Christian Questions Bible Podcast

Theme Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
There are some questions that are just plain difficult. One of those questions that many believers in God may wrestle with has to do with God seemingly allowing Satan to run the show. Let’s face it, evil stinks and we just want it to go away. Yet, God has continued to let Satan's influence dominate our world for thousands of years! Most Christians believe God is absolutely capable of destroying Satan but begins to fall short when asked why it has not yet happened. Answers touch on God creating all of His spiritual and earthly intelligent beings with free choice, and this is a great start. The key factor in all of this is seeing HOW God gives each being a free choice and the ability to have fair and just choices.

Everybody sins. We can’t help it because we are imperfect, and therefore we will inevitably fall. As Christians, we can and should claim the amazing advocacy of Jesus, ask forgiveness, make right what we did wrong and move on. But are there sins that go beyond what Jesus can help us with? Are there "unforgivable" sins? Are there sins that once committed doom us to eternal death? The Scriptures do say such sins exist. The good news is the Bible is specific about what they are and how they work. The difficult news is that some verses are hard to understand, and that can lead to confusion. So, what are sins that go beyond forgiveness, and how can we stay far away from them?

Theme Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:3
The Bible is full of examples of God’s love, justice, wisdom, power and plan. It is a fountain of mercy and foresight, and a treasure trove of prophecy. Understanding the magnitude of all these things helps us see God as the Sovereign Creator and Father that He really is. But wait, there’s more! Running through ALL of the descriptions we just mentioned is another facet of God’s character - His grace. The word for "grace" in the Bible has many shades of meaning. When we understand how this word is applied to God in both the Old and New Testaments, we are given a profound glimpse into the depth and breadth of His character. God’s grace is and always has been a game changer. Let’s see how!

Get to know Rick, Jonathan and Julie in these short podcast excerpts from several Christian Questions episodes.

Theme Scripture: Proverbs 29:18
We all know people who are visionaries, you know, the kind of people who change the world around them. They see things others don’t. They imagine possibilities others can’t. This often results in them taking risks in ways others won’t. While we appreciate these trendsetters, most of us are not that kind of visionary. However, we can and should be visionaries for our own lives. So, where do we find the inspiration and guidance for our life’s vision? As Christians, the obvious answer is to look to the Bible. The only problem with this is, we often see the Scriptures through the eyes of our own limitations. Today, let’s look more closely to see if we can find a biblically-motivated vision for our lives that we can really invest ourselves into.

Theme Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:17
The rapture is a controversial teaching with its basis on one short set of verses in 1st Thessalonians. It is a teaching that has a wide spectrum of interpretations and applications. This teaching tightly unites those who believe in it, but more and more it terrifies many who have some association with it. In parts I and II of our 3-part series, we began systematically walking through the scriptures in question. As we have attempted to clearly define each element contained in these scriptures, we have seen many of the contradictions and inconsistencies with this rapture teaching rise to the surface. In Part III, we closely examine what it means to be "caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Our only objective is to adhere to what the scriptures really teach and walk away from anything else.

Theme Scripture: Luke 2:10
Christmas is such a great time of year! It gives people something to look forward to, something to be excited about. Decorations spring up and brighten our environment. We love giving gifts and we certainly love receiving them. Most of us get some extra time off to be with family or to just be able to do things. The sad thing is the foundational reason behind this great time of year has become less and less relevant. All of this giving and goodwill stems from recognizing and honoring the birth of the most influential and heroic human being in all of world history. With the birth of Jesus, the world began to change. For most people that change has been imperceptible for the last 2,000 years, but it is happening. How do we know? An angel told us! Did you hear what he said?

Theme Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:17
God’s plan for humanity is powerful, positive and proactive and is built upon the ransom price Jesus paid for every man, woman and child who ever lived. This plan is one of great joy! All scriptural events and prophecies point to the unfolding of this plan. As we observed in Part I of this series, the widely-held Christian teaching of the rapture, in all of its varied interpretations, does not seem to fall in line with this plan. Instead of hope, it seems to bring distress and chaos. In Part I, we began systematically looking at the key elements of the scriptures from which this teaching is drawn  Our objective is to look at these texts in the context of the Bible itself and not the context of our opinions or our church's doctrine. Here in part II, we continue to unfold what we believe God’s word actually teaches.

Theme Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Christianity is divided into many denominations and groups. These divisions create a wide variety of teachings that elicit a wide variety of reactions. Take the rapture as an example. In its basic form, it interprets the Scriptures to say that Jesus returns with a shout and a trumpet. He raises the dead Christians to him first and then all those faithful who are still living will be dramatically and immediately taken up to him as well. For both Christians and non-Christians, the drama of this view brings eye rolls and disdain from some, excitement and anticipation from some, and all-out fear, trauma and "rapture anxiety" from others. The rapture is a big teaching based upon a few scriptures. The big question is, does this teaching fit squarely with the original Christian doctrine we learn from the Bible?

Theme Scripture: Galatians 5:16
It’s a simple equation with a guaranteed end result. Walk in the spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. As Christians living in an "anything goes" world, this straightforward statement can be easily overlooked and even ignored. Among the many challenges we face today, being like everyone else is among the most subtle temptations of our human nature. We experience subtle social pressure in our workplace, at school, with friends, family and neighbors. Combine all of that with the never-ending online influence of social media to conform or else be negatively labeled, and we experience an unrelenting onslaught of pressure to conform or suffer. How do we as Christians learn to identify - and then overcome - all that is wrong so we can truly follow all that is right?