The Complete Sinner's Guide

To begin Joshua Sherman (not reformed) brings up a few things that left a lot of people feeling confused with in the James White & William Lane Craig Debate, namely the nature of exactly HOW free will coincides with the Reformed/Calvinistic understanding of determinism. We then take audience Q&A and wrap up the episode with an encouraging message, calling Calvinist's and Non-Calvinist's alike to unite under the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we build on the groundwork laid by our brother's and sister's before us!

I personally think this episode answered A LOT of questions that were left unanswered in the James White/WLC debate and an intro to a clearer understanding of what Calvinist's actually believe about determinism and compatibilism was laid! Let us know what you think and where YOU stand in the comments below!

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Join Joshua Davidson, Joshua Sherman, David Russell, Tim Steadman and myself as we discuss Giants, "Nephilim", Genesis 6 and ANE myths and legends concerning angels and humans!!!

We invited Tim to come hang out with us and discuss these topics to help us better understand what Genesis 6 and other Biblical (and extra-biblical texts like Enoch for example) tell us concerning Nephilim/Giants!!!

We are answering the big questions on this special episode of CSG and seeking to understand topics like the incarnation of Jesus Christ, Imago Dei, conspiracy theories about demon/angel-hybrids (Ancient Aliens, ect.) better and ultimately grasp why 4 verses in Genesis 6 matter to me today?! Join us for Part 1 of the discussion now!!!

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Join Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, Joshua Sherman (Tending Our Nets) and myself as we discuss Law and Gospel from the Lutheran perspective!

In this episode we break the title up into two parts: Law & Gospel. In the first half, we seek to understand exactly what the New Testament author's mean when they use phrases like "the Law", "the Law of Moses", "the Law of Christ", ect.; how the Law applied to Israelite's under the Old Covenant and how it applies to Christians under the New Covenant today; and finally different uses of the Law for believers and unbelievers in Jesus Christ alike!

Then, in the second half, after seeing our need for a Savior because the Law exposes the fact we are sinners, we dive into what exactly "The Gospel" is by examining promises found in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament for follower's of Jesus Christ! We also examine the Greek word "πίστις" (pistis - "faith/trust") as we learn what it really means to "believe in Jesus"!

We also get into issues like the New Perspective on Paul, Karl Barth's arguments and Lutheran answers to his ideology, as well as a whole host of side topics you would expect when you sit a #Lutheran, #Calvinist and #Non-Calvinist down on a CSG episode!!!

Had a blast with Pr. Bryan as well as Josh Sherman and cannot wait for Episode #3!!!

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel:

Pastor Bryan's website:

"Has American Christianity Failed?" Video (Our FIRST episode with Bryan!):

Tending Our Nets (Joshua Sherman's) YouTube Channel:

The Complete Sinner's Guide Episode Archive:

We begin this discussion by going back in time to when Braxton first began interacting with atheists and discuss what it was that originally got him interested in apologetics in the first place. After some background on the events that unfolded that has lead him to where he is now with atheism and apologetics, we get into topics like our favorite arguments/evidences for God (Kalam Cosmological Argument); the role of the Imago Dei in asking questions like “Where do we come from?”; the Evidential Argument from Evil and other objections against the existence of God (and answers to those objections); then ending the show by looking into the future at the direction Braxton sees Christian apologetics going, especially with topics like consciousness and quantum physics!

Highlights and Conclusions

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On this episode of CSG, Josh, Noah and I have the privilege to have Dr. Chris Featherstone (ViZion United Podcast) back for the 2nd time to discuss personality disorders and a Christian’s approach in respect to them!

These are REAL disorders those created in the Imago Dei have to face daily, so we invited Chris, who works in the field of psychotherapy, back on CSG to give us a run-down of different types of personality disorders (to better understand what, exactly, those who have them are going through) as well as explain how we might better serve those with personality disorders, around us! Also where is the line between "sin" and "disorder"?

Very engaging/practical discussion in my opinion and definitely believe seeds were planted in this episode. The question is, what are you going to do with them? :) God bless and a big thanks to Dr. Chris Featherstone for the fantastic conversation!

Acronyms Used:

O.C.E.A.N - Big 5: Openness to Experience, Conscientousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism

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Join us on this special episode of CSG as Josh and I sit down with author, podcaster, husband and dad, Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller to discuss problems and solutions to those problems within the larger context that is "American Christianity".

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller is pastor of St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX. He is the author of Take They Our Life: Martin Luther’s Theology of Martyrdom (2019), A Martyr’s Faith for a Faithless World (CPH, 2019), Has American Christianity Failed? (CPH, 2016) and Final Victory: Contemplating the Death and Funeral of a Christian (CPH, 2010). He is the co-host of Table Talk Radio podcast, posts videos on YouTube at wolfmueller1, and has a number of other theological projects that all end up on his blog, www.wolfmueller.co. Bryan is a member of the Doxology Collegium. He and his wife Keri live with their four children in Round Rock, TX.

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We cover a wide range of topics in this one from practical advice for new believers, drinking from the fount of knowledge and understanding well, the extremes and dangers of complacency and arrogance in following Christ and how your actions (as God’s representative) affect other’s that are made in His Image.

We also tackle what we see as a growing problem in the Body of Christ in the second half of this episode, namely, unnecessary division and a lack of genuine Christian love. Going through 1 Corinthians 13, Josh and I expound what “love” looks like in our walk with not only Christ, but others who we engage with on a daily! Can we, who are created in God’s Image, honestly love a God who we cannot see if we do not love other Image bearer’s who are right in front of our eyes?! 1 John 4:20 is pretty clear... so we remind ourselves of what the Biblical definition of love is and how to begin to apply that characteristic of every believer in Christ faithfully!

Practical Advice

We begin this episode by welcoming back Jimmy D after being out of commission for a few weeks due to having covid! We then kick off this PART 1 by giving a brief overview of what we have already touched on in past episodes, such as the 3 main views of the Imago Dei (substantive, relational, functional). Then, Sherman poses a great question of how different systems of theology (I.e Calvinism/ Non Calvinism) can have an impact on how we view the Image. We then center the entirety of the two episodes on one very important question concerning Genesis 1-3….did something “go wrong” with God’s original intention in Creation with human beings?

This episode really is a mashup of previous episodes we’ve had with Joshua S. and J.D. before and throughout the two parts, it is really cool to see how our personal view of what it means for humans to be created in God’s Image effect so many different aspects of our theology. I think bringing two differing systems of thought together, like we did in this episode, just makes the possibilities of how one can view theology in general, all the more incredible! It also shows that when we come together as family, we can truly do all things through Christ who gives us strength in His Name and through His Holy Spirit!

God Bless everyone, and remember, if you like CSG’s content give us a big thumbs up and share our videos on social media! Also subscribe to our YouTube channel and check out our other platforms like Apple & Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Listen Notes, etc! All CSG content is 100% FREE so head over to our website and get to listening, downloading and sharing with others!!! :)

BIBLICAL TEXTS CITED

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Imago Dei Part 2

CSG Episode Archive

CSG Facebook

CSG YouTube

Tending Our Nets (Joshua Sherman’s YouTube)

Exploring Theology (J.D. Martin’s YouTube)

After brief introductions, new stories about getting stung by bees #sharethesting! and all the fun things everyone else has been up to with their podcasts and personal lives, Joshua presents us with an introduction to the “functional” interpretation of Genesis 1. This view is currently being set forth by scholars like John Walton and Scot McKnight. David, however, takes a more traditional view of the text! The two bring out their similarities, for example, both denying “eternalism”, but there are differences the two handle with arguments laid out in a brilliant, Christ-like, and productive way! Meanwhile, Andrew and I offer engaging commentary as David and Joshua spar it out in the episode to END ALL EPISODES ON CREATIO EX NIHILO!!!!!…….

…...jk :]

Check this episode out if Genesis, creation, or different interpretations of Genesis 1 & 2 interests you!!! Extremely thought provoking in my opinion and a great starter episode for anyone interested in diving deeper in this subject!

We also want to give a shout out to our co-host, Joshua Davidson, who is at home recovering from Covid 19. We have a fundraiser set up to help them out with their bills for the month pinned at the top of CSG’s Facebook Page! Since Josh is down & out of work, if you would like to give to him and his family you can on Facebook or Venmo @Joshua-Davidson-84

Also...make sure to check out PART 2 of this discussion on the CSG YouTube channel (as well as other content that’s not uploaded anywhere else)!!! Make sure to hit that big red SUBSCRIBE button and click “all” when you click that notification bell so you will get notified every time CSG goes LIVE and uploads a video on YouTube and Facebook!!! See links below! May God bless you!

Genesis 1:1-2:4

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so. God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of waters He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years. And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well. God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to preside over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

And God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every bird of flight after its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

² Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished. This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made them.

Other Creatio Ex Nihilo Texts__

As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. This is why the ancients were commended. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

I beg you, child, to look at heaven and earth. See everything that is in them and know that God made these things from nothing, and created humankind in the same way.

Questions To Ponder

Did God create with the appearance of age?

Does denial of Creation Ex Nihilo impact the Kalam Cosmological Argument?

Social Media Links

Creation Ex Nihilo Part 2:

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THE SACRAMENTS AND WORSHIP OUTLINE

These were basically ubiquitous, in our collective experience of Communion, growing up.

These were very common

It looks like 25% or fewer of us had any of these as part of our Communion experience.

What I'm curious about - which of the items that were rare do you see specifically called out in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34?

Do you feel like the practice of Communion that you grew up with was incomplete in some way, after reading this passage?

I have some thoughts that hit me a few days ago on this, reading through the passage, and will post on these later today. I want to see what surfaces for all of this.

DESCRIPTION

"Now the length of time the Israelite's lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, on the very day, all the regiments of the Lord went out of the land of Egypt. It was a night of vigil for the Lord to bring them out from the land of Egypt, and so on this night all Israel is to keep the vigil to the Lord for generations to come. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner may share in eating it. But everyone’s servant who is bought for money, after you have circumcised him, may eat it. A foreigner and a hired worker must not eat it. It must be eaten in one house; you must not bring any of the meat outside the house, and you must not break a bone of it. The whole community of Israel must observe it. “When a foreigner lives with you and wants to observe the Passover to the Lord, all his males must be circumcised, and then he may approach and observe it, and he will be like one who is born in the land – but no uncircumcised person may eat of it. The same law will apply to the person who is native-born and to the foreigner who lives among you.” So all the Israelite's did exactly as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. And on this very day the Lord brought the Israelite's out of the land of Egypt by their regiments."

New Testament

*Judas' Betrayal

Matthew 26:26‭-‬30 NET

1 Corinthians 11:23-32 NET

*Is John 6:53-58 about the Lord's Supper?

1 Corinthians 10:14‭-‬22 NET

DIDACHE

Chapter 10. Prayer After Communion

Definitions

Calvin

According to Calvin, Augustine defines sacrament as a visible sign of a sacred thing, or a visible form of an invisible grace.

Connection between Greek μυστήριον and Latin sacramentum. "And it is well known, that what the Latins call sacramenta the Greeks call mustéria (mysteries)."

"Hence it is that the term was applied to those signs which gave an august representation of things spiritual and sublime. This is also observed by Augustine, 'it were tedious to discourse of the variety of signs; those which relate to divine things are called sacraments' (August Ep. 5. ad Marcell)."

(READ ALL FROM BOOK P. 492 IF TIME PERMITS) From the definition which we have given, we perceive that there never is a sacrament without an antecedent promise, the sacrament being added as a kind o appendix, with the view of confirming and sealing the promise, and giving a better attestation, or rather, in a manner, confirming it…

PRACTICAL STEPS