Faith & Fable: Recent Episodes
Matt Henry & Matt Miller
A pastoral podcast that discusses common, and often controversial, topics from a biblical perspective.
We recently attended the 2022 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, so we're walking through the prominent events and issues.
"Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work."
We're finishing up this series with a few more principles of generosity to think about.
We're walking through the various principles laid out in scriptures regarding giving to the church.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
After explaining why tithing is not a practice for the church in our last episode, we are walking through the scripture passages that lay out the guiding principle for giving.
"Jesus answered them, 'Has it not been written in your Law: "I said, you are gods"? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be nullified)...'"
We're discussing the Old Testament passages about tithing; is this tithing a practice intended for the Church?
"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law."
We're talking about Twitter, pastoral ministry in an ever changing culture, and when to move on from a missional relationship.
In this last episode of our Systematic Theology series, we're talking about God's transformation of all things in the new heavens and new earth.
We're starting a short series of episodes on money as it affects the Christian and the Church.
We're fixing the common misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 3:16 and it's similar counterpart, 1 Corinthians 6:19.
We're revisiting our previous discussion parachurch ministries in an effort to clarify.
We're talking about the decisions and habits of a faithful, available, and teachable Christian.
We're talking through the proverbs about controlling your tongue; of which the Apostle James described as a destructive "fire."
We are continuing in our Eschatology, now with Cosmic Eschatology, and specifically the Return of Christ.
The Christian walk is not one of triumph and power, as Prosperity preachers would have you believe, but one of weakness and daily reliance on God; and embracing the shame of His gospel.
We're talking about our experiences with parachurch ministries and seminaries, and the very real issue of mission creep.
We are hitting four points in scripture about having the fear of the Lord, a vital characteristic of enduring faith.
We're ranting about a clip from 2011 Veritas Forum, in which Tim Keller accurately represents the grave state of the western church.
We're continuing in Individual Eschatology with a discussion on physiological death and conceiving of it biblically.
We're talking about lessons we've learned as we've preached through various books of the Bible and as we've pastored.
We're beginning our discussion on Eschatology, and specifically Individual Eschatology which starts with death.
We're talking about celebrity culture, Canada's Bill C-3, church planting, the turmoil at Bethlehem Baptist, a new movement within the Muslim community called the "Insider Movement," and the overall climate of the Church in North America.
We're introducing our new subject in Systematic Theology III: the study of last things. So, why should we study this?
We're discussing Christian fellowship, a critical aspect of Christian formation and maturation.
Speech is a ubiquitous theme in the Proverbs, and godly speech, a vital characteristic of the wise person. We're walking through the various passages.
As part of our Systematic Theology III, ecclesiology series, we're finishing up our discussion on women's roles in the Church with an exposition of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 in order to clarify the issue of head coverings.
We're starting a short series based upon the proverbs. In this episode, we discuss the quality of a wise person in accepting correction well.
We're continuing where we left off on our discussion of women's roles in the Church, with a walk through of all the supporting passages in scripture.
We're continuing our Spiritual Motivators series with a discussion about putting on gratitude.
We're continuing our Systematic Theology III with a few episodes about the role of women in the Church. In this introduction we'll walk through historical events that led to the defining camps in Evangelicalism: Egalitarianism and Complimentarianism.
We're talking through the various proverbs that instruct the godly one to deny folly and avoid the fool.
We're working through the very commonly misused passage: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
We're talking about the various passages and practices of the Christian walk, in which we watch for the day of the Lord's return and guard our lives in light of that day.
We're continuing our Systematic Theology with a more in-depth look at the practice of the Lord's Supper.
What is the reason behind your decision making? We're talking about how Christians should keep honoring God and growing in Christ ever before their minds.
We're talking about the spiritual discipline of confessing your sin; both to God and neighbor.
In our final interview, we discuss the broad scope of parenting, and specifically preparing children to leave the home well, with Jon and Esme Randle.
We're picking back up this short series with a figure of the Second Great Awakening - Timothy Dwight.
We're having our second interview with the Arthur's; discussing the middle years and early teens.
Matt Henry talks with the Mueller's about infancy, sleep training, and what we can learn from the early years of parenting.
We're talking about the vitally important spiritual discipline of remembering; remembering how our days have transpired, and most importantly, remembering Christ.
We're answering a few more questions, specifically about obedience and discipline, and issues with older children.
We're talking about the very important service of the church: edification. In many ways, this is the motivator for sanctification in the Body of Christ.
We're answering a few more questions, specifically themed around evangelizing and discipling children.
We're answering a few of the parenting questions we've had submitted. How do we know when physical discipline should subside? How do we discipline the persistent toddler disobedience?
We're continuing our parenting series with the very important aspect of parenting - evangelizing your children.
We're continuing our Systematic Theology series, specifically, discussing church government and what the church's response should be to their elders.
We're continuing our discussion on how to parent through rebellion; specifically, teenage rebellion.
The transgender movement has entered our churches. How can we honor Christ and the gospel with our responses?
We're looking at the different stages of childhood, and how to parent rebellion within each stage.
We recently went to SBC21, and are talking about the major events and general experience.
We're talking about one of the most common sins: gossip. This sin spans from a momentary guilty pleasure to destroying lives; the church must continually be cleansed of it.
We're talking about daughters, and how to raise them with of vision of biblical womanhood.
We're talking about the biblical non-negotiables of the Elder's responsibilities in the church.
We're continuing our parenting series with a discussion on the key differences in raising boys to be men.
“Look among the nations! Watch! Be horrified! Be frightened speechless! For I am accomplishing a work in your days—You would not believe it even if you were told!" (Habakkuk 1:5 NASB)
We're answering a few questions, and then going through the biblical process of appeals between children and parents.
We're continuing our discussion on the biblical qualities if church leaders, specifically, familial and mental.
We're answering a few questions, and discussing several points on setting specific boundaries for your children regarding obedience.
We're continuing our discussion on the paramount importance of biblically qualified church leaders.
We're answering a couple questions, and discussing a few things parents should immediately stop doing.
We're talking about discernment bloggers, and their negative effect on the local church.
We're answering a few questions, and continuing our discussion of biblical non-negotiable's in parenting.
"You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger..."
We're answering a few submitted questions, and continuing our discussion of wise, biblical principles for parents.
We're talking through the Bible passages that specify the qualifications for overseers.
We're talking about common pitfalls for parents seeking to train their children to obey, and how to overcome those pitfalls.
We're continuing our discussion on church government with an overview of the qualifications of an overseer.
We're answering a couple parenting questions, and then focusing on the very important command: that children obey.
We're starting off our new parenting series, and talking about what it means to be a godly parent.
We're talking through a series of central figures in Revivals; starting with Jonathan Edwards.
We're answering a mailbox question in reference to our previous episode on sacraments vs. ordinances.
In this episode, we're laying the foundation for a discussion on these things called sacraments or ordinances.
We're starting a new mini series of spiritual motivators. This time we're focusing on the truths of salvation, and that it motivates us to godliness.
We're addressing a very famous passage, used infamously by prosperity preachers: Matthew 21:21-22.
We're doing a quick survey of the various elements of a typical church service. What sort of things should you expect to see when the local church assembles?
We're talking about the proper biblical context and application to the idea of "dying to self."
We're picking back up with the sin of impatience; addressing two more principles for fighting impatience.
We're examining the issue of when the Church began, and the vitally related issue of the relationship between the Church and Israel.
We're talking about impatience, a pervasive sin in the age of 1-click, instant gratification.
We're concluding our series related to Social Justice, Critical Race Theory, and BLM by shedding a final biblical light on the police, riots, and "justice."
The idea of what the church actually is has changed over the centuries. We're giving a broad outline of how the Reformation affects us, and how we view what the Church is; specifically from Calvin's and the Anabaptist's views.
The idea of what the church actually is has changed over the centuries. We're giving a broad outline of how the Reformation affects us, and how we view what the Church is; specifically from Luther's and Zwingli's views.
We're talking about the doctrine of the church, biblically; a doctrine often complicated by various theologies.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse to use out of context, and it is a popular one to debunk. We are going to debunk how it is commonly used.
We are starting our review of books related to Social Justice, Critical Race Theory, and the Woke Church movement with Jamar Tisby's "The Color of Compromise"
We're continuing our discussion on the Holy Spirit, specifically His work in the lives of unbelievers.
We continue on with the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, and specifically, we plan to begin by talking about the Holy Spirit and Pentecost.
We continue on with the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, and specifically, we plan to begin by talking about the relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
We continue into the sordid mess called Social Justice that is sweeping our nation with a talk on Systemic Racism.
We are now fully immersed in the whole battle and debate surrounding the United States. We're focusing on the idea of what is called “social” justice as opposed to justice.
We jump off into the whole social justice movement today with a brief examination of one of the driving theories behind or underneath it all. The theory of Critical Race. Fun stuff.
We're finishing up our Systematic Theology II with a discussion on assurance and eternal security.
We're introducing our plan to speak into the conversation about Social Justice, as it relates to the church.
Sanctification is a vital part of the Christian life. Many are talking today about conversion, and “coming to Jesus,” but not many pastors talk much about sanctification.
We are carefully dipping our proverbial toes into the boiling waters of Social Justice in this new series; starting with a discussion on voting.
There are many who think you merely need to conform to certain behaviors of a church culture, and when they do this, they think it is evidence they have been truly saved. However, true Christianity necessitates true sanctification.
This is a small foray into a much bigger and complex topic related to the popular cries for social justice.
There is bad thinking out there as to what it means to be converted; in other words: what a saved Christian truly is, and supposed to do.
We're picking it back up with a few more observations about the value and necessity of self-control in the life of a Christian.
We're going through the OT and NT terms for these very important aspects of the doctrine of salvation.
We're making several observations about the value and necessity of self-control in the life of a Christian.
We're talking about Faith - the instrument through which justification is appropriated.
We continue our talk on procrastination with a look at the more serious consequences resulting from this type of lack of self-control. (Joined by a couple special guests.)
It is hard to finish things well. Sometimes, though, we never even finish. To put it bluntly, it is the sin of procrastination. And yes, it is a sin.
We're talking justification. "[It is] the legal change from a state of guilt and condemnation to a state of forgiveness and acceptance; and this change is owing solely to a gratuitous act of God..." - A.W. Pink
Self-control is core issue for many Christians; affecting relationships, marriages, households, finances, etc. Beginning new things is very easy to do, but ending well isn't so easy.
We're giving a brief synopsis of these rather large topics in the doctrine of salvation.
How much authority a pastor has in the private lives of the church members? We're talking about it and how it intersects with the commonly called “gray” areas of life and decisions.
We're discussing the "non-controversial" topic of election, and God's motive and method in mankind's salvation.
What do you look for when deciding if someone is a friend? What should you seek to be as a friend? We're making several points regarding biblical friendship out of the book of Proverbs.
In order to begin to develop the doctrine of salvation, we are going to start with the doctrine of Atonement.
We're moving into the very important doctrine of salvation, and, of course, we begin with a lexical study of Old and New Testament terms.
We're building off our last podcast with the various positions on the doctrine of solidarity in Romans 5.
We're explaining apostasy further by walking through the passages in Hebrews 2 and 3; which can often produce fear upon reading.
We're continuing in our Systematic Theology II, and the Doctrine of Sin; briefly focusing on Total Depravity, and then key scripture texts about Original Sin.
We're continuing our the doctrine of sin with the fall of man: when and why sin entered the world.
We are continuing in the book of Hebrews with the passages on Apostasy in chapters 6 and 10.
We're introducing this short series on apostasy, a prevalent subject in all of scripture.
Though God is beyond our comprehension, He has made Himself knowable in various ways and commanded us to know Him; the greatest revelation being the second person of the Trinity: the Son, Jesus Christ.
We're continuing our Systematic Theology II, and the doctrine of sin. This time we're covering the New Testament terms for sin.
We're now two weeks into the Coronavirus quarantine here in the U.S. The topic is consuming the news and social media feeds, so we're giving it some more thoughts.
Moving on through our Systematic Theology II: we're talking about a massively important doctrine, that being, the doctrine of sin.
As pastors, we frequently get questions about Bible passages that are typically hard to understand. We're discussing one of those passages, 1 John 5:16-17, and "the sin unto death."
Everyone is talking about it, and mass hysteria has ensued; here's our pastoral perspective.
This is a brief follow up episode to the one on Kanye, as these three have been making headlines.
Finishing up our theological anthropology, we're discussing man's essence and make-up; continually viewed holistically in the scriptures.
In the Great Commission, Christ make clear imperatives which every christian must obey. We're talking about just one of these because of a recent sermon series, specifically, the command to "go."
Continuing with our theological anthropology, we're going through the NT terms which describe the aspects of man.
There is a great sin today, but it is an old sin, of merely hearing. We see it much in our circles, as people love to hear a convicting sermon, but then rarely will it result in a change in their pattern of living and walking in a manner worthy.
Continuing with our STII, and specifically theological anthropology, we're going through the OT terms which describe the aspects of man.
Perhaps this is a strange topic to discuss, but it is a very real one for many people. We are talking through John Piper's and Al Mohler's statements on this topic, and then weighing in on it ourselves.
We're tackling this niche topic which has come to the forefront of discussion in our teaching trips to Ethiopia. This is the practice on "Oneness Pentecostalism," but is clearly, and biblically, fable-y.
This is our first episode of our Systematic Theology II. We're intro-ing the doctrine of man with a study of the lexical forms found in the Bible.
We're touching a couple controversial topics: birth control and in-vitro fertilization. Questions concerning these are often directed to a pastor in pre-marital and marital counseling.
We're finishing up demons and our Systematic Theology 1 talking about demons' activity, expulsion, and future destiny.
Should Christians do yoga? We're briefly walking through it's history, and focusing especially on it's spiritual aspect.
As a follow up to out intro to Demons, we're discussing the three major view points of Genesis 6's "sons of god" and "Nephilim."
There are a whole lot of bad reasons people choose a church. We're discussing what to look for and how to pick a truly healthy, biblical church.
We're finishing out our Systematic Theology 1 series with the topic of Demons. Specifically, their existence and terminology.
Family devotions are an incredibly important spiritual discipline, and we want to encourage you to do it.
We're finishing up our talk on Satan. He exists, he is alive and well, he is present and constantly at work, he is evil, and we are not to discount him.
It's a new year! And with the new year, usually comes a new Bible Reading Plan. We're giving you 4 tips to sticking with it all year, and reading the whole Bible. Need a plan? Check out our show notes on faithfable.com
We continue our talk on "tongues" in chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians, perhaps the most misread, misinterpreted, and misapplied section on this topic.
We're continuing in Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians, and discussing the ever misunderstood phrase, "tongues of angels."
Continuing our discussion on the spiritual gift of tongues, we are taking an in-depth look at 1 Corinthians; specifically, chapter 12.
Based on a listener's question, we're beginning this topic with a study of the use of the word "tongue(s)" in the Old and New Testaments; especially, the book of Acts.
We're continuing our Systematic Theology talking about the characteristics of angels, as described in scripture.
We're concluding our talk on women preaching, by addressing a few common - and fabley - arguments approving them.
Next up in our "Systematic Theology": we're talking about angels and demons, and their occurrences in the Bible.
We're following up our talk on Beth Moore with something that seems to be completely ignored in the discussion: the biblical text. Here's our exposition of 1 Timothy 2:8-15.
Proverbs is replete with instruction of men in becoming a wise and godly man and husband. Here's what you should strive to be as a husband, or strive to look for in a husband.
We are reluctant to talk on it, but due to listeners' interest and the media explosion surrounding it: here's our take on John MacArthur/Beth Moore.
Proverbs lays out many examples of a wise and godly wife. Here's what you should strive to be as a wife, or strive to look for in a wife.
You can't talk about Bibliology without hitting Christology and Pneumatology. In fact, having a loose Bibliology leads to errant understanding of Christ and the Spirit.
We're finishing up this series talking about marriage, and the importance of preparing to be a husband or wife.
We're talking about special revelation; in other words: the theology of scripture. The Bible is inspired, inerrant, and authoritative.
It's taken over the headlines for a couple weeks, and everyone seems to be talking about it: Kanye West claims to be a born-again Christian. The news has been met with unbefitting, strong optimism and (discouragingly) pessimism.
This is intro to our next series - which is basically our own Systematic Theology. We're discussing the two aspects of revelation: Natural (General) and Special.
We're taking a few episodes to discuss Sex, Singleness, and Marriage; themes that have recently and continue to come to our attention as pastors.
Our final episode on the Trinity. We're talking about the role and works of the Holy Spirit.
Many reject the deity of Christ because of a confusion between the ontology and the economics of the 2nd person of the Trinity.
The culture we live in represents the idea of "friendship" in an entirely unbiblical way. A true, biblical friend is rare, and to be cherished.
After explaining the ontology of the First Person of the Trinity, we're now explaining His distinct role and activity within the Godhead.
It is important for every Christian to learn theology, and there are many different disciplines of theology.
We're talking about translation equivalency! There are many translations to choose from, but some should be completely avoided.
How can you "know" you have eternal life? By continually testing yourself with a sincere self-examination.
We're focusing in on the second person of the Trinity: the Son - Jesus Christ. The Bible is explicitly clear on the deity of Christ, and His unity and equality with the Father.
We're talking about the pitfall of the "Celebrity Pastor." Many will start well, but few will finish. Be slow to lift up a man as your example.
The Father as God is never debated. However, His character and relationship towards His own as their father can be wrongly unrealized and unemphasized.
Having planted a church, and now starting to train church planters, we've seen the ever growing and changing methods of what a church planter should be. Some are far too removed from Paul's explicit commands.
The God of the scriptures is without question, a triune God. We're talking through several key passages.
It's number one on the prayer request list. It's the most common topic of counseling sessions. Yet, Christ promised it was the means for each of His own to enter His kingdom.
We're back with the Trinity; this time exposing both Old and New Testament passages that emphasize the plurality of God.
“If God is all-knowing, loving, kind, and He possesses all power and authority over all things, and He is the creator: then why is there evil?” This one is all about "theodicy."
We're diving even deeper into the subject of Repentance, as a follow up to Matt Miller's series of recent sermons.
We're tackling two heretical views of the trinity that keep popping up throughout history; in part due to the church's (at large) indifference to doctrine and history.
As a precursor to our next series of talks on the Trinity, we're fleshing out the value of contemplating God, Doctrine, and Theology; along with all of the exegetical support.
This event caused an enormous uproar. But why? We're talking about it, and why we should pray for our leaders and authorities.
We're discussing these fabley sides of the pendulum: hyper-grace and works-based salvation.
Since Limited Atonement is one of the most heavily debated topics in Christianity, we're dissecting the "problem" passages; with a few interruptions along the way.
"Unity" is a very important doctrine with much misunderstanding in the church - and therefore - misapplication.
Church membership has been known to cause theological controversy. But, the Bible is clear, and to not commit to a local church and its leaders is putting your spiritual growth and soul in peril.
As an introduction, we're discussing the many, prominent views on when the Church began.
Everyone agrees that you should read it. Even so, many would not know why, or equally as important - how.
This spiritual discipline can incite much guilt in Christians, yet it (along with Bible reading) is most vital to the Christian's life. We're offering practical ways and resources to improve your discipline of prayer.
Grace is a term that has gathered so many different meanings in broader Christianity, and as a result, been cheapened. So what is the true, biblical definition of "grace?"
In church history, many views have arisen on what Christ did or did not accomplish on the cross. These range from exegetically faithful to down-right fable-y.
There are several reasons to leave a church. More so, there are several ways to leave it well.
The Bible makes the various realities and ministries of the Spirit quite clear, but so often understanding is clouded by emotion. We continue our talk on the Spirit with His distinct role of filling the believer.
As a prelude to "When To Leave A Church," we have to talk about the vastly popular, and unbiblical reasons for leaving a church.
The Bible makes the various realities and ministries of the Spirit quite clear, but so often understanding is clouded by emotion. We continue our talk on the Spirit with His distinct role of indwelling the believer.
An often misunderstood practice, Church discipline has been abandoned by many evangelical churches; to their detriment. We're discussing the basis and founding of this biblical mandate.
The Bible makes the various realities and ministries of the Spirit quite clear, but so often understanding is clouded by emotion. Holy Spirit Baptism is a much confused doctrine in Christendom. Most of the confusion comes from poor understanding of the Biblical languages. It requires critical thinking, and when understood, leads to the very thing so many are pursuing with regard to the Holy Spirit.
In broad Evangelicalism, a distinction is often made between knowing God and communing with God. Especially that there are heightened experiences of communing with God, independent of the believer's knowledge and understanding of God. We're tackling this fable pervading the modern church.
In this conclusion to our discussion of the "Traditionalist Statement of Faith," we discuss the three remaining articles: "The Sovereignty of God," "The Freewill of Man," and "The Great Commission."
"How can I know God's will?" The answer is simple, but every Christian must take it and be comfortable with mystery.
In this second part, we pick up this discussion with the next few articles of the Traditionalist's Statement of Faith: "The Sinfulness of Man," "The Atonement of Christ," "The Grace of God," "The Regeneration of the Sinner," and "The Election to Salvation."
We're picking back up with our discussion on how to make a biblical decision. It's much simpler than we often make it, and freeing.
In the Southern Baptist Convention, there is an explicitly anti-Calvinistic movement, known as Traditionalism. In these bonus episodes, we're tackling (and at times, trashing) the movement's theology by examining each article of its "statement of faith." In this part, we're dealing with the statement's Preamble and first article: "The Gospel."
Life is full of decisions: big and small. As a Christian, you want to be faithful and obey God, but it's hard to know what to do in the scripturally "gray" areas. Before you can know the "how to's" you have to know the "how not to's" which span from bad to evil.
Why a podcast? Why Faith & Fable? We're introducing ourselves, and discussing the only two things that can nourish a Christian: faith and doctrine.