Steve and Rich are starting a discussion this week on the sovereignty of God. God having total and complete sovereignty is comforting and encouraging. However, it can also feel confusing at times especially when thinking about bad things happening on a personal and community level. How can something that is so encouraging also seem discouraging at the same time? Rich starts by breaking down what God is sovereign means on a basic level. Supreme authority would be a good way to sum it up. He is the Lord God Almighty and no one is greater than Him. Steve and Rich also break down what different Bible translations and verses have to say about this idea of sovereignty. God's sovereignty goes beyond the fact that He is King overall. He ultimately has the power to accomplish His plan. Sarah gets personal and shares about how this idea was and sometimes still is a difficult thing to accept, particularly when it comes to pain. Rich begins to broach the idea that anything that has happened God has at least allowed to happen. How does sin fall into this? Steve and Rich dive into this and so much more that they decided to continue their discussion next week. Make sure you come back for part 2!

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges - https://www.amazon.com/Trusting-God-Jerry-Bridges/dp/1631467921/ref=sr_1_2?crid=WOTBR99KGABX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.f4NxeyY8AfN_jRny-LBJhprfim_UHK1jqBH_hksTuh2sW4OGIFwl-AeR-DV1-JGg36LrFcpvXj49N-CaMoWh9Q86GTpbB9kAYvdi7z9uDvb1hg8yqAjCKlTq1fayqWnFwQ-7ULIVz-3nMwvgMWPml-iY5oOPVjuai0RHFDPET7P1jXz2ty6Gvegyn6C48eSCa8Aih7HoqmS41PUDeJrLSUko2mqVajdB6OCtiYDRb8NhD8ceQgDNDarhyxbPxmWykOCU1CMDbTCAhNWKQ0D62kx8Z3t8O40HkoD12wxlCyM.xu_JeUbRWWYPdemgyc_bpihyfSMppTkj6G5MWXwBHxs&dib_tag=se&keywords=jerry+bridges&qid=1722187325&sprefix=jerry+bridges%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-2

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Today's topic on Resident Strangers is one that might bend your mind a little bit, but Rich, Steve and Sarah are excited about diving into it. Those who regularly listen may or may not know that our co-host Rich is a published author. He is leading today's discussion around God and time as he has written a book about it (linked below). Rich passionately communicates that what you believe about God and time will have an impact on other things you might say you believe about God. The traditional view is that God is outside of time because He created time. Rich takes time to break down some of the main views that exist on this before he presents his viewpoint. A lot of it comes down to letting God reveal Himself to the reader in scripture. Who Jesus is and was has to do with this idea as well. We don't want to give away too much in the show notes as Rich explains this viewpoint in detail and brings clarity to how God exists in relation to time and what that means for believers. Be ready to focus and listen in!

God, Time and the Incarnation by Rich Holland - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1610977297?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_TMNDA0YHG9TX7CEZ4FHR

Does God Experience the Unfolding of Time? by Rich Holland - https://theologycommons.gcu.edu/2023/11/29/wrestling-with-god-does-god-experience-the-unfolding-of-time/

Rich Holland's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 45 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4O9jSmbkZgC9taWVeRiqxS?si=433c6ad3dbd74a20
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

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Today's episode of Resident Strangers covers a topic that was submitted by someone before this podcast officially began. Rich and Steve are discussing the age of the earth. Is there a Biblical age of the earth? What is the relationship with science and the Bible when it comes to the age of the earth? Is the earth billions and billions of years old? Rich starts the conversation with a lot of the science behind how earthly things are dated. He brings up radiometric dating and some of the assumptions that surround it. There are two schools of thought when it comes to dating the earth from a Biblical perspective. One would be taking the Bible literally with no date gaps and that Genesis gives a chronological history with six literal days. The other would be to say that Genesis was never intended to give chronology and is mainly literature not requiring an age of the earth. This can quickly become a very complicated discussion amongst Christians. Steve makes it clear that no matter what we can know that God created man and life uniquely. He also points out that Moses gave the account in Genesis to point people to the Sabbath which would support the idea of a 24-hour day. What are the non-negotiables when it comes to thinking about the age of the earth? Rich breaks those things down and they also briefly discuss the idea of evolution. Rich and Steve both talk through why they hold to a young earth position, but we hope this discussion helps you to come to a conclusion on your own based on Biblical truth. All in all, it is important to not allow these types of topics to sway an understanding of who Jesus is. Do you research, enjoy learning but remember to walk closely with Jesus first. We look forward to being back with you next Tuesday!

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Welcome back to Resident Strangers! As this podcast was being developed last summer Sarah collected some questions from people relating to theological topics. Today Rich and Steve are finally answering one! This discussion will cover the books that were left out of the Bible. Rich gives some basic overview of books that were left out, the Apocrypha and some of the history that surrounds that. Steve points out that Jesus and the New Testament authors never quote directly from an apocryphal book. They do, however, quote Old Testament scripture. The books in the apocrypha can be helpful at times for understanding historical contexts. Rich mentions another group of writings called the Pseudepigrapha which is a collection of books written under false names. This is where the Book of Enoch comes from. Rich explains more about what this group of writings means and how it should be considered. When talking about these groups of writings the question becomes should they be considered scripture? How can true theology be determined? Did God intend for certain books of the Bible to be hidden? Steve reminds that one of Satan's greatest tools is to create confusion. God is not a God of confusion; He is a God of order.  We hope that this episode brings some clarity and strengthens your trust in the Bible, the Word of God. 

Recommended resources:

Scribes & Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got The Bible by John D. Meade & Peter J. Gurry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433577895?k=scribes%20and%20scripture&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_l_k0_1_12&crid=14YIMZ8PLRZZM&sprefix=scribes%20and%20

What Is the Apocrypha? By David Briones - https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-the-apocrypha

What Are the Lost Books of the Bible? by Hope Bolinger - https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-are-the-lost-books-of-the-bible.html

The Old Testament Apocrypha by Don Stewart - https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/books-missing-from-old-testament/introduction-books-missing-old-testament.cfm

The Canon of the New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger - https://www.amazon.com/Canon-New-Testament-Development-Significance/dp/0198269544/

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With 4th of July being later this week Steve, Rich and Sarah wanted to take the opportunity to talk through Independence Day and how a Christian should respond. The conversation begins with everyone sharing memories and traditions revolving around this summer holiday. Like many things there can be extreme views and sometimes Christians have gotten caught up in these things. Rich shares that the ideals of freedom and individual liberty are important and are things that a Christian can appropriately celebrate. Those things should be appreciated! This freedom has allowed for America to be one of the main places that missionaries are sent out of to share the Gospel across the world. Our first and primary allegiance is not to our country but to our Lord Jesus Christ, to His Kingdom. That is what we live for. Philippians 3:20-21 is a great reference for this. With that mindset it is important to keep in mind that true Christianity has to work not only in America, but it has to work in every country of the world. Steve expounds more on this and again reminds believers that their allegiance is to Christ first. We have to see ourselves as people who are following Jesus and living on mission. There is so much wisdom packed into this 25-minute episode, we would highly encourage you to listen to it. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!  

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It's Tuesday which means we have another episode of Resident Strangers to share! This episode serves as a part 2 to last week's conversation on how to study the Bible. The conversation begins with Sarah, Rich and Steve reflecting on Bibles they have had and how they've seen God's faithfulness through studying. At the end of last week's episode Rich began explaining inductive Bible study. Rich and Steve both feel there are some additional steps to this study method and have categorized it as so:

Pray
Observe
Interpret
Apply
Pray
Tell

If you notice prayer appears twice in this list of steps. You make want to take mental (or physical) notes as Rich and Steve explain the importance of each of these steps. They also talk through some resources and additional methods that can be helpful in studying the Bible. Is asking, "what does this verse mean to me?" a fair question when thinking of this process? Steve reminds that there is only one correct interpretation and intended meaning. How is this discovered? Rich warns about imposing definitions from systematic theology onto the text. These steps are so practical, and we hope that it enhances your study of the Bible this week and on!

Recommended resources available on Amazon:

Halley's Bible Handbook by Henry H. Halley
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (4th Edition) by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart
How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart
Grasping God's Word (4th Edition) by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays
Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy B. Zuck

Episode 50 of Resident Strangers, "The Problem with Systematic Theology" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PI2mHLXq2mniwjdkBt3G4?si=9dee7e5e4bf24f75
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

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Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Welcome back to Resident Strangers! This week's episode is somewhat of a continuation of last week's as Rich and Steve dive into the practical steps to study the Bible. Steve brings up a quote that meant a lot to him as he was learning to study the Bible, "this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book." We all have access to the Word of God, isn't that an incredible thing to think about? God's Word is for YOU. When we come to scripture it is to meet Jesus, to allow Him to transform us by the power of His Word in our life. What happens if you don't study scripture? In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul is urging Timothy to correctly handle the Word of truth. Sarah shares her experience attending Chrisitan schools and how studying the Bible was absent from the classes that were taught. Rich agrees - there were Bible classes but very little to no instruction on how to actually study the Bible. Unfortunately, churches haven't always taught this well either. This is so important and yet so many Christ followers don't know how to truly study the Bible. What is ultimately important is to come to the Word with a posture of wanting to become more like Jesus. Rich breaks down the difference between inductive and deductive Bible study. Steve brings up the importance of asking questions when studying the Bible. All in all, this discussion drives home the importance of not just reading the Bible but studying it to hopefully walk more like Christ each day. A simple way to start would be by praying, "God, I want to know what you said." Come back next week for a continuation of this discussion!

Episode 2 of Resident Strangers, "What is the Bible?" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5aV0zXgVtvELuex6zzl5lD?si=097f0ea1445947a1

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

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Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Today is a new day on Resident Strangers as Steve and Rich begin to cover topics outside of the doctrinal statement that Desert Springs holds. There are plenty of episodes to catch up on if you'd like to get through that first 😉 Rich references the very first episode of Resident Strangers in which theology in general was discussed. What is focused on today is the idea that sometimes systematic theology can cause issues in truly understanding scripture. When we start with doctrine and then take our doctrine to the Bible, we will see that doctrine in the Bible whether it is there or not. If we take the system to the Bible and let the system dictate, we can miss what the Bible is actually trying to say to us. In some ways we're no longer reading the Bible the way the first readers read it. Steve and Rich both give some specific examples of how this can happen when the system tries to influence scripture versus the other way around. Context is King! Unfortunately, a misunderstanding of how to study scripture is becoming more and more prevalent. Even Christians are allowing their thinking to be shaped more by theological systems than by scripture itself. Steve and Rich do their best to give more examples of how this happens and how to get back to the Bible and what it says. Join us next week as we discuss how to study the Bible!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This is a monumental episode on Resident Strangers today as Steve and Rich have officially reached the end of the doctrinal statement of Desert Springs Community Church. Have no fear! This is only the beginning of topics that will be covered on this podcast. Over the last two weeks all things marriage have been discussed. There are so many things to include and discuss as this is an area the enemy seeks to attack. Core to how we as humans were created is the distinction between male and female being a part of God's perfect design. This is something that can feel obvious but over the years culture has attempted to change and blur these ideas. Humans have intrinsic moral worth because we bear God's image. With this in mind, is marriage exclusive to a biological man and a biological woman? The marriage relationship is a picture of community and oneness that ultimately reflects God. It is a fulfillment of God's design for who we are. Sexual practice outside of a marriage relationship between a biological man and biological woman is sin. It is really important for churches to be crystal clear on what they think and believe about sexuality. When thinking of a monogamous heterosexual marriage relationship how important is regular sexual intimacy? Is being in a "committed" relationship (not a marriage) enough to include sexual activity? Our culture has become this pendulum that swings because it is so caught up in thoughts and feelings that are not based on truth. Do feelings equal truth? The reality is that walking in disobedience, especially when there is knowledge of the truth, is only going to bring pain, conflict and hurt. This applies to all areas of sexual sin. A big part of the Christian life is reordering our desires to be in line with how God made us to be. It has been incredible covering the Desert Springs doctrinal statement over the last 10 months and Steve, Rich and Sarah look forward to more discussions on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Welcome to part 2 of the discussion surrounding marriage! Last week the conversation centered around what God wants in and through marriage. This week Steve and Rich are discussing the difficult topic of divorce. The reality is that divorce trends are similar between the world and the Church. Steve states that divorce is not this "scarlet D" people have to wear as an unforgivable sin, but we do know that it is not God's ideal. God's ideal is one man and one woman together for one lifetime and Rich reiterates that it is God's desire that it would be permanent. Are there permissible grounds for divorced? Can a divorced person get remarried? What happens if someone in a Christian marriage walks away from the Lord? Steve and Rich discuss these things but start with encouraging people to not ever have divorce as an option on the table when things get difficult in marriage (this of course does not include instances of abuse). It is vital to recognize and understand the commitment that was made. Unfortunately, the Church has been heavily influenced by culture in this area. In Matthew 19 the Pharisees ask Jesus about divorce. Steve and Rich have slightly different interpretations of this passage though they agree on the fundamentals. What about adultery? How long should a couple try to make it work? Rich, Steve and Sarah stress that this conversation is not necessarily including situations of abuse. God is a God of redemption, and His grace can cover even the most difficult of circumstances. He can redeem the most broken situations in the world. We hope this discussion was helpful and insightful. We'll be back next week with part 3!

Josh + Rachel Fricovsky's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 117 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3PmYYm5IsZj00RVWgk9cHK?si=b00265aefc1d4d26
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Divorce Care - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2060995

Marriage Mentoring - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/900260

AZ Covenant Marriage License - https://azcourthelp.org/topics/marriage/covenant-marriage

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Sign up for the Resident Strangers email list - http://eepurl.com/iwv3Ug

Questions or comments?
Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.