Truthspresso

Chelsea and I continue our series about the Christian revivals in American history.

We begin the Second Great Awakening with an overview of the times, especially from 1830-1840. Following the War for Independence the colonies now had a federal compact. The expansion westward inspired more evangelism to native Americans. Methodism grew as circuit riders preached to crowds at outdoor "camp meetings."

The two social causes propelling revival "fires" were abolition of slavery and temperance from alcohol. Women were more involved in revival activities and organized some women's groups around these two issues.

Immigrants from Europe brought more rationalism from the Enlightenment.

Wheras the majority of First Great Awakening revivalists held to a Reformed theology, most of the Second Great Awakening revivalists did not.

Industry and social causes possibly led some preachers toward a works-based salvation.

The fervor to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ led to the rise of cults such as the Latter Day Saints and the Millerite groups.

As we study the movers and shakers involved in the Second Great Awakening, we will seek to give all credit where it is due but observe both the good and the bad.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 51:9-13

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In this REWIND episode of Truthspresso I combine two episodes into one! This is my full interview with Jamal Bandy, the host of the Prescribed Truth podcast on the Christian Podcast Community.

Part 1: Jamal tells his story of how he was involved in an Apostolic Oneness church and how unexpected events led him to question what he was taught.

Jamal learns the truth about God as Trinity and that the Oneness teaching is wrong. He also learns that works don't save him and don't keep him saved, because the Father and the Son secure him.

Part 2: Jamal explains what "social justice" and "critical theory" are as elements of Marxist philosophy. The word "race" has been added to make "critical race theory" an issue of U.S. history.

Jamal gives some heartfelt and keen insights into misunderstood realities of both the present and the past that are often fuel for ethnic politics.

Follow Jamal Bandy's work:

Prescribed Truth

Prescribed Truth podcast

Prescribed Truth YouTube

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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It's Memorial Day!

While we remember those who died in wars fighting for freedoms, Chelsea and I see what the Bible has to say about memorials.

We look at the history of Memorial Day, then observe three points from the Bible:

1. Those who sacrificed their lives should be remembered
2. Memorials should not be forgotten.
3. Memorials should not be idolized.

Scriptures Referenced:

John 15:13

Psalm 116:15

Exodus 12:42

Matthew 26:13

Judges 8:22-23,27

2 Kings 18:4

Sources Consulted:

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Memorial Day." Encyclopedia Britannica, May 27, 2023.

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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With family visiting and celebrating birthdays and no time to study to record a new episode, I dug up a recording from 2009, months after my wife and I were married.

At this time my father-in-law was leading a Bible study with the family and an older couple who would visit. I took two weeks to guest host it and teach on a topic I was studying at the time.

This was while the manuscript for my book Freedom To Give: The Biblical Truth About Tithing was in its infancy. The first week of this study covered the Old Testament passages about tithing. The second week covered mostly the New Testament passages.

I lost the recording for the first week. This episode is the second week. We recap some of what we talked about from the first week.

My conclusion is that most of what is taught as "tithing" today isn't what the Bible teaches, and that it doesn't teach that we are under any command to do this. The Bible does command us to give generously and cheerfully, but not according to mandatory "tithe" regimen.

Unfortunately, the audio quality is poor. I tried to amplify it and remove noise.

To celebrate Mother's Day, Chelsea and I talk about a struggling single mom we know who has a bunch of kids and a baby on the way trying to make ends meet.

As dire circumstance after dire circumstance threatens to crush her life, we share how we felt the pull of God's Word and necessity to give her something big and trust God with the results.

See how a baby shower and some unexpected generosity lay the groundwork for opening the gospel to a strong woman in need.

Scriptures Cited:

Proverbs 31:17,25,27

James 1:27

Luke 3:10-11

1 John 3:17-18

Isaiah 1:17; 49:15

Sources Consulted:

Embrace Grace

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Chelsea and I continue our series about the Christian revivals in American history.

John Wesley was an Anglican minister from Epworth, England. He and his brother Charles went to Oxford where John got bachelor's and master's degrees. While teaching at Oxford, John and Charles Wesley began the "Methodist" movement with George Whitefield.

After spending two years evangelizing Native Americans in Savannah, Georgia, John Wesley returned to England wondering if he himself needed to be evangelized. After studying with a group of Moravians, Wesley finally understood justification by faith and peace with God.

Wesley and Whitefield helped each other with their new preaching method involving traveling and outdoors. Wesley preached an estimated 40,000 sermons before he passed.

Wesley seemed to be a pioneer in the Christian abolitionist movement to preach freedom for slaves. He also mentored William Wilberforce who would see success in ending the slave trade in England.

Fact correction from audio: We mistakenly said that Susanna Wesley disliked King James II. She actually favored James II but despised William of Orange who replaced him.

Sources Consulted:

Anne Adams, "Susanna Wesley – Mother of Methodism," historyswomen.com, Accessed May 7, 2023.

"Who was John Wesley?" Got Questions, Updated January 4, 2022.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "John Wesley." Encyclopedia Britannica, May 6, 2023.

"Who was John Wesley?" Compelling Truth, Accessed May 7, 2023.

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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I go solo this week with a short study to answer the question "Is Jesus still in the flesh?"

Some who hold to Oneness theology may reason that Jesus dematerialized His resurrected, glorified body at His ascension because it makes more sense in a modalistic framework.

From the Scriptures we look at three points:

1. Did Jesus shed His resurrected body at His ascension?
2. Is Jesus presently a mediator and intercessor at the right hand of the Father?
3. God reconciled to man forever implies Jesus is the God-Man forever.

Christ's presence and roles now seem to demand that His resurrected body remain with Him forever.

Sources Cited:

"What does it mean for Jesus to be mediator?" Rosh-Pinnah Publications, December 29, 2014.

Scriptures Cited:

Hebrews 5:7-8

Acts 2:30-36

1 Timothy 2:5

Romans 8:34

Hebrews 7:24-25

Romans 8:16-17

Hebrews 1:13-14

2 Timothy 2:11-13

Job 9:32-35

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Chelsea and I continue from last week's discussion as news is quickly flying over the abortion pill and abortion pill reversal.

Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. The question over the abortion pill mifepristone's legitimacy in heads back down to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals after the Supreme Court stayed all lower decisions. Oral arguments are scheduled May 17.

Bella Health and Wellness v. Weiser. The question over the abortion pill reversal in Colorado now heads up to a federal district court. Immediately after Governor Polis signed three radical abortion bills, including the infamous SB23-190 that chills pregnancy centers and bans abortion pill reversal, Bella Health and Wellness, a Catholic non-profit group of three medical clinics filed a lawsuit: Bella Health and Wellness v. Weiser. Judge Daniel Domenico issues a temporary restraint on the law for Bella. The lawsuit claims the brand new law is unconstitutional on several levels.

Colorado executives and health agencies said they would not enforce the abortion pill reversal ban until October 1: a deadline for health agencies to give a thumbs up for the abortion pill reversal protocol. The Attorney General now claims that Bella has no standing to sue. But Bella naturally believes abortion pill reversal should be allowed for more than five mere months.

The day this episode airs, Judge Domenico is scheduled to hear oral arguments over if he should extend the restraint until a trial.

Sources Cited:

Jesse Paul, "Colorado regulators, prosecutors won't enforce new state law banning 'abortion reversal' until medical boards weigh in," The Colorado Sun, April 21, 2023.

Scriptures Cited:

Philippians 4:8-9

Proverbs 13:14

Exodus 23:1-12

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The battle over mifepristone (part of the abortion pill regimen) is heating up!

A federal district judge in Texas ruled in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA that the FDA illegally approved mifepristone in the year 2000.

At the same time a judge ruled in Washington State v. FDA that, for the 17 states in the suit and D.C., mifepristone must be available as it is.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the Texas ruling but ordered that the original, stricter requirements resume.

The DOJ, the FDA, and pro-abortionists don't like either ruling and demand mifepristone be as available as possible for medication abortions. They now appeal to the Supreme Court.

Justice Alito ordered a stay on all rulings in this dispute and gave all sides until Tuesday to submit their case.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on mifepristone Wednesday.

The battle lines are drawn loud and hard. Please pray for God's working in this quickly evolving situation as the forces of life and death are ever more intense.

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Chelsea and I talk about the hope of the resurrection because of Christ's resurrection.

As the Apostle Paul faced trials before governments, he declared that his hope of the resurrection is why he is being accused of wrongdoing.

Christians today face ridicule and opposition because of this hope that we have.

The resurrection is a hope most glorious, but the world hates it because it challenges their focus on this life alone.

Let's celebrate and reflect on Resurrection Day together!