The Bible Nerd Podcast

Have you ever thought about the incomprehensibility of finite creatures like you me loving the infinite, eternal God of all glory?

It’s amazing to think that God loves us; but how do we love him? Is it even possible?

Using insights from the Bible, philosophy, and even science, we’re embarking on an in-depth study to find the answer to the question of how to love God.

Make sure to fill out the form below (or click here) to download a practical, 4-step guide to connecting with God on a deeper level!

In Luke 10, Jesus affirms the response of a religious lawyer who quotes the Hebrew Bible’s teaching on the matter: “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

We’re in the fourth and final lesson of a series exploring the heart, soul, strength, and mind. Today, we dive right into the biblical command to love God with all of our strength and all of our mind.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

Why the notion of human beings possessing power at all rests in being made in God’s image

How everything we know about the universe points to its having a beginning, and how the data matching what we know about God.

We examine the misunderstanding many have about “faith,” and give biblical reasons why Christianity is, in fact, the only rational worldview.

Mentioned in this lesson:

The Creation Academy

Predation Series:

TCA Lesson 036: Creation and Predation—What Does the Bible Teach?

TCA Lesson 037: Q&A: Creation and Predation

TCA Lesson 038: Scripture, Sin, and Defending Christianity

The Seed, the Soil, and the Soul

Defend Your Faith FREE Course

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 071: How to Love God (Part 4) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

NOTE: At around 35 minutes, I get a bit trigger happy and refer to the great biblical writer Job as an Apostle. This is, of course, inaccurate, though one could argue his experience of God was just as certain as those who bear the title. This is the nevertheless a misspeaking and should be pointed out as such.

Have you ever thought about the incomprehensibility of finite creatures like you me loving the infinite, eternal God of all glory?

It’s amazing to think that God loves us; but how do we love him? Is it even possible?

Using insights from the Bible, philosophy, and even science, we’re embarking on an in-depth study to find the answer to the question of how to love God.

Make sure to fill out the form below (or click here) to download a practical, 4-step guide to connecting with God on a deeper level!

In Luke 10, Jesus affirms the response of a religious lawyer who quotes the Hebrew Bible’s teaching on the matter: “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

We’re in lesson three of a series exploring the heart, soul, strength, and mind. Today, we dive right into the biblical command to love God with all of our soul.

There are many interesting biblical questions that relate to the soul. Are the soul and spirit the same thing? What does it mean to be “alive” in the biblical sense? Can animals love God? Lots of exciting questions to ponder today, as well as some exhortation to be thankful for the true “gift of life.” Listen in and enjoy!

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

The New Testament parallel to the Hebrew understanding of the soul, and how it helps distinguish “life” from “non-life” in the biblical sense.

Many say that “life is a gift” rather flippantly, taking for granted how true that statement is. We talk about the metaphysical necessity of God, and why we, as continent beings, have more to be thankful for than we realize.

We look at the biblical usage of the word “soul” and discover some important truths about the relationship between God and those souls he’s created.

Mentioned in this lesson:

The Creation Academy

Predation Series:

TCA Lesson 036: Creation and Predation—What Does the Bible Teach?

TCA Lesson 037: Q&A: Creation and Predation

TCA Lesson 038: Scripture, Sin, and Defending Christianity

Book Review: Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God

Defend Your Faith FREE Course

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 070: How to Love God (Part 3) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

Have you ever thought about the incomprehensibility of finite creatures like you me loving the infinite, eternal God of all glory?

It’s amazing to think that God loves us; but how do we love him? Is it even possible?

Using insights from the Bible, philosophy, and even science, we’re embarking on an in-depth study to find the answer to the question of how to love God.

Make sure to fill out the form below (or click here) to download a practical, 4-step guide to connecting with God on a deeper level!

In Luke 10, Jesus affirms the response of a religious lawyer who quotes the Hebrew Bible’s teaching on the matter: “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

We’re in lesson two of a series exploring the heart, soul, strength, and mind. Today, we begin with an important announcement regarding a project we’ve been working on for some time now, The Creation Academy. Then, we begin looking at the biblical notion of the “heart.”

The Bible teaches many important things about the heart. The heart is wicked and opposed to the things of God. Yet, the heart is able to changed by God and created anew! Listen in as we explore how God intended our heart to be used as our full expression of love toward him.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

How the biblical usage of the word “heart” differs from our usage today, and what that means for how we love God.

Why the key to loving God fully is the proper orientation of the heart toward him.

Why the heart is sinful and wicked from birth, and how God’s overcoming grace works to change it.

Mentioned in this lesson:

The Creation Academy

Knowledge and Christian Belief

Defend Your Faith FREE Course

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 069: How to Love God (Part 2) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

Have you ever thought about the incomprehensibility of finite creatures like you me loving the infinite, eternal God of all glory?

It’s amazing to think that God loves us; but how do we love him? Is it even possible?

Make sure to fill out the form below (or click here) to download a practical, 4-step guide to connecting with God on a deeper level!

In Luke 10, Jesus affirms the response of a religious lawyer who quotes the Hebrew Bible’s teaching on the matter: “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the heart, soul, strength, and mind. And, today’s lesson will provide deep introductory insight into each notion. But more than anything, this lesson will establish what is meant by the word “love.”

What sort of “love” is it that a finite, created being can give to an infinite, uncreated God? Listen in to this week’s show to find out.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

How God has given us way to love him that is based on his own nature.

The significance of being made in the image of God.

The four meanings of the word “love” and how we can use sacrificial love to love God.

Mentioned in this lesson:

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 068: How to Love God (Part 1) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

Perhaps there is no one more qualified than Josh Shoemaker and Dr. Gary Braness, with advanced degrees and certifications in apologetics, chemistry, and entomology (the study of insects) to shed light on the largely unexplored territory of God and the world of insects.

Insects are really an amazing part of God’s creation.

And though our childhood fascination with them usually begins to wain as we grow older, these two motivated Christian entomologists are calling for us to leave behind our entomological apathy and once again embrace a spirit of wonder and excitement about this, one of the “smallest”—and yet most expansive—facets of God’s world.

Their new book, aptly titled God and the World of Insects, takes the reader on an exciting journey.

Filled with information covering the theological, the entomological, the philosophical, and even the environmental, God and the World of Insects offers stunning new insight—using the latest available scientific research—into the incredible design of these creatures.

In part two of our two part discussion, we discuss the irreducibly complex process of metamorphosis, ants and their navigational prowess, God’s purposes for insects, and much, much more.

Don’t miss it!

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

Mentioned in this lesson:

Waggle dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFDGPgXtK-U

Metamorphosis: http://www.metamorphosisthefilm.com/

FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/christianentomologists/

Bioinspiration: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fphys.org%2Fnews%2F2018-06-dragonfly-larvae-effective-artificial-heart.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2fGF6CDVSIdOemWf5g5BickLFWcbjzg7V_fs_Ki0EkJn5DD403wbeIYTY&h=AT2-DqRkrNk5uo1JtbgvA2wVZKa0kab0daPKK-IlmBPoMjweT2Yr8yYbZftbqD2HWbaV8bkzUtPq-r4TLYr1v-8SeGzqUoHZSrwcA10h00qhL0h-okpg9JXnFuTyPQhV_Fd5ja3e

Insect Photos: https://mymodernmet.com/john-hallmen-insect-photography/?fbclid=IwAR3ThHevKDUV_z-e9Mx_IWHO_yV1CEalpyQXVnjq7nRmj0t4jrk14kfKIw0

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 067: God and the World of Insects w/ Josh Shoemaker and Dr. Gary Braness (Part 2) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

Perhaps there is no one more qualified than Josh Shoemaker and Dr. Gary Braness, with advanced degrees and certifications in apologetics, chemistry, and entomology (the study of insects) to shed light on the largely unexplored territory of God and the world of insects.

Insects are really an amazing part of God’s creation.

And though our childhood fascination with them usually begins to wain as we grow older, these two motivated Christian entomologists are calling for us to leave behind our entomological apathy and once again embrace a spirit of wonder and excitement about this, one of the “smallest”—and yet most expansive—facets of God’s world.

Their new book, aptly titled God and the World of Insects, takes the reader on an exciting journey.

Filled with information covering the theological, the entomological, the philosophical, and even the environmental, God and the World of Insects offers stunning new insight—using the latest available scientific research—into the incredible design of these creatures.

In part one of our two-part discussion, we discuss their motivation for writing this book, and even begin to dive into this amazing world looking at the incredible convergence of insect species across the globe, and the intricacies of beetle design and environmental impact.

Don’t miss it!

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

Mentioned in this lesson:

Insect Photos: https://mymodernmet.com/john-hallmen-insect-photography/?fbclid=IwAR3ThHevKDUV_z-e9Mx_IWHO_yV1CEalpyQXVnjq7nRmj0t4jrk14kfKIw0

FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/christianentomologists/

God and the World of Insects (Book)

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 066: God and the World of Insects w/ Josh Shoemaker and Dr. Gary Braness (Part 1) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

When someone presents a claim or an objection to a claim you’ve made, are you able to spot the “fly in the ointment”?

Bad arguments, unfortunately, run amuck in both Christian and non-Christian circles. Sometimes it’s obvious when an argument is bad, but sometimes it’s much less obvious and requires work to uncover the rotten spots.

In this lesson (and last week’s lesson), I’m giving you some tools that will help you spot such deficiencies. More precisely, we can uncover these logical fallacies by asking certain questions.

Over time, you will not have to run through arguments and evaluate them based on a list of questions; you’ll simply be able to pick out the problems at a glance. But it’s hard to get started if you don’t know how to evaluate an argument in the first place!

Listen in as we teach you how to overcome challenges that are based on bad arguments.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

Why many arguments do little to nothing to advance another’s view because their reasons are irrelevant to the discussion.

How to know when it is okay logically to quote someone as a expert authority in their field.

How to determine whether a person’s rejection of your view has to do with the consequences it entails.

The tactic that Jesus and other New Testament figures often used in their discussions to refute self-defeating worldviews.

Mentioned in this lesson:

Interesting in helping with video transcription? Email me!

Logic: Our Moral Obligation

064: 7 Ways to Identify a Bad Argument (Part 1)

Defend Your Faith FREE Course

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 065: 7 Ways to Identify a Bad Argument (Part 2) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

When someone presents a claim or an objection to a claim you’ve made, are you able to spot the “fly in the ointment”?

Bad arguments, unfortunately, run amuck in both Christian and non-Christian circles. Sometimes it’s obvious when an argument is bad, but sometimes it’s much less obvious and requires work to uncover the rotten spots.

In this lesson (and next week’s lesson), I want to give you some tools that will help you spot such deficiencies. More precisely, we can uncover these logical fallacies by asking certain questions.

Over time, you will not have to run through arguments and evaluate them based on a list of questions; you’ll simply be able to pick out the problems at a glance. But it’s hard to get started if you don’t know how to evaluate an argument in the first place!

Listen in as we teach you how to overcome challenges that are based on bad arguments.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

How do tell the difference between an objection to your claim, and an objection to you! Sometimes, this is obvious, but not always!

Why you must learn how to use the word “therefore.” You’d be surprised how many arguments fall flat because you can’t cogently use this word to seal the deal.

Why no claim or argument is better than the assumptions on which it stands, and how to tell whether or not an assumption might be justified in a particular case.

Mentioned in this lesson:

Interesting in helping with video transcription? Email me!

Therefore, Christianity is False?

Defend Your Faith FREE Course

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 064: 7 Ways to Identify a Bad Argument (Part 1) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

Our fundamental assumptions about the nature of reality, history, etc., will inevitably show up in our exploration of those things.

But how do these assumptions affect our results?

The answer to this question is the subject matter of today’s podcast lesson. We realize that, in order to do science, one must assume the uniformity of nature. If nature were not uniform, we could not expect to see the same results from a scientific experiment when the experiment was repeated.

But here’s a question: Does that assumption necessarily extend indefinitely? Is it possible that, through supernatural intervention, there have been periods of earth history where some of the “rules” were changed?

I think we have both biblical and scientific firepower to believe that’s the case.

Listen in to this week’s show as I attempt to draw the proper distinction between the uniformity of nature and the philosophy of uniformitarianism, and give reasons to question whether the latter is a warranted assumption.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

Mentioned in this lesson:

TCA Lesson 034: Is Young Age Creationism Pseudoscience? (Part 2)

The Noachian Deluge: Does Scripture Say Global, or Local?

TCA Lesson 053: A Flood of Evidence | S01L03

TCA Lesson 041: What on Earth is Science? (Goal Posts–Part 2)

Should Christians Trust Scientists?

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 063: The Difference Between Uniformitarianism and the Uniformity of Nature appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.

In a recent article I wrote for The Creation Club, I examined the major problem with “science vs. the Bible thinking.” That discussion led naturally to another question I received recently.

The question goes like this:

“At what point would I allow modern science to dictate my understanding of the Bible?”

I provided my answer in the article; but I wanted to parse out my thinking and expand upon my reasoning for answering the way that I did. That answer is the subject matter of today’s lesson.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

Why the way this question is worded reveals a fundamental flaw in the process of hermenuetics.

The big difference between allowing the Bible to dictate things about science and allowing science to dictate things about the Bible, and three biblical examples that help make my point.

How to carefully point out the difference between a “ministerial” and “magisterial” use of extrabiblical information.

Mentioned in this lesson:

THE ONE BIG PROBLEM WITH “SCIENCE VS. THE BIBLE” THINKING

Thanks so much for listening. Please subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts!

Also, please consider donating to become a financial Partner of the ministry. God Bless!

The post 062: How Does Science Relate to the Bible? appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.