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Getting right to the topics at hand we go right into our usual segments.

Meet the Hosts.

Life in Church House Studios has been pretty routine, except our new addition, a year old kitten, has proven himself to be an alarm cat. Nathan revisits the audio drama projects he’s been doing. Script writing, and posting a few new shows on his other podcast feeds.

For Superman fans, be sure to check out a guest appearance on the Old Time Superman show for their 1000th episode. He’ll be joining the host, Adam Graham, and others to talk about the 1940’s radio show. We spend a little time with our own ideas about the iconic super hero before we move things along.

Main Topic.

Are you ready for zombies? So were we. The trouble is that other than our title, we spend very little time discussing them. The misleading title was what lured Keith into reading a book. It turns out to have little to do about the walking dead, but it addresses why people today love apocalyptic things. It also uses popular movies and TV shows with apocalyptic things to illustrate how our society of the Secular Age got to where we are today.

Four key steps describe, or they try to, how culture shifted away from God based morality, to human based morality. First some background, and comparison.

Religion vs Secular Humanism

Before the Modern Secular Age.

Humanity is porous. Individuals find their identity by participating in their group. Individuals are influenced by relating to, and with others. All this give and take, and mutual influence requires a framework of morality outside the self. Religion or government. To be inside this framework, the claim is the individual is limited in self expression. To be outside the framework of this morality is to be cast off as either a beast, or a barbarian. God is seen as creator, the giver of an initial grace that’s instilled in us at birth, and an ongoing grace that keeps us in the system, and offers explanation to the mysteries of the universe.

After the Modern Secular Age

Humanity is buffered. The individual has an imaginary, buffer, or a coating, or a protective bubble where they are immune to the influences of others. The individual doesn’t need outside influence, since science now offers rational, natural explanations to the mysteries of our universe. Individuals can flourish on their own, without the need to fit into a confining structured like religion. Sure, it’s still there, but is now compartmentalized, and it’s not the main framework of morality. As far as morality, there is no greater good outside the buffered individual.

With just this background, there are so many things wrong with this new, buffered, identity. It assumes that the structure of religion is man made, and that human interaction and relationships are entirely detrimental. . The claim is that’s better to use science, an outside factor, to allow the buffered person to make their own moral choices. It’s all about the uninfluenced choices.

Science may do a fine job in explaining our observable world, but the one thing it can never do is make a moral judgement. If moral choices are left to the Individual, there’s no way to determine moral choices with science alone. With all choices having equal weight in importance, then none of them can be determined to be more moral than another. People need interaction with an outside standard to let them know if they’re achieving anything. Therefore the buffered existence is an illusion that can only hope to work, when adequate outside standards, or morality, is imposed. This view point fails by making too many false assumptions, and claims to truth that have no foundation or evidence. It relies on outside influences for information, and any real moral standard is meaningful only with an outside standard.

Some last moment slip ups find us on a different topic than planned. Not that anybody would notice, other than I just said so. We fall back on our ongoing Bible Survey. The actual next installment was #14, The Word Became Flesh. However, we already covered this in 97 An Unrecognized Christmas Gift, a solo episode where Nathan shared a sermon.

Before we move on to installment 15, we start with our usual segment…

Meet the Hosts

There’s not much new happening around Church House studios. Chris is in the building, but doesn’t join us due to getting ready for a followup doctor appointment. Just routine stuff. Dealing with dead computers means shuffling how things get done behind the scene in our recording process. Nothing major, and again, something the listener might never know if it wasn’t shared. It just means extra editing to get the show ready.

Nathan has been busy with his various audio productions. Casting calls are getting results, and some work is being done in turning scripts into audio. Stand by for developments as we draw closer to a launch date for our project, Dangerous Christian. Support us by being part of the launch, telling people about it, sharing on social media, and supporting it through Nathan’s Patreon page.

Main Topic: Bible Survey 15 Miracles and Signs of Jesus.

The gospels are full of them, but as a sample, the survey lands on two important situations. A paralyzed man who was healed when his sins were forgiven, and a woman who was healed on the Sabbath. Why are those things significant? Let’s have a look.

Matthew 9:1-8 (ESV)

1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”

4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—”Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

7 And he rose and went home.

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

First, the paralyzed man was brought to Jesus, probably by some of his friends. Jesus saw their faith in him. He encouraged them. Sin was often attributed to disabilities in ancient times, and Jesus made the simple statement that his sins were forgiven.

Scribes who were present claimed that it was blasphemy to forgive sin. They were correct. Forgiving sin is something only God can do. For a mere man to make such a claim is indeed a blasphemy. God never interacts with humans, unless a prophet comes to pave the way, and signs are involved. The scribes are about to get their proof.

Whether the scribes actually muttered words out loud or not, Jesus knew what evil attitudes were in their hearts. He made it plain where the power of his claim came from. He didn’t just give lip service by making an empty claim. He asked them what kind of evidence it would take to prove his authority. Is it easier to

Talk the talk, or to have the man be healed on the spot?

Without waiting for an answer, Jesus told the man to get up, walk, and go home. The man did it.

Did the scribes believe? It doesn’t say, but they had the evidence they required to believe. What kind of evidence do you need? How much evidence will it take to meet your own requirements?

Trying to squeeze in as much as possible, we get right to our segment… right after a small glitch from the Retrobots.

Meet the Hosts

Our long in coming audio drama is getting closer. The first scripts are done, and several parts assigned. The only drawback remaining is in waiting for our volunteer voice actors to return their parts, so everything can be compiled. Watch for more word, and a launch date. Be sure to tell your friends, and for contributors through Nathan’s Patreon page, we have plans for interviews, behind the scenes stuff, and chat room sessions with the cast.

We never ask for monetary support for this podcast, but the audio drama involves a lot more effort, and a recurring contribution through Patreon will encourage us to devote more attention to future projects like our unassuming, everyday kind of super hero.

Our main topic really isn’t all that long. It’s a role play type of episode, and it can be difficult to give a topic the depth it deserves, when the ideas expressed aren’t your own. Besides, Keith lost his notes to guide him along, and had to wing It from memory. To allow ourselves to go down a bunny trail, we include the problem of why science makes a faulty platform for discussing topics in a public forum.

The language of science has become the only accepted and recognized way to prove a point, or settle an argument in public settings, or even in discussing morality.

The good point in science is that it tells us what a thing is, how it works, and what affect it might have on its environment. But it has shortcomings. The problem with science is it can’t answer the question “why.” It can’t determine morality.

For example:

* It can identify an object, like a hand gun by observing it.

* It can point out how the parts work, where the bullets go, and the mechanism that ends with a firing pin striking the cartridge.

* It can describe the chemical process that occurs, and how expanding gasses push the projectile out the end of the barrel.

* It can also tell what might happen at the point of impact where the projectile lands.

* An experiment might even be practiced to verify and demonstrate the hypothesis discussed to this point.

Science can not make a moral judgement of whether we should use a paper target, a tin can, a lab rat, or your neighbor’s head. Strictly speaking, science can only describe that a destructive event will happen. It can’t place any value on the object being tested in the experiment. It can’t say why it might be morally wrong to pull the trigger that sets off the process.

All science can do is state that pulling the trigger will end up in a destructive event. It’s left outside of science to determine whether the target has any value or not.

We point back to a solo episode done last March, 107 ASSURANCE OF SALVATION that includes an essay Keith wrote titled, The Purpose of Man without God. An attempt at exploring the shortcomings of worldly knowledge, pleasure, or power, and who gets to say where morality comes from.

Our role play runs short, as expected, and any misrepresenting was unintended. Please contact us if you feel we didn’t do well at it, or have a more rounded argument for us to address.

The statement of: Why I hate organized religion is brought up.

For starters, what does that mean anyway?

In Doing research, most results were from religious people giving apologetic reasons why its a bad statement. It doesn’t make any logical sense. Another result was from a foreign language forum, where people there tried to figure out this nonsense statement. They had no words for it in their own language. One blogger who had been against the so called organized religion,

In an earlier solo installment, the topic of worldview was the focus. There were five major ones that challenge a biblical worldview, and today we give a brief look at another. To see the others, with a summary of each, and the book that inspired the episodes, check out Secular: What in the World Is It?

Before we begin, our long lost co-host has returned.

Meet the Hosts

Nathan gets us caught up with a project that’s near and dear to our hearts. Our audio drama production of a modern day, low key kind of hero is underway. Casting calls are being responded to, and if you want to be part of it, it isn’t too late. Nathan is taking requests, but feel free to drop me a line, and I’ll forward your inquiry.

Summer camps have been a success, both for the one Nathan went to, and one we are involved with. Lots of kids and adults having fun in the Summer sun.

Time is of a premium so we turn to the main topic.

First, we touch on a hot button topic or two. Namely those regarding the recent racial tensions, and some challenges that face bringing a Christian message into the mix. I hope it doesn’t come across as being one sided, but this is a topic that was intended to cover several weeks ago, but we never quite got it to the table.

What does it mean when we use words like racist, or bigot? More often than not those labels get used without actually knowing. They get cheapened when they are tossed out for a simple matter of disagreement. Using those words without understanding their meaning, or the person or group that get tagged with them makes the labeler the racist or bigot, not the one being labeled.

In today’s climate, that may sound a bit petty. There’s along unhealed rift between blacks and whites. All lives really do matter. They are equally valuable and important, and to pick a side isn’t helping. Christ was neither white nor black as we might define those races. It was still his blood that was shed for people of all colors. If you don’t believe it, thinking religion has been polluted over the years… you may be right… or you may be wrong.

Now is a good time to touch base with the roots of Christianity. What did the first century writers have to say? You know… those men of color, who lived in the Middle East, and taught there, and in Northern Africa. What did they say, and which flavors of the Christian religion still closely hold those teachings? I’m not here to say. Some definitely do not. Some do. No single race holds the monopoly on Jesus. It pays to do your own investigating, paying attention to the evidence the earliest writers documented.

With our extended bunny trail as wrapped up as we can make it, our attentions turn to the promised topic.

Without using the name of this worldview, Keith tries to describe it. What does it stand for? Why might some people find it appealing? Where are it’s shortcomings? Nathan has it figured out, and we pull the mask off… the Marxism worldview.

To summarize:

* It’s all about materialism and money. Social standing, and equality.

* The ideal is to ensure equality for all regarding social standing, income, and power.

* To close the gap between the very rich and the very poor. A classless society.

Does that sound appealing to anyone out there who may be feeling oppressed and under appreciated?

Wait, there’s more…

* No individual should have the right to own a means to make money, and not share it with his workers.

* No individual should be able to set an unrealistic price on goods, making them unaffordable by the workers.

* Especially when it drives the owners income up, and further from that of the laborer.

Or, They Went Out of Their Way

Before we get started, the Retrobots, at least one of them, goes a little berserk over a small disagreement Nathan had over our last episode. I invited him to expand on that matter, plus a few other items that came up in the two previous solo episodes. Thanks to our unruly Retrobot, those responses will have to wait until later.

Nathan did manage to get through, thanks to our sane Retrobot, Callie, and read the passage, and shared his thoughts on how the people in this account went out of their way, some involuntarily, and some intentionally.

Quoted from the Literary Study Bible:

This best known of all Bible passages–so carefully located in time and place (a style that literary critics call circumstantial)–draws a contrast between the humble circumstances of Christ’s birth and the glorious praise that he deservedly receives from multitudes of the heavenly host. Reinforcing the motif of humility, the style is simple and the effect one of understatement as the world-changing events are narrated in a matter-of-fact way. In this birth narrative Luke introduces two of the main themes of his Gospel: as the Son of David, Jesus has come to bring salvation to Israel, especially poor and lowly outcasts like the shepherds; as the Savior of the world, he has come to bring salvation to all people.

English Standard Version:

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when2 Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 ‘ Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Afterward, Keith shares a few references from the Old Testament that prophesied the coming Messiah, the need for a savior, and the restoration to God, and out of sin, that moment would bring.

There’s also special fulfillment to promises made to the nation of Israel. Hope is extended to the gentile, or the non-believers, to now be included in future promises. Those believing gentiles,

On a solo episode for this week’s quest, not even a brave Retrobot to lend a servo motor, Keith goes it alone to examine the reality of God’s promises, and why they aren’t intended for everybody. In some cases, even the people who claim them are mistaken. First we need to determine who God makes his promises to, and who he doesn’t. Then we need to see how he has different things in store for his favored people groups. The following notes are extracted from the public domain book by C.I. Scofield, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.

The Jew, the Gentile, and the Church of God

“Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:32

Over half the Bible pertains to the Israelites. They have a distinct place with God. They have a unique covenant, and promises not given to anyone else. If obedient, the nation is promised earthly greatness, riches, and power;

The church also has a special relationship to God. It has also received specific promises. Similarity ends there, and a striking contrast begins.

the Gentiles are distinct from either the Jew, or the church.

Comparisons:

the Jew (Romans 9:4-5; John 4:22; Romans 3:1-2);

* To the Jew belongs glory, covenant, promises, and from them Messiah comes.

* Salvation from the Jews.

* Entrusted with God’s word.

the Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-12; Ephesians 4:17-18; Mark 7:27-28);

* Without Christ, excluded from Israel, foreign to covenant of promise, without hope, without God.

* They have futile thoughts, dark understanding. Excluded from God due to ignorance, and stubbornness.

* Even dogs get crumbs.

the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:29-33; 1 Peter 2:9).

* Head and body, comparing relationship between Christ and the church.

* One flesh, marriage relationship used in comparing Christ and the church.

* A race, priesthood, nation, a possession to proclaim His glory.

The only real promises of hope along with Israel and the Church. All points contrast

Origins are different.

Israel began with the call of Abram. (Genesis 12:1)

The church doesn’t begin with Adam or the patriarchs. It doesn’t even begin during the time of Christ.

(Matt. 16:18), “Upon this rock I will build my church.”

Not, have built, not am building, but will build.

the church is not once mentioned in Old Testament prophecy, but was, in those ages, a mystery “hid in God.”

Ephesians 3:5-10,

Verses 5,6 (ESV)

5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Differences in calling and promise. (Mission and Vision)

Differences in worship and principles of conduct. (Strategy and Tactics. Dependant on the degree of obedience.)

Differences in future destiny

Calling of ISRAEL

Summary:

* To be separate from the rest of the world, given a promised land. (Genesis 12:1)

* Earthly abundance. (Deuteronomy 8:7-9; Genesis 24:34-35)

* Protection from enemies. (Deuterronomy 28:7)

* To be a privileged race. (Deuteronomy 28:13)

Calling of the CHURCH

* Are partakers of heaven. Have citizenship in heaven. (Hebrews 3:1; Phillipians 3:20)

* No promise of earthly home or comfort. (Matthew 8:20)

* Enduring hunger, thirst, nakedness, homelessness, and persecution (John 16:2).

* Poor in wealth, strong in faith. Difficult for the wealthy to inherit. ((James 2:5; Mark 10:23)

* The least are great. Humble faith as a child.

After reading a brief devotional series a few months earlier, based on the now released book: The Secret Battle Of Ideas About God, Keith takes his own look at one worldview mentioned in it. By the way, we don’t get any kick backs, ,or support from this product. But we think it’s well worth checking out.

In his book, Dr. Jeff Myers defines 5 worldview’s in conflict with Christianity. Briefly, they are:

* Secularism. Life is about control.

* We can use our intelligence to harness evolution and make life turn out the way we want.

* Demands only what we think best serves us during our lifetimes.

* Marxism. Life is about capital.

* Proposes that the bad condition of the poor, is due to exploitation by the rich.

* Demands a forcible overthrow of all existing social structures: government, the economy, religion, and family.

* Postmodernism. Life is about context.

* There is no absolute truth, only the relative truth we experience ourselves.

* We create our own reality. What’s right for you may not be right for me, and vise versa.

* The tricks of religion and science to rule our lives need to be exposed.

* New spirituality. Life is about consciousness.

* At the core of reality is a higher consciousness, a force that some people call “god.”

* Spirituality isn’t just a thing; it is the only thing.

* Recommends spiritual practices that make people feel at one with the universe.

* Islam. Life is about conquering.

* Humanity has a need to unite around sincere worship of one God: Allah,

* Considering itself to be the one true religion, Islam teaches that we all are born Muslim. Disbelief must be conquered through jihad.

From Amazon: About the Author

Over the last twenty years, Dr. Jeff Myers has become one of America’s most respected authorities on Christian worldview, apologetics, and youth leadership development. He is the author of several books and the president of Summit Ministries.

In his appearances on the FOX News channel and on various TV programs, Dr. Myers offers humor and insight from a Christian worldview. He holds a doctor of philosophy degree and teaches leadership courses through College Plus and Belhaven University. Dr. Myers and his family live in Colorado.

Political

Secular Worldview, from National Secular Society

Characterized by 2 traits.

* Separation of church and state protects both religious and non-religious people.

* All people groups are equal in civil rights matters. While protecting religion, protects a citizens freedom from religion.

* Believes in equal access to public services.

* Protects free speech.

* Neither theist or atheist, instead, considers itself to be a framework for democratic government.

Comments: As a political ideal, it sounds good, and neutral, but there’s a lot not touched on with this simple overview. It has worked well enough in the USA for most of its history, but only when government stays out of religious affairs, and relies on religious institutions to be the standard of morality. If it truly is a fair system to all sides , religious groups would not be pressured to cave in to cultural shifts.

Definition

As Keith and the Retrobots await a phone call, they enjoy a song. Requested by our number one fan, we listen to “Gold” by Nathan Caldwell.

Ideas for the podcast come from many sources. This one began by borrowing some honest questions that another blogger had asked on his web site. As he puts it:

Recently I challenged my friends and acquaintances, those who are skeptics, agnostics, non-religious and so on to raise their best questions regarding the Christian faith. I asked them to raise honest questions, questions that if answered would possibly clear the road for them to believe.

We avoided looking at his answers, so if we arrived at similar conclusions, it was done independently. , but check out the original blog article found at

Seven Honest Questions Regarding Christianity: A Challenge

For our purposes, as we try to stay cool on another hot summer day, the Retrobots, David and Callie ask us the questions.

Question One: If God made us who made God?

Both Nathan and Keith agree, the universe that we know is finite. It has a definite beginning in time, space, and matter. God is outside that realm, eternal. Though all we know has a cause, he is the infinite creator who has no cause. He created our universe, while being a creature outside of it. Similar to how a carpenter builds a box. He isn’t the box, or made from the same material. He existed before the box did, and continues to exists even after the box serves its purpose. Can he interact with the box, use the box, enjoy the box, fill the box, or empty the box? Yes, and god can do the same, but on a larger, and more intimate scale than any human carpenter.

Question Two: One question I can’t figure out is why do people pray? If God has a master plan for everyone, what good is praying for someone as that would only seem to be trying to change God’s mind regarding his divine plan?

We agree that God knows everything, but also point to the account in Exodus 34. To summarize, the people had made a golden calf to worship. God pointed it out to Moses, then went on to claim he would destroy the nation, and rebuild one out of Moses. Moses prayed, and God seemed to have changed his mind on the matter, allowing the nation to live. God certainly knew, and knows the future. His claim of destruction was for Moses behalf. God wanted to point out how horrible their sin was. They certainly deserved death. God is also all about grace, and Moses demonstrated god’s kind of grace for the undeserving people when he prayed for them. Through the instance, it was Moses who had a better understanding of who God is, and what he wants for his people.

Should we pray for the sick, those in financial need, or other dire circumstance? Yes. Just because God knows the outcome, and what he has in store, the process of the conversation of prayer will help us to understand that person’s emotions and struggle. They matter to God, and they should matter to us.

Question number Three: How is Christianity any different than the myths before it?

Though Nathan has some trouble in where this question is coming from, he makes an excellent point that nothing preceded it. There’s a timeline through the history of Israel that predicts, and leads right into the time of Christ. He also brings up the point that myths have no historical evidence, where Christianity has plenty of historic evidence to support the Bible accounts. Keith tries to explain what little he knows about the alleged myths. The real problem is a modern thought problem. It’s easy to look back over the centuries, and wonder over any similarities of long forgotten myths. In a recent podcast, hosted by J Warner Wallace, he makes the comment that though few today know about the myths,

It’s hot today, so we skip the meet the host segment, The Retrobots help out, as we wait for Nathan to phone in to comment on our main topic. Ambient noise from being out in the breeze causes some background noise, but my noise gate managed to filter some of it. You know how we roll… low tech, and when we can achieve pristine, studio sound we like it. This is one show where we threw that caution to the wind… literally.

Main Topic

Once Nathan’s phone call comes in, we get right into looking at Ephesians 1:1-14.

There’s a lot of heavy hitting topics in such a short span of verses, and it’s important to understand who the audience this message is intended. Blessings, promises, assurances, but these are not blanket promises for all humanity, only those who are the faithful ones.

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

* Written to the saints at Ephesus.

* Saints/Ephesians who are faithful.

* Faithful in Christ. (faithful to the gospel)

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

* God blesses us. (God the father of our lord, our lord Jesus,)

* God the authority to bless, and blessings that can’t be taken by lower authority.

* Blessings to us who are faithful in Christ.

* Blessings from the best heaven has to offer.

* We return those blessings to God in the form of gratitude and praise.

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

* He (God) chose us. Does this apply to all humanity? No, this is specifically for the elect, the believers.

* God made his choice before creation.

* Restoring people to him,

* Who? He predestined us for adoption.

* How? He predestined adoption through Christ

* According to his will. His will, not ours, or anybody else’.

* What’s his will? To be in him, (Christ). To be holy, blameless, in love.

* Also to praise his (God’s) grace.

* Why? Due to grace, blessings come.

* Blessings to us, who are in him (the beloved, Christ).

* Also grace that is extended to the people groups who have yet to connect, believe, and become the elect. Opportunity to connect to the power, and promise is available, even if not chosen (free will).

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

* Christ. in him is redemption (salvation, adoption).

* The price, his blood.

* What it buys. Forgiveness for all sin (transgression). An irrevocable blessing from grace.

* Grace that is lavished on us.

* Grace that unlocks the mystery of God’s purpose.

* Grace that gives wisdom and insight.

* A purpose established with Christ (before creation, for redemption, adoption, to understand how to live well, and love our creator)

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

A statement that some consider a difficult saying. If only the elect get to claim the kingdom,

Special guest hosts,, Retrobots David and Callie, rummage through the archived shows to piece this first ever Re-Quest show together.

Dating back to January 2015. Actually the pilot episode, but it became episode 1. It features a few comments on why the podcast came to be, and solo thoughts about God being almighty, and in charge of his creation. by Keith, who is yet to be joined by any co-hosts. The following are slightly edited, and updated show notes from the pilot, and first episodes.

Quest 1 God Almighty, And Creator

Introducing the podcast that tries to seek for truth about God, the Bible, and life. In this first installment Keith takes a look at the first point in the Apostle’s Creed. This foundational creed dates back to the earliest statements of faith.

To find what the bible says about God being Almighty, and creator, the words of Job are given a glance, since he seems to have the most to say on the mightiness of God. Interesting since he wasn’t in the family of Abraham, and is famously known for the torment he went through. He at least knew that as crazy as life got, God was still in control.

Next time, look for a new segment. Actually, the next show features the first appearance of longstanding co-host, Nathan Caldwell. Look for it on the web site, or just keep listening. Where do we go in the future? Topics will shift toJesus, the scriptures, and beyond.

Quest 1.5 Introducing God

Keith is joined by co-host, Nathan Caldwell. Meet the hosts for some background of each host. Keith is a long time Christian, and a regular guy, with a regular job. Nathan is a Missionary Baptist preacher, and both want to relate to you where ever you are in life.

Faith in God should reach a point where you leave the dogma of your parents, religion, and religious teachers behind, and explore for yourself for what’s fake, and what’s real.

Join the discussion. Everybody is at a different point in their walk of faith, and dealing with religious matters. We’d love to have you drop us a line with some personal advice. Ask a question about what’s next in your new faith. Ask that burning, hard to answer question, and we’ll give it our best responce.

Nathan shares an outline from the bible about knowing what truth is. We can be assured of an absolute truth, and the bible can be held as trustworthy in matters of historical and spiritual truth alike. Simply believing in a fact you make up yourself, or in your own opinions and experiences can be a dangerous, and life threatening thing. Everybody has a limitaition. Our knowledge is limited to our perspective. God is bigger than his creation, and we can stand above our created world, and begin to understand matters better when we get a glimpse of how God sees things. We get that glimpse from what we learn from the pages of the bible.

Does it take lots of wisdom and learning? No, even a child can understand. Need more knowledge to satisfy? Matters of God are as deep as you want to go. Keep seeking and growing, because the deeper we seek the truth, we move our faith from a shallow one, to one with roots that can withstand the hard trials in life. .

Remember, we want to hear from you. Comment, send an email, whether here, or on Nathan’s site, Protectors of the Book.

Note: The audio has been slightly edited to reduce some echo, and other audio artifacts from the original file. We were getting used to the recording process, and still had a lot to iron out.