TGC Q&A

Glen Scrivener and Sam Chan discuss whether or not Christianity has done more good than evil in the world throughout time. They address:

• Resonance, dissonance, and gospel fulfillment (:30)
• Christian guilt (1:13)
• More or less of Jesus? (1:44)
• Pursuing deeper understanding (2:38)
• Religions and their wars (4:50)
• Resources to learn more (5:56)

Explore more from TGC on this topic:

Where is Jesus Among Genocide and Unthinkable Evil

How to Answer the 12 Strongest Objections to Christianity

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Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss what Paul meant when he said that we are “being saved.” They address:

• The journey of salvation (:32)
• The certainty of salvation (:56)
• Three tenses of salvation (1:33)
• Living like new converts (2:50)
• Mutual assurance of salvation (4:14)

Explore more from TGC on this topic:

Course on The Doctrine of Salvation

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In the final episode of our biblical counseling series, Paul Tripp answers the question, “How do I find hope in suffering?” He addresses:

• The role of lament in suffering (1:00)
• Complaint vs. lament (1:25)
• Darkness and lament that leads to hopefulness (3:33)
• Hope from the Bible for the suffering (4:24)
• Our understanding High Priest (6:55)
• Finding hope in the already, not yet world (9:16)
• Hopelessness as the doorway to hope (10:12)
• How to renew your mind in suffering (12:43)
• Speaking truth to yourself (14:07)
• A four-step practice to renew the mind (16:48)
• Combating the lie of unworthiness (18:42)

Find more from TGC on suffering:

• Featured Topic from TGC

Paul's recommended resources:

• Where is God When it Hurts? by Phillip Yancey
• When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes
• Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Paul Tripp
• When Suffering Enters Your Door (video series with Paul Tripp)

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In this episode of our TGC Q&A biblical counseling series, Mark Shaw answers the question, “What does God say to those who struggle with addiction?” He addresses:

• How to help others in your church seeking to overcome addiction (:54)
• Addiction as a sin issue (1:14)
• Becoming a spiritual heart doctor (2:26)
• Partnership in counseling (2:55)
• Biblical encouragement for someone battling addiction (7:23)
• Behavioral modification and heart transformation (12:21)
• Dealing with shame (15:18)
• Helping someone addicted to pornography (19:15)
• Confession as a starting point (19:56)
• Fleeing sexual immorality (22:12)
• Thinking of others first (25:09)
• Hope for those caught in addiction (25:50)

Find more from TGC on addiction:

• Featured Topic from TGC

Mark's recommended resources: 

• Find books, studies, and videos from The Addiction Connection
• Gospel-centered books written by Mark E. Shaw on addiction

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In this episode of TGC Q&A’s biblical counseling series, Nate Brooks answers the question, “Should Christians be skeptical about counseling?” He addresses:

• Encouraging reluctant people toward counseling (:35)
• Allowing others to see our struggles (2:03)
• Patience for others (2:47)
• Prayer for others (4:05)
• Talking about counseling in a helpful way (3:55)
• The first step in seeking counseling (7:03)
• Thankfulness for God’s leadership toward godly counsel (5:25)
• Bringing along a friend as an advocate in counseling (8:32)
• What makes for a good counselor (10:25)
• Good counselors are good listeners (10:49)
• Good counselors are scripturally wise (11:36)
• Trusting biblical counselors—wise advice vs. biblical commands (14:33)
• Encouragement for those wanting to be biblical counselors (20:13)

Find more from TGC on biblical counseling:

• A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry
• TGC’s Counseling Course

Nate's recommended resources:

• Thoughts for Young Counselors by Nate Brooks (blog post)
• Six Ways to Make the Most Out of Counseling by Rick Thomas (blog post)
• Resources from the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
• The Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (IBCD)

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In this episode of our TGC Q&A biblical counseling series, Rebekah Hannah answers the question, “How can we care for families who have gone through miscarriage?” She addresses:

• Caring for a friend after a miscarriage (1:10)
• Speaking too quickly (2:05)
• Commiseration vs. hope (2:47)
• Minimizing pain (3:18)
• Promising what God has not (3:55)
• Saying nothing at all (4:40)
• Church support following perinatal loss (5:25)
• Learning from the stories of God’s people (7:13)
• Practical service (8:00)
• Grieving with hope (8:43)
• Truth doesn’t end pain, but gives it value (10:53)
• When you feel hopeless (11:32)
• Sin and suffering as effects of the fall that have been overcome by Christ (12:20)

Find more from TGC on miscarriage and perinatal loss:

Sharing the Painful Loss of Miscarriage

The Fruit of Grief in Miscarriage

Pregnancy After Miscarriage

Rebekah's recommended resources:

4 Gospel Truths for Miscarriage by Rebekah Hannah (blog post)

Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller

Trusting God  by Jerry Bridges

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James Newheiser, Jr. answers the question, “What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage?” He addresses:

• Biblical grounds for divorce (:40)
• Unfaithfulness, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation (1:24)
• Abandonment and sanctification (6:00)
• When a spouse leaves (10:21)
• Abuse as a form of abandonment (12:25)
• When the abuser is a “believer” (14:40)
• The nature of the divorce answers the question of remarriage (15:52)
• The virtual widow (17:16)
• A word of caution for those who are hurt and vulnerable (18:03)

Find more from TGC on marriage:

Explore the Featured Topic on Divorce

Divorce and Remarriage: Biblical Principles and Pastoral Practice

Jim’s recommended resources:

Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage: Critical Questions and Answers by Jim Newheiser

Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby Strickland

The Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for Men Who Use Control and Violence in the Home by Chris Moles

Deepak Reju's She's Got The Wrong Guy by Deepak Reju

Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund

When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey

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Shanda Anderson answers the question, “What Does God Say to Those Who Struggle with Body Image?” She addresses:

• Biblical encouragement for someone struggling with an eating disorder (1:54)
• Cultural directives for identity formation (2:28)
• Social media as a weapon of mass destruction (4:46)
• Loves disordered by sin (6:20)
• Recognizing and struggling with motivations behind habits (9:15)
• God-given value that overcomes body image struggles (13:16)
• Shame as a barrier to healthy identity (17:15)
• Practical tools for embracing your identity in Christ (18:48)
• Can God take away an eating disorder? (21:45)
• Reflecting Christ by reflecting his glorious beauty (26:55)

Find more from TGC on marriage:

Eating, Body Image, and the Gospel

As You Start That Diet: 3 Truths About Body Image

Shanda's recommended resources:

• 2017 Gospel Identity Conference with Tim Keller
• Broken Body Image from Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF)
• Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Body Image Distortions from CCEF
• When Eating Isn't Enough by Michael R. Emlet

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In the fourth episode of our biblical counseling series, Josh Squires answers the question, “How do I honor God when marriage gets tough?” He addresses:

• Common questions about marriage (:25)
• Functionality in marriage (1:20)
• Complimentary marriage (1:40)
• When the husband doesn’t lead (5:28)
• Engaging a spiritually apathetic spouse (9:46)
• Apathy and the stages of change (12:22)
• Helping your spouse move on from apathy (16:48)
• The biggest challenge in marriage (18:30)
• Marriage game theory (19:40)
• Finding a way to health in a troubled marriage (26:10)

Find more from TGC on marriage:

Explore the Topic of Marriage

Josh’s recommended reading list:

When Sinners Say “I Do” by Dave Harvey

Marriage Matters by Winston T. Smith

The Meaning of Marriage by Tim and Kathy Keller

What Did You Expect by Paul Tripp

This Momentary Marriage by John Piper

The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason

Why Marriages Succeed or Fail by John Gottman

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In the third episode of the biblical counseling series, Lois Kehlenbrink answers the question, “How can pastors care for their own souls?"  She addresses:

• Spiritual plateau (:53)
• Taking physical inventory (1:30)
• The importance of Sabbath rest (2:00)
• Neglected pastoral wounds (4:00)
• Help for lingering hurts (6:27)
• Wounds as tools to understand God’s love (9:41)
• Identifying with the suffering of Christ (10:44)
• Dignity and delight in fellowship with Christ (13:00)
• Grieving that understands the suffering of Christ (15:18)
• Redemptive purposes in our wounds (16:31)

Find more from TGC on this topic:

Tony Merida on Ministry Discouragement

What It Takes to Survive and Thrive in Ministry

Lois's Recommended Reading List:

Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller with Katherine Leary Alsdorf 

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller

Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Paul Tripp

The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society  by Henri J. M. Nouwen

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