theFormed.life

READ the written blog on our website:
https://theformed.life/2024/03/tell-him-what-you-think-and-how-you-feel/

READ the written blog on our website:
https://theformed.life/2024/03/turn-to-god-when-you-are-in-pain/

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https://theformed.life/2024/03/experience-the-holy-spirit-in-contemplation-05/

Women In Biblical Law: Encountering God’s Value System With Dr. Katie McCoy

SHOW NOTES:

Curious about the ancient laws that guided the lives of women in the Old Testament? Join us on theFormed.life podcast where Dr. Katie McCoy helps us explore some difficult passages, shedding light on the true intent behind the Sotah law and childbirth customs in Leviticus and Numbers. In our conversation, we get insights into how these confusing laws from ancient Israel actually reveal the loving kindness of our Maker. Get ready for a riveting episode that connects these cryptic passages with our present understanding of God’s character. 

THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Ancient Laws and Women's Health: Dr. Katie McCoy discusses the Old Testament laws concerning women, especially those related to childbirth and menstruation. She suggests that these laws, rather than being punitive, were designed with the health and well-being of women in mind. Highlighting the importance of rest and recovery post-childbirth, McCoy also notes the potential biological insights that align with medical understanding today.
2. Cultural Context and Interpretation: The conversation underscores the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context when interpreting biblical laws. Dr. McCoy and host Bill Gorman dig into the nature of the honor-shame culture of the Old Testament era. They emphasize that laws, such as those regarding suspected infidelity and menstrual purity, should be understood in light of the values and practices of the time, which often stood in stark contrast to those of surrounding pagan cultures.
3. God's Character Reflected in Laws: Dr. McCoy asserts that biblical laws reflect God's value system. She encourages listeners to consider the 'why' behind ancient regulations, proposing that they reveal aspects of God's character. The laws aimed to set the Israelites apart and demonstrated God's care for the community's health and moral fabric.

#SotahLaw #BiblicalWomen #TheologyInsights #DrKatieMcCoy #OldTestamentLaws #GenderStudies #HebrewCulture #HealthAndScripture #CulturalContext #HonorShameCulture

GUEST BIO: 

Katie McCoy, the Director of Women's Ministry at Texas Baptists, holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Seminary (TX), where she also served on the faculty for five years. With a focus on the patterns of justice for women in Old Testament laws and the intersection of theology, gender, and women's studies, Katie is a prolific speaker and writer on these issues. She authored "To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond" and finds joy in baking and organizing at the Container Store. As an academic, she passionately delves into the underlying values shaping human interactions and societal judgments, offering insightful analyses that illuminate the intricate connections between ethics, culture, and theology.

QUOTES:

"Well, right there, not only is that teaching, to not be casual or cavalier with the presence of blood, but it's also hygienic. Keep in mind, we don't have antibiotics. We don't have, feminine products. All of this is also for the good of God's community in mitigating the spread of bacteria and disease."

— Dr. Katie McCoy

 “It seems so unusual to our ears, but any shedding of blood whether that is in a biological process or coming across, a dead animal, a dead human body, you don't treat that like you do any other event or any other, human contact. And, of course, that is to teach us to value is teaching the people of Israel to value blood, the blood sacrifice, which, of course, is preparing them for the blood of the lamb who would take away the sin of the world."

— Dr. Katie McCoy

"When we encounter these categories, like the childbirth laws and we go, what are we to understand from this? Well, we are trying to understand the mind of God, what is the why behind it? Because whatever that why is, he's telling us something about himself."

— Dr. Katie McCoy

RESOURCES:

To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond - Dr. Katie McCoy

A Scientific Appreciation of Leviticus 12:1-5 - David I. Macht

The World & Everything In It - Podcast

KEYWORDS:

Sotah law, adultery, Hebrew law, marital disputes, God's value system, biblical laws, ceremonial uncleanness, childbirth laws, Leviticus 12, community health, postpartum discharge, David Macht study, biblical law interpretation, pagan cultures, honor shame culture, guilt and innocence culture, theology, gender studies, cultural context, western individualism, Barbra Streisand, musical theater, Broadway, Fox Theater, Les Mis, Christ Community Church, Kansas City, menstruation, childbirth, ritual uncleanness.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Teaching series addressing Christianity's treatment of women.

04:45 Cultural understanding is crucial for interpretive success.

09:53 God's law reveals his character and values.

12:54 Childbirth laws raise questions about women's value.

15:16 Blood shedding is significant in Israel's culture.

19:50 God's law considers new moms' vulnerability compassionately.

22:30 Theories around women giving birth to a daughter.

26:38 Carrying a baby girl vs a boy.

28:39 Research on laws and scriptural revelations.

31:27 Old Testament law and regulation.

37:29 God’s provisions for adultery.

39:18 The Bible reveals the consistent beauty of God's character.

42:57 Gratitude for time, expertise, and sharing resources.

READ the written blog on our website:
https://theformed.life/2024/03/experience-the-holy-spirit-in-contemplation-04/

READ the written blog on our website:
https://theformed.life/2024/03/experience-the-holy-spirit-in-contemplation-03/

READ the written blog on our website:
https://theformed.life/2024/02/learn-about-the-life-of-the-spirit-in-contemplation-02/

READ the written blog on our website:
https://theformed.life/2024/02/learn-about-the-life-of-the-spirit-in-contemplation-01//

If Jesus is unequivocally the sole means to salvation and communion with God, how do we grapple with the predicament of individuals who have never encountered the message of Jesus or those who consciously reject him despite being presented with his teachings? In this episode, host Bill Gorman and our guest, Dr. Harold Netland, explore the complexities of the mission of the church, the exclusivity of Jesus, and concerns surrounding the fate of those who have not heard the gospel. The conversation covers key New Testament passages, personal experiences, and foundational principles in scripture, diving into the heart of theological and practical challenges believers face today. Tune in as they discuss the gospel's transformative power, the nature of personal salvation, and the profound mission of making disciples.

THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. The Exclusive Nature of Jesus: Dr. Netland and the hosts delve into the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to salvation and the challenges this presents in different cultural contexts. The conversation highlights biblical passages and principles that support this belief.
2. Mission and Discipleship: The importance of making disciples and participating in the work of the Spirit, regardless of cultural or geographical barriers, is emphasized. The episode calls attention to the diverse paths individuals may take in encountering faith and stresses the significance of the disciple-making mission.
3. Scriptural Principles and Foundational Truths: The discussion navigates complex questions about salvation, justice, and fairness through the lens of scriptural principles. Dr. Netland emphasizes the need to focus on what is clearly and consistently taught through scripture, grounding the conversation in foundational biblical truths.

#ExclusiveJesus #DiscipleMakingMission #SalvationDebate #GlobalGospel #GodsLoveAndJudgment #EvangelicalTheology #TheologicalClarity #NewBirthTransformation #PersonalFaithJourneys #ClarityInScripture #theonlyway #Jesus #mission 

GUEST BIO: 

Dr. Harold A. Netland completed his undergraduate studies at Biola University and obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University. Following nine years with the Evangelical Free Church of America in Japan, he returned to the United States in 1993 to become a Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he currently serves as the Director of the PhD/Intercultural Studies program. Netland's expertise in religious pluralism has earned him recognition, with scholars frequently citing his views, such as his definition of propositional truth. Notably, in his 2001 book "Encountering Religious Pluralism: The Challenge to Christian Faith & Mission," Netland offers a critical evaluation of John Hick's pluralism hypothesis from an evangelical perspective.

QUOTES:

"Salvation is always based upon the person of Christ, Christ's work on the cross from start to finish, it's an act of God's grace and God's mercy. Nobody is ever saved by being good or sincere enough, and an act of faith and repentance is necessary for saving faith whenever or wherever it were to occur."

— Dr. Netland

 "And the parables that Jesus tells, the parable of the father, the prodigal son, the forgiving father, God eagerly welcomes a repentant sinner."

— Dr. Netland 

"So when many people hear, Jesus is the only Lord and savior for all people in all cultures, that just sounds like 19th century colonialist ideology all over again. Yeah. Who gives you the right to say that?"

— Dr. Netland

RESOURCES:

Crucial Questions About Hell - JI Packer

Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World - Various

Are All Religions True? - Dr. Harold A Netland

Faiths in Conflict? Christian Integrity in a Multicultural World - Vinoth Ramachandra

KEYWORDS:

church mission, exclusivity of Jesus, work of the spirit, making disciples, pastoral concerns, non-believing loved ones, faith conversations, God's character, personal transformation, rebellion against God, gospel hope, born again, fundamental change, exclusivity of Jesus, salvation objections, cultural introduction of Jesus, New Testament passages, Jesus and Nicodemus, ministry in Japan, fate of those who never heard the gospel, historical faith encounters, disciple-making mission, Bible translation challenges, fairness and justice, evangelical responses, universal sinfulness, theological understanding, scripture guidance

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Focus on exclusivity of Jesus as rescuer.

05:07 Concerns about cultural harm in religious evangelism.

08:56 New Testament emphasizes Jesus's unique identity.

11:25 Questioning the relevance of the New Testament.

14:47 God is morally pure, beyond human understanding.

18:42 Salvation through God's grace and faith.

20:53 Jesus says we need a new life.

23:25 Two views on salvation through hearing the gospel.

29:01 The church's work is making disciples worldwide.

30:01 Questioning the exclusivity of Jesus and love.

34:43 Trust in God's character to do good.

37:12 Becoming the right kind of person for Jesus.

41:41 Grateful for wisdom and service in ministry.