Wayne Grudem, a renowned theologian known for his insights on biblical doctrines, joins the discussion. They tackle pressing questions such as the necessity of Jesus' divine nature for atonement, the implications of modesty in worship attire, and the philosophical reasons behind God's creation of humanity. Grudem shares thoughts on the interplay between tiny choices and historical outcomes, while also discussing challenges in ministering to LDS members and the timing of the Apostles' salvation, offering rich theological insights throughout.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of grounding personal views in biblical teachings, especially regarding contemporary issues like clothing choices in worship settings.
A discussion around the necessity of Jesus' divinity and humanity highlights differing theological views on atonement and the nature of salvation.
The complexities of interpreting prophecy in the Book of Daniel illustrate the importance of understanding historical contexts and trusting God's sovereignty over human predictions.
The speaker reflects on God's creation of humanity as an act of love and relationship rather than necessity, contrasting with historical pagan beliefs.
Deep dives
The Importance of Biblical Thinking
The speaker emphasizes the significance of thinking biblically in everyday life, encouraging listeners to reflect on what scripture says about various issues rather than solely relying on personal opinions or societal norms. This approach aims to help individuals develop a personal understanding of biblical principles, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with God. An example is given about clothing choices, where the speaker discusses yoga pants in the context of modesty and the principles outlined in the Bible. The goal is for listeners to learn how to consider the scripture's teachings when faced with real-life situations.
Understanding Modesty and Clothing Choices
The speaker discusses the complexities of modesty, particularly in relation to what women wear on stage in worship settings. While expressing a personal belief that yoga pants may be inappropriate for such environments, the speaker acknowledges the lack of clear biblical guidelines regarding modesty. This introduces the idea that the principles of covering and obscuring certain body parts can guide clothing choices, but acknowledges the gray areas and personal interpretations involved in making these decisions. The key takeaway is a caution against rigidly applying personal convictions to others without considering the broader biblical context.
Interpreting Romans 14 on Personal Convictions
Examining Romans 14, the speaker highlights the principle of love and unity within the church community, suggesting that individual convictions should not lead to judging others. The focus is on personal conscience and the understanding that not all believers will share the same views on non-essential issues, such as dietary choices and clothing. The speaker emphasizes that if someone feels uncomfortable about a particular item of clothing or practice, it’s important to respect that feeling rather than impose a blanket standard on everyone. This encourages an environment of mutual respect and understanding among believers.
The Nature of Jesus and Salvation
When discussing salvation, the speaker reflects on the necessity of Jesus being both fully divine and fully human. While acknowledging Wayne Grudem's position that Jesus’ divinity was essential for bearing the penalty of sin, the speaker offers a differing view that emphasizes Christ's humanity as crucial for representing humanity before God. The session addresses the importance of the resurrection, noting that Jesus' divine nature ensured that death would not hold him. Through this discussion, the speaker seeks to clarify the intricate relationship between Christ’s divinity and humanity in the context of salvation.
Prophecy and Its Fulfillment in Daniel
The speaker expresses uncertainty regarding the interpretation of the fourth kingdom in the Book of Daniel, emphasizing the challenges of understanding unfulfilled prophecy. The discussion underscores the historical context of the first three kingdoms and the mystery surrounding the fourth, which remains open to various interpretations by scholars. The speaker admits to the difficulties of predicting future events based on current affairs, suggesting caution in confidently asserting interpretations of prophecy. Ultimately, the speaker encourages believers to recognize God’s sovereignty in prophecy and to trust Him rather than attempting to predict specific outcomes.
Understanding God's Intent in Creation
When pondering why God created humans, the speaker highlights the idea that God did not need to create us, but chose to do so out of love, creativity, and a desire for relationship. This notion contrasts with pagan views from history that depict gods creating humans for servitude or out of loneliness. The speaker emphasizes that God created humans to represent Him on Earth and to enjoy a deep relationship with Him. This perspective leads to a broader understanding of humanity's purpose in glorifying God in all aspects of life.
Navigating Self-Control and Emotions
Self-control is discussed as both a gift of the Spirit and a teachable skill, highlighting its importance in various aspects of life. The speaker shares practical advice on emotional and verbal self-control, emphasizing the biblical principle of being 'quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.' This approach encourages thoughtful responses in interactions and promotes a spirit of peace and understanding. The speaker suggests that self-control can be cultivated through discipline, awareness, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, reinforcing its significance in a believer's life.
1:01 {Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?} Ladies on the worship team sometimes wear yoga pants and ripped jeans. I think that goes against the Romans 14 principle of not causing a brother to stumble. What do you think?
21:29 {Did Jesus’ Atonement Require His Divinity?} Why was it necessary for Jesus to be fully divine in regard to our salvation? Wayne Grudem states, “Only someone who is the infinite God could bear the full penalty for all the sins of all those who would believe in Him…" Do you agree, and are there any other reasons stated in Scripture?
25:54 {Daniel: The Iron & Clay Kingdom} What is your interpretation of the 4th kingdom made of iron & clay in Daniel 2?
30:36 {Did God Need to Create Humans?} It may be a simple question, but why did God create humans? I’d be happy to get your insight. He didn’t need to, or did he?
36:35 {Do Tiny Choices Affect History?} Should Christians ever concern themselves with ideas like the butterfly effect (the idea that tiny choices have big impacts on history)?
38:38 {Ministering to LDS Members} I showed some LDS members your Book of Abraham video, but because they believe they heard from the Holy Spirit, biblical arguments haven’t worked. How can I show that they haven’t heard the Spirit?
45:18 {When Were the Apostles Saved?} When were the Apostles saved? They didn't have the full knowledge of what Jesus was doing until His appearance after His resurrection. Could they be considered "saved" before Pentecost?
47:40 {Will God Reveal when our Thinking is Unbiblical?} Philippians 3:15 says God will reveal when our thinking is opposed to His calling. How, then, do so many dedicated Christians get all the way through life still utterly confused about essential moral issues?
52:02 {How to Tell When Love Has Become Idolatry} Have I made my crush an idol? I’ve found myself crushing on a brother in Christ. I’ve also found that sometimes I prefer thinking about him more than God. I don’t want to do this. Any advice?
56:48 {Are Drugs OK if they’re Grown Naturally?} Is Genesis 1:29 allowing us to smoke weed and to eat magic mushrooms because they’re found naturally? Hasn’t sin surely had a big impact after the fall, on vegetation?
1:00:45 {The Bible on Transgenderism} What is the best biblical case against transgender behavior?
1:04:31 {Did God Die / Is Mary God’s Mother?} Can we say God died since Jesus died? And can we say Mary is the mother of God?
1:08:38 {Can We Add Punctuation to Scripture?} A pastor at a local Bible study wants me to add punctuation to a section of Scripture that is just words to see multiple meanings. I feel uncomfortable with this. What are your thoughts on doing this?
1:10:03 {How to Grow in Self-Control} Because it is a fruit of the Spirit, is self-control a teachable skill like in Titus 2, or a gift of the Spirit? What practical advice do you have to get more emotional and verbal self-control?
1:16:11 {Must our Salvation Produce an Emotional Response?} Most Christians have a moment where they break down and weep as they realize what Jesus did for them on the cross. Is it normal to not have experienced this? I'm grateful, but also weirdly indifferent.
1:18:43 {Is Reading the Bible Better than Listening?} I have difficulty reading the Bible, and I think that listening to the Bible (like an audio Bible) might be helpful, but I feel like I'm missing something by not reading it. Any thoughts?
1:20:50 {Is it OK to Correct our Parents?} Is correcting your parents biblical, and what do you do if they do not respect correction?
1:24:32 {About Love in 1 Cor. 13:7} What does it mean practically that “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”?
1:29:10 {How to Tell if a Show or Movie is Appropriate} As Christians, how should we judge whether or not a secular show or movie is OK for us to watch or not?
1:32:37 {Is Hell a Present or Future Place?} What is the best defense or response when defending the position that Hell is not a present place, but instead, a future place?
CLICK HERE for my Evidence for the Bible playlist (including examination of several of the prophecies in Daniel).
CLICK HERE for the verse-by-verse study through Romans 14.
CLICK HERE for my video about how the Mormon "Book of Abraham" proves Joseph Smith was a fraud.
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