Stone Choir

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” All that we have and all that we are flows from God, and yet, as covered in previous episodes, God acts in time via means. Your height and your intelligence, God transmitted to you via your ancestors, via your nation; your material prosperity, God transmitted to you via your forebears and your country; and your faith, God transmitted to you via faithful forebears and His written Word (whatever copies of which you may own, someone had to print). It is a tripartite inheritance that is bestowed upon us by God — biological, material, and spiritual. The modern world, with its manifold lies — among them, the idea of the ‘blank slate’ — would have us believe that we are atomized individuals instead of parts of a greater whole. Each generation is a link in a chain extending back through Noah to Adam, and it is incumbent on each generation to faithfully pass forward the inheritance — preferably improved — that it received from those who came before. Without inheritance, there is no prosperity, there is no continuity, and there would be no salvation, for it is our adoption as sons of God that makes us inheritors of eternal life. We must jealously guard our inheritance, faithfully preserve it, and dutifully transmit it. Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes Numbers 27 Luke 12–15 1 Kings 21 Genesis 15 See Also Further Reading “inheritance” [Bible Hub] kléronomia (inheritance) [Bible Hub] Dowry [Wikipedia] Parental Warnings None.

Delve into the complexities of jealousy as a positive duty for Christians, contrasting human jealousy with God's, exploring language nuances and the significance of zeal in a religious context. Discuss the interconnectedness of language usage, the distinctions between jealousy, envy, and covetousness, and the importance of stewardship in defending possessions and values. Explore repentance in Christianity and the zealous defense of what is deemed valuable, emphasizing the necessity of being fervently zealous for sacred ideals.

The podcast delves into controversial topics such as anti-Semitism, the weight of sin, and the importance of confessing the full counsel of Scripture. It explores the clash between societal pressures and Christian beliefs, urging listeners to stay true to their convictions. The discussion also highlights the legal implications of Title 20 in South Dakota and the strategic attacks on Christian doctrines.

Dive into the complexities of technology with a Christian perspective, exploring the moral implications and risks associated with advanced technology and knowledge. From the historical roots of medicinal remedies to the cautionary tales of AI reliance, the podcast highlights the importance of discernment, wisdom, and reliance on God's guidance when navigating the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

Exploring the concept of repentance in Christianity, the podcast delves into true repentance involving contrition, faith, and turning from sin. It discusses the importance of works following repentance, the core of the Christian life. The narrative emphasizes the transformative power of repentance, the necessity of genuine change, and the continuous process of sanctification.

Once taken, a man’s reputation is nearly impossible to restore to him. In the 8th Commandment (and many other places in Scripture), God enshrines and makes abundantly clear that He hates slander and the man who spreads it. And yet Scripture goes further: Not only must we not slander our neighbor, but we must rebuke the one who does so. Scripture calls the one who hears slander but does not rebuke the slanderer evil. Next to his life, wife, and possessions, the most dear thing a neighbor has is his good name and reputation. As Christians, we know that we must aid our neighbor in maintaining all that is his, and this certainly includes his reputation. Slander destroys families, friendships, organizations, churches, and entire societies. A godly prince would wield the sword against the slanderer, but every individual Christian has a moral duty to rebuke the slanderer and not to repeat what he has heard. In this episode, we will examine the contours of what “slander” encompasses, and what we, as Christians, must do in this life. Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes See Also The Large Catechism: The 8th Commandment Further Reading “The Question of Procedure in Theological Controversies” by Kurt Marquart Parental Warnings None.

Galatians 3:28 is, perhaps, the most abused verse in modern churches (a term that should, arguably, be in quotes), and this is not without reason. Satan attacks where he knows there is purchase to be found or headway to be made. In entirely unambiguous terms, Galatians 3:28 affirms the very real existence of race, hierarchy, and sex (i.e., that we are created either male or female) — the very things that the modern world constantly attacks and denies. We must be careful readers when it comes to Scripture. God does not choose His words idly and we should not skim over them. We do not usually focus on a single verse to this extent, but it is incumbent on faithful Christians to defend where the battle is joined. In today’s episode, we will arm you to detect abuses of this verse, to defend yourself against those abuses, and to understand the wealth of what God has transmitted to us in a mere twenty-three words). Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes Galatians (The entire letter will take you no more than fifteen minutes to read.) “What We Believe” from the ‘Black Lives Matter’ website [via Archive.org] See Also Further Reading “Singleness in the Church” Parental Warnings None.

By the time Josiah, King of Judah, noticed that pagan worship practices had crept into the land of Judah — and even into the Temple itself —, apostasy, wickedness, and idol worship were rampant. The Temple was filled with altars to and symbols of false gods, the area around the Temple and around Jerusalem was filled with centers of false worship, and the valley adjacent to Jerusalem even saw the sacrifice of children to demons. Undoubtedly, these false beliefs and false practices did not creep into Judah all at once — Satan brought them in bit by bit. The apostasy of Judah was not the first time humanity lost the Word of God (although perhaps none have done this as literally as Judah forgetting the actual scroll somewhere in a pile of rubble in the Temple); by the time of Judah’s apostasy, Israel (the Northern Kingdom) was already apostate and in the process of being eradicated by the Assyrians. We see the same happening all over the world as the sons of Noah lost the Word of God over time — some certainly faster than others. And, of course, the entire world, save Noah and his immediate family, had lost or rejected God’s Word by the time of the Flood. Today, the churches face a similar crisis as that which faced Josiah: We are beset on all sides by false worship, and false shepherds and wolves have even brought these false beliefs and false practices into the church. We have fallen so far that supposed pastors, priests, and teachers will recoil when presented with the words of God. This does not mean that there is no hope, but it is surely a call for repentance and prayer. Josiah would not see the destruction of Judah, which God promised as recompense for their wickedness, but his grandson would. Let us not be like the wicked Northern Kingdom or the apostate Southern Kingdom. Joel 2:12–14 (ESV): »“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?« Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes 2 Kings 17 2 Kings 22 2 Kings 23 Matthew 7 Matthew 24 Matthew 25 Mark 1 Luke 8 1 Timothy 4 2 Peter 2 See Also “The Gods of the Copybook Headings” by Rudyard Kipling [Wikipedia] Further Reading Parental Warnings None.

Gnosticism is one of the oldest religions of man. When Satan tempted Eve in the Garden, it was with an invitation to learn secret — explicitly forbidden, in this case — knowledge. From the mystery cults of Ancient Greece and Rome to modern Pentecostalism, Mormonism, and any of dozens of other cults, Gnosticism has always been a major font of false religion and corruption. Christianity is not a mystery religion; Christianity is a religion with mysteries. The Sacrament is a mystery, because we cannot fully understand it, but it is not a mystery in the sense of being secret knowledge — we proclaim it publicly before the world and it is set forth in God’s Word. Anyone who claims that you must have some secret knowledge in order to be a good or a full or a proper Christian is lying to you and attempting to drag you into heresy and apostasy. There is no secret knowledge in Christianity. In today’s episode, we do not go over the specifics of any of the various Gnostic cults — ancient or modern; rather, we go over the core of the Gnostic claims and the foundation of their beliefs: the existence of mystical or esoteric knowledge, the salvific nature of this supposed knowledge, dualism, and the denial of the flesh (i.e., the material). Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes See Also Further Reading Parental Warnings None.

The podcast dives into the historical challenge of Judaizing in Christianity, revealing its implications for faith. It critiques practices like circumcision and the use of 'Yahweh', urging listeners to reevaluate their significance in a modern context. The discussion highlights early church debates and the importance of salvation through grace. Additionally, it examines the resurgence of ancient beliefs and the necessity for Christians to oppose harmful teachings, emphasizing discernment and the integrity of faith.