Critical Thought

By Noah ChelliahNews Politics

Critical Thought episodes

March 26, 2025God Talk - Dare to Wonder
Critical Thought
March 19th, 2025

This week Paul Knight joins the program and we talk about the role of the Church in their communities, and wondering what God wants to do through His people.

1. Does the Church have an Image Problem
1.1. Key Points
Summit Church in North Carolina is suing Chatham County Board for refusing to re-zone land for their new campus
Preliminary meetings were supportive and Summit was told their plans were consistent with the county's future use map
Various reasons were given for the eventual rejection: the church is too big, would bring in too many non-residents, the church is a "business masquerading as a house of worship," and it doesn't fit Chatham County’s “progressive, LGBTQ-friendly, and openminded atmosphere.
1.2. Discussion Questions:
When the Church's goals are to love God and other people, why is that unattractive to people - something they don't want in their community?
Have you come across the complaint that Church today is too much like a business?
Does the church do a good job loving people who are progressive and LGBTQ?
1.3. References:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/jd-greear-s-megachurch-sues-nc-county-for-religious-discrimination-as-it-seeks-to-expand/ar-AA1A0QvD
2. Christianity and Charities
2.1. Key Points
34% of charities in the United States are religious, an additional 12% are affiliated with religion, 40% of international charities are faith-based
62% of people who attend church regularly vs 42% of people who do not, regularly give to both religious and secular charities
Churches are often community centers for people, providing services like food pantries, medical clinics, and substance abuse programs. 87% of people who attend these programs are not members of the congregation
2.2. Discussion Questions:
Are people aware of the ways Churches benefit their communities?
What types of Church run charities do you believe are most beneficial to the community?
What charities have you had the most fun being involved in, and how would someone volunteer, if they wanted to?
2.3. References:
https://www.philanthropy.com/article/what-philanthropy-and-nonprofits-lose-as-religion-fades
3. Biblical Values and Political Offices
3.1. Key Points
A pastor in Houston criticized a local superintendent finalist for her sexuality during a sermon
He stated his words were not meant to "destroy" her but to encourage her to repent, and that he worried her lifestyle indicated that her views would be pushed in their district
There's currently a community petition with 1,350 signatures requesting he apologize and that the church issues a statement disavowing hate speech
3.2. Discussion Questions:
Would you call this situation an example of hate speech?
Is it ever appropriate to publically speak about an individual's sin?
Can the Church advocate for biblical values without alienating people who hold opposing views?
3.3. References:
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/2025/03/25/516870/deer-park-church-pastor-faces-backlash-after-attacking-sexuality-of-dpisd-superintendent-finalist/
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Special Guest: Pastor Paul Knight.
38 min
March 19, 2025God Talk - What does the Bible say about it?
Critical Thought
March 19th, 2025

This week Paul Knight joins the program and we take your questions.

1. Sanctions on Nigeria for Christian Persecution
1.1. Key Points
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa is suggesting sanctions on Nigeria for Christian Persecution
55,910 people were killed between 2019 and 2023
Nigerian government does not prosecute the perpetrators, typically associated with Islamic terrorist groups like Boko Haram
1.2. Discussion Questions:
Is Christian persecution common worldwide?
Should the US Goverment get involved with measures like sanctions?
What can be done to decrease Islamic / Christian tensions?
1.3. References:
https://churchleaders.com/news/508017-u-s-congress-sanction-nigeria-christian-persecution.html
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Special Guest: Pastor Paul Knight.
31 min
March 12, 2025God Talk - Questioning Faith
Critical Thought
March 12th, 2025

This week Paul Knight joins the program and we talk about people who question their faith.

1. Questioning Faith
1.1. Key Points
Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger announces conversion from skeptic to Christianity
Says he asked a lot of questions and was critical of Christianity as a teenager, ultimately decided on agnosticism
When he got married and had kids, he felt he would die for them (not in his rational self-interest) and came back to faith
"I realized that I would be willing to die for these people… If I was willing to die for my wife and child, then I would be acting in their interest, not my interest… Then I thought, well, if I'm going to throw out that belief, what else was Ayn Rand wrong about?" he said.
1.2. Discussion Questions:
Is asking critical questions of Christianity good or bad for faith?
What can we as the Church do to be prepared when people have questions?
Are there times in their lives when people are more open to re-examening faith?
1.3. References:
https://www.foxnews.com/media/wikipedia-co-founder-larry-sanger-announces-conversion-from-skeptic-christianity.amp
2. Christianity Rates Stabelizing in US
2.1. Key Points
PEW's new study shows that rate of Christianity are stabelizing in the United States over the last 5 years
Rates are increasing in people 18-24 especially
More than half of American Christians reported believing homosexuality should be accepted by society and that abortion should be legal in most cases
2.2. Discussion Questions:
Have you seen more interest in Christianity among young people in the last 5 years?
What do you think leads to this?
Do you think more liberal social views on homosexuality and abortion are related to increasing faith in young people?
2.3. References:
https://ijr.com/young-americans-are-slamming-brakes-on-christianitys-freefall/
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Special Guest: Pastor Paul Knight.
37 min
March 05, 2025God Talk with Paul Knight
Critical Thought
March 5th, 2025

This week Paul joins us from Chicago to talk about the Bible and the role God has for us in our lives!

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Special Guest: Pastor Paul Knight.
43 min
February 12, 2025God Talk | The Bible as a Source of Truth
Critical Thought
February 12, 2025

Pastor Paul Knight from HOPE Church joins us and we discuss using the Bible as a source of truth for life. Does the translation of the Bible you read matter? Does Paul see a role for summary texts / the Bible as a story?

Main Reference(s):
1. Bible as the Source of Truth
1.1. Key Points:
Before the printing press, the Bible was inaccessible to most people.
The average scribe took 10 months to duplicate a bible
The reformers paid a high price for their work.
Wycliff (Bible translator) was anathematized 44 years after his death.
1455 Gutenberg publishes the Gutenberg bible. (Latin Vulgate / "common language")
You start to see people translating and reading English Bible.
That leads to the protestant reformation, and Catholic prosecution of that movement
KJV 1611
47 translators, 7 years
New Testament based on Textus Receptus/Byzantine text type (dated later, fewer corrections)
Word for word, focus on accuracy
As we've continued to discover texts and study we've tried to do it better
Most modern translations based on Codex Sinaticus / Codex Vaticanus / Alexandrian text types
Older, more corrections
NIV 1978
100 scholars
10 years (plus another 10 to plan the project)
Thought for thought, focus on readability
1.2. Discussion Questions:
How has the absence of Bibles to most Christians has influenced Christianity?
Does God word change or is it steady over time?
Do we believe God could have inspired the text but not preserved it?
Do you draw a distinction between casual reading and biblical doctrine?
What do you think of the "read every translation / every text" model and how does that compare and contrast with texts like Deuterocannonical books?
1.3. References:
https://books.google.com/books?id=ZmaOrfp0vBoC&dq=textus+receptus+preservation+bible+passages&pg=PA47#v=onepage&q=textus%20receptus%20preservation%20bible%20passages&f=false
Council of Trent, Seventh Session, Canon 4:
"If anyone says that..,men obtain from God through faith alone the grace of justification let him be anathema."
Declarations of Trent were re-confirmed in the Vatican Council II (Vatican II, Constitutions, Derees, Declarations, P. 77)
Translation: The Church of the time believed the correct Biblical interpretation was that people could not have a direct relationship with Jesus Christ, and instead must go through the Catholic Church.
Luke 2:33 (KJV):
"And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him."
Luke 2:33 (NIV):
"The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him"
This verse taken alond implies Jesus was born through sexual intercourse
2 Peter 1:19 (NIV):
"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
Revelation 22:16 (NIV):
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.
Revelation 22:16 (KJV):
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Isaiah 14:12 (NIV):
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
Isaiah 14:12 (KJV):
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Creates confusion on who the "Morning Star" is
1 John 5:7 (KJV):
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1 John 5:7 (NIV):
For there are three that testify: the sprit, the water and the blood; and these three are in agreement.
Decreases clarity on trinity
Colossians 1:14 (KJV):
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins
Colossians 1:14 (NIV):
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins
Ephesians 3:9 (KJV):
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ
Ephesians 3:9 (NIV):
and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hiden in God, who created all things.
Matthew 23:14 (KJV):
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation
Verse omitted (NIV):
** Revelation 22:14 (KJV):**
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city
** Revelation 22:14 (NIV):**
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Deuterocanonnical Books
Was in some early Bibles
(1611 KVJ)
(Genevia Bible)
Was NEVER to be accepted on the level of scripture.
Was NEVER considered to be inspired.
Roman Catholic church declares that it is.
Douay–Rheims Bible:
Inserted language into translation to justify doctrine.
Matthew Chapter 6:
Wycliff, Tindall, Geneva
"Give us this day our daily bread"
"Give us this day our supersubtantial bread"
Myles Coverdale:
Tyndall gave us the New Testament...
Coverdale takes Tyndall's work adds translations from German and Latin, and makes the first English Bible.
Not from the original language.
John Rogers:
Takes all of Tyndal, has to use some of Coverdale
Finally we have the Geneva Bible - does all the translation from the orriginal languages
Coverdale Bible 1535
Great Bible 1539
The Gun Powder Plot 1605
Elizabeth the 1st died in 1603, Rome wanted a Catholic Monarch on the throne.
Pope at the time sent a Jesuit Henry Garnet. Urged him to ensure no one ascend to the throne unless they declared themselves a faithful Roman Catholic.
James the 1st declared himself a protestant, Rome decided he had to be removed
Guy Fawks
The KVJ Bible:
KJV 1611 Preface to the reader:
(about previous translators...)
"We acknowledge them to have been raised up of God. For the building and furnishing of His Church. Therefore blessed be they and most honored be their name which helpeth forward to the saving of souls."
"The original thereof being from heaven, not from earth; the author being God, not man; the editor, the Holy Spirit, not the wit of the apostles or prophets..."
"Truly (good Christian Reader) we never thought from the beginning, that we should need to make a new translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good one, but to make a good one better, or out of many good ones, one principal good one, that hath been our endeavor, that our mark."
The Translation Method:
A total of 47 translators
7 years
7 men per team
6 teams
3 different cities
Went through every word 14 times...
Each man on the team had to translate a portion of scripture for himself.
(7) - Team of 7 = 7 translations.
(8) - Met as a team, went over together - which one was the best, which was the worst.
(13) - Take what you have, and give it to each of the other 5 teams to look over as a whole.
(14) - 2 from each of the team, went over everything.
Each of the Bishops were given a draft. Everyone in their charge was to go over it and to report that information back to the teams.
Word for word wherever possible instead of thought for thought.
The NIV Bible
1968-1978 - 10 years of translation
More than 5,000 complete or partial manuscripts
100 scholars from 6 countries and 20 denomonations
Intended to be readable, focuses on "thought for thought"
Proceedure:
Initial Translation Team
Intermediate Editorial Committee
General Editorial Committee
Styalist and Critics
Executive Committee
Final Styalistic Review
Executive Committee (Final Reading)
Textus Receptus - Greek New Testament that KVJ
Byzantine 12th and 15th century
-both Erasmus and KJV translators also used Latin Vulgate and quotes from church fathers
-pretty decent document
Codex Sinaticus - Older but has extensive ~14,800 corrections.
Codex Vaticanus - Oldest, mid 4th century, had deuterocanonnical books: (Alexandrian Text Type) Older, nearly complete
-Book of Wisdom
-Ecclesiasticus
-Judith
-Tobit
-Baruch
-Letter to Jeremiah
Relatively careless scribes
Most modern new testaments based on Sinaticus and Vaticanus
Text Families:
Alexandiran (Egypt/dry climate/older)
Byzantine Majority Text (90% of our manuscripts, but most are older)
Special Guest: Pastor Paul Knight.
46 min
February 05, 2025God Talk | Charity and The Church
Critical Thought
February 05, 2025

This week Paul Knight joins the program and we talk Church Charity. The Federal government is winding down aid under the new administration. Some churches see this as a challenge, others see it as an opportunity.

Main Reference(s):
--Lifeway - Reasons People are Leaving Your Church --
Trump has suspended refugee resettlement and funding
Global Friends Coalition $1,200 to each individual, trying to transition to raising private funds like on Giving Hearts Day
Hope Community Care Center is another local charity you can donate to for Giving Hearts Day
Read the entire article at apnews.com

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Special Guest: Pastor Paul Knight.
41 min
January 29, 2025God Talk | Why People Leave the Church
Critical Thought
January 29, 2025

Paul Knight lead pastor from HOPE Church joins Critical Thought to discuss why people leave the church, and what the role of the church is to bring them back.

Main Reference(s):
--Lifeway - Reasons People are Leaving Your Church --
There are people who presume that because the church is an institution, it has negative connotations.
These are people who are only expecting ministry, not participating in it, and who aren’t in community groups or actively involved in the worship at the church.
With these known warnings signs, leaders can do things such as taking members to lunch or to hang out with that person, seeking to get at the root of issues with individuals that can hopefully prevent them from leaving the church.
Read the entire article at lifeway.com

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TAGS: call in show, east grand forks, grand forks, local issues, minnesota, noah chelliah, noah j. chelliah, north dakota, podcast, politics, talk radio
Special Guest: Pastor Paul Knight.
40 min
January 10, 2025Critical Thought 70 | Agristo Comes to Grand Forks
Critical Thought
January 10, 2025

Agristo has selected Grand Forks, North Dakota, as the location for our U.S. production site. Mayor Brandon Bochenski joins Critical Thought to share the exciting story of Grand Forks worked to bring potato farmers together with Agristo and welcome them to our community!

Main Reference(s):
--Agristo Press Release --
Grand Forks, North Dakota, has been selected as the location for our U.S. production site due to several key factors. The state is home to a strong agricultural community with deep expertise in potato farming, offering valuable collaboration opportunities with local stakeholders.
North Dakota’s vast agricultural land and favorable growing conditions proved ideal during extensive tests of potato varieties. These trials demonstrated exceptional potential for optimal crop yield and quality. Additionally, the expansive land and development-friendly policies in the region provide ample room for future growth, aligning perfectly with our ambition to expand as market demand continues to rise.
Read the entire article at agristo.com

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Listen Live Every weekday from 9-12 (CST).
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Special Guest: Brandon Bochenski .
32 min
June 19, 2024Critical Thought 69 - Ham Radio Field Day 2024
Critical Thought
June 19, 2024

Ryan Dickelman joins Critical Thought to discuss Ham Radio Field Day 2024. We take your questions about Field Day and ham radio live on the air!

Main Reference(s):
--ARRL --
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June, more than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.
Read the entire article at arrl.org

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40 min
February 02, 2024Critical Thought 66 - with Mike Fridolfs
Critical Thought
February 02, 2024

Mike Fridolfs, candidate for the Grand Forks City Council returns to Critical Thought to answer your questions, and share more about his vision for Grand Forks.

Main Reference(s):
-- NBC News --
A group of female Pennsylvania voters who backed former President Donald Trump in 2020 and support at least some abortion rights said in focus group interviews that they don’t see their views on abortion as a barrier to voting for Trump again in 2024.
Despite labeling abortion as a top issue facing women in America, most of the women who participated in the two focus groups said they’d back Trump in a rematch against President Joe Biden, explaining that other issues are more important to their vote.
The participants largely refused to hold Trump responsible for the end of Roe v. Wade, though he appointed three of the five Supreme Court justices who backed the June 2022 decision.
Read the entire article at nbcnews.com

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Special Guest: Mike Fridolfs.
39 min

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Critical Thought episodes

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