How to Celebrate Christmas by Including Santa Claus

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley answer questions submitted from their patron supporters! To learn more and become a patron visit patreon.com/trainingthechurch.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• If we understand that Jesus, in His spiritual body, sits at the right hand of the Father after His ascension. How do we resolve the tension this presents to God's unchanging nature if before His ascension it was not Jesus in His spiritual body, particularly, but the Son of God that was at the Father's right hand?
• When reading the Psalms there often references to statutes, ordinances, laws, testimonies, commandments, and precepts given by God. Is there a significant difference in the meaning of these different words?
• I would love to hear each of you discuss the relationship between small groups and learning environments in your respective churches. How can these two spaces best complement one another without feeling competitive?
• What does a typical week look like for everyone (work, church, family, fun, rest time)?
• Would love your thoughts on good questions to explore with a teen in my home as we discuss this: Adam's sin resulted in all humanity being born with a sin nature and without Christ we 'can't not sin'. He believes it would've been more just for God to give each individual person a 'fruit on the tree' moment before they automatically 'receive' a sinful nature. In his view, we talk about someone who isn't a Christian choosing to sin, and yet at the same time, we believe that their nature is that they can't actually choose something different. This seems so contradictory to him. If God really wanted to give us a choice, why did he set us up to not be able to choose him first? Not us as in all humanity, but us as individuals. He doesn't think that 'we're human so we'd always fail' makes sense, because the reason that is true is because of the sin nature...so if it wasn't for that, we wouldn't necessarily fail.
• On the doctrine of simplicity: Is god wrath? I've heard God is love but has wrath. But is wrathful an attribute of God? If wrath is an attribute, then, in the new heavens and new earth, after judgement day, what is that wrath directed towards?
• "How did women in the OT share in the sign of the covenant?" How can something as important as the sign of the covenant between God's people could be reserved to something only men could do (aka. circumcision) and what if baptism as the sign of the new covenant was restricted to only men. Were women being left out of an essential part of what it meant to be in a relationship with God and his covenant people. Do y'all have any thoughts on this that might help resolve that tension?
• Often, we hear about heated conversations related to women as pastors but we never hear such discussions about single male pastors. But, of course Paul writes about singleness as something he recommends to the church. Was that only intended for his specific context? Or is it biblically unfaithful to exclusively have married men with families in pastoral or deacon roles?
• I have been focusing on Luke, and was freshly moved by the references to Mary treasuring up different revelations/experiences with Jesus (the shepherds visit after the angel of the Lord appearing to them and Jesus calling the temple his Father's house). Would it be appropriate to consider Luke as connecting Mary's experience with Psalm 119:11?
• Why is Ephesians off limits?
• Jen referred to Psalm 139 as the “lady Psalm,” - I’m wondering why she called it that?
• What are your takes on celebrating Christmas by incorporating Santa Claus and on celebrating Halloween. How do you go about making those decisions and giving grace to those who differ?
• If you could wave a magic wand, how would you organize a local church? What are the first three ministries you would focus on establishing in addition to the Sunday gathering?
• Kyle you have recommended several sci-fi or fantasy books or authors through the seasons. So far I have really enjoyed all of your recommendations could you make some more?
• The 6th command is “Do not Murder.” Why were the Israelites multiple times commanded to kill whole nations women and children?
• What obscure or lesser known and taught passages of the Bible are some of your favorites and deserve more notice?
• What about prophets/prophecy today? Is prophet a current office? What is a prophet today, or what is prophecy today? Can just anyone prophecy? Does any of it exist now?
• Considering recently the implications of The Father as the one who sends, I'm seeing James 1:17 in a new light. The Father is the one who sent Jesus, sends the Spirit, ... and is the direct sender of blessings? Is that what I should be taking away here? So a quick, heartfelt "Thank you, Jesus!" upon receipt of rain, provision, etc, may not be the best expression of gratitude, when it should be "Thank you, Father!"? Are we robbing God the Father of the worship due Him when we attribute His goodness to Christ? Are there other ways you can think of that we commonly misdirect worship to one person of the Godhead when it is deserved by the other (or ascribe it only to One when it should be to all Three)?

Helpful Definitions:

• Prophet: Speaking on behalf of God.
• prophet: In tune with the Holy Spirit wanting to build up the life of the church.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Psalm 119:1-8, Psalm 19:7-9, Genesis 3:15-16, Luke 2:8-19, Luke 2:48-51, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 139, Kings 25, Exodus 1:15-21, Numbers 27:1-11, 1 Samuel 28, James 1:17
• The Chalcedonian Creed
• “Santa, Strategically” by Jen Wilkin
• “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkein
• “Red Rising” by Pierce Brown
• “Wingfeather Saga” by Andrew Peterson
• “Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman
• “The Terminal List” by Jack Carr
• 10 Commandments Hand Signs

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.