LightSwitch Podcast: Recent Episodes
LightSwitch Podcast
Welcome to the LightSwitch podcast by Lumen8 Student Ministries. A place for the skeptic, The Bible believer, as well as everyone in between. As you know, our world is often in the dark. Our hope is to flip the switch on topics surrounding biblical engagement, apologetic arguments, spiritual formation, and emotional wellness. We want Jesus Christ to Lumen8 every aspect of your life so that you can shine the light of Christ in every situation.
Casey Neistat, Mr.Beast, Emma Chamberlain. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Let’s discuss why we as a society are hungry for personal storytelling and how we can understand scripture as an authentic story.
We've got some exciting stuff coming up for the LightSwitch. Make sure to tune into our last episode of season 1, next week, June 7! Have an episode Idea for Season 2 of LightSwitch, fall of 2023? Use the link below to comment and "upvote" other ideas!Slido link: https://app.sli.do/event/8i5hkLniqFpNsYMkbAWoexSlido code (if needed): 1255766Slido will be available May 31 - June 7
In this episode we ask the question, “how do you want to be remembered?” We’ll talk with three people from all different generations to discover the ambition and crisis of living life with legacy.
In this two part episode, we will discuss the compatibility between science and faith. As we discuss origins (part 1) and evolution (part 2), join us as we seek to understand if science strengthens the reasonableness of the Christian worldview or completely debunks it.
In this two part episode, we will discuss the compatibility between science and faith. As we discuss origins (part 1) and evolution (part 2), join us as we seek to understand if science strengthens the reasonableness of the Christian worldview or completely debunks it.
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Stephen C. Meyer, Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe (New York: HarperCollins, 2021).
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Stephen C. Meyer, Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design (New York: HarperCollins, 2009).
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Stephen C. Meyer, Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design (New York: HarperCollins, 2013).
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Douglas Axe, Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life Is Designed (New York: HarperCollins, 2016).
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William A. Dembski, The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance through Small Probabilities (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998).
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Lee Strobel, The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004).
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J. P. Moreland, Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).
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John C. Lennox, Can Science Explain Everything? (Denmark: The Good Book Company, 2019).
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John C. Lennox, God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? (Oxford, England: Lion Books, 2007).
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Fazale Rana, The Cell's Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator's Artistry (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2008).
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Fazale Rana, Creating Life in the Lab: How New Discoveries in Synthetic Biology Make a Case for the Creator (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2011).
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Phillip E. Johnson, Darwin on Trial (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993).
We want to help students and families live for the glory of God NOW - not after college or during retirement. Therefore, in this episode we talk about 10 characteristics that help us have a lasting faith.
Resources Mentioned:
10 Characteristics of a Lasting faith survey & results:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R2MXyNpcl9YbaILfl9PjeK4OKAJY8udvpeDU7aOExbE/edit
Recalibrate: A New Measure for Family Ministry, Rob Hunter
In our last Lectio Divina of Season 1, Matthew and Erin bring us a reading from Ephesians. This week we "switch" how we explain and prepare ourselves for the text. So sit back, take a breather, and listen to God's word for you!
The world defines love either in sentimental or sexual terms. The Bible has an incredibly different definition. We want to flip the switch on the ideas of love and sexuality and bring something that brings value to the human rather than sees them as a commodity to be used and discarded.
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25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask about Love, Sex & Intimacy , Dr. Juli Slattery
Brainheartworld.org
Fight the New Drug Stats
Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture - Sean McDowell
Holy Sexuality - Christopher Yuan
Why God Cares Who I Sleep With - Sam Albury
Building For Freedom & Subsequently Walking In Freedom, Troy Haas
Know. Be. Live. - Ed. John D. Basie
Strange New World - Carl R. Trueman
The Secular Creed - Rebecca McLaughlin
10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity - Rebecca Mclaughlin
Confronting Christianity - Rebecca Mclaughlin
Why Does God care who I sleep With? - Sam Allberry
ˆThe Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in its Proper Place, by Andy Crouch.
How do you make decisions? Maybe you go to a trusted family member or friend, maybe you make a “pros & cons” list, or maybe you live to take risks. Whatever it looks like, what does scripture have to offer us? Let's see what the biblical idea of decision making looks like, and how we can make the wisest and most prudent decisions as we move through life. _____________________________________________________________________________See Gary Friesen, Decision Making & the Will of God.
"How is it possible for Christians to claim to follow a loving, kind, and merciful God when they "believe" he "sends" people who don't believe in him, to hell?"
Is He loving & kind if this is true? Does He "send" people to hell? Join us in today's episode as we tackle this tough topic of Hell within the Christian worldview. Just remember, "No one is forced to go there, by the grace of God, no one is required to go to hell." - Randy Pistor.
For further discussion or questions feel free to check out our Church's Website: Keystonechurch.us or contact Pastor Matthew at Matthew@keystonechurch.us
Bellow is list of resources we reference throughout this episode.
- Systematic Theology, by Wayne Grudem
- Lexham Bible Dictionary, S.V. “Hell”
- Why Does God Allow Evil? by Clay Jones, see esp. “Is Eternal Punishment Fair?”
- Systematic Theology In 1 Volume, by Norman Geisler
- Jesus Story Book Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- Bible Project Summary Video on Leviticus: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/leviticus/
- Case For Faith by Lee Strobel, quoting JP Moreland “God wouldn’t send people to Hell.”
- Philippians 2.10-11 - Every tongue will confess and every knee will bow.
In this Easter season what better words to read than the very words of Jesus. It is by him and the historical fact that he no longer occupies a hole in the ground, that we have the hope we have. We declare, "He is risen" and therefore we "go and do not let (our) hearts be distressed or lacking in courage of any kind." We hope you've enjoyed these readings! Please like, subscribed and share with a friend.
Reading Music by Matt Crigger
Outro Music by Acreage, "Only"
LightSwitch is on the road this week! This episode features various conversations from students at Indiana Wesleyan University. This is going to be a FUN episode!
As we dialogue we dropped a couple of resources we think it would be worth investigating further. Check them out below:
- Link to 10 Thought distortions: https://www.mindmypeelings.com/blog/cognitive-distortions
- Book reference:
- The Coddling of the American Mind, Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt
- Finding Quiet, J.P. Moreland
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, PeterScazzero
- J.J. Heller lyrics from “He Already Knows” https://open.spotify.com/track/4zcMBfbQZvBSHQBGDd6gsN?si=78a5dcb3077243ac
What are you supposed to do with the bible? In this episode we will adventure through one woman's engagement with the bible throughout every season of her life. We too can be deeply encouraged to read, learn, and live out Gods word no matter who we are, what circumstance we are in, or how we feel.Book mentioned:How Not to Read the Bible, Dan Kimball
Whether it is inventing the iphone, getting into college, achieving the next level of a video game, or striving for a promotion, all of us want to pursue excellence. All of us want to be excellent. But at what cost? In the pursuit of success, let's learn how to shape our priorities, live healthy with others, and find freedom in our eternal purpose.
Link to Elizabeth's fund w/ "The Salt Company": https://saltglobal.gomethod.app/!/29473/treeline-1/participants/305725/donate
Three temptations: "I am what I do (Performance)" pg. 50-51 & "I am what I have (Possessions)" pg. 51-52 & "I am what others think (Popularity)" pg. 52-53
aEmotionally Healthy Spirituality - Peter Scazzero
John 1.14 says Jesus came in the fullness of truth and grace. What is authentic friendship? How do we live authentic lives with authentic friends while in a world that displays everything as plastic, fake, and glamorized.
Come hear from Grant Armstrong, former student now international pastor, who speaks with Daniel about their friendship and how it shaped them to be the godly men they are today.
A reading from Colossians 1.27-29. Take 15 minutes to just pause and reflect on the word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal in your heart and mind the convictions of his word to challenge, change, and encourage you toward Godly living.
Subway. We know it, we eat it, we hate to love it. The smell is palpable and the tuna is questionable (So, is there former spokesperson). How does a fast food chain relate to human telos? Why do we think our humanity is similar to “building a custom sandwich?” Grab a sandwich and let’s talk.
Areas of Discussion / Study:
Beneficial vs. detrimental subjectivity, relativism, human purpose in the Christian worldview. Primary Question: What does it mean to live an authentic human life?
Some further resources:
Biblical Critical Theory - Christopher Watkin
The Return of the God Hypothesis - Steven Myers
Reasons.org - Reasons To Believe - Hugh Ross
Why Does God Allow Evil? - Clay Jones
We all know those people and situations that bring out the worst in us. Before we kill relationships, how may we welcome the Holy Spirit to change us so we may love and serve better? In this episode join us as we discuss what areas in our life we hold resentment, entitlement, and bitterness. Perhaps death to self may lead us to feel the freest we’ve ever felt.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don't believe in God because ____(fill in the blank).” Join us as we explore some “problematic” verses in the bible, their context, and the ways we may understand the true character of God.
What is stopping you from running the race so well? Today's reading comes from Galatians 5:5-10. It is an amazing question to continually ask our selves. What or who is hindering my growth and walk with Jesus?
We hope you guys enjoy this reading.
"What is happening in our world?" If you have ever asked this question, if you have ever wondered why you feel misunderstood, why people seem to be so divided and so antagonistic toward each other. Then this is an episode will help you understand. Check out this episode on Postmodernism why it is so important that we do not establish our own domain.
Areas of Discussion / Study:
What is postmodernity? How did postmodernity come to be? What are some untruths society adopts in a postmodern world? Why is truth “inconvenient” and what does it require of us in a world of convenience, entitlement, and relativism?
Resources:
- Christian Apologetics, 2nd Ed., Douglas Groothuis,
- Philosophical Foundations of A Christian World View, 2nd Ed., by William Lane Craig, JP. Mooreland,
- Evidence that Demands a Verdict, 2nd Ed., by Josh & Sean McDowell
- Biblical Critical Theory: How The Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sens of Modern Life and Culture, by Christopher Watikin.
- Christian Theology, 3rd Ed., by Millard Erickson,
- The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, by Carl R. Trueman
Do you constantly feel stress? Do you often procrastinate or act out in anger? Is an ideal weekend spent in a dark room binging netflix or at a coffee shop with a friend? Human beings are emotional and reactionary, so how can we better understand our body and brain? How may we form an emotionally aware & mature relationship with God and others? Let's discuss how we can make the best of our emotions before our emotions get the best of us.
Areas of Discussion / Study:
Mental / spiritual health, polyvagal theory, personal storytelling
Do you constantly feel stress? Do you often procrastinate or act out in anger? Is an ideal weekend spent in a dark room binging netflix or at a coffee shop with a friend? Human beings are emotional and reactionary, so how can we better understand our body and brain? How may we form an emotionally aware & mature relationship with God and others? Let's discuss how we can make the best of our emotions before our emotions get the best of us.
Areas of Discussion / Study:
Mental / spiritual health, polyvagal theory, personal storytelling
For our Bible Engagement episode we are tackling a major question. How is it that Jesus is truly God and truly man? We have our resident smart guy, Randy Pistor to join us as we tackle this hard topic in order to help us engage our bibles more.
These are a special type of episode surrounding the concept of Spiritual Formation. This is an ancient practice of simply reading scripture (Lectio - Reading & Divina - Devin/Sacred; Thus Sacred Reading). This practice isn't any thing special other than merely listening, meditating and resting in a single passage. This is a great practice to center yourself around God's word for the day. We hope you enjoy these as they will be the first episode each month to place a focus on God's word, his world, and his will in our lives.
Music provided by Matt Crigger
Hey everyone we are excited to walk through what it means to be the light of Christ in ever situation. This is our first episode!! Join Daniel, Pastor Erin & Pastor Matthew as we dive into the topics of Biblical Engagement, Apologetic Arguments, Spiritual Formation, and Emotional Wellness (B.A.S.E). Looking forward to posting every Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM a different episode touching on our B.A.S.E. topics.
Check out our LinkTree here: https://linktr.ee/lumen8students
Hey everyone we are so excited to start this journey with you. Please join us in 2023 as we dive into what it means to turn the lights on for those who want to follow Jesus in a dark world.
Follow and subscribe via our linktree here: https://linktr.ee/lumen8students
Welcome to the LightSwitch Podcast. What are we doing? Who are we? Why are we doing this?
Meet Daniel (Student Ministry Pastoral Resident), Erin (Asst. Student Ministry Pastor), and Matthew (Youth and Family Ministry Pastor), from Keystone Church with Lumen8 Student Ministries.