Truth & Circumstances

Episode Highlights: The main moral difficulty with gestational surrogacy is the element of in-vitro fertilization. In-vitro usually results in the death of embryos, which violates the Bibles teaching on the sanctity of life. Psa 51:5; Exo 20:13 We can celebrate the life of this child and admire the self-less motive of the surrogate in this […]

Episode Highlights: We are not in control of our dreams and so should not feel guilt about the dreams themselves. There may be issues/desires in our waking hours which are contributing to the dreams that need to be dealt with. Isa 29:7-8 The dreams could be a warning, temptation, or testing. Job 33:14-18; Deut 13:1-4; […]

Episode Highlights The NT assumes that we will fast, but doesn’t give clear direction about when or how. (Matt 6:16-17; 9:14-15) A fast will be most beneficial when we have a clear spiritual purpose in mind. Helpful insights on fasting can be found in Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. We shouldn’tContinue reading "Episode 171: Questions about prayer and fasting"

Episode Highlights The couple who disagrees about giving should discuss all biblical/wisdom principles about giving. They should pray that the Lord would give them generous hearts and unify them on the issue. In the absence of an agreement, the husband should make a wise decision (to give as much as they can both joyfully give)Continue reading "Episode 170: How should a couple handle tithing when they don’t agree? Part 2"

Episode Highlights: To truly tithe, one would need to give 23.3% of their income. Deut 12:6-7, 14:22-29, 26:12-13. Tithing is not the standard of giving for the New Covenant believer. The NT models joyful generosity that far exceeds a “God owns 10%” mentality. Acts 2:43-47, 4:32-37, 11:27-30. Believers should give as much as they canContinue reading "Episode 169: How should a couple handle tithing when they don’t agree? Part 1"

Episode Highlights: This is not merely an issue of contending for a higher moral standard in society, but of protecting the weak. The Bible calls the strong to protect the weak. Acts 20:35; Psa 82 There are multiple levels of victimization involved in the airing of this show. Christians cannot allow the victimization/sexualization of childrenContinue reading "Episode 168: Should Christians petition to cancel Cuties?"

Episode Highlights The Bible doesn’t point to our conversion experience as a source of assurance. The Bible does point to spiritual growth as a source of assurance. (2 Peter 1:5-10) We can help our children by making sure they understand the distinctions between justification and sanctification. We can help our children by helping them toContinue reading "Episode 167: Counseling a child regarding assurance?"

Episode Highlights: A premillennialist might say that it depends upon who “we” is. Glorified believers reigning with Christ likely will not have to endure. Unglorified believers who survived the tribulation likely will. Believers born during the millennium definitely will. A problem with a premillennial understanding of Rev 20 is that it requires death to existContinue reading "Episode 166: Another trial after the 1,000 year reign?"

Episode Highlights: Tell the truth. Our authority comes from the Lord, not from our perfectly navigating life. Sordid details may not be helpful. We don’t want to put a stumbling block in front of someone by getting into such detail that we are introducing them to things they aren’t even aware of. If a parentContinue reading "Episode 165: How do I answer my kids’ questions about my past?"

Episode Highlights: – The conscience is our God-given capacity to make moral judgments about ourselves. (Rom 2:14-15) – A seared conscience is one that has become desensitized due to an individual repeatedly ignoring its voice. (1 Tim 4:1-2) – A seared conscience is dangerous because it makes us more vulnerable to the harmfulness of sin.Continue reading "Episode 164: Can a seared conscience be re-sensitized?"