Finally Matt and DJ are back in the studio!

Questions:

During the Thessalonians discussion Matt mentioned how the book was one of Paul early letters (I think he said Galatians might have been first). That got me pondering Paul’s spiritual growth (stay with me here). We are encouraged and exhorted to keep growing and revising our views ("if it’s alive it grows" I think MJ says). I know my views and opinions have changed enormously over my Christian journey. Things that took up a lot of my time (and caused unnecessary anxiety) when I was a young Christian seem irrelevant now. So did Paul’s views change as he matured? Is there clues of this in his letters? If not – why not?
- PAUL S.
Reading 1 Thess 2:17-3:13 - just wondering about Paul - her persecution/trials - and he speaks of being destined for them in 3:3. My bible had a cross reference to Acts 9:16 - it got me thinking - and my question is - Is Paul’s persecution - “how he must suffer for my name” ... is it Gods justice - the scales being balanced - Paul (Saul) persecuted the christians and therefore persecuted God (acts 9:4). And then God selects him to be his chosen instrument and therefore suffers for his name. It almost seems like a kind of sowing and reaping,(Gal 6:7) he sows persecution and therefore reaps persecution. And I can see that he also is tremendously blessed after his transformation from Saul to Paul, but it just made me wonder because God is a just God.
- CHERYNE
my question was related to 1 Timothy 1:5 - I was just wondering about what the significance of “heart” is in the bible - why do christians/the bible speak of “pure heart”, matters of the heart etc - some religions talk about 3rd eyes, etc why to do we speak about the heart, I’m assuming it’s not the actual organ in our body. Why is love related to the heart? I’d like to know a bit of background about the word heart as used in the bible please.
- ANON
I’d like some explanation of 1Tim 4:10 “we put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe”. This seems to imply that everyone will be saved, especially those who believe! Is this the basis of the (errant) doctrine of Christian Universalism? What does it mean?
- PAUL S.
1 Timothy 5 - does anyone know what vs 23 is all about? It just seems rather random. “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” Is this a metaphor or is Paul speaking literally?
- C. BIRD.

Matthew mentions: The Nicene Creed - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed and The Athanasian Creed - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasian_Creed

Ep. 157: The Art of the Follow-Up Question