The Bible Never Said That

Is there any merit to the notion that “ignorance is bliss?” Chara unpacks this idea and looks at it through the lens of the Bible. We look at the story of Apollos to see how God interrupted his ignorance so that the gospel could spread.

Articles Referenced:
7 Steps to a Deeper Understanding of the Bible
10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others

Books Referenced:
Strength to Love by Martin Luther King Jr.

Verses Referenced: Deuteronomy 32:4, Acts 18: 18-28, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 John 5:14, Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 1:7, Romans 1:20, Judges 2:10

You can find Chara at: Anchored Voices | Facebook | Twitter

Episode Image Credit: Getty/Vaselena

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When people evaluate their lives, they see the need to evaluate their priorities. It is wise to assess how we spend our time, but to say life is all about balance is placing too much stock in an abstract idea. For the Christian life, it can only ever be all about Christ.

Finding balance seems like a sound way to operate in life. But we break down why this can be a problematic framework for our walk with Christ.

Verses Referenced:
Job 31:6, Colossians 3:4, Colossians 3:17, Matthew 6, Hebrews 12:2,

Articles Referenced:

Thirteen Practical Steps to Kill Sin by John Piper https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/thirteen-practical-steps-to-kill-sin

A Week of Prayers for When You Feel Spiritually Dry by Chara Donahue https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/a-week-of-prayers-for-when-you-feel-spiritually-dry.html

You can find Chara at: Anchored Voices | Facebook | Twitter

Episode Image Credit: Getty/Nuthawut_Somsuk

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We can’t just discover bad habits and sin patterns and shrug our shoulders, saying, well, no one can change. Nope. That is not what the Bible says about putting off the old self.

Verses Referenced:  2 Corinthians 5:17; Acts 4-15; Acts 9:26-28; Mark 14:51–52; Corinthians 9:6; 2 Timothy 4:11; Colossians 2:13-14; John 10:27-29

Articles Referenced:
10 Theological Statements That Are Theologically Unsound by Chara Donahue

Books Referenced:
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer  
How People Change by Timothy Lane

Episode Image Credit: Getty/Klaus Vedfelt

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There is a hope more powerful than time. That hope is Jesus. But how do we find healing when days might be hard to face, when each step is a struggle?

Verses Referenced: Genesis 6-9, James 4:7, Psalm 46, Romans 12:2, John 1:3-4, Isaiah 61, Psalm 6, 1 John 4:16, 1 Peter 5:7, Hebrews 4:13

Articles Referenced: 10 Theological Statements That Are Theologically Unsound by Chara,
Trauma by American Psychological Association

Books Referenced: Putting Your Past in Its Place by Stephen Viars

Chara Donahue is a co-author of the Bible study 1, 2 & 3 John: Experiencing Transformation and is working on her next book. She is an adjunct professor at her local university, holds an MSEd, and is passionate about seeing people set free through God's truths. She is the founder and editor of Anchored Voices.

Episode Image Credit: Getty/Elena Shlyapnikova

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This is a sneaky little lie that tells us relationships can function well on a 50/50 bargain. But as Jesus followers, we look to a higher standard, one where we strive to outdo one another in showing honor and love.

Verses Referenced:  1 John 3:16, John 15:13, 1 Peter 4:10, 2 Samuel 17:27-29, 2 Samuel 19:31-39, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Psalm 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1-4, Mark 12, Mark 10:35-45, 

Articles Referenced: 10 Popular Statements That Are Theologically Unsound

Check out the Boundary Training Chara referenced: Boundaries in a Pandemic

About Your Host:
Chara Donahue is a co-author of the Bible study 1, 2 & 3 John: Experiencing Transformation and is working on her next book. She is an adjunct professor at her local university, holds an MSEd, and is passionate about seeing people set free through God's truths. She is the founder and editor of Anchored Voices, and host of the podcast The Bible Never Said That, which you can listen to on LifeAudio.com. Get in touch with her on Facebook or Twitter.

Episode Image Credit: Getty/erhui1979

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Verses Referenced: Psalm 46:1; Exodus 20:18-22; 2 Corinthians 11:25-31; Hebrews 11:32-38

Book Referenced:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: https://amzn.to/3qgnDpt
Radical by David Platt: http://lfwy.co/3mvKTxe
The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripkin: http://lfwy.co/2I2HUxy

Articles Referenced: 10 Popular Statements that Are Theologically Unsound by Chara Donahue: https://bit.ly/3qkxkmy

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Those who believe in Christ have the joy of living with the hope of heaven, not just the joy of the journey. The journey helps us be transformed into Christ's likeness, but the destination holds the promise of an everlasting, perfect life with Jesus and the fellowship of believers. Every life journey ends in one of two destinations, and those destinations matter greatly. Do you believe that all of life is just about the journey, or does the destination matter to you?

Verses Referenced: Matthew 25:46; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:13; Mark 9:24; Job 12:7-10; John 1:3; Hebrews 12:28; 1 Corinthians 15:53; Psalm 103:2-5; Ephesians 3:20-21; Revelation 21:3-4

Chara's Writing Referenced:
10 Ways to Enjoy God More Today
6 Ways to Reclaim the Wonder in Your Faith
10 Desires of Your Heart God Always Say Yes To
10 Popular Statements That Are Theologically Unsound

Books Quoted:
Addictions and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions by Gerald G. May
Glorious Weakness by Alia Joy
Dangeous Wonder by Michael Yaconelli

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Most people who believe this is a Biblical idea use 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a support. But Chara helps us understand that the context of this is when we are under temptation, not suffering and the weight of life’s circumstances. The idea that God won’t allow us to go through anything we can’t bear is just not supported in Scripture.

This is not a cause to lose hope, because the hope we have is greater than an easy life. Our circumstances may be more than we can handle, but they are never more than what God can handle.

Verses Referenced:
1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 121:2; Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 31:8; Acts 7:59-60; Psalm 55:12-14; 1 John 5:3-4

Chara's Articles Referenced:
10 Popular Statements That Are Theologically Unsound
4 Reasons Forgiveness Is So Hard and How to Let Go of the Hurt

Books Referenced:
Not God Enough by J.D Greer
The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis

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This mantra – looking out for one’s own interests above all others – comes from a culture that has seen humanity fail time and time again. A culture that is wounded, that cries out, “You can’t trust anyone!” But adopting this mantra moves us away from Christ and into a place of self-preservation.

Looking out for #1 was never what guided Jesus. His life, death and resurrection serve as a better blueprint for life. A life attentive to the needs, hopes and hurts of others.

Articles Referenced:
How Jesus Practiced Hospitality Without a Home and Generosity Without a Salary by Chara Donahue
10 Popular Statements that Are Theologically Unsound by Chara Donahue,
10 Terrible Attitudes that Keep Us from Growing More Like Christ by Chara Donahue,

Verses Referenced: Ephesians 2:12, John 3:16-17, 3 John 9-10, Isaiah 56:11, Romans 12:21, Romans 15:1-2, Job 38, Hebrews 6:10-12, Isaiah 66:2, Genesis 3:11-12, Romans 14:12, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:1, Isaiah 5:21

Books Referenced: Advice to Young Converts by Jonathan Edwards

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We hear this idea everywhere, and we want to trust it. We want our hearts to speak and offer pure advice. But our voice is not God’s voice, and our hearts don’t always offer wise counsel. Jeremiah 17:9 plainly tells us, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

From Carpe Diem to YOLO, the world has always prioritized following the self’s desires over God’s. In this episode, Chara unpacks a better way to think about making decisions, centered on the Word of God.

Verses Referenced: Jeremiah 17:9 Galatians 5, Proverbs 7:21-27, 2 Samuel 13, Matthew 26:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Luke 9:23-24, Proverbs 3:5-6, Titus 2:2-7, James 1:19-20, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 6:20-22, Romans 8:15

Books Referenced - Journey: A Path to Biblical Change by Laura Chica

Movies Referenced - Dead Poets Society

Articles Referenced:
A Short Analysis of Robert Herricks 'To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time by Dr. Oliver Tearle
Why Self-Control Is So Important by Chara Donahue
10 Popular Statements That Are Theologically Unsound by Chara Donahue

Episode Image Credit: ©Getty/Stockbyte

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