Practically Theologians

Andrew and Josh work through what it means to submit to authority especially in light of those in authority doing things that may be overstepping their bounds. We don't quite get to specifics yet, but address more how to think about obedience and submission, where authority comes from, a closer look at Romans 13 and who the authority there is, and finally get a bit into some helpful levels that we will get deeper into next time. We hope it was helpful, and ask for any feedback or questions to be sent to [email protected].

Links to things mentioned:

Mask mandates. Churches not allowed to meet. Businesses shut down. Andrew and Josh discuss authority and what the Christian response to many of the orders coming down from governors should be. What is lawful authority? What about truth? These are difficult issues and we want to make it clear here that we are only two friends discussing these things; we are not representing our churches; we are not trying to be dogmatic; we are only trying to work it out. We hope to be helpful in giving the listener a perspective that might lend toward being more compassionate toward those with whom you disagree. We all have different ways of coming at things, and sometimes we have to disagree at the end of the day even as we leave the discussion as friends and brothers or sisters in the faith. Due to time constraints we had to leave this at a cliff-hanger, but will come back as soon as we can find time to continue the discussion. Hope you find it helpful. As always, we'd love feedback at [email protected].

Josh interviews Nicki on Exclusive Psalmody. This may be a view that many Christians today do not know much about, and in fact may even recoil from. We discuss how Nicki came to this position and touch on some of the arguments for it. We also discuss what this looks like in the worship service. Our aim is not to try to convince anyone of this position, at least not Josh’s aim (since I am not EP), but rather to try to increase understanding among Christian Brothers in an area of disagreement. Hope it is helpful!

Below are some of the resources Nicki mentioned in the interview:

Why We Sing Psalms

Christ in the Psalms

What About Instruments in Worship?

Why No Instruments?

Family worship. What is it? Why should we do it? How do you do it? We discuss some thoughts we each have on the subject, as well as some of the things we do at home. We hope the discussion benefits you as much as it did us! See the shownotes below for the materials we spoke about. Send us an email with any questions or comments at [email protected]. Take care!

Josh throws together a quick update on what's happening with the lockdown in Washington state, and also talks a bit about definitions. What is a vulnerable person? Who defines what it means to be human?

Here is the short post Josh wrote regarding the vulnerable:

A short, quickly written observation. So forgive any incomplete arguments and bear with me! And if clarification is needed I’d be happy to address.

As I was sipping my coffee this morning, thinking about the current state of society amid this whole panic over a virus, I decided I would write something that has been on my mind for the last few days regarding the “vulnerable” (not “scare” quotes, just labeling as a label). I keep thinking about the  inconsistency of politicians, news sources, and individuals who support the murder of unborn children and then claim to care about the “vulnerable” among us. What I have been thinking is how they are being allowed to define “vulnerable” based on something other than how I would define it.

Those who rebel against God by supporting the murder of babies get around that charge by redifining what a baby is.  They redefine what it means to be a human being. They get to choose when that baby becomes a person. And so, those among us who are truly vulnerable, those who are grey with wisdom, those who have underlying health issues, and babies; are all at risk of someday losing the “vulnerable” label when those who define what it means to be a human decide to define the vulnerable right out of society.

God defines what it means to be human. Male and female He created them, after His image and very good. All who bear His image are human beings, and because we bear His image are worthy of being treated with respect by one another. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, gives us the supreme example of protecting the vulnerable. All humans face certain death, we all share in this ultimate vulnerability. Not only that but we should all face the terrible judgment of God for our rebellion against Him. But Jesus came to bear the curse for His people, and death now has lost its sting for those who believe that Jesus came, died, and rose again to bring resurrection life!

As we weather a storm that may or may not be all media hype and social media fueled panic (why a run on TP?), be encouraged that you face certain death. Be encouraged because death is the most fearful thing we face and there is an answer to its sting, the work of Jesus the Christ. And treat the vulnerable well knowing we are bearing the image of God who treated His people with amazing grace in Christ. And when people throw out these terms let’s think about what they mean by them. Maybe that will present an opening to talk about Jesus with them, who knows?

We discuss some of the lessons we learned while preaching this year. Ranging from trying to utilize illustrations to creating a memorable main idea, it was a fun discussion and we hope you enjoy!

Today we discuss apologetics.  We have broken our talk into two parts, catch episode one on our page!

Presuppositional apologetics is our preferred method, and so that is what we cover in this episode. Some of the questions we discuss are:

What are apologetics?  What is the point?  How should we engage others with the gospel?

Hope you enjoy!

Oh yeah, links to some resources you all might enjoy:

CMFNOW.ORG: Greg Bahnsen Stuff

Book: Rosaria Butterfield on Hospitality

Book: Always be Ready by Bahnsen

Youtube: Rosaria Butterfield: Loving the Stranger: Awakening & Hospitality

Gordon Clark Book: Religion, Reason, and Revelation

Today we discuss apologetics.  We have broken our talk into two parts, catch episode two on our page!  

Presuppositional apologetics is our preferred method, and so that is what we cover in this episode. Some of the questions we discuss are:

Hope you enjoy!

Oh yeah, links to some resources you all might enjoy:

CMFNOW.ORG: Greg Bahnsen Stuff

Book: Rosaria Butterfield on Hospitality

Book: Always be Ready by Bahnsen

Youtube: Rosaria Butterfield: Loving the Stranger: Awakening & Hospitality

Gordon Clark Book: Religion, Reason, and Revelation

Today we work through Psalm 131 in an attempt to not only explain what an exegetical idea is, per the book Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson, but also show you how we work toward one (although imperfectly). This is to hopefully provide you also with another way to help study Scripture, as  trying to get to what the author is saying as the subject/complement of a passage tends to focus one in on a truth in the passage under which the particulars of that passage can be organized. Anyway, we hope it is useful and interesting, but if not we at least had fun talking!  Leave us feedback if you'd like, or suggestions for future episodes, at [email protected].

A message preached by Josh recently from the book of Ruth.  In 2:18-3:5 Ruth brings back a bounty of grain to Naomi and they are excited to learn that Boaz, the generous benefactor, is a redeemer for the family. But is Naomi seeing Boaz as simply a solution to her earthly woes, or is she seeing a great provision for redemption brought about by Yahweh? We will consider Naomi's scheme and what this great little book is teaching us to help us understand what God has to say to us here in Ruth. Here is my main idea from the text, "when your heart is bitter consider the loving-kindness of the Lord, for by it He patiently leads us to repentance."