The Bible is not a simple book. It describes God who is, in many ways, a being far beyond our ability to understand. It contains dense eyewitness narratives about earth-shaking events during Jesus’ lifetime. All of this can lead some people to believe that there are contradictions in scripture. In this week’s episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how to make sense of some of these seeming contradictions in the Bible. They also explore what paradoxes exist in scripture that Christians must make peace with through their faith. To mature as a believe, we must learn how to wrestle with these portions of the Bible.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp242c

Simply being sincere in our belief in God is not enough if we don’t actually know what the Bible says and who God is. This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how important it is for believers to know the whole counsel of scripture. If we know who the God of the Bible really is, our faith and spiritual discernment will be strengthened. It’s hard work to grow in our knowledge of scripture and God, but there is nothing more worthwhile in our lives.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp241c

The Bible was created in several literary types of writing. So even while taking scripture literally, believers should understand the modes through which God is communicated his will and commands. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss which literary types are included in scripture and how readers should approach them in order to best understand what God is saying.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp240c

What would a biblical stance on the end times look like? Where does Israel fit into our ideas of God’s people? In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West explore answers to these questions and how believers should approach apocalyptic portions of scripture. Dispensationalism is a popular American view of the Bible, and it offers a very particular interpretation of Israel’s place among God’s people and how to interpret verses about Christ’s second coming. Some dispensationalist viewpoints are less biblical than others, however, and Gary and Joshua are here to define and explore this particular lens on the Bible.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp239c

Who do we say that Jesus is? What do we believe about God’s character and commands? Our most honest answers will reveal a great deal about us and our view of the Lord. This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how our experiences and willingness to study scripture will create a particular lens through which we understand God’s law and nature. As sinful people, we will have incorrect ideas about the Bible and the Lord, but part of our calling to spiritually mature is to identify the assumptions we make when we think about God and challenge them against scripture.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp238c

Believers can choose several different methods to use while they study scripture. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss four different ways to learn more about God’s person and commands in his great letter to humanity. Each of these methods have benefits for understanding the Bible better but also potential pitfalls if they are misused or misunderstood, which Gary and Joshua explore in this discussion.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp237c

We’ve probably all heard a person claim that the Bible says something that it clearly doesn’t. How does this happen? In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss the difference between exegesis and eisegesis. Exegesis is searching for the Bible’s meaning, regardless of what we wish it would say instead. Eisegesis is imposing our thoughts and desires onto our interpretation of the Bible. Reading scripture correctly requires great humility because we must allow God to correct our thoughts about him and his commands. 

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp236c

Simply being sincere in our belief in God is not enough if we don’t actually know what the Bible says and who God is. This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how important it is for believers to know the whole counsel of scripture. If we know who the God of the Bible really is, our faith and spiritual discernment will be strengthened. It’s hard work to grow in our knowledge of scripture and God, but there is nothing more worthwhile in our lives.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp235c

When we hear the word ‘hermeneutics,’ we may be tempted to dismiss it as a term for Bible professors or pastors, but it’s important for all believers. In this week’s episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss what exactly hermeneutics are and how every Christian should know how to use this biblical discipline. As we continue to study scripture and see how it reveals God’s nature, we will find the Bible an increasingly deep and beautiful text.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp234c

Studying the Bible is a key part of believers’ walk with God. How do we read scripture with the most clarity, though, and tune into what God wants as we do so? This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how Christians should approach God’s Word and the tools or methods available to help illuminate scripture. The Bible is the main way that Christians can know God and understand his nature, so it is critical that we develop reliable study habits.

View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp233c