebrate when we see athletes make even the slightest reference to scripture. “Hey - he’s one of US!” It’s encouraging when someone quotes the scriptures in a positive way. At the same time, how do we put the true meaning of Philippians 4:13, Romans 8 and 1 John 5:4 into practice? Did God give us those verses to help us improve our jump shot? Run a mile faster? Move up the corporate ladder? Or… something BIGGER?

1John 5:6-10 is possibly the most debated passage in the New Testament. Does it even belong? Why does it matter? Either way, the context itself is revolutionary for us.

How d I know if my prayers are answered? Other people seem to have pretty good success, with ‘doors opening’, and amazing answered prayers stories. How about you? Yes? No? Here’s how to make sure your prayers are ALWAYS answered. GUARANTEED! 1 John 5:13-15

John tells us to not pray for those committing a sin leading to death, which begs the question: What IS that sin anyway? And, have I committed it? Is there hope? An episode with a lot of practical applications as we pray for others and take personal inventory.

1 John 5:16
Rom 2:24
Hebrews 10:26
Herews 6:4
1 John 1:5-10

John wraps up his letter to his children. Like the close of any letter, what’s written before the final sign-off is typically heart felt and important. This is the case here. The Holy Spirit through John adds a layer to this masterful letter - and gives us something to chew on.

1 John 5:18-21

For the past 54 Episodes IMR has brought you broadcast pod excellence (cough, cough, wink, nod). Well, maybe not. But what we HAVE tried to do is tackle important topics in a never-before-tackled-unconventional-not-your-grandmother’s-christian-radio type way. Honest conversation + FUN + Biblical principles. But there is one thing lacking, and we’re about to change that. Listen for the “Best Of” and for a look to the future. Ready? Let’s GO!

First in our apologetics series, we tackle a question that has made believers queasy for thousands of years. Why does a loving, all-powerful, all-knowing, God allow pain and suffering in this world? While some choose to ignore the question, others bank on it as justification for not believing in God. Either way, it is a legitimate question that has a powerful answer. Once you know it, you’ll be able to share with your friends who may be wondering the same thing.

Can there be an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God at the same time evil exists? Or asked another way, “If there is a God, why does He allow evil to exist?”

In this second episode of our apologetics series, we tackle this question. If you haven’t asked it, your friends certainly have. Ready for an answer?

Romans 8:19-23
Hebrews 5:14
Matthew 13:24-30

Also, in this episode we touch briefly on the issue of whether or not people have the ability to choose between doing good or evil. Do we have choice? Or are our decisions the result of naturalistic inputs such as our DNA or environmental surroundings (Determinism)?

While we don’t intend to fully dissect that topic, it is pertinent when it comes to the question of evil.

A PBS interview of Richard Dawkins is referenced, and you can find it in the link below.

https://www.pbs.org/faithandreason/transcript/dawk-body.html.

Does science allow for the existence of George Washington? And, are those who believe faith is irrational right? Many Christians CELEBRATE the notion that their faith is irrational. To reason through the existence of God would mean we don’t have true faith, they claim. Feelings and emotional worship experiences have replaced reasoned questions and a quest for truth in most assemblies. No wonder skeptics think Christians are harmlessly ignorant at best and dangerously so at worst.

And we at Inner Man Radio completely agree with the skeptics on this one.

But the question stands - CAN a person come to a rational, well-reasoned faith in God? The same way they come to believe George Washington existed.

We believe so. And furthermore, we believe the burden of proof actually lies with the Atheist, when reason is applied.

What do a fake faith healer, a naturalistic scientist and bad sports referees have in common? Almost sounds like a bad joke (it is). When it comes to shaping the public’s opinion on whether or not there is a God and if the Bible is His word, it’s no joke. A fresh take you’ve never heard before that will leave you seeing the scientific, faith and even sports worlds differently.

This episode contains audio clip montages featuring the following personalities:
Atheist Montage - Richard Dawkins and Bill Nye
‘Christian’ Montage - Katt Kerr

References:

Romans 1:18-23
Isa 1:18

So, is Christianity immoral? That’s a common (and can be a legitimate) question. After all, if one is to believe the Bible’s account of things, the very same God who supposedly created all men equal, giving them inalienable rights, also commanded Israel to commit genocide in the Old Testament. To answer this question, we first need to answer another one. “What is morality, anyway?” Where do those who believe Christianity to be immoral get their sense of morality from? In fact, is there really such a thing as morality anyway? Or, is morality simply a social construct born of our evolutionary need to survive, even working together as a society? Big questions with big implications. Ready? Let’s go!

If I stole your TV, would you feel wronged? If someone harms you or your family would you want justice? Why? Is this the result of some commonly held zeitgeist, the 10 commandments or something beyond these? Believe it or not, answering this will help us determine whether or not the Bible is consistent or not and therefore immoral. Honest question that we do our best to answer.

Is the Bible full of errors & contradictions? What about all those stories about people and places that never existed?
And if we are to take it at face value that it was written by over 40 authors over a 1,300 year period, ending 2,000 years ago, how can we trust it? What about the fact it’s been translated from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to German to English, etc., etc?

What about Source Criticism? Documentary Hypothesis (sounds smarter with a British accent)?

While not an exhaustive treatment of the subject by any means, we believe these questions can be answered and strive to give the basics in this episode. Moreover we present the case that the overarching message of the scriptures from beginning to end is strong evidence - proof even - for it’s reliability.

In this episode, we continue our apologetics series - answering frequently asked questions about God, the Bible and Christianity. Perhaps no other topic is too hot to handle (sorry - couldn’t resist) in the way this topic is. The subject of hell has been used by religion over the years as a means of profit and control. This worked so long as enough people resonated with the message - that “If you don’t do this or that, you’re gong to hell.” Like any good business though, man made religion now shies away from the topic becuase it doesn’t resonate with the target audience. In fact, the idea of hell is repulsive to many. Talking about it is just to risky to the business model - which requires growth in attendance, donations and public standing.

However aside from all that, the question still stands: How could a loving God send people to an eternal punishment? Does the punishment really fit the crime? What about people who are good people but commit an eencie weencie violation… is hell justified for them? In the words of a recent U.S. presidential candidate, “C’mon man!”.

These are legitimate questions that have legitimate answers and we hope to do our best in giving those.

So now that we’ve discovered there is a moral basis for Hell, the next logical question is, “Why does God make it so hard to go to heaven, especially since you claim He loves us so much?” Put another way, “Why is the path so narrow?” In this episode we ask the question, “Is it?” and then dive into whether or not God has a moral justification for making requirements of people for eternal life. And what about people who have never had the chance to hear the gospel, anyway? A person in the remotest parts of the earth? How can God be justified in condemning them to Hell? This is the first in a two part series that gets to the heart of the issue: Is God really love and are we really in need of a Savior.

Why do some claim there are “rules” on what a person must do to be saved, anyway? Aren’t they just little technicalities that people use as control over others to convince them they’re going to hell? And why did Jesus say the path to salvation is narrow? Lastly - how narrow is TOO narrow? Hint: The problem isn’t the number of ‘rules’, the problem really is that when we object to clear Bible teaching regarding salvation, we’re objecting to the idea that God has ANY rules at all.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle unbelievers must overcome is the impotence of their so-called Christian friends. It’s easy to fall prey to silence or adopt the trappings of faith, without actually having it. Do we believe what we say we believe? Let’s prove it. 2 Corinthians 4:13, Romans 10:17.

The Family. If there is an ideal incubator for learning valuable lessons and gaining many of the character traits necessary for productive Christianity, it might well be our families. In this series we tackle various character traits that mark Christians, in relation to how those might be best imparted to our kids. Also, we get a little vulnerable in these episodes, revealing shortcomings and lessons learned along the way, even as we are still learning. If you have kids, you just might benefit from the open, frank discussion. If you don’t, the principles still apply, as we aim to make this worth your time as a growing Christian too. After all, we ARE family in Christ.

Disclaimer: We’re not experts. However, when did that stop us from tackling a subject? When it comes to growing as Christians, the family is often the incubator for that growth. As far as raising respectful children are concerned, there are some principles that parents need to respect as well. If you don’t have kids, this is for you as well as we attempt to break down the topic in a way that has application for everyone. And Uncle Philmore makes an appearance too.

Responsibility. If we’re going to do right by our children, we need to train them to be responsible. Easier said than done! What are some pitfalls we find ourselves falling into as parents, what are some principles to help avoid them? A little bit-o-been-there-done-that and a lot of looking at how Christ does it with us… His disciples. Mark 25:14 | Mark 9:28-29

How do you know if you have a good relationship with your kids? When it’s tested. The importance of open, trusting relationships with our children, grown or not cannot be overstated. Putting principles from God’s relationship with us is a useful guide - even down to the detail. And if you’re relationship with your children isn’t stellar, we have some ideas for you as well. Are you a grown child or teenager? Fear not! This episode has something in it for you too. Uncle Philmore makes sure of that.

The ultimate goal as parents is to help our children gain trust in the right person: Jesus. In the process though, they’re watching US. How do we build a relationship with our kids that helps them learn to trust in the right people? AND what if we blew it… and now we’re trying to regain that trust? What now? Hebrews 2:11-13, Matt 21:21, Matt 14:22-33

Dads - take note! We think we have the “L” thing down with our kids. And as a result they’ll “L” God too. Right? Let’s back up a bit and take a look (and maybe a hard swallow) at what we are or can do to better train our kids in “L”oving God. We call it “Affection”.

“Abba”. Daddy. Pop Pops. Terms of endearment. All heart warming to the one they’re aimed at.

Romans 8:15, 1 John 4:19, Mark 14:36, Gal 4:6

As our children start to notice the opposite sex, let’s face it… it can be SCARY. So, what’s a parent to do? We look at Biblical principles (spoiler alert - the Bible leaves some room here) and what those conversations should sound like and why.

We live in a world turned upside down, and you don’t need (or want) to hear it from us! But… what DO you do about it anyway? Uncle Philmore calls into the show with an epic rant, Jason drops some Christian rap music from the 80’s and most importantly, we offer legitimate reasons to and tactics for overcoming the burden of the craziness around us. Hint - it’s about time!

NEWS FLASH - the world is STILL going insane. What’s a Christian to do? How about controlling the things that God gave us to control. In this episode we dive deeper into Time. We try to avoid the cliches, (although I think we may have stumbled on one or two). The bottom line is found in Ephesians 5:16. What does it mean to redeem something, how do you know what your time’s worth and how to allocate? Let’s dive in!

Some say money doesn’t make the man, and that money isn’t a measure of spiritual success. Others say health & wealth is THE measure of a person’s spiritual favor with God. So who’s right? And, what can we control, anyway? Lastly - does it matter as far as Christ is concerned? You may be surprised…

Modern Israel is at the heart of global news as enemies of the nation state continue their efforts to wipe Israel off the map or at the very least, neutralize it. And to be sure, the chorus of modern ‘prophesy experts’ grows louder with each attack, claiming that to not stand with Israel is to not stand with God’s people and in fact - is to stand AGAINST God and His people. Is this right? What’s the root of this sentiment? Where does it come from? Is God’s plan centered around physical Israel? Are today’s events a fulfillment of prophesy that God will establish His kingdom? What IS a Christian to think of physical Israel, anyway? Who ARE God’s chosen people? What IS God’s unfolding plan?

Big questions that have Biblical answers. In this episode we’ll discuss:

1) The modern sentiment toward Israel of mainstream Christianity as revealed through modern geo-political events
2) Our shared heritage with the Jewish people and affinity toward modern Israel
2) The two foundational assumptions contributing to mainstream Christianity’s view toward physical Israel
3) Who Israel is, according to the Bible
4) Replacement Theology: What is it? Is it Biblical? Is it anti-semitic?
5) The root cause of violence toward Jewish people
6) What a Christian’s attitude toward Israel should be, according to the Scriptures.

Scriptures discussed will include:

1) Romans 2:11
2) Acts 10:34
3) Leviticus 19:15
4) Romans 9:3-8
5) Romans 9:27
6) Romans 11:28-31
7) Romans 11:1-5
8) Galatians 4:22-31
9) Galatians 6:15-16

Audio used for educational purposes include:

1) “Stand with Israel” - John Hagee - soundclip from video on Christians United for Israel UK -https://youtube.com/shorts/nArRZlf0Gs8?si=SMEla-KBIKH3WYmA
2)”From the river to the sea…” chant - @Polishmigrants https://youtube.com/shorts/nArRZlf0Gs8?si=SMEla-KBIKH3WYmA
3) Adolph Hitler Speech at Krupp Factory in Germany (1935) - https://youtu.be/FJ3N_2r6R-o?si=lemXgvfCFjoV6Rug

Citation from Liberty Universty -

1) Thomas D. Ice essay on Replacement Theology - https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1105&context=pretrib_arch

Part of our “Things You Can Control” series, we delve head-first into the deep end of the pool. No, we’re not claiming to fix every marriage challenge in just one episode. But we DO guarantee that your marriage will have at least ONE new spouse in just ten days.

No matter where you’re at in life, Luke 15:11-32 has impactful lessons for all of us, if we step back and observe a bit more.