Restitutio

by Tim Keller

What drives you?  What is that one person or thing or dream that you couldn’t live without?  What thing if you lost it, could mean that almost all significance and value would be drained out of your life?  Whatever that thing is, the bible calls it an idol, a counterfeit god.  Tim Keller expertly explains how any idol, no matter how good or wonderful, will ultimately break your heart.  Taking his cue from Augustine of Hippo, Keller argues that idolatry results from disordered love.  Thus, when we put our family or career or cause or goals first, we end up suffering rather than getting what we want.  God must be first and when he is, everything else falls into place.

Should Christians be patriotic? How patriotic should we be? Join Daniel Fitzsimmons, Rose Rider, and Sean Finnegan as they discuss issues related to patriotism and stake out a Christian perspective based on the example of Jesus and his earliest followers.

Historical Jesus 16: Resurrection

Traumatized by their rabbi’s crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples endured maddening grief and cognitive dissonance as they tried to come to grips with what had happened.  Into the midst of despair and helplessness, Jesus appeared.  Although the first “Christians” were also the worst believers in his resurrection, eventually they came to see him, in the flesh, and their doubts were assuaged as rejoicing replaced their mourning.  The power of death is broken!  He really is the messiah!  All is not lost!  He is risen!

Course notes are available here.

Is consumerism a force for good or ill in our society today?  How should Christians think about the ubiquity of advertising, our innate desire for novelty, and the allure of finding a deal?  For this episode Ruth Finnegan joins in with Daniel Fitzsimmons, Rose Rider, and Sean Finnegan to consider the pros and cons of consumerism as well as discuss what wisdom the bible has to share on this important subject.

Read a detailed article on Consumerism here.

Historical Jesus 15: Crucifixion

One of the most significant events in all of human history, Jesus’ crucifixion was at once a supreme miscarriage of justice while, at the same time, the supreme illustration of God’s love to humanity.  We’ll join Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane, agonizing in prayer before his God, to his arrest, trials, and ultimately his torture and crucifixion.

Course notes are available here.

Is scientific knowledge superior to all other forms of knowledge?  How should Christians balance faith and reason?  Join Rose Rider, Daniel Fitzsimmons, and Sean Finnegan as they discuss science and religion in an effort to describe and deconstruct the naive notion that science has all the answers.

Read a detailed article on Scientism here.

Historical Jesus 14: Last Supper

Why did Judas betray Jesus?  What did Jesus teach his closest friends and followers at the last supper?  Learn about the first “Lord’s Supper” or communion as well as what was on Jesus’ mind in his last hours before his arrest.  He taught them how to carry on after he was physically gone and showed them how to serve one another by washing their feet.  This tender dinner is the calm before the storm.

Course notes are available here.

Historical Jesus 13: Olivet Discourse

Did Jesus predict the destruction of the Temple in a.d. 70?  Did he predict the end of the world?  Learn about Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and discover what he said about false Christs, persecution, the abomination of desolation, and the coming of the son of man.

Course notes are available here.

Is the world getting better and better over time or worse and worse?  Listen in to Rose Rider, Daniel Fitzsimmons, and Sean Finnegan as they discuss how our culture thinks about progress in order to help you understand the hidden forces at work.  After discussing and deconstructing the idea of progress, they offer a helpful and balanced Christian perspective.

Read a detailed article on Progress here.

Historical Jesus 12: Intensified Conflict

Once Jesus came into Jerusalem, his enemies threw “stumper questions” at him in an effort to discredit him before the populace.  Jesus ably diffused these theological bombs and lobbed his own in return.  He told parables about the religious leaders that infuriated them while delighting the crowds.  Coupled with his earlier acts, Jesus’ public defiance was sure to land him in serious trouble.

Course notes are available here.