Category Archives: Truth&Circumstances

Episode 177: God’s sovereignty and government over-reach

Episode Highlights: God’s control and our responsibility can be thought of as concentric circles with God’s control being an all-encompassing circle, our responsibility being a smaller circle within it. Eph 1:11; Acts 17:24-27 Our priority as believers (the main emphasis of our circle of responsibility) is the spread of the kingdom. Matt 28:19-20 Paul’s exampleContinue reading “Episode 177: God’s sovereignty and government over-reach”

Episode 176: Reversal of gender roles in the home?

Episode Highlights: There are clear biblical roles for husbands and wives regarding leadership, love, and submission in the home (Eph 5:22-31). It is not clear that women should work exclusively in the home and men should work exclusively outside the home (Prov 31:16, 24; Gen 29:9; Exo 2:16-17; Song 1:6, 7-8; Ruth 2:1-3; Acts 18:2-3)Continue reading “Episode 176: Reversal of gender roles in the home?”

Episode 175: Dealing with besetting sexual sin

Episode Highlights: If not already, engage in the typical mechanics of fighting sin: radical amputation (Matt 5:29-30), putting off/putting on (Eph 4:22-24), mind renewal (Rom 12:2), accountability (2 Tim 2:22), and prayer. It is crucial to have a clear view of the compassion of Christ for sinners. He is drawn to us, pities us inContinue reading “Episode 175: Dealing with besetting sexual sin”

Episode 174: Should Christians “prep”?

Episode Highlights: It’s appropriate to prepare for the future. Pro 6:6-11; Matt 24:42 It’s sinful to fret about the future. Matt 6:25-34 We should understand ourselves to be stewards of God. 1 Cor 6:19-20; Psa 24:1-2 We should be generous. Acts 4:34-35; Matt 5:42; 1 John 3:17

Episode 173: Is surrogacy always wrong?

Episode Highlights: The main moral difficulty with gestational surrogacy is the element of in-vitro fertilization. In-vitro usually results in the death of embryos, which violates the Bibles teaching on the sanctity of life. Psa 51:5; Exo 20:13 We can celebrate the life of this child and admire the self-less motive of the surrogate in thisContinue reading “Episode 173: Is surrogacy always wrong?”

Episode 172: What should I do about inappropriate dreams?

Episode Highlights: We are not in control of our dreams and so should not feel guilt about the dreams themselves. There may be issues/desires in our waking hours which are contributing to the dreams that need to be dealt with. Isa 29:7-8 The dreams could be a warning, temptation, or testing. Job 33:14-18; Deut 13:1-4;Continue reading “Episode 172: What should I do about inappropriate dreams?”

Episode 171: Questions about prayer and fasting

Episode Highlights The NT assumes that we will fast, but doesn’t give clear direction about when or how. (Matt 6:16-17; 9:14-15) A fast will be most beneficial when we have a clear spiritual purpose in mind. Helpful insights on fasting can be found in Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. We shouldn’tContinue reading “Episode 171: Questions about prayer and fasting”

Episode 170: How should a couple handle tithing when they don’t agree? Part 2

Episode Highlights The couple who disagrees about giving should discuss all biblical/wisdom principles about giving. They should pray that the Lord would give them generous hearts and unify them on the issue. In the absence of an agreement, the husband should make a wise decision (to give as much as they can both joyfully give)Continue reading “Episode 170: How should a couple handle tithing when they don’t agree? Part 2”

Episode 169: How should a couple handle tithing when they don’t agree? Part 1

Episode Highlights: To truly tithe, one would need to give 23.3% of their income. Deut 12:6-7, 14:22-29, 26:12-13. Tithing is not the standard of giving for the New Covenant believer. The NT models joyful generosity that far exceeds a “God owns 10%” mentality. Acts 2:43-47, 4:32-37, 11:27-30. Believers should give as much as they canContinue reading “Episode 169: How should a couple handle tithing when they don’t agree? Part 1”

Episode 168: Should Christians petition to cancel Cuties?

Episode Highlights: This is not merely an issue of contending for a higher moral standard in society, but of protecting the weak. The Bible calls the strong to protect the weak. Acts 20:35; Psa 82 There are multiple levels of victimization involved in the airing of this show. Christians cannot allow the victimization/sexualization of childrenContinue reading “Episode 168: Should Christians petition to cancel Cuties?”

Episode 167: Counseling a child regarding assurance?

Episode Highlights The Bible doesn’t point to our conversion experience as a source of assurance. The Bible does point to spiritual growth as a source of assurance. (2 Peter 1:5-10) We can help our children by making sure they understand the distinctions between justification and sanctification. We can help our children by helping them toContinue reading “Episode 167: Counseling a child regarding assurance?”

Episode 166: Another trial after the 1,000 year reign?

Episode Highlights: A premillennialist might say that it depends upon who “we” is. Glorified believers reigning with Christ likely will not have to endure. Unglorified believers who survived the tribulation likely will. Believers born during the millennium definitely will. A problem with a premillennial understanding of Rev 20 is that it requires death to existContinue reading “Episode 166: Another trial after the 1,000 year reign?”

Episode 165: How do I answer my kids’ questions about my past?

Episode Highlights: Tell the truth. Our authority comes from the Lord, not from our perfectly navigating life. Sordid details may not be helpful. We don’t want to put a stumbling block in front of someone by getting into such detail that we are introducing them to things they aren’t even aware of. If a parentContinue reading “Episode 165: How do I answer my kids’ questions about my past?”

Episode 164: Can a seared conscience be re-sensitized?

Episode Highlights: – The conscience is our God-given capacity to make moral judgments about ourselves. (Rom 2:14-15) – A seared conscience is one that has become desensitized due to an individual repeatedly ignoring its voice. (1 Tim 4:1-2) – A seared conscience is dangerous because it makes us more vulnerable to the harmfulness of sin.Continue reading “Episode 164: Can a seared conscience be re-sensitized?”

Episode 163: How far should I pursue an estranged family member?

Highlights: – Such strained relationships with unbelieving relatives should not surprise us as Jesus came to “bring a sword” (Matt 10:32-38) – In all such situations, “as far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men” (Rom 12:18). – Pray for the heart of Christ toward the estranged relative.

Episode 162: Opposing mask ordinances?

Highlights: – Depends upon what we mean by “oppose.” – Since our constitution gives us the right to redress in the courts, there is nothing wrong with seeking to have a mandate overturned. (Rom 13:1-2) – It is not biblical to simply disobey the mask mandates, even if we hold that the mandates are unconstitutional.Continue reading “Episode 162: Opposing mask ordinances?”

Episode 160: CCW for Christians?

Episode Highlights – The sanctity of human life based upon creation in God’s image leads to numerous injunctions to protect the weak from the wicked (Psa 82:3-4, Prov 24:11) – While we are not under the OT law, it does provide a window to the character of God. On this issue, the law indicates thatContinue reading “Episode 160: CCW for Christians?”

Episode 159: My life isn’t turning out how I’d hoped…

Episode Highlights: – This is the broad experience of man (Prov 19:21) – We should be thankful God’s plans are always fulfilled, even at the expense of our own, in light of His supreme wisdom and love (Rom 8:28-30) – The key to overcoming depression and despair over unfulfilled plans is desiring Jesus above allContinue reading “Episode 159: My life isn’t turning out how I’d hoped…”

Episode 158: Should Christians protest?

Highlights: – Believers are called to love and stand for justice (Psalm 9:7-8; Mic 6:8) – Believers are called to spread and live the gospel (1 Thess 1:8) – Believers are called to obey authority, understanding it is established by God (Rom 13, 1 Peter 2) – Christians can protest as long as their demeanorContinue reading “Episode 158: Should Christians protest?”