crosswise

We all know the feeling of feeling all the feels. You know, that feeling when something doesn't feel quite right. Those feelings have a place and purpose, but does that place and purpose involve how respond to the gospel?

Well, the doctrine of Sola Feelz, adopted by the modern church of the perpetually offended, says, "if it doesn't feel right, it's not right." But Sola Scriptura (and all the other Solas for that matter), say something else entirely.

In this episode, Ciara and Jessi explore how to manage our feelings when responding to the gospel and that how we share it with others can make all the difference in, and for, the world.

Show Notes:
The Babylon Bee: Progressive Evangelical Leaders Meet to Affirm Doctrine of "Sola Feels" https://babylonbee.com/news/progressive-evangelical-leaders-meet-affirm-doctrine-sola-feels/

Wretched Video: "Tearful Woman Confronts Open Air Preacher" https://youtu.be/mACbV4xweHE

Now, like no other time in history, Christians are faced with deciding whether to follow their conscience or follow the trends.  Between viral YouTube videos and "must-see TV," social media influencers and binge-worthy movie series, our screens have growing control over how we  spend our time.

But, both the content found on these platforms, and the amount of time spent consuming media should give believers pause. Is it appropriate for us to intentionally witness sinful behavior? Is it possible for us to come to a consensus on what kind of media should be avoided by professing Christians? How much time is too much time to spend enjoying the entertainment we do decide to consume?

Ciara and Jessi take on these questions, and so many more in an episode that really comes down learning to overcome the fear of missing out in order to better live out our faithfulness in Christ.

Show Notes:
Christian, What Are You Watching?  by Craig Cabaniss https://www.crossway.org/articles/christian-what-are-you-watching/

Is It Sinful to Watch Sin on a Screen? John Piper https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-it-sinful-to-watch-sin-on-a-screen

1689 London Baptist Confession, Section 21, Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience https://founders.org/library/1689-confession/chapter-21-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/

"Why I Won't Read Fifty Shades of Gray"- Blog post by Jessi http://thisjessibridges.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-i-wont-be-reading-50-shades-of-grey.html

Episode 6: Soul Searching (Our Review of Pixar's SouL) https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/7260562-ep-6-soul-searching

Episode 16: Inadvertent Idolatry https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8193123-ep-16-inadvertent-idolatry-part-1

Episode 31: Garden of Deception: Examining the Growth of Bad Theology on Social Media with Dr. Jen Russum https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8998891-ep-31-garden-of-deception-examining-the-growth-of-bad-theology-on-social-media-with-dr-jen-russum

You've heard the phrase, "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions." This idea proves truer now that we consume so much information on social media, and from influencers who claim to have nothing but good intentions and positive motivations behind the theology they promote.

But, as Dr. Jen Russum explains in this episode, those intentions, more often than not, are leading Christians - especially Christian women - down a road that sounds less and less like they are able to defend a Biblical worldview and instead have bought into the same lies that fooled Eve in Eden not all that long ago.

Show Notes:
Dr. Robb Brunansky: What is Spiritual Discernment? (sermon series) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCzSPA9pRHThwsXaBmYPWKvdk7S1302o8

Alisa Childers and Mike Winger: Answering Progressive Christian Memes https://youtu.be/wVLLuyN-Ezo

Scripture References:
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. I Peter 5:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

The Bible has plenty of warnings about false teachers and how to identify them. Because of its rejection of Scripture, the essence of God, the divinity of Jesus, and so much more, Progressive Christianity can fairly be called a counterfeit version of true Christianity.

But, with all it rejects about the good news of Jesus Christ, what does the movement teach is the gospel? That question, and so many more, are answered in this episode, as Ciara and Jessi wrap up their look at a theology that puts man and his feelings at the center of his worship instead of God and His word.

Show Notes:
The Christian Post: Michael Gungor Fully Embrace Atheism for a Year, Wife Lisa Says  https://www.christianpost.com/news/gungor-i-dont-believe-in-god-anymore.html

Michael Gungor tweet https://twitter.com/michaelgungor/status/1418657203116986372

Michael Gungor IG live video https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRuUNhjgvau/

"Ex-New Age Guru Steven Bancarz Debunks the Universal Christ" https://youtu.be/1AIwGpaNX4Q

Phil Johnson, Social Justice vs. Authentic Biblical Justice https://youtu.be/i-5CkaqCHkU

Tim Challies, What's the Purpose of the Church? https://www.challies.com/articles/whats-the-purpose-of-the-church/

ContendGlobal.com on Jonathan Edwards https://www.contendglobal.com/blog/revival-of-holiness-day-24

Michael Kruger, The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0821X99RM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

Apologetics Resources:
Canon Fodder, Michael Kruger (resources of the origins of the New Testament canon) https://www.michaeljkruger.com/

And book by Michael Kruger https://www.amazon.com/Michael-J-Kruger/e/B001JRX244?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4&qid=1628054952&sr=8-4

Voddie Baucham, Why You Can Believe the Bible https://youtu.be/G1XJ7DeR5fc

Voddie Baucham, Expository Apologetics https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016WOAICW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

Natasha Crain (great for both kids and adults) https://natashacrain.com/resources/

The Truth Project (Focus on the Family) https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/the-truth-project/

Dr. James White, New Testament Reliability Part 1 https://youtu.be/pL0P6sH0cJM

Dr. James White and Michael Kruger on the Biblical Canon, G3 Conference https://youtu.be/LVVRfu1eLSU

In this episode, Ciara and Jessi breakdown the history, the redefinition of biblical terms, and the denials of scripture that all make up the growing ideology of Progressive Christianity.

As Postmodern thought was beginning to take hold in American culture, a concern started rising within Evangelical churches that the message of the bible was being lost. In response, self-proclaimed Christians began "deconstructing" their faith and have since arrived at a new religion that looks and sounds nothing like Biblical Christianity.

In this first part, of a two part look at Progressive Christianity, you'll hear a lot that sounds familiar, and maybe even some beliefs that you hold, without actually knowing how much they depart from orthodox Christianity.

Show Notes:
Episode 26: Mormonism https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8816710-ep-26-counterfeit-christianity-series-part-1-mormonism

Episode 27: Jehovah's Witnesses https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8853258-ep-27-counterfeit-christianity-series-part-2-jehovah-s-witnesses

Episode 28: Catholicism https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8888443-ep-28-counterfeit-christianity-series-part-3-catholicism

From Christianity to Progressive Christianity and Back Again, Alisa Childers and Josh Morris https://youtu.be/mg8nWHXbwyo

5 Counterfeit Truths of Progressive Christianity https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/counterfeit-truths-of-progressive-christianity.html?fbclid=iwar38nd5ry9ahub4y2zrqtydvrw33bmpsw-xm5jedo-tn38_odyl3rvtn5po

Philip Gulley, If the Church Were Christian https://www.amazon.com/If-Church-Were-Christian-Rediscovering/dp/0061698776

Deconstructing Faith https://www.premierchristianity.com/home/deconstructing-faith-meet-the-evangelicals-who-are-questioning-everything/267.article

Joel Osteen on Larry King https://youtu.be/YVvvEDSZuZw

Alistair Begg, Is the Exclusivity of Christ Unjust? https://youtu.be/xTHGbGCeYjU

Ligonier, Penal Substitution https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/penal-substitution/

History Resources:
J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KXK15L8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i1

What Sets Progressive Christianity Apart from Historic Christianity https://youtu.be/1R4zPAoY9yw

Mark Driscoll, A Pastoral Perspective On The Emergent Church https://criswell.files.wordpress.com/2006/03/3,2%20APastoralPerspectiveontheEmergentChurch[Driscoll].PDF

Is it possible that the largest religious organization in the world is teaching doctrines that are diametrically opposed to the doctrines found in the religious text it teaches from? Is it possible that more than 1.1 billion people have been deceived into believing something about Jesus Christ, and themselves, that could actually call their salvation into question despite the fact that they hold many historically Christians beliefs?

Ciara and Jessi argue yes - not only is it possible, but that is in fact what has happened as a result of the false gospel preached by the Roman Catholic Church. This might possibly be one of the most controversial topics discussed to date, but love for the gospel and our Catholic family and friends requires a thorough look at the mistranslation of fundamental Christian truths found within Catholic theology.

Show Notes:
Episode 25: The False Teachings of Steven Furtick https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8778704-ep-25-the-false-teachings-of-steven-furtick

Episode 19: Sex, Submission, and Standing Up to Sin https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8539917-ep-19-sex-submission-and-standing-up-to-sin

Episode 14: God, Government, and Granted Authority https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8105365-ep-14-god-government-and-granted-authority

Ron Rhodes: Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TOCXP6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i6

Reformation21: Always Reforming? https://www.reformation21.org/blogs/always-reforming.php

Reformation Bible College: The Five Solas https://reformationbiblecollege.org/blog/the-five-solas

Trial and Triumph https://canonpress.com/products/trial-and-triumph/

Echoes of the Reformation https://www.christianbook.com/echoes-the-reformation-bible-study-book/brandon-smith/9781430055327/pd/055327

Dr. James White: The Dividing Line on Catholicism https://youtu.be/yI2QWHlT4f0?t=1949

Dr. James White: The Roman Catholic Church and the Gospel https://youtu.be/wYs9ItAS0ZE

RC Sproul: Roman Catholic View of Justification (Part 1) https://youtu.be/O0zU6EXtb0I

RC Sproul: Roman Catholic View of Justification (Part 2): Luther and the Reformation https://youtu.be/N4R5fSfRgQA

Jeff Durbin: Why We Believe- Justification by Faith Alone (Part 1) https://youtu.be/8Xr6OAGlC2s

Jeff Durbin: Why We Believe- Justification by Faith Alone (Part 2)  https://youtu.be/eQryf9SnwVc

John Piper: Where the Gospel of Roman Catholicism Fails https://youtu.be/XGabP7okMkg

John Piper: Does James Contradict Paul? https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/does-james-contradict-paul

John Piper sermon: Soli Deo Gloria https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/soli-deo-gloria

Ciara and Jessi continue their look into other religious teaching that claim to be Christian in nature but are really promoting a false gospel based on a false understanding of Jesus and the saving grace of God.

For this episode, the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witness Church are examined against the Bible. Is it possible for Jesus to be the archangel Michael? Did Jesus rise from the dead in a spiritual way, leaving his body behind? What does salvation look like according to the Jehovah's Witness and does scripture affirm that teaching? Is it really fair to call Jehovah's Witnesses a "cult"?

Check out this discussion for answers to these questions, and so many more.

Show Notes:
Episode 25: The False Teachings of Steven Furtick https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8778704-ep-25-the-false-teachings-of-steven-furtick

Episode 15: Is God a (Wo)Man? https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8151370-ep-15-god-is-a-wo-man

Ron Rhodes: Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WWN5Q2/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i8

ESV Preface https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/preface-to-the-english-standard-version/

Mike Winger: 2 Hours on Jehovah's Witnesses https://youtu.be/tJAZfVcAo1Y

Mike Winger: Jehovah's Witnesses' Beliefs, Practices, and Errors https://youtu.be/lE5KQHf8fX0

Dr. James White: The Forgotten Trinity https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Trinity-James-R-White/dp/1556617259

Effectively Sharing the Deity of Christ with Jehovah's Witnesses https://www.equip.org/article/effectively-sharing-the-deity-of-christ-with-jehovahs-witnesses/

How to Use the Back of a Napkin to Prove to a Jehovah's Witness that Jesus is God: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/how-to-use-the-back-of-a-napkin-to-prove-to-a-jehovahs-witness-that-jesus-is-god/

CARM: Four Requirements for Salvation in the Watchtower Organization https://carm.org/jehovahs-witnesses/four-requirements-for-salvation-in-the-watchtower-organization/

Voddie Baucham: Getting the Gospel Right https://youtu.be/tkd0lQhAYYc

Precept Austin: The Resurrection of Christ https://www.preceptaustin.org/the_resurrection_of_christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - They believe in Jesus and that he died on a cross. They even named their church after him, so they must be just another denomination of Protestant Christianity, right? Unfortunately, no, because the Jesus they teach about, the God they worship, and the salvation they believe in is completely antithetical to everything we read about these things in Scripture.

Ciara and Jessi kick off a new series, Counterfeit Christianity, which exposes the false gospels and the dangerous teachings of some of the biggest churches in the world today, all who have deceived millions of people into following a teaching that denies fundamental truths about God and His Word. These false teachings of the LDS Church are discussed and corrected in this episode which leave little room for misunderstanding.

We know it can be hard to tell someone they are being lied to. It can be even harder to be on the receiving end of that message. But love rejoices in the truth, so it is the truth we preach. And the truth is, followers of the LDS church must repent and come to know the Jesus of the Bible to have any hope for saving grace.

Show Notes:
Ron Rhodes: Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons https://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Mormons-Ron-Rhodes/dp/1565073282/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=ron+rhodes&qid=1625548460&sr=8-12

Gospel Principles https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles?lang=eng

Joseph Fielding Smith: Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith http://www.boap.org/LDS/Joseph-Smith/Teachings/T6.html

Michael Horton: The Indicative and the Imperative https://www.monergism.com/indicative-and-imperative-reformation-view-sanctification

Michael Horton: What is the Gospel? https://youtu.be/caMVMayR690

CARM: The Gospel According to Mormonism https://carm.org/mormonism/the-gospel-according-to-mormonism/

John Piper: What Happens When You Die? https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-happens-when-you-die-all-appear-before-the-judgment-seat-of-christ

Jeff Durbin- street interaction with a Mormon https://youtu.be/d-xjSJKZbPQ

Additional Resources:
Mormonism's Impossible Gospel https://vimeo.com/41845136

100 Verses  for Witnessing to Mormons https://www.aomin.org/aoblog/mormonism/100-verses-for-witnessing-to-mormons/

Mike Winger: Mormonism- Contending for the Faith Conference https://youtu.be/A0Pkt9BCcxk

Scripture References:
Ephesians 3:21
John 4:24
Hosea 11:9
Romans 1:22-23
Psalm 90:2
Isaiah 57:15
Deuteronomy 33:27
Malachi 3:6
James 1:17
Deuteronomy 6:4
Isaiah 43:10-11
Isaiah 44:6
John 10:30
John 14:11
John 1:1, 14
Romans 10:9
Colossians 1:16
Luke 1:31-35
Genesis 1:1
John 1:12 
Romans 8:15
Ephesians 1:5 
Galatians 4:5
Galatians 1:6-8
Matthew 19:24-25
Matthew 13:49
1 Corinthians 3:8
Ephesians 6:8
Ephesians 2:8-9

One of the most frequent warnings we get throughout the books of the New Testament is about false teachers. In fact, Paul included warnings to be on the look out for "wolves" within the church body in almost all of his letters to churches and church leaders in the first century. Heresy was a problem in the early church, and it is still a problem today. In this episode, Ciara and Jessi do the unimaginable in a culture that says "thou shalt not judge," and get specific about the problems with the preaching of Steven Furtick. From outright heresy to drawing crowds in with the appealing Prosperity Gospel, Furtick is guilty of all sorts of biblical distortions and discerning Christians ought to beware.

Show Notes:
Episode 15: Is God A (Wo)Man? https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8151370-ep-15-god-is-a-wo-man

Shai Linne: False Teachers https://youtu.be/KJmcEAwazD0

Steven Furtick: Ghosted https://youtu.be/Tk12DsbkB8A

Steven Furtick: Focus on the Fruit https://youtu.be/QED4Oqd202c

Rob Bell on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday https://youtu.be/EstIjZP0U1c

Steven Furtick: God Promised You the VIctory https://youtu.be/53Kr-_nAmio

The Elephant Room https://youtu.be/JOKceYR4lyE

Young Man Analyzes 10 Hours of Furtick Sermons https://youtu.be/2WQlX_j0wQo

Mike Winger: Identifying False Teachers https://youtu.be/e2jpwEoo8aY

Scripture References:
Acts 20:28-32
Romans 16:17-18
2 Corinthians 1112-15
Galatians 1:8-9
Colossians 2:8, 18-21
1 Timothy 6:3-5
2 Timothy 4:3-5
Titus 1:10-11, 3:10
Hebrews 13:9
2 Peter 2:1-3, 3:17
1 John 4:1-6
2 John 7-11
Jude

Matthew 7:1, 15
Hebrews 13:8
James 1:22-25
Romans 5:1
John 1:1
Romans 6:1-2

We have all done it - looked up our zodiac sign to better understand ourselves. Some have even gotten so enamored with astrology and horoscopes, they use it as a guide for decision making and to prepare for what the future may hold. But, the Bible calls this form of idol worship "divination" and commands we avoid it. So why do as many as one in four Christians still, even innocently, dabble in the study of astrology? In this continuation of their look at the New Age, Ciara and Jessi reveal what God has said about astrology and shed light on the clear distinction between Biblical stargazing and sinful worship of celestial bodies.

Show Notes:
Episode 1: The Influence of Instagram https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/6738559-ep-1-the-influence-of-instagram

Episode 13: Forbidden Series- Fear Not https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8056996-ep-13-forbidden-series-part-5-fear-not

Mike Winger: Why Did Pastor Chuck Predict the Rapture? https://youtu.be/5w9vkMfZudI

Mike Winger: If Jesus is God, Why Didn't He Know Everything? https://youtu.be/Elaup9NKyXg?t=3208

J. Alec Motyer The Prophecy of Isaiah https://www.amazon.com/Prophecy-Isaiah-Introduction-Commentary/dp/0830815937

Voddie Baucham: Why You Can Believe the Bible https://youtu.be/G1XJ7DeR5fc

Ray Bentley: Time To Wake Up https://www.maranathachapel.org/podcast/matthew-251-13-time-to-wake-up

Scripture References:

Isaiah 47:12-14
Daniel 2:2, 4:7
Exodus 7:11
Deuteronomy 4:19
Deuteronomy 18:9-12
Leviticus 19:26
Genesis 1:14-17
Genesis 15:5
Matthew 2:1-2
Daniel 4:35
Mark 13:32
Matthew 24:36-51
Ephesians 5:8-13
1 Thess 5:21-22