In this episode, Craig and LaDonna Smith continue to dig into the doctrine of Demonology as they further unpackaged biblical truth about all things supernatural.  Because of the strong ties many Indigenous cultures have with the unseen world, it's crucial for the follower of Jesus Christ to be fully aware and fully prepared to understand how to battle the supernatural while embracing the supernatural things of God at the same time.  The Smiths delve into some of the important lessons they have learned in their over forty years of serving Christ on how to confront the demonic world.  Many cross-cultural workers have not been well trained in deliverance ministry and the Smiths offer some practical basics to help equip God's people for works of this kind of service to the communities they serve.  Craig ends the episode with a provocative question of his own,   "Can the Christian be demon possessed?"  The answer?  Stay tuned!

In this third episode on the doctrine of Demonology, the Smiths help us understand what the Bible has to say about both unclean spirits (demons), and the holy and righteous angels that worship God continually and attend us as assigned for our protection, help, and benefit.  The current dwelling place of Satan and his fallen angels (demons) are here on earth with us.  We are not alone!  Their future dwelling place has already been determined by God, and that is in eternal torment in a place the Bible calls the Lake of Fire.  Though never created by God for mankind, this same destiny is awaiting all those who reject the free gift of salvation through the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross.  The current dwelling place for the holy angels of God is heaven, but they navigate back and forth from heaven to earth when on assignment by God for the benefit, protection, and care of God's redeemed people.  Their final destiny is glorious, in that they will be joining God's redeemed people around the Throne of God in heaven as we together continually worship the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!  Can you imagine what heaven will be like when this amazing window into the future the Bible offers us becomes our reality!?  Truly Amazing!  This is an important episode not to be missed as the Smiths continue to unpackage the all important doctrine of Demonology.  It's relevant to a vibrant Indigenous Faith because Indigenous cultures often include a deeply entrenched embrace of the supernatural.  How we as Indigenous believers in Christ navigate through this life that is shared by the unseen world is crucial in developing a God honoring faith that is centered on the authoritative and informative Word of God!  We give you part 3 of our Sorting out the Supernatural  teaching on this episode of Indigenous Faith!

In this second episode of the series on the theology of Demonology, Craig and LaDonna Smith continue to take listeners to the Scriptures which provides all of mankind an understanding of God's views of Satan, his demonic forces, and how they have taken all cultures away from truth as revealed in the early part of human history when there was one people, one nation, and one language.  Scripture tells us that in the last days, there will even be those who depart from true faith and instead follow doctrines of devils!  It's easy to become deceived if we do not allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly.  In this episode the Smiths talk about how evil spirits can and do become attached to sacred objects through animistic rituals and prayer, and what happens when the follower of Christ takes these items to themselves, bringing them into their homes and personal lives.  These people then realize the strong power of these supernatural beings as they begin to manifest  themselves in the lives, homes, and possessions of anyone who compromises biblical faith by embracing these items.  Craig and LaDonna conclude this episode with one of the most powerful encounters they have had in their over four decades of marriage with these powerful forces, and what steps they took to become free from its attacks.  It's a remarkable story that you won't want to miss.  So welcome to this second installment of Sorting out the Supernatural  as the Smiths seek to help build in you a rock solid and strong Indigenous Faith! 

In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna Smith felt the need to move away, for the next few episodes, from their biblical response to the Redeeming of Culture's statement that defines what these teachers contend to be their new and improved  methodology to reach Native American and First Nations people with the gospel.  Because the Smiths included in their responses in the past few episodes a surface level discussion on the issue of spirituality and how it affects Native cultures, they felt now is the time to do an important but much deeper study into the doctrine of Demonology.  In this way, listeners will be given a much more detailed look into the spirit world, who Satan is, what are angels and demons, and answer the question, are there both good and bad spirits?  All along, providing a biblical perspective on the subject.  Human cultures differ on their beliefs in the supernatural.  Some embrace the unseen world as real and active, while others do not, passing off the unexplainable as merely superstitions and far fetched fables.  But God's Word doesn't!  Be sure to tune into all the upcoming broadcasts of Sorting out the Supernatural as we all seek to build a strong Indigenous Faith!

In this, their last episode addressing the first part of the quote defining the Redeeming of Culture's philosophy, Craig and LaDonna Smith offer their biblically based response, based exclusively in the Scriptures and from human history as the gospel spread around the world, eventually reaching the shores of Native North America some 500 years ago.  When North American Indigenous people come to Christ, do they have to abandon all their cultural and traditional ways, only to be replaced with Euro-American cultural practices, as what the Redeeming of Culture movement contends?  In a revealing look at European cultures, the Smiths unpackage historic animism among many of these nations before coming to Christ.  Indigenous people, like all cultures worldwide, need to evaluate their cultural and religious practices in light of God's Word, and not human philosophies.  The Scriptures are authoritative to the believer in Christ, regardless of ethnicity and sin-stained cultures that mark and shape every human being before coming to Christ.  Everyone from every culture, biblically speaking, is called by God to abandon any allegiance to the false gods and sacred objects of their ancestors, if they are to live biblically healthy lives.  You don't replace your sin-stained culture with the sin-stained culture of another people group, but embrace a whole new way of living that is outlined in the pages of God's Holy Word! This important Setting the Table series is critical to understand all the rest of the Indigenous Faith teaching that the Smiths will be presenting in upcoming editions of this podcast, and can be found in Craig's insightful Indigenous Faith book, and his six-part DVD and Audio CD teaching series.  All these helpful tools are available at their website's online store.  You can find them at tribalrescue.com.  Craig and LaDonna pray that these foundational truths will be understood and embraced by you, dear friend, as you seek to discover the principles of living out a God honoring Indigenous Faith.

In this third installment of Setting the Table of Christ and Culture, the Smiths delve into the third part of their four part response to the introductory sentences shared several years ago in a quote that has brought so much confusion to the Native evangelical church in North America.  There's so much to say, from God's Word, in speaking to the claims of this quote, and Craig and LaDonna plan to stay on it by staying in it (God's Word), to clarify what God's Word has to say.  In today's episode, Craig begins to address three key misstatements made in only the first few sentences.  Is this statement just another opportunity for the Whiteman to tell the minority people how wrong they and their ways are and how they need to become more like them?  Or, is there some deeper theological issues that once clarified, will shed light on false statements that are rooted in misconceptions about Christ and culture.  In fact, as Craig shares, In God's eyes, it isn't a cultural issue, it a sacred object issue that Scripture confronts.  And that issue is true for every culture, be it Red, Yellow, Black or White.  These next episodes are going to be foundational to present true Indigenous Faith, as outlined from the pages of God's Holy Word!  Come prepared to have your assumptions challenged, as God's Word speaks to us all from its timeless pages...

In this, the second episode of the Smith's biblical response to a provocative quote that has brought much confusion to the evangelical Indigenous church, Craig and LaDonna  go right back to the authority and words of Scripture to address the issue of the totality of mankind's depravity.  Red, Yellow, Black and White are, as the old Sunday school song says, not only precious in God's sight, but also estranged from the very One who created them as God gave the whole world over to a depraved mind, caused by the universal curse of sin.  Because of that reality, there really aren't any privileged cultures, at least in God's eyes, but equally in need of a Savior.  When the Smiths share what Romans 1 describes as how communities and cultures are impacted by that depravity, we soon learn that passage could be speaking about any community in the world, be it urban, rural, tribal, or even high end wealthy.  These building blocks of truth continue to help Indigenous believers build their house of faith upon a firm foundation.  Keep pounding those nails, putting up those walls, ceilings, and appliances that result in a house built upon the Rock (Christ Jesus)!

In this episode, Craig and LaDonna Smith begin the process of addressing from God's Word the provocative quote that encompasses teaching that sounds right out of the playbook of the current culture's war on the Whiteman.  The Smiths make it abundantly clear where they stand on these issues while asserting that all cultures operate from the same playbook of fallen humanity when it comes to racial and social injustices.  But the issue is much deeper for North America's Indigenous people, because included in the debate is Christianity itself and its impact on North America's First People.  Does the Bible teach the abandonment of all cultural ways of all human cultures?  Craig Smith gives biblical clarity to this issue.  Has historical Christianity been just another attempt at the dominate culture imposing its own tainted and sin-stained culture to replace historical Indigenous faith and practice?  Once again, Craig brings more needed biblical clarity to this presumption.  These and many more opinions, represented in the provocative quote the Smiths confront and address, that summarizes a doctrine often referred to as Redeeming of Culture, are going to be the focus of the next few episodes of Indigenous Faith.  Have your Bible ready as the Smiths take you to the only source of Universal Truth, God's amazing and timeless instructions given to all mankind in the pages of Scripture.  Craig and LaDonna are glad your along for the ride!

Wow!  It's hard to believe this episode marks the beginning of the sixth month of the Indigenous Faith broadcasts!  All of the twenty five episodes to this point have been designed by Craig and LaDonna Smith to include foundational teaching intended to help Indigenous followers of Christ begin their spiritual journeys in the Lord.  Now, this episode marks the transition from foundational materials to the building blocks of a biblically healthy Indigenous Faith.  But as Craig and LaDonna note, in order to move forward you have to have a good understanding of where you have come from.  As God told Israel as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way...  In this episode, the Smiths review the teaching materials already covered, and encourage their listeners to find time to listen to them before transitioning to the important teaching to come on Christ and culture.  They trust this timely review will help set the stage for the all important material to come in upcoming episodes.  Thanks for going with them in this journey into Indigenous Faith!

Living a biblically healthy life means we understand the importance of working hard to make a living.  In the larger culture today many have little motivation to work because current governmental assistance means you can often times make more by staying home and doing nothing rather than working hard to provide for your family.  While this may be the sentiment among our fellow Americans, Craig Smith says that should not be the case with followers of Jesus Christ.  A biblical work ethic has been clearly laid out in the Scriptures, and we find the blessings and provisions of God as we follow His instructions.  If a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat, Scripture says, all while giving room for the exceptions when either physical or mental disabilities make that an impossible task.  But even with that, those who benefit from our nation's disability laws are encouraged to volunteer their time to organizations that really need help.  Pastor Smith also contends that one of the most fulfilling things a person can do is give their time to serve the Lord in their local church, knowing this, as the Scripture says, that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  Bring an open heart to this week's edition of Indigenous Faith and let the Word of God direct you in this important area of life as we learn what the Bible has to say about a proper biblical work ethic.