Knowing God

Today we begin an occasional series looking at verses that are typically taken out of their biblical context, and we attempt to put them back into their context. First up, Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Ever popular in the sports world, we talk about what it really means to have Christ strengthen us, and how we can apply it in our everyday lives.

Our recommendations: 1) Read the Bible. 2) Become a member at a church. 3) How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart (https://smile.amazon.com/How-Read-Bible-All-Worth/dp/0310517826/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3D4A8BYQ9OB9D&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+read+the+bible+for+all+its+worth&qid=1619740280&sprefix=how+to+read+the+bib%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1). 4) Knowing Scripture by R. C. Sproul (https://smile.amazon.com/Knowing-Scripture-R-C-Sproul/dp/0830844686/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KF8C8KKEUD3H&dchild=1&keywords=knowing+scripture+by+r.c.+sproul&qid=1619740386&sprefix=knowing+scripture%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1).

The fact that high-profile Christian comedians are extremely rare and that Christ, as the “man of sorrows,” appears so dour throughout the gospels suggests that Christianity is incompatible with good humor. But is it? We explore humor in the Bible and a biblical and theological justification for comedy. Hopefully we laugh a bit along the way.

Tony's recommendation: Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld, https://smile.amazon.com/This-Anything-Jerry-Seinfeld/dp/1982112697/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OCIBKXPOHVO3&dchild=1&keywords=is+this+anything+jerry+seinfeld&qid=1618942934&sprefix=is+this+anything%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

It’s no secret that many evangelicals consider conservatism of some kind to be the default approach to Christianity. But many others associate the progressive impulse with Jesus Christ himself. Which is it? The guys discuss this over, well, several takes.

The article that jump-started our discussion, "Progressive Christians Arise! Hallelujah!" by Nicholas Kristof, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/opinion/sunday/progressive-christians-politics.html?searchResultPosition=4

Aaron's recommendation: The Gospel Coalition, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org

We consider the various books, movies, and other cultural artifacts that have had their availability to be consumed curbed in some way due to potentially offensive content. How should we as Christians understand this phenomenon? What should we do about it?

Tony's recommendation: Watch baseball!

The guys consider repentance—what it is, why we need it, and how we actually do it. 

Aaron's recommendation: Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton, https://smile.amazon.com/Here-Stand-Life-Martin-Luther/dp/1426754434/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=here+i+stand+bainton&qid=1617122258&sr=8-1

This week, the guys answer some of your questions, and Aaron almost makes it through without a blooper. Maybe next time.

Tony's recommendation: Zack Snyder's Justice League, https://www.hbomax.com/feature/urn:hbo:feature:GYDAnZgCFQ8IJpQEAAAAN

This episode is not strictly business: social media can be dangerous. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook open us up to all kinds of barbs and arrows, horse heads and rotting fish, making us offers of glamor and self-righteousness that we all too often can't refuse. The guys discuss some of these dangers, as well as how to use social media in ways that honor God and love other people. 

Spiritual disciplines—like fasting, biblical meditation, and the like—have a reputation as being only for super spiritual people. Au contraire, we say! While they can be difficult and require, well, discipline in order to do, they are also incredibly valuable for living the Christian life—in our technological age, one might say now more than ever. 

Tony's recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney, https://smile.amazon.com/Spiritual-Disciplines-Christian-Donald-Whitney/dp/1615216170/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZS980KDM9EY5&dchild=1&keywords=donald+whitney+spiritual+disciplines+for+the+christian+life&qid=1614814042&sprefix=whitney+spiritual+di%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1

We're back! Telling people about Jesus can be incredibly difficult. This week, the guys discuss approaches that have helped us, why evangelism is so important, and how we can practically do it in our everyday lives. 

Aaron's recommendation: The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler with Jared C. Wilson, https://smile.amazon.com/Explicit-Gospel-Paperback-Matt-Chandler/dp/1433542110/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=explicit+gospel&qid=1614811007&sr=8-1

This week the guys discuss all things Christmas: the best Christmas movie, the best Christmas music, why Tony is right, and who the real Santa Claus is. (Tony definitely did not write this description.) 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Merry Christmas!

Aaron's recommendations: "Who was St. Nicholas?" by Kevin DeYoung, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/who-was-st-nicholas-2/

The Chosen TV series, https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen