How is it that Jesus is the firstborn of all creation, as mentioned in Romans 8 and Colossians 1?    Why do Jehovah's Witnesses use Colossians 1 as evidence that Jesus is not God?  What does firstborn mean in the New Testament? 

Several students have questions about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Discussed in this episode are: 

• Why are God's words regarding the tree considered law?
• Did Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of Life before the Fall?
• What about the language the devil uses to tempt Eve?

As we look at this account from Genesis, you can also listen to a related episode on Genesis 3:6-7, found here.

A student asks about something I talk about in class a lot: different worldviews.  Why is it problematic when we have only a one-dimensional worldview?  Why does each person have conflicting thoughts?  How can our worldview help seemingly contradictory Bible verses make sense? 

I refer to the Red Pyramid and Green Arc worldviews in this episode.  Here are the links to have a visual of each model.  

A student asks what the vicarious atonement of Jesus means.  In answering, we consider the demands of the law, biblical examples such as the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, Abraham and Isaac, and (most importantly) Jesus and Barabbas.  Recommended Bible passages are John 16 and 2 Corinthians 5:21.

A student asks, "What difference does the coming and going of Jesus make, if there is still fasting before and after his life, death, and resurrection?"  In discussing the answer, we consider our interest in the law as Christians.

A student asks: Does being poor and lowly mean that you are automatically saved?  In the response, we consider what being poor and lowly has to do with faith.  How does this differ from popular thought?  How does salvation work?

In this episode, a student asks how there can be any personal responsibility without free will.  How can you test to determine if we do, in fact, have a free will?  What about all of the "choice" language in the Bible?  What about considering life as one of discovery, not of decisions?

Any questions/challenge to this episode?  Contact me here.  

The student question discussed in this episode is who is saved, and how?  What is the downfall when we consider this question by starting with thinking about ourselves?  Where should we start?  How do we answer this question from God's perspective?  How is Lazarus and the rich man a good example?

When and what was the nature of the first wrongdoing?  Consider the creation account and God's design.  How did Adam's failure and corruption come about?  And what if Satan wasn't corrupted until after Adam?

To consider in this episode:

• How was the world made?
• How does Satan try to be God? Does this apply to us, as well?
• Why did God put the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden?