Restitutio

How should those of us committed to a biblical sexual ethic treat those who are same-sex attracted or who identify as the opposite sex?  In our polarized world, it seems like only two options are available to us: (1) we accept, approve, and celebrate LGBT+ lifestyles or (2) we deny, denigrate, and dismiss them.  Either we reject scripture or reject love.  Surely, there must be a better way.  Can we show love without compromising our morals?  In this episode, we’ll take a look at what the bible says about sexual ethics before asking how we can be like Jesus in loving outsiders without betraying our own code of ethics.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

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This is the last episode of our class, Why Christianity.  We've covered so many different reasons why Christianity is attractive, makes sense, and is worthy of our attention.  We've looked at scientific, logical, epistemological, social, psychological, and historical reasons for God's existence, Christ's resurrection, and the gospel's effectiveness.  Today, we consider three stories of changed lives.  The proof, they say, is in the pudding.  Can Christianity deliver healing, forgiveness, and purpose for real people in our world today?  What about people who are deeply entrenched in atheism, partying, or gay activism? 

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This is part 16 of the Why Christianity class.

https://youtu.be/iCxsuTKrKB4

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God Has Power to Change Lives- Titus 3:3-7- sometimes our faith is too little- we are too easily intimidated

Lee Strobel- 1 Peter 3:1-2- 1 Corinthians 7:13-16 - Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus- both a book and a movie

Brian Welch- lead guitarist for Korn- Matthew 11:28-30- Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story

David Bennett- A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus- David recounts his dramatic story, from his early years exploring new age religions and French existentialism to his university experiences as an activist. Following supernatural encounters with God, he embarked on a journey not only of seeking to reconcile his faith and sexuality but also of discovering the higher call of Jesus Christ.

Although many throughout the Western world are quick to criticize Christianity, Jesus remains well-liked.  In fact, one of the most obvious answers to the question, “Why Christianity?” is “Jesus.”  To this day, reading the Gospels  draws the reader to Jesus’ magnetic and compelling way of life.  What’s more, the less satisfied we are with our own society, the more we find ourselves drawn to counter-cultural forces.  Jesus of Nazareth is just such a person.  He spoke truth to power and challenged the religious status quo of his own day.  He remains counter-cultural, and this just may be a strong reason for unbelievers to consider him today.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This is part 15 of the Why Christianity class.

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• Countercultural forces and revolutions appeal to people because they’re different than what has been done or experienced before.

• Rejection by the established political and cultural norms can greatly heighten that appeal.

• True countercultural forces/revolution substantially affect culture going forward.

• Countercultural forces are often co-opted, first through mainstream acceptance, then by assimilation and appropriation.

• Jesus Christ’s ministry was revolutionary and counter-cultural, as evidenced by his radical message, rejection and ultimate execution by those in power.

• We are to live as examples of Jesus to a desperate and dying world, presenting the message of the gospel as the true alternative to other life-defining – yet ultimately empty – belief systems.

Community is so important.  As so many continue to struggle with the ache of loneliness, anxiety about social encounters, and the gnawing pain of depression, we who belong to Christian communities have a huge opportunity and obligation to invite outsiders in, provide them a taste of God’s goodness, and welcome them with a spirit of genuine hospitality.  However, as soon as you begin reaching out to friends, coworkers, and neighbors, you may encounter a flurry of criticisms about Christianity.  “What about the crusades and the Spanish inquisition?” they may ask.  Or perhaps they’ll ask about pedophilia among priests or greedy mega pastors with private jets and multi-million dollar houses.  What can you say when these issues come up?  In this episode Daniel Fitzsimmons shares a about answering charges of hypocrisy as well as what authentic Christian community looks like.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This is part 14 of the Why Christianity class.

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• Evil that is perpetrated by so-called Christians or in the name of Christianity is a reality that must be acknowledged and addressed.

• God hates hypocrisy (1 John 4:20; James 1:22-25; 1 John 2:1-6)

• There are many examples, both ancient and recent, of Christ-followers embodying his teachings of radical love, self-sacrifice, service and forgiveness.

• The best example of what a Christian community looks like should be the one you set within your own community. People who are skeptical about the Christian faith will be persuaded more by how you treat those around you and in your church community than by rote recitation of the gospel message alone.

• There are copious opportunities to live out Christ’s teachings within your church and community.

• The defining characteristic of an authentic Christian community is love.

What is the proper role of your emotions?  Should you trust them?  How do you know when they are helping and when they are hurting?  Today we'll take a look at another exciting advantage that Christianity provides.  In this episode, you'll learn about the problems endemic to emotional reasoning, the robust biblical teaching about your heart, and how God provides us away to exercise self-control.  Even if these are not new concepts, I believe they provide fresh insights in our emotionally fraught time while helping us to lead better lives.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This is part 13 of the Why Christianity class.

https://youtu.be/M_6CuLEOTsM

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Cognitive Distortions----------------------- Emotional Reasoning- Catastrophizing- Overgeneralization- Dichotomous Thinking- Mind Reading- Labeling- Negative Filtering- Discounting Positives- Blaming

Biblical View of the Heart---------------------------- The problem is worse than you think (Jeremiah 17.9; Mark 7.21-23)- We are the problem- Yet, God has provided a comprehensive solution both now and in the age to come

Good News-----------1. New Birth- admit you are lost, believe in Christ’s death for you, accept God’s gift of salvation, repent, enter into covenant- he’ll give you a new heart (Ps. 51.1-2, 10)- regeneration via the spirit (Titus 3.3-7)

2. Sanctification- enkrateia ἐγκράτεια = “restraint of one’s emotions, impulses or desires, self-control” (BDAG); Proverbs 16.32; 12.16- God will help us through his spirit- (Proverbs 3.5-6; Galatians 5.16-23)- Jesus is our example (1 Peter 2.21-23)- ultimately we will benefit from a heart transplant (Ezekiel 36.24-28)

One of the most enduring problems we have faced throughout human history is tribalism.  From the Nazis to the Rwandan genocide, we’ve repeatedly seen the devastating results of group think and dehumanizing outsiders.  Although some Christian groups have tragically fallen into this sin, we don’t have to.  Christianity provides a better way.  We can draw upon our roots in scripture to live out a faith that recognizes insiders from outsiders while simultaneously inviting outsiders to become insiders.  Rather than excluding and shunning those who are different, we are called to love them and invite them in.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This is part 12 of the Why Christianity class.

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Racial Inclusion

Gender Inclusion

How to Treat Outsiders

Who are you and why does your life matter?  These two piercing questions get to the heart of your identity.  Our society in the West has increasingly embraced an internally discovered identity on the basis of individual passions.  Such expressive individualism is exciting to live out, especially if those around you push back, however, the resulting identity is both fragile and abrasive.  In contrast, the Christian identity begins with a surrender and an acceptance of who God says you are.  This received identity is both more durable and more loving.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This is part 11 of the Why Christianity class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEEoHr42eGk

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Identity--------Sense of self—who are you and your understanding of yourself in relation to your family, friends, society, and the world.

Sense of worth—your assessment of your personal value in life.

Individualism--------------Expressive Individualism—a desire to pursue one’s own path but also a yearning for fulfillment through the definition and articulation of one’s own identity. It is a drive both to be more like whatever you already are and also to live in society by fully asserting who you are.

• You be you; Be true to yourself• Follow your heart; Find yourself

Christian Identity------------------Not outward or inward, but upward.

Grounded in the immutability, the unconditional love, and the faithfulness of God.

A secure sense of worth and value that is not dependent upon anything but God alone.