Discover engaging recommendations for theology books perfect for teens, sparking interest and understanding. The podcast explores whether God's blessings are solely spiritual today or still include material possessions. Listeners learn about God's communication outside the Bible and how to start conversations about faith with strangers. The discussion also tackles differing views on atonement, urging unity among diverse beliefs, and emphasizes navigating faith while acknowledging doubt.
01:09:33
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Recommended accessible theology books for teens include 'Cold Case Christianity' and 'Tactics' for engaging faith discussions.
God's blessings today focus on spiritual matters rather than material, emphasizing gratitude for all good things as gifts from Him.
The relationship with church authority is subjective, highlighting personal faith in Christ as paramount, regardless of denominational divisions.
Deep dives
Recommended Theology Books for Teens
When recommending theology books to teens, particularly for a 17-year-old interested in apologetics, it's important to choose accessible reads. One suggested book is 'Cold Case Christianity,' authored by Jay Warner Wallace, a former detective who uses detective stories to engage readers while exploring the evidence for Christianity. Another recommendation is 'Tactics' by Greg Koukl, which focuses not on providing arguments for Christianity but on strategies for engaging conversations about faith with peers. A third option is 'Evidence That Demands a Verdict' by Josh McDowell, which offers deeper explorations of specific issues for those willing to dive deeper into the evidence for Christianity.
Understanding God's Blessings
There is a distinction between blessings in the Old Covenant, where God promised specific material benefits to Israel for obedience, and blessings in the New Covenant through Christ, which tend to focus on spiritual matters. Christians today may not receive material blessings in the same manner, but they are still beneficiaries of God's grace in their daily experiences and health, which can be considered blessings. In discussions about whether God blesses materially today, it's noted that blessings are ultimately tied to God's sovereignty, and believers should recognize that all good things are gifts from Him. Furthermore, the concept that God 'makes His sun rise on the evil and the good' illustrates that His blessings extend to all people, emphasizing gratitude for the everyday provisions and grace received.
God's Communication Beyond the Bible
While God primarily communicates through His Word, some may question if He speaks through mediums like coincidences or numbers. Though God can use extraordinary means for communication, the norm is for Him to guide believers through scripture and the Holy Spirit. Over-reliance on coincidences can lead to misinterpretations of God’s will; thus, the emphasis should remain on clarity and confirmation through scriptural teachings and the guidance of trusted church leaders. Ultimately, developing a relationship grounded in prayer and scriptural understanding facilitates better discernment of God's messages in one's life.
Separation from Church Leadership
The question of whether separation from church leadership implies a loss of salvation depends on one's view of the church and authority structures. If one sees the church solely as an organizational hierarchy through which grace is mediated, then separation could indeed raise concerns about salvation. However, if one understands the church as the collective of believers, then personal faith and relationship with Christ transcend denominational divisions. Scripture provides examples of individuals, like Cornelius, who encountered God outside conventional church authority, affirming that faith in Christ is the key to being part of His body.
Navigating Doubts About Atonement
Experiencing doubt about core beliefs like the atonement is a common struggle, and it does not automatically disqualify someone from salvation. The journey of faith often includes periods of uncertainty, reflecting the complexity of human emotions and belief. Acknowledging the coexistence of belief and doubt can be a healthy part of one’s faith journey, as seen in the biblical account of the father seeking healing for his son, who admitted his struggle with faith. Ultimately, choosing to trust God, even amidst doubt, is key; believers find assurance in their commitment to Christ rather than the fluctuation of their feelings.
0:00 - Introduction 1. 0:45 {Theology Books for Teens/College Age} My 17 yr. old son is into theology. Do you have any theology books you’d recommend for teens/college students that aren’t weighty reads, but offer good, biblical answers to Christian questions? Something that will interest a teenager without getting lost into a huge textbook. 2. 4:24 {Does God Bless in Material Ways?} Does God still bless us in material ways, or was that just for the old covenant and now He solely blesses us in spiritual ways? 3. 9:05 {How Does God Speak to Us?} How does God communicate to us outside of the Bible? Does He speak through mediums like words, numbers, coincidences, etc.? 4. 12:38 {About Separation from Bishops} How is separation from all bishops okay when all “early church fathers” (especially Cyprian & Ignatius) taught that separation from your bishop can call into question your salvation (Cyprian Epistle 26, Ignatius Phil.)? 5. 18:39 {About Revelation/Great Tribulation} Do you have any idea why Revelation 7:14 in the NLT says these are the ones who died, but other translations say they came out of the Great Tribulation? 6. 21:40 {How to Initiate Gospel Conversations} How do I start conversations about Jesus with strangers/acquaintances? 7. 23:25 {About the Extent of the Atonement} Do the two different stances on the extent of the atonement (unlimited and definite) ultimately represent two different gospels? This is a fear of mine. 8. 27:09 {Does Prayer Have a Required Formula?} I talk to God in my head and pray during the day, but my thoughts drift and sometimes I realize I never said “amen.” I know that He’s listening, but if it’s not formatted like a prayer, does it still count? 9. 29:00 {How to Find Counsel in Scripture} How do I go about searching the Scriptures to help me find a solution or to come to a decision in an area of my life? 10. 32:16 {About being Born of God/of the Spirit} Prior to Pentecost, was anyone “born of God/Spirit” as the Spirit hadn’t been given yet (John 1:13; 3:1-7; 7:39)? Can this discredit regeneration preceding faith/total inability? 11. 34:22 {Was Historical Proof of Biblical Events Just Made Up?} I heard that the historians’ consensus for the Patriarchs, the Exodus, and the Conquest of Canaan was that they didn’t happen but were made up later. Any input on this? 12. 36:42 {If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?} I was having doubts about the atonement, and I was questioning if I really believed it. I had thoughts about me not believing. Am I still saved if confessed those and do believe now? 13. 43:08 {Was Jesus Rich? & How to Challenge False Claims} Someone told me “Jesus was rich and that was how He was able to feed the 5,000 and their families.” I know that’s wrong, but where do they find these theories and how do I help them see that’s not true? 14. 46:33 {How to Share a Summary of the Gospel} Do you have a simple way to share the Gospel? How can we know what to say to be obedient and share the Gospel effectively without missing any of the essentials? 15. 48:42 {Thinking Biblically about Covid Restrictions} My province has new Covid mandates that my pastor is implementing. Reduced attendance, vaccine passport checks, and masks even while singing. I think this is unbiblical. What can I do? 16. 52:53 {Advice for Finding a Godly Spouse / Our Desires} I’m 23 yrs. old. 6 yrs. ago, my attraction to women just disappeared. This messed with my head a lot, and also, because of physical problems, I can’t approach girls in order to find a wife. Please, can you advise me? 17. 54:29 {Was David’s Son Punished for David’s Sin?} In a past video, it sounded like Mike said David's child dying was "collateral damage.” How is that not punishment for David's sins? 18. 59:32 {Did God’s Promise Change?} Why did the promise for honoring your parents change from Old Testament (Exodus 20:12 – “in the land I will give you”) vs. the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2 – “living long on the earth”)? 19. 1:02:10 {Are Different Convictions = Subjective Truth?} How do we protect ourselves from post-modernist thinking such as "truth is subjective" when discussing matters of different convictions (ex: Christians disagreeing over matters such as cursing, etc.)? 20. 1:06:02 {About Finding God’s Purpose/Will in our Lives} How do we know God's purpose for our lives, as in a career?
This is the Friday live stream where I take 20 questions from viewers and do my best to give a biblical answer. Every Friday at 1 p.m. Pacific time. (Well, almost every Friday.)
Here's my website with a new clip search feature for finding exactly where in a video a particular issue is addressed: https://BibleThinker.org
To get a question answered live in one of our next streams, just wait until after the stream begins, post a question in the live chat starting with the letter "Q," make sure it's clear, and wait to see if it gets in.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode