Steve and Drew are back at it and this time they're trying to keep you off that pink cloud of cozy Christianity after talking for six episodes about hope. While hope does give us confidence and assurance, Christian Hope does not create a fake world to escape to against the real world all around us. Instead, Christian hope gives us the confidence and the mold to live out our lives as ones who not only look forward to the hopeful return of Jesus but leads us to live the truth of the hope in the right here, right now.

Pastor Steve and Pastor Drew share their final thoughts about the end of things (kind of a pun, right?) by putting the entire discussion into the context of, "Why does this all matter?" By understanding that Heaven is not something to be earned and that God is not destructive, the ideas of stewardship, hope, mission, and service are broached. Looking ahead is not a scary proposition, they'll argue. They go on to discuss the question, "So, what difference can I make now?"

All throughout this multi-stop journey, Steve and Drew have been keeping us close to the text. By starting in Genesis and Revelation, going to I Thessalonians, and now today in Matthew 24. This particular chapter, just as the I Thess. 4 chapter, are often used in the "Rapture Theology" argument that appears often in today's world. By looking again closely at the words, their original context, and even the meaning of the language of the original author, they expose that this passage shows us that being left behind is actually a good thing.

Continuing today the ongoing discussion of "What is Christian Hope?" Steve and Drew take a stop off at Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. They explore and unpack chapter 4 which is often cited as evidence of "The Rapture." By looking at what the text says (and doesn't say) and considering the original Greek language and Paul's historical context, they hope you'll walk away from today feeling a bit more assured of what the Bible says (and doesn't say) about Christian Hope and "Last Things" as part of God's ultimate work of redemption and restoration.

When folks think about "end times" they often flip to the end of the Bible and read Revelation. And while Revelation is correctly placed in the discussion of eschatology (final things), it is often taken far out of its original context and understanding. Steve and Drew look at chapter 1, chapter 5, and chapters 21 and 22 to understand many of the keys to reading this text for all its worth and holding back from reading more into the text than actually exists there.

To continue their discussion of Christian Hope, Steve and Drew pause for a moment to provide a helpful and necessary lens through which to read the Bible's Apocalyptic Literature (Revelation and Daniel, for example). In our world of intriuge, scandal, and doubt, we often get caught in the trap of reading Biblical texts for more than what they're actually saying. By using tools that allow us to enter the world of the original authors, we can understand their meaning without scandal and by allowing us to give honor to what they're saying and from where and when they're saying it.

Last Things...Eschatology...Christian Hope. Many words, same ideas. Pastors Steve and Drew own their own traditions and show that they come from theological places that rarely speak or consider these ideas. However, they jump into the conversation because discussions and ideas of "last things" come up often in discussions of what it means to be a people of God. By starting at Genesis and weaving in some Revelation, they begin to explain how the Story of Scripture is really an interwoven masterpiece that begins and ends in essentially the same place...with Heaven and Earth completely interlocked. Take a listen!

Picking up where they left off last week with the warrior and gym teacher views of God, Steve and Drew this week look at two interrelated but wholly different other "popular" views of God: God the therapist and God the cosmic vending machine. These two have become broadly seen across the culture, in both the church and the broader society, which cause us to misunderstand and misdirect our thinking of God. While last week Steve and Drew saw the "mean God," this week they look at the "nice God." They hope these last two weeks get your wheels spinning and will launch you to reach out and join the conversation @ [email protected].

Steve and Drew address the misguided thinking that we sometimes have about God...that God is an evil, mean, bloodthirsty killer or God is an overly critical gym teacher for whom nothing is ever good enough. This is part I of two where our two resident theologeeks unpack, discuss, and redirect our often misfired views of God. Steve and Drew fully embrace the fact that many of these "missing the mark" viewpoints are generated by bad teaching of the church and today's episode will hopefully and helpfully reorient your thinking of the Divine.

Today's episode takes a bit of a detour from our standard format as Steve and Drew try their hand at roleplay acting. By channeling his former agnostic self, Drew explores very valid questions that folks around us have: Why do I HAVE TO go to church? Why are church people often not at all like the God they worship? And many others! If you've ever heard these questions (or maybe even asked them yourself) then you'll want to join in the conversation.

Remember: Questions and comments can be forwarded to [email protected]