Bibdig - Christianity for grownups

"What if our father's faith is misleading?" Murray Murdoch, recently retired professor of history from Cedarville University, comes to our microphone to share his story of encountering racist teachings at Bob Jones University, and the the crisis it created in his spiritual growth.

Epistemology is the study of how we know what we know, and in the stories Murray shares, we get insight into the quest every thinking Christian must undertake alone: to build one's own world and life view by the examination of all the evidence available.

George Tabac of Chicago returns to the Bibdig microphone to discuss his take on Ezekiel 39 and Revelation 19 -- the "burning" of the weapons of war meant to destroy Israel, the "burying" of the slain, the destruction of "beast" and "harlot", and the "smoke" that will remain in those system's aftermath. Be prepared to have your assumptions stretched and your worldview rocked. Times of blessing are ahead, when even the bad guys learn from their mistakes.

Carm Luke turns 98 years young in June. She shares her faith -- undinted and undaunted after 80 years of realistic, fact-based devotion to God. Her key emotion? Gratitude. Her ever-present, "can't wait" hope? The kingdom of God upon earth. 

Carm's vision is uncompromising: life and equity for all people. It would not be enough to tell folks the troubles were good for them.  Evil -- actual evil -- was permitted.  Every problem of human history requires a splendid solution if we will all be satisfied that a loving God did the wise and loving thing -- for our good. The deepest tragedies will become the perfect introduction to unbounded joy. In this podcast, Carm shares her excitement that at long last, the darkness will soon come to an end.

Another in a series of "the faith of our fathers and mothers."

The resurrection of all people ... and the blessing of all through two different parts of the seed of Abraham. That's the grand vision we discuss in this second interview of Richard and Shirley Evans of Portland, Oregon. Much of the discussion revolves around his book -- a life-long effort just published: Hear, O Israel (let not your heart faint).

Richard Evans was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force when Owen first met him, and Owen had just filed for conscientious objector status. But they were both baptized the next day, as "Christian soldiers". This interview occurred 50 years later. Now, Richard and Shirley exemplify the "Faith of our Fathers and Mothers". The purpose God has in all his dealings with the human race? Richard describes it as "A Loving Creation."

In this final episode of the Truth-seeking series, we consider the weight of tradition on the search for truth. George Tabac of Chicago joins Owen in a discussion of his 1995 research paper, "The Three Anointings of David".  King David was anointed by the Prophet before he was king, then by his tribe's elders after Saul died and his reign began in Hebron;  then by the entire nation when he set up his throne in Jerusalem.  George shows how each of these anointings revealed the steps Jesus has been taking toward his destiny as King of Kings.

Though Jesus' kingdom was "not of this kozmos" or order of things at his first advent, he rebuked Satan at the beginning of his ministry and defeated him on the cross.
 
Psalm 2 describes the present time, as Jesus reigns among his brethren, the Christians who welcome him as king ... and it won't belong before the entire world anoints him as its monarch when his reign as Messiah is seen and recognized by all. 

The story of David's anointings also reveal the five giants Jesus must face -- Goliath before he becomes king, the Dragon, Beast, and Image of the Beast/False Prophet who deceive and exploit the world in the Book of Revelation, and finally Satan himself whose destruction is promised after the Millennium completes its work of educating and restoring Planet Earth and "ALL" the people who have ever lived .

These insights into history and prophecy serve as the backdrop, really, of the final episode of the "Truth-Seeking" series, and the first installment of a new "Faith of our Fathers and Mothers" series. To be successful in truth-seeking, we need to take a grown-up approach (1 Corinthians 10:15) which considers tradition and learns from the past, but does not fail to discern the mistakes and sins of previous generations. 

George Tabac, a "father of faith" for Owen throughout the last 50 years, shares the wisdom and joy of his search and service for Truth.

Recorded on the eve of the pandemic, this episode features the improv humor stylings of Cassidy Russell, Zeke Blackwell and Vincent Migliore. From Adam and Eve to John the Baptist, these A-list comedians risk their reputations to explore the humor in the holy and profane.

If you think of the Passover as a Jewish thing or even for Christians only, listen to this episode of the Bibdig podcast. Matt Kerry shares dozens of scriptures which show that this little Sunday School story (or Chabad House lesson if you are Jewish) is rich with meaning, and brimming with fresh hope. 

Matt and Owen study what the Bible has to say about this most ancient of redemption stories. To the Jews, the Passover celebration is like Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving and the 4th of July all rolled into one transformative celebration of the past and future!

The night before he died, Jesus chose to spend the evening with his closest friends. He broke bread with them, and gave them a special insight into what that unleavened bread meant to them and to the entire world of mankind. Like the bread that materialized in the night-time, Jesus provides nourishment. Like the matsos eaten by the apostles at the annual Passover celebration, the bread was broken. This symbolized that Jesus' body was shed on their behalf.
In this podcast Todd Alexander shares his understanding of the last supper and its bittersweet qualities. What Jesus was thinking, and the important lessons of humility and service he wished to teach his disciples that night.

This episode emphasizes the element of "communion" or common participation -- the special fellowship of the spirit which all true followers of Jesus share.

Up till now we have looked at the most basic analytical tools of truth-seeking: verifiable facts, observable actions, historical records, logical deductions,  

In that world, journalists and scientists are on equal or firmer footing than Christians who have been taught to distrust those sources, while giving creedence to unreliable 
"faith-based" voices. The result in recent years has been, frankly, a disaster for many Christians. The world needs people who love God to grow up and fact actual facts.

But Truth has many aspects -- so now we slide onto the thin ice where a lot of Christians are entirely too comfortable-- but where every authentic Christian feels some essential guidance. This is the area of the Grace of God -- specifically, the perception that the Man we have never seen is alive, and living in us. This ineffable, immaterial experience is the fault-line between two entirely opposite world-views. And it is a very important part of the confidence that is so maddening to the good skeptics of our time. Christians are confident that we are being heard, and our questions are being answered. 

We fully understand why honest skeptics take a cautionary approach in this area, and recognize the dangers we are facing: self-deception, wishful thinking, overconfidence bias, confirmation bias. 

All of the progress we've been trying to make toward a solid basis of fact can be completely upended by the false hope that comes from misplaced religious "certainty". "Faith" is often mere credulity, a bogus, foolish flight of fancy.

Yet the Bible affirms a special promise: "The LORD advises those who fear him. He reveals to them the intent of his promise." [Psalm 25:14, God's Word Translation]

In this Podcast we are exploring the notion that one very important reason why skeptics are correct to doubt most of what they hear from Christians is that most folks who have jumped on the Jesus bandwagon have not been paying close attention to what the Bible itself says. James T. Burson is one clear voice who is joining Owen in this episode to discuss the clarity of the Bible's promises of reconciliation for all (Colossians 2:10) ... in contrast to the popular Christian narrative which expects most people to be permanently outside of the grace of God.

And so today's podcast is: The Grace of God -- destined to benefit all, but as yet only perceived and received by a few.