Episode Highlights
– We should resist supporting any ungodly lifestyle. Titus 2:11-12
– The Bible is clear about LGBT issues. Gen 1-2, 19; Lev 18:22; Judges 19; Rom 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-11; 1 Tim 1:10
– In situations where an employer (or any other authority) asks us to do something ungodly, “we must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29
– We should be as loving, kind, and hardworking as possible so as to mitigate any fallout, while recognizing that we’ve been called to suffer for the Name. Acts 5:40-41
Episode 121: What’s the deal with Reformed Theology? Total Depravity
Episode Highlights
– Total depravity asserts that every aspect of our human nature has been affected by sin (mind, will, emotions, desires, body). Rom 1:18-32; Eph 2:1-3, 4:17-19
– Because every part of our being is affected, we are not able to please God (total inability). Joshua 24:19
– Total depravity does not mean that we do not make real decisions; we always do what we want to do. Gen 6:5, Jer 17:9, Psa 14:2-3
– This doctrine should lead us to humility and to live like those who were dead but who have been brought to life.
Episode 120: Rightly Understanding God’s Desire to Be Glorified
Episode Highlights:
– There are inherent differences between God and man that make it appropriate for God to desire worship and inappropriate for man to desire worship. (Psa 50:12-15; Acts 24-25)
– God doesn’t need anything. When we conceive of Him as needy because He desires worship, we make the mistake of thinking about Him as if He is a man. (Psa 50:12)
– We are worshipers by nature; the worship of false gods brings misery; by calling us to worship Him, God calls us to joy. (Rom 1:18-32; Ps 16)
– God is the greatest being conceivable, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. When He calls us to Himself to recognize this, it is a kindness.
Episode 119: What’s the deal with Reformed Theology?
Episode Highlights:
– Reformed theology (as we are using the phrase) holds that God rules with absolute control over all creation, foreordaining all that happens, but doing so in a way that does not deny human will or make God the author of sin.
– It is an important doctrine because it is founded upon the doctrine of God and therefore has implications for all other doctrines. It also has implications for ministry methodology and the Christian life.
– Reformed theology is not the most important component of what we believe and we should NOT break fellowship with those who disagree.
Episode 118: Does it really mean that? Matthew 12:32
Episode Highlights
– The larger context is essential to understanding difficult passages.
– Context: The Pharisees had already rejected Jesus and were determined to lead others to do the same.
– Context: The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting demons out by the power of the devil…when He actually did it by the power of the Spirit.
– Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is slandering the Holy Spirit by attributing His work to the devil in an attempt to prevent belief in Christ.
Episode 117: How should we respond to those who reject cooperation with secular pro-lifers? Part 2
Episode Highlights:
– Christians should use whatever means God affords to preserve life.
– If our goal is the preservation of life, incremental progress in the fight against abortion should celebrated, while continuing to work toward its eventual eradication.
Episode 116: How should we respond to those who reject cooperation with secular pro-lifers? Part 1
Episode highlights:
– The issue should addressed with grace and kindness. Eph 4:1-2
– Abortion is murder. Gen 9:5-6
– Christians should not settle for less than the eradication of all abortion.
Episode 115: How can I love my uncaring spouse well? Part 2
Episode Highlights:
– Jesus gave Himself up for us. John 10:17-18
– Jesus offered Himself as an offering to God. Eph 5:1-2
– Christ gives us the power to do what He commands. Eph 1:18ff; 3:20
– Jesus is intended to be our ultimate fulfillment. Eph 3:16-19
Episode 114 – How can I love my uncaring spouse well? Part 1
Episode Highlights:
– We are called to love one another as Christ has loved us. Eph 5:1-2
– Jesus loves us unconditionally, calls us to do the same. Eph 1:4, 2:1-5; John 15:12
Summer Break!
Truth & Circumstances will be taking a short hiatus for the month of July. Please take the time to revisit some older episodes. We’re always taking new questions, so feel free to keep them coming even during this break!
Episode 113: How can I stop blowing up at my kids?
Episode highlights:
– Apply the biblical principle of “putting off” and “putting on” in the realms of your worship and behavior.
– Discern what you’re worshiping in those moments – what do you want so badly that you’re willing to sin to get it and sin if you don’t get it?
– Grow in your worship of the Lord Jesus by meditating on the gospel daily.
– Identify the typical “pressure cooker” times of the day when you are most likely to be tempted.
– Prepare for temptation by praying, reviewing Scripture, and deciding how you will respond to the pressure.
Episode 112: How should we respond to objections about God “killing” people while requiring us to value life?
Highlights:
– The implication is that God is a hypocrite for taking life while expecting man to preserve life. The real question is, who has the right to give and take life – man or God?
– As the Creator of all things, God owns all life.
– God has the absolute right to give and take life.
– Man does not have the right to take life, except as directed by God.
Episode 111: Should a single person adopt a child?
Episode Highlights:
– In this case, I wouldn’t recommend adoption.
– Her commitment to singleness is simultaneously a commitment to fatherlessness for the child.
– There seems to be a misunderstanding of the purpose of the gift of singleness, which is unencumbered service to the Lord, undistracted by familial obligations.
– If a single was open to marriage, I would counsel one to adopt in situations where sufficient support was available.
Episode 110: How/when to defend ourselves against accusations?
Episode Highlights:
– We shouldn’t apply Jesus’ example of silence before accusers as a blanket over all conflict.
– For the sake of the relationship and the gospel, as much as possible, we should seek to remove misunderstanding.
– Our motive should be love and not vindication.
– Once we have tried to correct misconceptions, we should rest in Rom 12:18: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Episode 109: Podcaster Profile – Pastor Jason Odel
Episode 108: Rebuilding trust?
Highlights:
– This is a wisdom issue.
– Complete transparency is essential.
– Trust is rebuilt slowly.
– Trust is rebuilt by stretching.
Episode 107: How to talk about God and suffering to unbelievers
Highlights:
– Start by building a bridge
– Relate their compassion to God’s
– Show that without God there would be no justice
– Share that any recognition of evil assumes the existence of God
– Share the gospel as God’s solution to evil and suffering
Episode 106: What are some early warning signs that a marriage is in trouble?
Episode 105: A biblical perspective on busyness?
Highlights:
– God requires us to be good stewards of our time. Eph 5:15-16
– The life of a disciple is a life of work and service. Eph 4:12
– God has given us a broad range of commands that require balance in order to be faithful stewards.
– Over-doing it in any one area can cause us to be unfaithful in other areas.
Episode 104: How should I respond to unloving correction?
Episode Highlights:
– Strive to see God as the ultimate agent working in your life.
– Value correction of all kinds as if it contained gold.
– Even mean-spirited correction can be helpful.
– Even inaccurate correction can be helpful.
– Recognize pride as the great killer of progress toward Christlikeness.