Talks with Dad Rod

Ted asks about what Jesus said about removing body parts if they're causing him to sin. Rod talks about what Jesus reveals to us about our true fallen nature and how much we need a savior to rescue us, how dark our inherited sin is, and that we can trust that the miracle of Jesus' resurrection is true.

Ted asks about if the Christian needs continued forgiveness if he or she has already been forgiven. Rod talks about God the gracious Giver and we no more than sinful recipients, and Dad's own need for forgiveness and basing his understanding of that need in God's word.

Ted asks about whether our youngest children are capable of having saving faith, referencing Matthew 21:15-16. Rod talks about how he used to have his students study all the Scripture verses on baptism, what God says about children and faith, and Jesus' response to the idea of kids being prevented from coming to Him.

Ted asks how Jesus' atonement and sacrifice on the cross works. Rod talks about several important books on the subject, about adoption, reconciliation, propitiation, imputed righteousness, how Melanchthon and Luther tangled on the subject, and what it means for sinners to be reckoned AS IF righteous in this life.

Ted asks about what Paul meant regarding the relationship between sin and the law. Rod talks about how the law affects the sinner, the realities of our sinful condition when we think about improvement, where salvation must come from, and considers the quality of people with whom Jesus spent His time.

Ted asks about 2 Corinthians 3:6 and how literally we should interpret Scripture. Rod talks about what sinners bring to their faith and salvation, the importance of having a law/Gospel distinction, and why reading Scripture correctly and well and accurately is important.

Ted asks about whether or not Jesus is actually risen from the dead. Rod talks about how the claims of Christianity could theoretically be overthrown, and returns to the powerful historical evidence behind the truth of Christ's resurrection actually taking place in human history.

Ted asks about what the Bible tells us about Jesus Christ and atonement. Rod talks about what's going on on the cross, what Jesus went though, why it needed to happen, and what makes Christianity Christianity.

Ted asks about assurance in light of Matthew 24:13, when we don't feel like we're enduring. Rod talks about the struggle being typical for sinners who are sensitive to their inner disobedience and their disinclination to Christ, but then speaks of good news for such people, including confirmation of what believers faithfully do in their vocations every day.

Ted asks about whether Christians should give things up for Lent. Rod offers up some different conversations like, "How does the cross work? Why is the cross so important in Christianity?", and the words that are associated with it: Reconciliation, Adoption, and the idea of Substitution.