In Proverbs 22:6 Solomon wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go."  We normally focus on the second half of that verse, but I've left it out intentionally this time in order to emphasize the first phrase.  Regardless of the outcome, it is our responsibility as parents to train our children in the way that they should go.  It isn't the county's job.  It isn't the state's responsibility.  It isn't the federal government's obligation.  It is the job of the parents.

But how to go about it?  For some people there are really no ideal options available.   But for many US citizens, there are plenty of options.  I (Dave) personally attended 5 different private schools without ever changing my physical address.  They were not all equal, but they were all doing a decent job at the task of educating the children who were entrusted to their care 5 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On this episode Dave and Patrick are privileged to host a guest who is no stranger at Grace Baptist Church in Hurlock, MD.  Pastor Bill Kruppa is the pastor of Emmaus Baptist Church here in Plant City, FL.  Like Patrick, Bill was ordained at Grace.  But Bill has spent about 23 years as an educator, both in the classroom and at times in administration.  Listen as we discuss the best and worst options for the education of our children in 2021.

Satan was the first critic of the Bible.  But is that really the same thing as being a textual critic involved in collation and/or translation work?  We are all called upon to love God with our minds?  I am commanded.  You are commanded.  I must love God with my mind.

So, we are not expected to check our brain at the door when we enter the sanctuary to fellowship with believers and to worship our Maker.  As you will hear in this episode, God (and the Bible) can certainly withstand any scrutiny we can offer.  Be that scrutiny academic, historic, linguistic or otherwise.

So, how about textual criticism?  Would we have a Bible in our language without textual criticism?  What are the aims of this field of study?

Today Dave and Patrick are joined by Pastor Lee Hughart of the First Baptist Church of Hurlock, MD to talk about the issue of textual criticism as it relates to the Bible in English specifically.  Hope you enjoy this introductory level conversation.

Does the Bible prescribe how we are to "dispose" of the remains of our deceased loved ones?  Is burial required?  What about cremation? 

In Matthew 3:9 we read where Jesus said, "Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."  What does that have to do with it?  Well, the next anticipated event after the burial or cremation or cryonization of a human corpse is the revitalization and resurrection of that body.  And God doesn't need much or even any of our molecular substance in order to bring our bodies up from the dust.  So does it matter at all what we do with the body?

This strange and somewhat difficult issue is addressed in this episode as Dave, Patrick, and a guest pastor try to unpack the reasons behind the decisions we make concerning our own funeral arrangements and the handling of the arrangements of our loved ones after our decease.  The guest today is Bro. Chris Kitchens.  Chris is the pastor of Mt. Olive Church in Cullman, Alabama.  Listen now to this good conversation on the topic of cremation.

Have you ever heard of church hoppers?  Have you ever BEEN a church hopper?  Is this phenomenon OK?  Is it a God thing or is it one of the devil's tools?

And, what about the pastor's role in such activity?  Especially church planters?  Many church planters are perhaps more focused on church growth than any other kind of minister in any other branch of ministry, and rightfully so.  But, does the church planter build with disgruntled saints from other churches, or with baby believers freshly rescued from slime-pits of sin.  Or... can he benefit from both; from both kinds of growth.  Maybe not disgruntled saints, but seed families who are seasoned servants of the Lord leaving one church to bless another - can't that be part of the strategy?  And can established churches send their own members out with a blessing, not just as missionaries, but at participating members?

On this episode Dave and Patrick are joined by a church planter from over in Seaford, Deleware.  Pastor Gil Vargas is the pastor-teacher of Hope Bible Church.  It is a young church plant that is growing rapidly.  Listen as the 3 preachers discuss the challenges and blessings of church planting.

How in the world does a man go from a God-denying atheist to a devoted missionary, passionate about taking the good news of the saving grace of Jesus Christ to the Wolof people of The Gambia in Africa?

Well, his wife's prayer certainly played a part.  And the preaching of the Word was helpful.  But ultimately it is nothing more nor less that the providential purposes and plans of the Almighty that produce such transformations.  God is patient.  But He is also persistent. 

In this episode Dave mostly listens as Patrick shares the story of his journey from being a young atheist to where he is now, a evangel of the Christ!

It is fairly common for outgoing US presidents (on their way out of office) to pardon a few people.  For better or for worse, it is one of many of the checks and balances that was placed (by statesmen who lived before us) into our form of government.  Perhaps we can complain that far to many unworthy criminals receive pardons, but perhaps we should also look in the mirror.  Have you been pardoned?  Were you worthy of it?

My (Dave writing here) favorite verse in the Bible is Isaiah 55:7.  I memorized it when I was in 4th grade.  I was not yet a believer.  It goes like this: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."  Abundantly pardon!?  This implies clearly that God has plenty of "pardons" to go around, and then some.  He has pardons to spare.  What a generous God we serve!

This episode is made up of Dave and Patrick (mostly Dave) talking about God's grace on his (Dave's) life.  From salvation, to spiritual growth, to service in ministry - God's grace has been the key.  And at the forefront of God's grace on Dave's life, is His gracious pardon.  To God be the glory!  He is doing great things!

Church polity can be a sticky and difficult issue; especially if you are called on to try to change it.  Who is responsible for the decision making in ministry?  Is it the pastor? The deacons? The congregation? The trustees? A board of directors? The most influential family? The riches members? The oldest members? The loudest members? The most cantankerous members?  The busiest members? 

There are actually many different models that have been tried.  Most models are grossly flawed and even the best models have certain weaknesses.  So what should we do?  The 3 approaches that seem to be dominant among Baptist churches are as follows: # 1. deacon board run churches, # 2. pastor run churches, & more recently # 3. various attempts at a plurality of elders.

On this episode Patrick and Dave are joined by David's little brother, Stephen, for a discussion on how churches should be governed.  Take you time and listen carefully.  And, give us your feedback as well!