Second Thoughts with Austin Gentry

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Old Testament, and it's known as the 'Second Law.' The book receives its name not because it says anything new, but because its given to the next generation of Israelites who will inherit the Promise Land. Yet, the message given then points to the message of the Christian life we have now.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | To be generous, the book of Leviticus is hardly a fan favorite in the Bible. It can be dense at times, boring at times, seemingly irrelevant at times, and downright confusing at times. It's comprised of many laws and rituals that would seem not just archaic, but also arbitrary. However, context and symbolism provide a window to seeing that Leviticus is perhaps the linchpin of the entire Bible and the substance of our entire Christian faith.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Exodus 32 recounts the story when the Israelites graved a golden calf in the wilderness and worshiped it. In our culture, of course, no one sets up a golden calf for worship. However, what the golden calf represented back then is profoundly representative of how we tend to worship today: defining and approaching God on our terms instead of defining and approaching God on his.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Job is perhaps one of the most difficult, complex books in the entire Bible. It raises questions, challenges our assumptions, and shatters our categories for how we'd otherwise naturally make sense of life. It spotlights the reality of suffering, the majesty of the Suffering Savior, and the hope it gives all people in suffering.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Studying the Bible remains an important practice for Christians; however, it does little to no good if the underlying question, 'Is the Bible even trustworthy?' remains unanswered. The following audio touches on subjects such as the inspiration, exhortation, and appropriation. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In our day and age, genealogies don't mean much. But in Jesus' day and age, they meant everything. Matthew's gospel opens with the genealogy of Jesus - not only revealing God's behind-the-scenes activity during the 400 years of silence, but also depicting what the gospel is all about and who it is for.