Episode Highlights:
– This question pertains to the extent of the atonement: Did Christ’s death pay the penalty for all individuals without exception or only for the elect?
– A proper understanding of atonement itself excludes the possibility of a general or universal atonement.
– This doctrine, more accurately expressed as “particular redemption,” leads us to a right view of the power of Christ–He actually accomplished something on the cross–and of the love of God–it is a particular love that acts efficaciously upon its objects.
Episode 128: How should I think about a friend excited about particular gifts of the Spirit? Part 2
Episode Highlights:
– Where should be cautious about the gifts in the ways Scripture instructs, i.e. how tongues and prophecy are to function in corporate worship. We should not assume a posture of automatic suspicion, since the Bible teaches they are good and beneficial for the upbuilding of the church.
– We should not be merely “open” to the gifts, but obedient to the imperatives regarding them.
– The NT prophecy is not of the same character and function as OT prophecy. The NT assumes they are different. (1 Cor 14:29-30; 1 Thess 5:19-21).
Episode 127: How should I think about a friend excited about particular gifts of the Spirit? Part 1
Episode Highlights:
– Given that the issue of the gifts of the Spirit is a second or third tier issue, we should not consider it a reason to separate from one another. We can disagree.
– All gifts will cease when the Lord returns. (1 Cor 13:8-10)
– Until Christ returns, all gifts remain active because all serve the same purpose–they are for the common good (1 Cor 12:7). There is no biblical reason to identify some as having ceased.
Episode 126: What’s the deal with reformed theology? Unconditional Election, Part 2
Highlights:
– While passages teaching unconditional election abound, in addition to Romans 9 (covered in part 1), John 6, John 10, and Ephesians 1 are key.
– Practical implications of the doctrine of unconditional election are motivation to worship and motivation to evangelize.
– We must be careful this and other doctrines not to go where the Bible doesn’t. The Bible teaches unconditional election, yet does not thereby teach that man is not responsible if he is not elect. Nor does it teach that man should wait until acted upon before believing or obeying.
Episode 125: What counsel would you give to parents navigating decisions about their teen’s smartphones/social media?
Episode Highlights:
– Understand that the use of technology and social media are not inherently evil or good. They can be one or the other depending upon how we use them.
– A parent’s main responsibility is to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, which assumes training a child to make godly decisions as adults. Eph 6:4
– Understand the potential danger compared to the potential benefit. The potential danger is far greater in our opinion, however, this does not necessitate forbidding the use of these platforms.
– Making a wise decision requires knowing your child well. Some teens will be mature enough to handle the freedom/responsibility while others will almost certainly lack the maturity to make good decisions.
Episode 124: What’s the deal with reformed theology? Unconditional Election
Episode Highlights:
– Election is the act of God from eternity past (before creation) in which He chooses whom to save, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of His own gracious pleasure.
– Israel is the foremost paradigm for understanding God as an electing God. Gen 12; Deut 7:6
– Election is but a subset of God’s absolute sovereignty over all things. Psa 135:6-7; Prov 16:33, 21:1; Eph 1:11
– Election is explicitly taught in Romans 9, where Paul explains that it is God’s gracious chosen to have mercy on whom He wills and to harden whom He wills.
– The NT presents election as a comfort. Rom 8:28-30
Episode 123: Is it okay to withhold information from my spouse?
Episode Highlights:
– The impulse to withhold from a spouse in response to their failure to love well comes from a worldly notion of love, “I am to love only as well as I’m loved.” Christlike love pours itself out regardless of the performance of the one loved.
– Your responsibility to your spouse is ultimately your responsibility to the Lord.
– The “one another” commands indicate that the Christian life is to be lived in transparency and sharing. If that is true of a normal Christian relationship, it should be an even higher priority in marriage.
– The Bible depicts marriage as a one-flesh relationship, the sharing of two people physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
– Jesus did not withhold Himself from His bride.
– Guard against bitterness by keeping your eyes on Jesus, who has always loved well those who spurn Him.
