Plain Bible Teaching Podcast: Recent Episodes
Plain Bible Teaching
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about the Sabbath law and whether it is something that Christians should keep today. If not, are there any principles from it that will help us in our service to Christ? We’re going to discuss this in today’s episode. Find the script for this episode […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re re-releasing an episode from a few years ago. In it, I was joined by my good friend, Kristofer Gardana, and we discussed preachers and how often they should preach. This was prompted by an article suggesting that “pastors” should preach no more than 40 weeks out […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about arguing over the Scriptures. It can be very profitable at times to discuss and debate what the Bible teaches. Then there are other times when these discussions turn into unprofitable arguments. We’re going to talk about some points today that will hopefully help us […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about income inequality. Many people see this as a problem, and will sometimes even use the Bible to argue for governments to enact laws that would confiscate the wealth of the rich and redistribute it to the poor. Does the Bible call for something like […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about how Christians should dress for worship services. In many ways, our culture in the United States has gotten much more casual over the past few generations, and this includes the way we dress. This trend toward more casual attire has made its way into […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about a statue that has caused quite an uproar on social media. The statue is made of gold and depicts President Trump. Many are calling this idolatry, just like the golden calf or the golden image made by Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3. Well, is this […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about whether or not women can be preachers. This is a controversial topic in the religious world. As the roles for men and women have become increasingly indistinguishable in our society, it is no wonder that many religious people believe there is no reason why […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about the decline of church membership in the United States. Those in younger generations are less likely to be a member of a church or other house of worship, even those who claim to be religious. What is behind this decline? And why should this […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about an event in Peru where Franklin Graham preached to 90,000 people, which reportedly led to thousands of conversions. That sounds great, right? It does until you know about the message being preached. It is not the same gospel message that the apostles taught in […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about AI and how it will impact work in the future. Already, AI could put some technology workers out of business. But as it becomes more capable, how many other industries could be included? More specifically, for us in the church, could AI replace preachers? […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about the invitation that is offered at the end of a sermon or gospel message when a church is assembled. Is this something that we have to do each time we assemble? Or is it a man-made practice and unnecessary in every circumstance? We’re going […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about whether or not a preacher needs a sabbatical. These have started to be talked about more in the religious world – particularly for those preachers/pastors who work with larger (and wealthier) churches. It refers to the practice of giving the preacher/pastor an extended break (often […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about why religious debates are less common today than they used to be. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it was fairly common for preachers to be involved in formal, public debates. While these still happen occasionally today, they do not occur nearly as often […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about a modern-day false prophet who has incorrectly announced the date of the rapture TWICE in a two-week period. False prophets have been doing this for years. Yet they still amass a following. Why? Why do some people have such an interest in knowing when […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about building a modern-day theocracy. Is that something we should be hoping for and working toward in the United States? Is it even possible? If not, what should we hope for in terms of the country’s direction? We’re going to discuss that in this episode. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about the Biblical plan for dealing with criminals. Whenever the news reports on a particularly gruesome crime (often a murder) that should never have happened, people wonder why it happened and how something like that can be prevented in the future. Thankfully, the Bible provides […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about how people in the United States view divorce. On one hand, there are people calling for the end of “no-fault” divorce laws. On the other hand, society as a whole would like to make it easier to obtain a divorce. Well, what does the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about marriage and whether it should be expected for Christians to marry. Statistically, the age at which Americans first get married is rising. For various reasons, marriage is being delayed or avoided altogether. Should it be this way among God’s people? Should the young people […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a pastor of a church in Florida who was deported earlier this month after living in the United States for more than twenty years. Many are not happy about the current administration’s efforts to deport those who are in the country illegally. The plight […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about cohabiting young adults and the church. A study found that nearly 3 in 5 adults aged 18 to 44 have lived with an unmarried partner at some point. What happens when a couple in this type of living arrangement comes to the church where […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about how the local church affects our health. A report from the Hartford Institute on Religion Research focused on this topic as it related to “clergy” or “pastors,” yet there may be a sense in which all members of a church could potentially be impacted. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about whether or not the Bible is for us. Most Bible-believers will probably answer, “Of course, the Bible is for us.” Yet not everyone who claims to be a Christian would agree. A recent video from a denominational “pastor” argues that the Bible is NOT […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about those who might be labeled as “conspiracy theorists” and whether they can be reached with the gospel. It has been reported that Joe Rogan, a popular podcast host known for embracing or entertaining conspiracy theories, has recently been attending church services. Could someone like […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about whether schools are “parent-free zones.” A recent court ruling suggested this is the case after allowing a school to hide information from the parents of a girl who “changed her gender identity…while at school.” This is an important story for us to consider, especially […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about topical preaching. Many have become critical of this type of preaching, especially compared with expository preaching, which many believe to be superior. However, topical preaching is good when done right. At the same time, there are plenty of ways that expository preaching can be […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about empathy. I recently read a new book by Joe Rigney – The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits. This book has received a lot of criticism because, in our society, empathy is seen as being unquestionably good. But is it? Or is it possible […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about church buildings. In the previous episode, we discussed the disappearance of kitchens from church buildings. But what about the building itself? What should a church building look like? What may it be used for? And how do we raise money to pay for it? […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the decline of kitchens in church buildings across the country. This used to be a controversial topic among brethren in previous generations, but now it seems that it is becoming less common in the current generation. I saw an article this week that discussed the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about a controversial email that government employees received this past weekend telling them to reply back with a list of things they accomplished last week or be fired. People have some strong opinions about this, and I think it is good for us to think […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a new app that has been developed by a pastor that has an A.I. version of himself available to respond to people and even pray for them at any time. It is, in essence, their own “personal pastor.” This may be an amazing use […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about what people look for in a new church (and the answer may surprise you). Obviously, we are not to compromise the truth or leave the pattern found in the New Testament in order to attract more people. But it is helpful to understand where […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the most popular verse on the YouVersion Bible app in 2024. Given the current state of the world, it’s not surprising when you find out the answer. However, it’s one thing to look up a verse in a Bible app and another thing to […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about seasons. The previous episode was released on Thanksgiving day, which is the start of the “holiday season” in the U.S. That got me thinking about the seasonal nature of life. I don’t mean what we typically think of – the “stages” of life (youth, young […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the reasons to be thankful as a preacher. If you preach, it is good to be reminded of these points from time to time because sometimes the work can be discouraging. But also, if you don’t preach, the points we’re going to discuss today […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re asking the question, “Did God put Donald Trump back in the White House?” In the previous episode, we talked about some things that have not changed (and will not change) since the 2024 US Presidential election. When I recorded that, we did not yet know the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about what hasn’t changed since the election. This episode is being released two days after the 2024 Presidential election in the United States. It is being recorded the night of the election before we know all of the results of the voting. But regardless of […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a woman who is a “pastor” of a church, and is charging women up to $17,000 a year to be part of her “inner circle” of friends. As you can imagine, there have been some strong reactions to this. I thought it would be […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the number of weeks out of a year that a preacher can preach a “truly great” sermon. A popular pastor recently claimed that the number is maybe 20-30 a year. Yet what makes a sermon “great”? And does a sermon have to be “great” […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about how Christians can engage in business out in the world without compromising our convictions. This topic is inspired by the news this week regarding the Colorado baker who has repeatedly been targeted for refusing to bake cakes that conflict with his religious convictions. The […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about how our culture has changed to the point that no one wants to WAIT for anything. People, in general, are more impatient than ever, and this has a negative impact on our health, finances, relationships, and even our spiritual well-being. In this episode, we’re […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about some recent comments from the Pope in which he claimed that ALL religions are paths to God. He said that different religions are like different languages that people might speak, but they all arrive at the same God. We’re going to talk about this […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the struggle that many preachers have with time management. The work of preaching is obviously important. Therefore, it is important that we dedicate time to it and use that time wisely. We’re going to talk about what that might look like in this episode. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the size of churches and whether or not a church can become “too big.” In a recent video, a “megachurch” pastor charged those who are critical of larger churches as being “hypocrites.” Why did he say that? And why would anyone think that a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about Christians and voting. This is an election year in the United States, so people are talking a lot about WHO or WHAT to vote for. It is certainly a great privilege to be able to vote to hopefully influence the direction of the rulers […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about churches facing a decrease in giving. One of the major factors leading to this is the high rate of inflation we are currently experiencing in this country. This is affecting every household, so it makes sense that it would also affect local churches that […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the “most important” part of our worship. If you ask many brethren what that would be, they may answer, “the Lord’s Supper.” I have heard this comment made on multiple occasions: The Lord’s Supper is the most important thing we do in our worship. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a recent comment made by Tim Walz, the Democrat nominee for Vice President, in which he likened socialism to neighborliness. I try not to get into political discussions on the podcast, but comments like this attempt to equate this political ideology with the teachings […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, we’re talking about TITHING. Is this something Christians should be doing today? If not, what should our giving look like? Is there an amount we should be giving to the church? We’re going to consider these questions today. [YouTube video to be posted soon] Related material: Using […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about using the internet to teach the Bible. Many churches, preachers, and other Christians are doing this today. Yet there are still many others who are not. Perhaps they don’t think it’s a worthy endeavor. Or maybe they just don’t know how to start. We’re […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the number of people who live a “double life” online. In other words, the way they portray themselves online is different from how they behave when they interact with people in person. This is much more common among younger generations, but it is an […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a new mandate that will require the Bible to be taught in public school classrooms in Oklahoma. For years, we have heard of the Bible, prayer, and anything pertaining to religion disappearing from the public sphere in this country. This seems to be an […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about how the type of preaching done by the apostles in the first century, and the type of preaching we need to do today, will sound very different from the type of preaching that is typical in the religious world. Our preaching needs to be […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about church mergers. It seems to be more common today to hear about two different congregations joining together to become one local church. Why is this becoming more common? And are mergers like this a good idea or bad idea? We’re going to talk about […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the dangers of preachers attending a Bible college. Many brethren rightly point out that there is no requirement in the New Testament that preachers attend a “Bible college” or receive some formal education before they can preach. Yet even with that disclaimer, many assume […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the first “pride” march in recorded history. These marches have become all too common in our society. As the practice of homosexuality has become normalized, we see people around the country accept, celebrate, and promote it (especially during “pride” month). Yet long before the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the warning for Christians to not be “bound together” or “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth. What did he mean by it? And how does this apply to us today? We’re going to consider this passage in our […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the decline in memberships of denominations throughout the United States. In an interview on the Pro Church Tools podcast, researcher Ryan Burge said, “The future of American religion is the death of denominations as we know them today.” Would this be a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about preaching on the topic of grace. Do we preach on that enough? Or is it, as some claim, a neglected topic among brethren? There are some terrible consequences that come if we do neglect this subject. We’re going to notice what these […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the decision by the United Methodist Church to lift the ban on ordaining clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.” Not only did they decide to allow this, but they did so by an overwhelming majority with a 692-51 vote (93%). There are […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about preachers and their work with a local church. I recently joined brother Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba, a gospel preacher in Nigeria, for a series of video interviews discussing the work of a preacher. These three videos are on his YouTube channel, but he […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about mass baptisms that are being planned in Florida and other parts of the country. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of baptism (and we’ll discuss why in this episode), so does that mean that mass baptisms are a good thing? Not necessarily. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the Bible as a practical book. On this podcast, we try to focus on what the Bible says and how we can apply it. Why do we do this? Because that is how God expects us to use His word. Related material: […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week, I just wanted to send out an update to the podcast listeners (and viewers). It’s been six weeks since the last episode was released. I decided to take a break to think about the best way to move forward with the podcast. I collected feedback […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the problem of “instant evangelism.” Of course, it is possible for someone to be converted quickly. However, we need to be careful that we do not have an expectation to see a proper response to the gospel before a person has a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a controversial Super Bowl ad from the group “He Gets Us.” The commercial shows various people washing the feet of others, many of whom are usually depicted as being at odds with one another in our society. The commercial ended with these […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about sports gambling and the number of Americans who are expected to bet on the Super Bowl this Sunday. We talked about this topic two years ago (just after the Super Bowl) after over 30 million Americans placed a bet on the Super […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about those who find the Bible – particularly the writings of the apostle Paul – to be offensive. In a recent video, a woman who is a “pastor” in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America explained during a service that they skipped over some […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for January. In this episode, we’re talking about whether people tend to show more empathy for animals than for other people, euthanasia for those with a “completed life,” and a Satanist’s “prayer” at a county commissioners’ meeting. STORY #1 […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the increase in sales of the “morning after pill” following New Year’s Eve. This drug is taken by a woman in order to abort a child who may have been conceived after engaging in unprotected sex. For many people in the world, […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the state we find ourselves in at the beginning of this new year. This world is full of problems. Society is becoming more godless, which means that there is more hostility and animosity toward those who claim to be Christians. The news […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about a law in Mexico that would allow people to “renew” their marriage every few years. If they did not renew their marriage, they would be considered “divorced.” There may be a lot of people who […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the return of COVID. There has been a lot of talk lately of a new variant, mask mandates, and lockdowns. We went through all of this three years ago and it seemed like we were able to put this behind us, but […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for July. In this episode, we’re talking about Richard Dawkins’ recent comments about transgenderism, a new app that lets people “text with Jesus,” and the number of Americans who have tried marijuana. STORY #1 – ‘Sex Really Is Binary’: Richard […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the percentage of Protestant pastors who believe there is a growing sense of fear within their churches regarding the future of the nation and the future of “Christianity.” Why is that the case? What is causing churchgoers to be fearful? Is that […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a term that has become fairly common in our current culture – “victim mentality.” What does this mean? And is this mentality compatible with the life of a Christian? We’re going to consider that in this episode. “Victim mentality is an acquired personality […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about UFOs and the possibility of alien life forms visiting earth from other planets. Recently, some military officials testified before Congress about the U.S. Government’s cover-up about UFOs and other information they had collected related to that. If it turned out to be […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for July. In this episode, we’re talking about the a university where 40% of the students identify as LGBTQ, how men are “less satisfied” when women are the breadwinners in their home, and countries where the younger generation is […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about social media and the way others respond to the religious content we might post on there. Many Christians use social media, at least in part, to share content that contains a religious message (articles, images, videos, etc.). However, […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the Chinese Communist Party testing a new app that requires citizens to pre-register in order to attend a religious service. This would enable them to limit the number of people who can assemble at a given time. Of course, this also […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about a man who was arrested at a “Pride March and Rally” in Reading, Pennsylvania. The reason? He stood across the street, on a public sidewalk, holding a sign that referenced a Bible […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for June. In this episode, we’re talking about the decline in membership among Southern Baptists, fewer people believing that homosexuality is moral, and the link between alcohol and cancer. STORY #1 – Southern Baptists Decline in Membership, […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the Southern Baptist Convention voting to prohibit women from serving as “pastors.” Even though much of the religious world has followed along with society in blurring the distinction of roles between men and women, an overwhelming majority voted […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who shared a social media post that was deemed offensive by LGBT promoters and supporters. Not long after he was coerced into making an apology, he was cut by the team. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about an alleged miracle that took place at a Catholic Church in Connecticut. This was said to have taken place as they were administering the eucharist which, according to Catholics, is a miracle […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the instruction for Christians to pray for those in positions of civil authority. We often talk about this as one of our responsibilities toward our rulers, but why is this so important? Part of the reason has to […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for May. In this episode, we’re talking about an LGBTQ group pushing for “change” at a Christian college, a claim that prayer regrew a woman’s toes, and the reason why a porn site has decided to […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a group of “pastors” who were protesting lawmakers in North Carolina over legislation that would protect unborn babies from abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. They claimed that Christians should support a woman’s “freedom” to have an abortion. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about a public school teacher who was reprimanded for including a Bible verse in her email signature. This is another example showing how our society is becoming more hostile toward God and His […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about comments from the pope about Hell. In a recent interview, the head of the Catholic Church claimed that Hell was not “a place,” but was “a state of the heart” and “a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for April. In this episode, we’re talking about a survey indicating that believers in God are the happiest people in the U.S., the declining number of “born again Christians” who believe Jesus lived a sinless life, […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m going to share some thoughts on three books I’ve read recently. The three books all deal with the topic of social media. This relatively new technology has saturated our culture to the extent that it is difficult to imagine a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about a megachurch that is facing a lawsuit because they were forcing staff members to tithe 10% of their wages to the church. Not only does this story bring up the issue of […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about Easter. This Sunday is Easter Sunday, which means churches across the country and around the world are preparing special services and events in celebration of this holiday that supposedly is to remember the resurrection of Jesus from the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for March. In this episode, we’re talking about the recent Nashville school shooting, the connection between drinking alcohol and one’s sense of purpose, and what changed Rick Warren’s mind on women leadership in the church. STORY […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about preachers and how often they preach. This was prompted by an article suggesting that “pastors” should preach no more than 40 weeks a year. As we consider this in terms of a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about how obsessive news consumption can lead to physical and mental health problems. With a 24-hour news cycle and information about events around the world available to us instantly at our fingertips, this is something we need to be […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about the declining trust in pastors. According to a Gallup survey, fewer people would rate pastors and clergy as having a “high ethical standard and level of honesty.” Why is this the case? […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about a recent editorial in The Christian Chronicle about a “preacher shortage” in churches of Christ. Whether this is something we have seen personally or not, it does cause us to consider the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the “Asbury Revival.” This “revival” or “awakening” began with a chapel service at Asbury University on February 8th and turned into a period of non-stop worship ever since. However, at the time of this recording, the plan from […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week I’m joined once again by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about some comments made by the pope in which he condemned the “serious sin” of “proselytism.” What did he mean by that? Is it anything like evangelism, or is it something […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about evangelism and social media. Recently I had an opportunity to join brother Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba – a gospel preacher in Nigeria – for a discussion on his YouTube channel on this topic. The episode today contains a portion of our […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the future of religion in America. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, those who profess to be Christians may be in the minority in fifty years. I talked about this in an episode a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for January. In this episode, we’re talking about the Cambridge Dictionary changing the definition of “woman,” the generosity of those who are more engaged with the Scriptures, and a bill that could outlaw pornography. STORY #1 […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the death of Pope Benedict XVI. The former pope passed away on December 31st. He resigned in 2013 – the first pope to do so since the early 15th century. Of course, many people are taking this time to […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the lottery. The Mega Millions jackpot, at the time of this recording, is at $1.35 billion, and it will go even higher if there is no winner after the drawing this Friday. When the jackpot gets insanely high […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS With the start of the new year, we tend to look ahead over the next twelve months to see what we can improve, how we might change, and what goals we want to hit. In the episode last week I talked about some […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about four areas of focus for the new year. Obviously, if we need to change our focus or make resolutions, we can do this ANY time. But the start of a new year can provide us with an extra […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about churches canceling services for Christmas. December 25th falls on a Sunday this year. And while most churches in the religious world place a special emphasis on this as a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, there are […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to talk about assisted suicide (also called “medical assistance in dying”). This is a practice that is rapidly expanding in Canada after the country legalized it a few years ago. With the way our culture continues to devalue human […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about a street preacher in the U.K. who was charged with violating the Public Order Act by citing a Bible passage about homosexuality. The prosecutor claimed that such passages are “no longer appropriate in modern society.” Unfortunately, he’s not […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This episode is our monthly news roundup for November. In this episode, we’re talking about the number of same-sex couples in the U.S., the calls for a Supreme Court Justice to recuse herself from an LGBT-related case, and people finding purpose in their […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This episode is being released on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving as a holiday is traditionally a time to spend with family and sharing a good food together. However, the basic premise of Thanksgiving is that it calls us to remember the blessings that God has […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the Bible and whether it is still relevant in our modern world. It is sometimes amazing to this just how different our world is today compared to how it was a hundred years ago – or even ten years […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about voting and why Christians choose how they will vote. I am not going to try to persuade you to vote a certain way – after all, this episode is being released after the election. However, I do believe it […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about modern-day idols. We often think of “idols” in terms of “graven images” made of stone or wood, yet anything that would replace or challenge the place of God in our hearts is an idol. A survey was conducted […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of October – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’re talking about what happens to your body when you stop drinking alcohol, the number of women who were raped and regretted the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about how marriage is the foundation for society. Unfortunately, many young people are not only not being taught about God’s design for marriage, they are being encouraged to engage in behaviors that are contrary to God’s will and detrimental […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about money. For some people, making money is their number one goal in life. For others, money is viewed as something that is evil and is a corrupting influence on the one who possesses it. But what does the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about seeking meaning in life. Everyone does this, but how is it different during the age of smartphones, internet search engines, and social media? We will consider that in our episode today. STORY – People Seeking Meaning and Purpose on […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of September – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’re talking about generosity among Christians compared to non-Christians, the Satanic Temple suing Indiana over their abortion law, and the head of the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the diminishing number of people in the U.S. who claim to be Christians. This is nothing new and we’ve discussed this before on the podcast. However, a recent study suggested the possibility that “Christianity” could become a minority […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about the number of churchgoers who support or oppose same-sex marriage. We might expect that there would be less support from church members than those who are in the world. However, there is a significant difference among churchgoers depending […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re talking about women in leadership roles in the church. Can a woman fill any role in the church? Religious people have different opinions on this, but what does the New Testament teach? We’re going to consider that today. STORY – […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the student loan debt forgiveness plan announced last week. This is obviously a politically-charged topic and a lot has been said about it from that angle. However, we’re going to take a different approach and […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of August – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about the number of women who have lost access to abortion, idolizing pets, and reading on paper vs. reading on screens. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about a man suing the national health care provider for his body-altering transgender surgery that he was pressured into having without consideration of his mental health. There are some important points to consider with this story, […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week, instead of a regular episode, I’m going to be sharing the audio from a sermon I preached recently for the congregation where I preach regularly – the Eastside church of Christ in Morgantown, KY. The sermon is titled, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about two things that can help keep us from unhappiness even when we face difficulties and challenges in life – marriage and the church. This is based upon research and it is not a coincidence; rather, it […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of July – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about the declining number of Americans who believe in God, the Church of England’s claim that there is “no official definition” […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about hope. In particular, we are going to see how reading the Bible leads to people having more hope. There’s a good reason for this, and it also explains why those who reject or ignore the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the U.S. government providing funding to promote atheism worldwide. This, of course, has led to some political debate; but that’s not why we’re talking about it here. I try to steer clear of politics on […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about some “pastors” who are responding to abortion now being illegal in their state by driving women across state lines in order to obtain an abortion. Why would a “pastor” do this? And why do abortion […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which ends federal protections to the practice of abortion. This is a monumental step in ending the practice of abortion in this country. We talked about […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about a group that is launching a series it has titled, “Queering the Bible.” The purpose of the series is to take a new look at the gospel through the lens of those who are part […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the largest Mennonite denomination in the country voting to approve same-sex marriage. Of course, many denominations have been doing this over the last few years; but there are a couple of significant points in this […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the sex abuse scandal within the Southern Baptist Convention. After mentioning this briefly a couple weeks ago in our monthly news roundup, I wanted to spend some more time talking about it because there is […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about pride. Yesterday was the first day of June which, in our society, has come to be known as “pride” month – a time to celebrate the practice of homosexuality and transgenderism. It is fitting that “pride” […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of May – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about overturning same-sex “marriage,” the pope declaring ten new “saints,” and the new abuse report about the Southern Baptist Convention. STORY […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the level of commitment among church members toward the work of the local congregation. A survey of “pastors” found that the vast majority of them said that “apathy or a lack of commitment” is the primary […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The draft opinion that was leaked indicates that the Supreme Court may be ready to strike down the ruling that gave federal protections to the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about a woman who married her cat. Obviously, the Bible’s teaching on marriage pertains to this. As our society continues to move further away from Biblical principles on marriage, we should not be surprised by stories like […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of April – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about how people view life after death, a state that has blocked abortion access, and young people who are leaving social […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week’s episode is going to be a little bit different. Rather than talking about a specific news story or article, we’re going to be talking about a particular concept that is popular in our society today. It is the idea that we […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about social media. Like it or not, this is something that is not going away. So it is important that we understand it enough to use it for good and try to keep from being negatively […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about a church announcing that it is “fasting from whiteness” for Lent. If you are curious what in the world that means, we’re going to talk about it in this episode. And even though nothing like […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of March – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about how politics has affected churches coming out of the pandemic, another church leaving the global Hillsong Church, and defining what […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about churches offering a money-back guarantee on your tithing. A Chicago-area church has recently made an offer to its congregants that if they tithe for one year and they are “not fully satisfied” with the results […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the reason for the declining birth rate in the United States. We may immediately assume that the reason why people choose not to have children is because they cannot afford to raise them. Yet a […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the connection between one’s psychological well-being and the recognition of one’s accountability before God. People talk a lot about mental health these days. Though this may come as a surprise for some, knowing that we […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Why did Vladimir Putin start a war with Ukraine? Is this part of the Bible’s “end times” prophecies? Is God actually behind all of this? There are a lot of […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of February – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about the group who are most likely to still be missing from the local church, the number of babies born to […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the rise of sports betting and its impact on how religious people view the issue of gambling. The Super Bowl was played this past Sunday and billions of dollars were wagered on the game. Religious […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the hyper-personalization of social media. Social media, by the way the apps and algorithms are designed, provides a different experience for each user. No two people on social media, even if they are using the […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the opinion of Evangelicals about Israel. Traditionally, Evangelicals have generally regarded modern-day Israel as God’s chosen people. Yet that seems to be changing with the younger generation. We want to consider what the Bible has […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of January – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about conforming our beliefs to political parties; choosing pets over babies; and the number of children who are victims of sexual […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about how to be faithful disciples in our digital society. A few days ago I finished reading the book, Faith for Exiles: 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon by David […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about the difference between right and wrong. Can we know the difference between the two? Or is it difficult or impossible to label most things as good and evil? Our society is split on that question. […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This past Sunday, I was visiting at the Spring Park church of Christ in Heber Springs, Arkansas and had the privilege of presenting a lesson that morning. The lesson was a study of Jeremiah 17. In studying that text, the lesson also touches […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This is the last episode for the month of December – time for our monthly news roundup. In this episode, we’ll be talking about the recent tornadoes in Kentucky, a baby who set the world record for the most premature infant to survive, and […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about social media censorship. Many Christians believe this to be a major problem – perhaps even THE major problem – with social media. While censorship is a matter of concern, should we think of it as the biggest […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about where people find meaning in life. Everyone needs to have a sense of purpose. Where do people look to find this? Where should we be looking? It’s important that we understand why we are here […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week’s episode is going to be a little bit different, though still somewhat related to the theme of “current events.” The day this episode is being released is Thanksgiving day here in the United States. Thanksgiving is a reminder to be thankful […]
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS This week we’re going to be talking about a new policy in some cities around the country in which they are offering bereavement leave for employees who had an abortion. I first saw this on Ken Weliever’s blog – The Preacher’s Word – and we’ll […]