A Biblical Frame: Current Events in Perspective

Hello and welcome back to A Biblical Frame. With the busyness of the end of term crunch for many of us, our regular recording session was postponed. However, there is good news in store. Today we have our episode discussing technology and the church and next week we will release a special bonus episode discussing the prophetic words of C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton.

In this episode, we wanted to discuss the nature of technology and, to a degree, the relationship between technology and the church.

Since March 2020 churches have rushed to digital forms of many historic Christian practices. Since the mandates for churches arrived so quickly and changed so often many pastors, priests, and church leaders did not have the capacity or time to think biblically about the nature of these changes. We hope that this podcast today does some of that work.

“As I look at what Scripture says about technology, and as I look at the way it drives us to be discerning, I believe Scripture says this: technology, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad; it is a tool. But, to what end? If to God’s ends, it is good; if not, it is bad.” - Ed Gerber

How can technology help the church? This podcast (and many others) are a testimony to the benefits of modern digital technology. But live-streamed worship and sacraments? Gatherings over zoom? Does that benefit Christ’s beloved bride? Lord willing, this podcast helps you think biblically about technology and the church.

Thanks for listening.

Links from the show:

Transhumanism and the Canadian government

Technopoly by Neil Postman

Hosts:

Ivan DeSilva, MDiv, ThM, Instructor in Religious Studies, Trinity Western University, Pacific Life Bible College

Jens Zimmermann, PhD, JI Packer Chair of Theology, Regent College

Stephen Dunning, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Trinity Western University

Curtis Meliefste, MDiv Student, ACTS Seminaries

Greg Gerber, EdD, Associate Dean, Instructional Technology, NYIT

Producers:

Curtis Meliefste, MDiv Student, ACTS Seminaries

Welcome to Episode 5 of A Biblical Frame. This week we welcome back Dr. Bruce Waltke and welcome Dr. Stephen Dunning to the show.

We’re back on the topic of truth, what is it and how can we find it. In a world swirling with legacy or mainstream media and new alternative forms of media many people are left wondering how can they know what is true and what is not. How can we be wise about wading through the information fog surrounding current events today?

“The connection between wisdom and truth is this: the wise person lives in truth, that is the wise person puts the parts of reality together into a meaningful whole that corresponds to the truth of reality.” - Jens Zimmermann

We’ve launched a YouTube channel where all the video versions of new episodes will be live. Audio versions will still be posted through Substack and available on most podcasting apps.

Hosts:

Ivan DeSilva, MDiv, ThM, Instructor in Religious Studies, Trinity Western University, Pacific Life Bible College

Jens Zimmermann, PhD, JI Packer Chair of Theology, Regent College

Stephen Dunning, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Trinity Western University

Bruce K. Waltke, Professor Emeritus, Old Testament Studies

Producers:

Curtis Meliefste

Greg Gerber, EdD, Associate Dean, Instructional Technology, NYIT

Welcome to episode 4 of A Biblical Frame. Today we welcome Old Testament scholar Dr. Bruce Waltke and Professor of Economics at Simon Fraser University Douglas W. Allen to the show to discuss truth.

It has been a common experience in the last number of years to disagree with one another on what we might hold as true. This is not unique to the past 2 years of our Covid lockdown world but the conversations surrounding Covid have shown the fissures surrounding truth in our relationships.

In this episode, we explore how we might come to know and live by the truth. The media cycle whirls around us at astounding speeds and we are left wondering what is true and how should we live.

“When you hear God’s word, do it. And don’t listen to somebody else if God really is clear to you; you are responsible before God for yourself. Be sure you are open to hear whatever it says, even if you don’t like it.” - Bruce Waltke

Links:

Covid Lockdown Cost/Benefits by Douglas W. Allen

Covid Facts for Ordinary People by Douglas W. Allen

Propaganda by Jacques Ellul

Hosts:

Ivan DeSilva, MDiv, ThM, Instructor in Religious Studies, Trinity Western University, Pacific Life Bible College

Douglas W. Allen, PhD, Professor of Economics, Simon Fraser University

Bruce K. Waltke, Professor Emeritus, Old Testament Studies

Producers:

Curtis Meliefste

Greg Gerber, EdD, Associate Dean, Instructional Technology, NYIT

Welcome to Episode 3 of A Biblical Frame. Today we take up the topic of resistance.

It is shocking how much Canada (and the world) can change in the 3 weeks since our last episode and simultaneously stay the same.

Trudeau has dealt with the “fringe minority” in Ottawa, Russia has invaded Ukraine, provinces and territories across Canada have begun to lift restrictions and yet the church is still being torn apart by restrictive covid policies. Pastors, priests, and parishioners everywhere are wondering if and when Christians ought to resist them. 

“So why do we resist? Well, we resist not only to push back the evil, and immediate harms that go with it, but we also resist the evil things sinful people do as a loving warning to them in order to win back sinners for God. Issuing warning to those who think they will be able to escape from the inescapable God is a form of love. This is why the prophets thunder with words and actions of resistance; because to resist in this way is a form of love.” - Ed Gerber

In this episode we welcome back Douglas Farrow and host Michael Rectenwald as a special guest. You will hear some prepared thoughts from each host as well as free-flowing conversation. To read more from Douglas or Michael please click the links below.

Douglas Farrow’s Anarchy from Above: Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3

Michael’s Living in the Age of Covid: "The Power of the Powerless

Thank you for listening. Please share this with anyone who you think might benefit. The mission of A Biblical Frame is to offer theological and Biblical insight into the effects of Covid policies on the life of the church.

Hosts:

Jens Zimmermann, PhD, J.I. Packer Chair of Theology, Regent College

Ivan DeSilva, MDiv, ThM, Instructor in Religious Studies, Trinity Western University, Pacific Life Bible College

Douglas Farrow, Professor of Theology and Ethics, McGill University

Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D, Chief Academic Officer at American Scholars; Former NYU Professor; and author of eleven books, including Thought Criminal, Beyond Woke, Google Archipelago, Springtime for Snowflakes, and others

Producers:

Curtis Meliefste

Greg Gerber, EdD, Associate Dean, Instructional Technology, NYIT

Welcome to Episode 2 of A Biblical Frame.

In light of the worldwide wide ‘trucker’ protests and convoys that are calling out for freedom, we felt it pertinent to discuss freedom from a biblical and theological perspective.

We are very thankful to have Douglas Farrow, Professor of Theology and Ethics at McGill University in Montreal join for this discussion.

“We may think that when following pandemic rules we love our neighbour and we preserve, at least, the freedom of gathering for worship. In effect, however, we have already given up freedom because our choice is no longer linked to truth. Are we surprised that division and hatred have seeped into our churches over the mandates? Calling compliance an act of love that is bereft of truth leads to division. True Christian discipleship requires us to hold together freedom, love, and truth and only when we do that can we follow Christ freely and responsibly.” - Jens Zimmermann

Please leave a comment below if you have a question and share this with anyone who you think will benefit.

Later this week we will send another update with the full video of the podcast. In light of the news coming from Ottawa this morning we wanted to get this podcast out as soon as possible.

Thank you for reading A Biblical Frame: Covid in Perspective. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Thank you for listening. Our hope and prayer is that these episodes, however sporadic they come, benefit you and benefit the bride of Christ.

Hosts:

Hans Boersma, PhD, Saint Benedict Servants of Christ Chair in Ascetical Theology, Nashotah House Theological Seminary

Jens Zimmermann, PhD, J.I. Packer Chair of Theology, Regent College

Ivan DeSilva, MDiv, ThM, Instructor in Religious Studies, Trinity Western University, Pacific Life Bible College

Douglas Farrow, Professor of Theology and Ethics, McGill University

Producers:

Greg Gerber, EdD, Associate Dean, Instructional Technology, NYIT

Curtis Meliefste

Welcome to A Biblical Frame. This is a spontaneous project that arose from a group of pastors and theologians who recognized the great need for theological direction for Christ’s church in Canada.

Canada has faced totalitarian restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. While there may have been a time to acquiesce to the provincial health officers, that time is coming to an end and the church needs help.

In this first episode, (bios below) Ed, Hans, Jens, and Ivan discuss fear. What ought the Christian really be afraid of? Should we fear covid?

Thank you for listening. Our hope and prayer is that these episodes, however sporadic they come, benefit you and benefit the bride of Christ.

Hosts:

Hans Boersma, PhD, Saint Benedict Servants of Christ Chair in Ascetical Theology, Nashotah House Theological Seminary

Jens Zimmermann, PhD, JI Packer Chair of Theology, Regent College

Ivan DeSilva, MDiv, ThM, Instructor in Religious Studies, Trinity Western University, Pacific Life Bible College

Producers:

Greg Gerber, EdD, Associate Dean, Instructional Technology, NYIT

Curtis Meliefste