In this episode of TGC Q&A, we continue in our series, "Gen Z's Questions About Christianity," where Thaddeus Williams answers four challenging questions on social justice and politics.

He addresses:

• Defining and avoiding "The Newman Effect" (0:00)
• Giving others the benefit of the doubt (4:10)
• John Perkins and his approach to racial justice (5:30)
• Similarities and differences between social and biblical justice (7:50)
• Is critical race theory (CRT) biblical? (14:30)
• Engaging politics without siding with a political party (23:50)
• Thinking critically, submitting to Christ's authority (29:30)

Explore more from TGC on the topics of justice and politics.

Recommended reading: 

• Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice by Thaddeus Williams
• Welcoming Justice: God's Movement Toward Beloved Community (Resources for Reconciliation) by John M. Perkins

For more of Thaddeus Williams’ reflections on social justice and politics, check out TGC’s new book, Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church, where Thaddeus contributed a chapter entitled, “Social Justice: Breakup or Breakthrough?” Available now in the TGC Store. 

This episode of TGC Q&A with Rachel Gilson is the second in a five-week series titled, “Gen Z’s Questions About Christianity." Gilson answers four important questions about sexuality and gender identity.

She discusses:

• The negative temptation of sexual desire (0:00)
• Loving those who identify as LGBT and remaining true to biblical beliefs (3:06)
• Leading with the the gospel of grace (4:11)
• Invite, listen, protect, and invest (5:10)
• Referring to a transgender person by their desired pronoun (6:23)
• Struggling with sexuality and maintaining faith (9:30)
• Confession, conviction, and comfort (10:43)
• God’s spirit, God’s Word, and God’s people (12:26)

Explore more from TGC on the topic of sexuality.

Rachel’s recommended resources:

• Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say  by Preston Sprinkle
• Gay Girl, Good God  by Jackie Hill Perry
• 7 Myths About Singleness  by Sam Allberry
• Born Again This Way  by Rachel Gilson

For more of Rachel Gilson’s reflections on sexuality and gender identity, check out TGC’s new book, Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church, where Rachel contributed a chapter entitled, “Sex: Telling a Better Story.” Available now in the TGC Store.

In this episode of TGC Q&A, we kick off a new five-week series titled, “Gen Z’s Questions About Christianity" with Josh Butler, who answers two questions regarding hell and judgment.

He discusses:

• Reconciling God’s love with eternal judgment (0:00)
• A broader storyline for hell (1:24)
• Getting hell wrong (2:55)
• Reconciling heaven and earth (3:38)
• Getting the hell out of earth (4:37)
• Is hell a scare tactic? (6:45)
• The impact of sin (9:48) 
• The good news of the gospel (10:40)

Explore more from TGC on the topic of hell.

For more of Josh Butler's reflections on hell, check out TGC’s new book, Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church, where Josh contributed a chapter entitled, "Hell: Skeleton in God’s Closet?” Available now in the TGC Store.

In this episode of TGC Q&A, Paul Tripp and J. D. Greear discuss the question, “What are the biggest issues the church will face in this decade?”

They discuss:

• Identity (:00)
• Preparing to address identity in our churches (2:00)
• Overcoming the “media view” of Christianity (3:40)
• A new vocabulary based on the gospel (5:28)
• Reaching and engaging the culture (6:31)
• Every Christian and the Great Commission (7:48)
• Fringe culture church (8:34)

Explore more from TGC on the topic of church.

In this episode of TGC Q&A, Jared Wilson and Afshin Ziafat discuss the question, “How do I know if I married the right person?”

They discuss:

• If you’re married, you married the right person (:00)
• The source of the question (1:08)
• A theological deficiency (2:21)
• The goal of marriage (3:26)
• The grass is greener where you water it (4:53)
• Bathing marriage in prayer (5:43)
• He or she isn’t your savior (7:21)
• You don’t complete me (8:51)
• Worthwhile intentionality (9:55)

Explore more from TGC on the topic of marriage.

In this episode of TGC Q&A, David Mathis and Joe Rigney answer the question, “How can Christians avoid smartphone addiction?”

They discuss:

• A pastoral predicament (:00)
• Admitting you have a problem (1:53)
• Controlling impulses (4:04)
• Gaining larger vision (6:05)
• Godliness as a value (7:13)
• The price of phone addiction (8:39)
• The joy of freedom (9:22)

Explore more from TGC on the topics of technology and addiction.

In this episode of TGC Q&A, Dave Harvey and Michael Lawrence answer the question, “How do I know if I'm saved?”

They discuss:

• Where to begin (:00)
• How you don’t know you’re saved (1:49)
• Observing your own life (2:46)
• The Spirit’s testimony (4:27)
• Objective and subjective evidence (5:31)
• Internal and external evidence (7:07)
• Challenging a profession of faith when there is no fruit (9:36)

Explore more from TGC on the topic of salvation.

In this episode of TGC Q&A, Crawford Loritts and Jason Cook answer the question, “What does Paul mean by, ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good?’”

They discuss:

• Taking his words at face value (:00)
• Confronting evil (1:51)
• Displaying Christ-like character (3:30)
• The outrage culture (4:33)
• Passionate disagreement in love (5:58)
• Living in the tension (7:08)

Explore more from TGC:

How Should Christians Respond to a Culture of Outrage?

Fruit of the Spirit

In this episode of TGC Q&A, Jackie Hill Perry and Jen Pollock Michel discuss the question, “How should we respond to the paradoxes of Christianity?” They address:

• Is everything a paradox? (:00)
• Is God good? (1:23)
• And what about suffering? (2:12)
• Responding to paradox (2:50)
• Our desire for control (3:58)
• Jesus’s response (5:21)

Explore more from TGC on this topic:

• Why Christians Need More Paradox
• The Liberating Paradox of Weakness

In this episode of TGC Q&A, Tim Challies and Tony Merida discuss the question, “Should I forgive those who are unrepentant?” They address:

• Defining forgiveness (:00)
• Becoming a peacemaker (1:21)
• The forgiveness of God (3:42)
• Acknowledging consequences (5:02)

Explore more from TGC on the topic of forgiveness.

This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Providence, by bestselling author, John Piper. Sign up for a free Crossway+ account by Friday, April 30 to receive 40% off this book at crossway.org/TGC.