Dive into a deep discussion on what it means that God IS love, exploring its profound implications in Christianity. The conversation navigates the controversial decision of churches to hold vaxxed and unvaxxed services, emphasizing unity amidst division. It also tackles the morality of wealth versus poverty through the biblical story of Lazarus, questioning if being poor equates to godliness. Further, the podcast examines proper worship practices and the importance of addressing unholy behaviors among friends.
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Quick takeaways
God is love signifies an intrinsic quality of His nature, shaping the understanding of morality and existence for believers.
The discussion on church divisions over vaccination policies emphasizes the need for unity and love within the Christian community, regardless of differing opinions.
The duality of God's love and wrath illustrates that divine judgment stems from a desire to uphold goodness rather than contradicting His unchanging love.
Deep dives
The Essence of God's Love
God is described as love, a profound statement beyond the notion that He simply loves or acts lovingly. This concept suggests that love is intrinsic to God's nature rather than a mere quality of His actions. It is emphasized that love, as a fundamental aspect of God’s essence, is the grounding for moral goodness and existence, distinguishing the biblical understanding of love from secular interpretations. In contrasting worldviews, the assertion is made that without God, love would lack true meaning, as it is rooted in His eternal and unchanging nature.
The Trinity and Relational Love
The discussion highlights the importance of the Trinity in understanding divine love, asserting that God's tri-personal nature enables love to be expressed even before creation. This relational aspect of God suggests that love is eternally inherent within the Godhead, as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have existed in relationship for all eternity. The implication is that love is not only an attribute but a reflection of the relationships within the Trinity, reinforcing the Christian belief in a personal God who embodies love. Thus, love is foundational to God's identity and informs the interactions and outreach of believers.
God's Love in Salvation and Free Will
God's choice to create a universe in which individuals can freely choose to accept or reject Him is seen as a testament to His love, reinforcing the significance of free will in a loving relationship. The narrative illustrates that God offers forgiveness and demonstrates love even towards those who oppose Him, showcasing the depths of divine grace. The crucifixion of Christ is depicted as the ultimate expression of this love, offering salvation despite human rejection and sin. The idea that love includes the capacity to be rejected adds complexity to the understanding of divine love and its implications for human relationships.
Maintaining Unity in Church
A question raised about church division over vaccination policies prompts a reflection on maintaining unity among believers. The response encourages careful and loving consideration before making decisions about leaving a church, emphasizing the need for patience and understanding in difficult circumstances. Scriptural references are cited to highlight the importance of humility and unity within the body of Christ, even amidst disagreements on secondary issues. The overarching theme suggests that love for neighbors and the desire for communal harmony should guide decisions within the church.
God’s Wrath and Love Coexisting
The complexities of God's nature include both love and wrath, with the suggestion that God’s anger is a response to sin rather than being at odds with His love. This duality illustrates that God's love is constant and unwavering, contrasting with the transient nature of His anger due to specific violations of goodness. The explanation connects the concept of divine judgment to a broader understanding of love, where judgment serves to uphold goodness out of love rather than desiring harm. This perspective promotes a holistic view of God's character, where love informs even the toughest actions taken against sin.
Hope for Restoration and Renewal
The examination of biblical narratives suggests that God's love is inherently connected to themes of restoration and hope. For example, the notion that those who are lost or have strayed from faith can be redeemed reinforces the belief in a merciful and loving God. This hope extends to the understanding that God's ultimate plan includes the redemption of not only individuals but also the fulfillment of His covenant with Israel. Such discussions highlight the transformative power of divine love, capable of healing and renewing broken relationships.
0:00 - Introduction 1. 0:34 {What does it mean that God IS Love?} What does it mean that God IS love, rather than just saying that He is loving or that He loves us? 2. 9:37 {Is it Wrong to have Vaxxed & Non-Vaxxed Services?} My church has decided to have 2 different services: one for those who have gotten the vaccine, and one for those who have not. I love my pastors, but I disagree with this approach, and I see it as divisive. Is this something I should leave the church over? I wouldn’t think Jesus would ever be for this option. 3. 14:38 {Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?} Why isn't the Holy Spirit mentioned in any of the instances in Revelation when praise is being given to the Father and the lamb if He is to be worshiped as separate? For example: Revelation 5: 13. 4. 19:48 {About Jannes & Jambres} Why does Paul mention Jannes and Jambres in 2 Timothy as being part of the Exodus story when they weren’t? Did he have a different exodus? Is he referring to an extra-biblical book so authoritatively? 5. 26:55 {Is Being Poor a Godly Virtue?} In Luke 16: 19-31 we read the story of Lazarus and the rich man and it seems that the only thing Lazarus did to deserve Paradise was being a sick beggar. Does this story teach virtue in being poor? 6. 35:36 {How to Respond to Friends’ Ungodly Behavior} How should I respond when hanging out with friends who cuss / curse or play foul music celebrating sinful behavior, some of them being believers? 7. 39:12 {About “Twilight” relating to Passover} What does “twilight” mean when the Passover lamb is sacrificed? Is it the start of the 14th, or the end leading into the 15th (first day of unleavened bread)? 8. 40:28 {How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One} My disabled daughter w/ MS was abused by her ex (hit, pushed her head through a wall, broke her jaw twice requiring three surgeries, told her he’s going to have her killed, & more). I know I should forgive him, but how? 9. 45:10 {When to Lovingly tell Someone they’re Deceived} If you spend years lovingly bringing scripture to someone in a religion that corrupts it, hoping to open their eyes but fail, is it wrong to finally say directly they've been deceived, and that the religion is a lie? 10. 47:46 {About “Dynamic Omniscience} Could you please explain and give your take on the Open Theist position called " dynamic omniscience" and how biblical or unbiblical the position is? 11. 50:18 {Called to be Single? How to Know} How do you know if God has called you to be single? 12. 1:01:39 {Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?} In Luke 8: 45, Jesus asks who touched His garment while in a crowd. Did Jesus really not know who had touched Him, nor that this miracle would take place? 13. 1:06:23 {About Jews & the Great Tribulation} I heard a pastor claim that 2/3 of Jews will die during the Great Tribulation, and the ones who survive will become Christians. Is this what Paul was referring to with “all Israel will be saved”? 14. 1:13:26 {Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?} Could my Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD be a demonic issue rather than a mental health issue? I'm a believer, but I suffer from both of these issues and I feel trapped. 15. 1:17:02 {Was Creation an Incarnation of God?} What do you think of Richard Rohr's claim that "creation was the first incarnation of God"? 16. 1:19:51 {About “Boot Camp” Churches} What is your opinion on "Boot Camp" Churches such as Elevation and Newspring that say that their church is for unbelievers and is not a permanent space for believers to remain? 17. 1:22:26 {About the Virgin Birth} Is the virgin birth an invention by Matthew to buff up the Gospel narrative? The "double-fulfillment" of Isaiah's prophecy sounds like a convenience interpretation. Does the virgin birth matter? 18. 1:25:20 {Overcoming Fear while Witnessing} I am currently attending a public school, and I’m wondering how I am supposed to speak the Word and truth of God when I fear that I will be shut down if I let my true beliefs be heard. Any advice? 19. 1:28:00 {Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?} Is it selfish or unbiblical for us to sing the song “How He Loves”? Sometimes I feel it's selfish that we're singing about ourselves when it's supposed to be a worship song. Shouldn't God get the glory? 20. 1:31:37 {Should we Hate the Devil?} Is it OK to Hate Satan?
This is the “Battle for the Next Generation” apologetics conference I’m speaking at in Palm Springs, CA on February 25-26 of 2022: https://desertapologetics.com
Why we don’t understand “fulfilled prophecy”: https://youtu.be/_RTMcCS_r-s
On that same issue, see my study on how Matthew specifically uses the word “fulfilled." Sounds boring but it’s actually really enlightening: "24 ways Jesus fulfilled Passover": https://youtu.be/tbwylmj26SU
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
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