Contending for the Word Q&A

One of the most important truths Christians must understand when engaging New Age beliefs is the biblical distinction between the Creator and His creation. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen examines why Scripture repeatedly condemns the worship of created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). Practices common in the New Age, such as crystal healing, astrology, pantheism, and panentheism blur this boundary by attributing divine power to creation instead of to God alone. Drawing from Romans 1:25, Isaiah 45:5, and John 17:3, this episode explains why God is holy, personal, and distinct from His creation; how New Age spirituality collapses the Creator–creation distinction; why idolatry often masquerades as spirituality; and how confusing creation with the Creator weakens discernment and quietly replaces the gospel with self-centered spirituality. Salvation, wisdom, and eternal life come through Christ alone, not mystical experiences or hidden "divine potential." This episode is especially helpful for Christians evangelizing those involved in the New Age or seeking to guard their hearts against subtle spiritual deception. Key Scriptures: Romans 1:25; Isaiah 45:5; John 17:3 For more biblical resources, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

The book of Proverbs is one of God's most practical gifts to parents. Written as a father's instruction to his son and inspired by the Holy Spirit, Proverbs offers timeless wisdom for shaping a child's heart, forming godly character, and guiding children toward the fear of the Lord. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what Proverbs teaches about biblical parenting. Parenting, according to Scripture, is not merely about managing behavior but shepherding hearts toward Christ. Drawing from Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 4:23, and Proverbs 9:10, this episode unpacks how parents are called to instruct with wisdom, discipline with love, warn against foolishness, and model godliness in daily life. Biblical parenting is heart-focused, intentional, and anchored in reverence for the Lord. Parents are not called to perfection but to faithful obedience, trusting God's grace in the work of raising wise children. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

The gospel is not only the foundation of our salvation — it is the power that transforms every part of the Christian life, including the home. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how the gospel shapes family life by forming hearts of forgiveness, cultivating humility, producing sacrificial love, restoring broken relationships, and placing Christ at the very center of the home. A gospel-shaped home is not a perfect home. It is a redeemed home — where sinners saved by grace learn to live out that grace day by day. Anchored in Ephesians 4:32, this episode offers a clear, biblical, and hopeful vision for Christ-centered family life shaped by the power of the gospel. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why the gospel is transforming power, not mere information. • How forgiveness and humility reshape daily family life. • What sacrificial love looks like in marriage and parenting. • Why reconciliation is essential in the home. • How Christ becomes the true foundation of family life. Stand firm on the Word of God. Cling to Christ. Let the gospel shape every room of your home. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins presents a biblical vision for Christian parenting rooted in Ephesians 6:4. Scripture calls parents to bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Parents are not merely managing behavior — they are shaping hearts with the gospel, forming character through the Word of God, guiding behavior with loving discipline, and modeling daily discipleship in Christ. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A and additional biblical resources, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses one of the most important callings God has given to Christian parents: discipling their children according to the Word of God. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:6–7, Dave explains that biblical discipleship does not begin in the teenage years, nor is it outsourced to the church, school, or culture. Parents are God's primary instruments in shaping their children's hearts through intentional, daily, gospel-centered faithfulness. This episode outlines five essential commitments for biblical parenting: • Teaching God's Word in everyday life. • Modeling Christlike character. • Praying faithfully with and for children. • Worshiping together as a family. • Shaping the home around the gospel. Rather than parenting driven by fear, legalism, or pressure, Scripture calls parents to lead with love, truth, grace, and hope in Christ. Though the fruit of discipleship may not be immediately visible, God faithfully uses ordinary obedience to produce lasting spiritual fruit. Key Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6–7 Parents, you are not discipling your children alone. Christ is with you, the Spirit empowers you, and God is always at work. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

New Age concepts such as manifestation, energy, vibration, and the law of attraction are increasingly being blended with Christian language—but they stand in direct opposition to the teaching of Scripture. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue explains why manifestation theology shifts trust away from God and places it in human will, mystical techniques, and spiritual formulas. Drawing from Scripture and her own testimony, she shows how these ideas blur the distinction between Creator and creation and undermine biblical dependence on God. The Bible teaches that God alone is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Peace, provision, and guidance come through prayer, obedience, and trust in Christ—not through attempting to control outcomes by aligning with so-called universal energies. Key Scriptures: • Proverbs 3:5–6 • Colossians 1:16–17 • James 1:17 • Exodus 7–8 For more biblical resources, visit Contending for the Word Q&A: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Samuel Farag examines biblical salvation and how it relates to the doctrine and teaching of the Eastern Orthodox Church. He explains what Scripture teaches about salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, walking through key passages on justification, regeneration, and the new birth. This episode contrasts the biblical doctrine of salvation with systems that add human works or religious practices to the finished work of Christ. Samuel also offers pastoral guidance on how to think about individuals within doctrinally compromised traditions, emphasizing the importance of gospel clarity, sound doctrine, and belonging to a faithful, Bible-believing local church. Key texts: Romans 10:9; John 1:12–13; Ephesians 2:8–9; Galatians 1; Mark 7. For more biblical resources, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/ Follow and subscribe to Contending for the Word Q&A for more biblical answers to theological questions.

Strong marriages are not built through grand gestures or dramatic breakthroughs, but through daily faithfulness shaped by God's Word. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines five daily habits that strengthen a Christian marriage. Anchored in Romans 12:10, this biblical teaching shows how prayer, kind speech, affection, service, and intentional emotional connection cultivate unity, humility, and Christlike love in marriage. Rather than offering quick fixes, this episode calls couples to ordinary obedience and intentional care trusting God to use small, consistent practices to produce lasting fruit over time. Key themes include: • Why daily habits matter more than occasional big moments. • The role of prayer in cultivating spiritual unity. • Speaking with grace and kindness in everyday life. • Serving one another in love. • Building connection through daily emotional check-ins. May this episode encourage husbands and wives to pursue faithfulness in the little things, remembering that God builds strong marriages day by day through His grace. For more biblical resources and episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Marriage is one of God's greatest gifts and one of His most refining means of grace. Because two redeemed sinners are learning to love one another in a fallen world, forgiveness and humility are not occasional virtues in marriage; they are daily necessities. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins answers a vital question for Christian couples: How can husbands and wives practice forgiveness and humility in a way that honors Christ and builds unity rather than resentment? Anchored in Colossians 3:12–13, this episode explains how: • Forgiveness flows from remembering the gospel. • Humility is expressed through honest confession. • Grace must be extended quickly to prevent bitterness. • Repentance and faith sustain unity and restore trust. If your marriage feels strained or weary, this episode offers gospel-centered hope. The same grace that reconciles sinners to God is the grace that sustains and strengthens Christian marriage. Key Scriptures: Colossians 3:12–13 Ephesians 4:26 For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins presents a clear, biblical vision for spiritual leadership in the Christian household. In a culture marked by confusion and competing expectations, God's Word provides a steady and gracious pattern—neither passive nor authoritarian, but Christlike, humble, and faithful. Anchored in Joshua 24:15, this episode shows that spiritual leadership begins with personal devotion to the Lord and overflows into family life. Biblical leadership includes leading by example, guiding the home with God's Word, initiating prayer and worship, protecting the family spiritually, and cultivating a Christ-centered environment marked by love and humility. This message will help: • Husbands seeking to lead faithfully. • Wives seeking biblical clarity and partnership. • Families who want a Christ-centered home. Key Scripture: Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Stand firm on the Word of God. Cling to Christ. Lead your home with grace and truth. More episodes: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/