Rapp Report episode 221 The creation of man, was by God not evolution. Andrew and Bud continue the What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website series discussing the creation of mankind. They answer many questions. What does it mean that we are created in the image of God? How are humans different than angels? Man was directly and immediately created by God on the sixth day of creation. He was created in God’s image and likeness and with the appearance of age. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15 25; James 3:9). Men are distinct from angels in that they are a race while angels are not. Therefore, men cannot become angels, and angels cannot become men. Men are distinct from both angels and God and will be for all eternity (1 Corinthians 6:3; Hebrews 1:14; 2:6-8; 12:22-24). Men are similar to angels in having a personality but limited more so in power and abilities. Listen to the last episode in the series: Satan, What We Believe, Part 17 This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 219 This week, Andrew Rappaport of Striving for Eternity joins Chris Hohnholz of Voice of Reason Radio to discuss how Christians need to consider what is the source of their authority when they engage in conservative politics. Are the end goals of political activism more important than God’s Word and what compromises do we make when we ally ourselves with secular conservatives? Show Notes: Dave Rubin Twitter Post Glenn Beck/Dave Rubin Video Clip Andrew Rappaport – Political Activism: A Christian’s Role This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 218 Andrew was on the P40 Ministries podcast with Jenn Kokal talking about Leviticus 14 and the issue of leprosy. Andrew explains how this applies to us today. This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 217 Satan, who is he, and what does he do? Andrew and Jim Osman continue the What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website series discussing angels & demons. Many people make the mistake of giving Satan more authority than he has. This episode will discuss the following from the statement: Satan was the highest created being that fell in an act of disobedience to God (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11-17). Satan is a real spiritual person and has intellect, will, and emotions (Isaiah 14:12-13; Matthew 4:6; Luke 22:31; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Timothy 3:6; 2 Timothy 2:26; Revelation 12:12). Satan is, as all angels are, limited by God (Job 1:12; 2:6; 1 John 5:18). Satan does not know what a person thinks, nor is he everywhere affecting everything. Satan can only be in one place at one time. Satan is called an evil deceiver seeking to tempt, oppose, and accuse God and His children (Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 4:3, 10; John 17:15; Acts 5:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 John 5:18-19; Revelation 12:9; 20:2, 10). He is the god and ruler of this world, the prince of the power of the air, and the ruler of the demons (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). As a serpent, he is crafty and guile and called “the red dragon” in Revelation (Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:3, 7, 9). Satan is God’s adversary and is called “Belial.” meaning “worthless” or “wicked” (Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 4:10; 2 Corinthians 6:15; Revelation 12:9; 20:2). Satan is not only a person but he is also active in relation to Christ, God, nations, unbelievers, believers, and the world system. Listen to the last episode in the series: Demons, What We Believe, Part 16 This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 216 Demons, what are they? Andrew and Jim Osman continue the What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website series discussing angels & demons. Many do not realize how their view of fallen angels affects their theology. Demons are angels that have fallen and are unholy. Fallen Angels Unholy angels are those angels that are confirmed in unholiness by a single act of disobedience that occurred between Genesis 1:31 and 3:1. The fall of the unholy angels occurs between God’s declaration that all creation was “very good” (Genesis 1:31) and the temptation of Eve by Satan (Genesis 3). These angels apparently fell at the same time that Satan fell and were at that time confirmed in a condition of fallenness. Unholy angels abode on earth or imprisonment but those on earth have access to heaven (Isaiah 14:12; Job 1:6; Jude 6). Unholy angels will be judged by redeemed people (1 Corinthians 6:3). Hell was prepared for suffering and containment for these angels and will be cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:13-14). Due to the organization of angels, these angels are agents of Satan (Matthew 12:26-27; Ephesians 6:11-12). While attempting to thwart the plan of God, they actually execute it (Daniel 10:10-14; Revelation 16:13-16). They may possess unsaved men (Matthew 4:24) but not believers. Listen to the last episode in the series: Angels, What We Believe, Part 15 This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 215 Angels, what are they? Andrew and Jim Osman continue the What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website series discussing Angels. There is much confusion on this subject because of two factors. The first factor is the little amount of biblical information on the subject. The second factor is the fascination and Hollywood hype on the subject. In relation to believers, they are actively watching over and ministering to individuals and congregations (Genesis 28:12; John 1:51; 1 Kings 19:5; Psalm 91:11; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 4:11; 18:10; Luke 16:22; 1 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Timothy 5:21; Hebrews 1:14). Nowhere does the Bible indicate that there is one angel for each believer. There may even be more than one ministering to anyone believer at a time (Matthew 18:10; Luke 16:22). Their ministry is in urging unto holiness (1 Corinthians 11:10), aiding (Hebrews 1:14), answering prayers (Daniel 9:21; Acts 12:7; Revelation 5:8), observing worship (1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 11:10; 1 Peter 1:12), rejoicing in salvation (Luke 15; 10), and giving revelation (Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2). In relation to unbelievers, these angels will be involved in the future judgment and act as the reapers at the end of the age (Matthew 13:39, 49-50; 25:31-33; Revelation 8-10). In relation to nations, these angels have a special relationship to Israel and will be active in gathering elect Israel in the Millennium (Daniel 10:21; 12:1; Matthew 24:31). Listen to the last episode in the series: Angels, What We Believe, Part 14 This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 214 Angels, what are they? Andrew and Jim Osman continue the What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website series discussing Angels. There is much confusion on this subject because of two factors. The first factor is the little amount of biblical information on the subject. The second factor is the fascination and Hollywood hype on the subject. The What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website discussed is: Holy angels are those angels that are confirmed in holiness by a single act of obedience that occurred sometime between Genesis 1:31 and 3:1. Holy angels abode in heaven while still having access to the earth (Mark 13:32; Daniel 9:20-23). These holy angels minister to God and specifically to the incarnate Christ. They also minister to believers, unbelievers and nations. In relation to God, there are angels that worship (Isaiah 6:2-3), praise (Job 38:7; Psalm 103:20), serve (Genesis 19:12-13; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9), and punish His enemies (2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23). While Christ dwelled physically on earth, angels made announcements (Luke 1:26-33; 2:8-14; Matthew 28:6), strengthening Christ (Matthew 4:11) and were present throughout His ministry (Luke 22:43; Acts 1:10). Listen to the last episode in the series: Angels, What We Believe, Part 13 This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 213 Angels, what are they? Andrew and Jim Osman continue the What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website series discussing Angels. There is much confusion on this subject because of two factors. The first factor is the little amount of biblical information on the subject. The second factor is the fascination and Hollywood hype on the subject. The What We Believe statement from the Striving for Eternity website discussed is: Angels are created, not eternal, beings (Psalm 148:5); therefore, they are not to be worshiped. Each angel was individually and directly created by God as ministering spirits (Matthew 22:28-30; Hebrews 1:14). They were created before the foundation of the world (Job 38:6-7). Angels, like man, are not eternal but immortal meaning once created, they do not cease to exist. However, unlike man, angels were not created as a race, but a total number (innumerable to man) were created at one time. Men cannot become angels, and angels cannot become men. Angels are distinct from both man and God and will be for all eternity (1 Corinthians 6:3; Hebrews 1:14; 2:6-8; 12:22-24). Angels are similar to man in having a personality but limited in power and abilities. Angels were tested for obedience by a one-time confirmation of holiness or unholiness while man’s confirmation occurs at death. Angels are organized and submissive to that organization (Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:21; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7). Listen to the last episode in the series: The Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, What We Believe, Part 12 This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 212 Andrew preaches a message from Mark 15:1-15 about the Roman trials of Jesus. It reveals that politicians have not changed in two thousand years. This podcast is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and all our resources Listen to other podcasts on the Christian Podcast Community Support Striving for Eternity Leave us a review Give us your feedback, email us info@StrivingForEternity.org Get the book What Do They Believe Get the book What Do We Believe Sponsors: Logos Bible Software MyPillow or call (800) 873-0176 and use promo SFE

Rapp Report episode 211 How to get started with Bitcoin is the topic of this episode. Welcome to Andrew Rappaport's Rapp Report, where we provide Biblical interpretation and application! The show is a ministry of Striving for Eternity and the Christian Podcast Community. In today’s episode, host Andrew Rappaport is joined by friend and Pastor Jim Osman of Kootenai Community Church in Idaho for part two of the conversation on bitcoin started in the last episode!  The hosts of the Bitcoin and the Bible podcast - Dave, Simon, and Will - join us again to discuss bitcoin, focusing today on the practical side of starting to use bitcoin.   Before turning to practical advice, though, Jim asks what will keep bitcoin from inflation or from dropping in value.  Will explains that people continue buying bitcoin because it's a superior form of money, and they will ultimately have the ability to consume all available bitcoin supply.  This dynamic, grounded in the fact that value is subjective and based on market needs, listeners can be assured that the value of bitcoin will not go to 0.  With regard to inflation, Will describes the way that bitcoin operates with a hard cap of 21 million, and how the bitcoin system is designed with a kind of self-regulation because it's in every bitcoin holder's best interest to hold others to the rules of the system.   Turning to some possible concerns and responses to them, the group first considers whether or not the bitcoin cap will pose a problem.  Even when the cap is reached, there will be plenty of bitcoin and sufficient divisibility to ensure global commerce can exist on a digital system.  And while some people are wary of bitcoin's fluctuations in market value, the current fiat system is over-engineered to avoid volatility.  Volatility, however, is a sign of life, and actually provides a reason for us to trust bitcoin!  The change in the bitcoin market is rooted in the fact that the market is free and open, and so at each moment, the dollar price of bitcoin is determined by willing buyers and sellers.  While the primary reason people put their money in banks is to be able to move it digitally, bitcoin facilitates this movement even better than banks; it allows for the transfer of money without bank control and with great speed.   As the conversation progresses, the group considers what bitcoin mining is.  At its most basic level, this mining involves grouping pending transactions into a block and finding the random number to make the block valid.  The process leaves a track of work that demonstrates the history of transactions and is done with a specially purposed computer.  The sort of computer required to mine (an ASIC miner) helps to bolster the security of the process, and some bitcoin users have also elected to study quantum computing, which is expected to protect bitcoin in the more technologically-advanced future.   Dave, Simon, and Will encourage listeners to lean into bitcoin rather than other cryptocurrencies, and the next topic of conversation is the rationale behind this selectivity.  Some cryptocurrencies are trying to be money, and others are not doing so, and in general, money wants to converge on a single best form of money.  At this point, bitcoin is the predominant form of digital money; the choice cycle pushes bitcoin value up and down, and the positioning of bitcoin at the pinnacle of the cryptocurrency world gives it a lot of security.  Other forms of cryptocurrency don't work well because the incentive behind them (the driver of crypto outcomes!) won't work, and some of them are even built of systems that allow the rich and powerful to rewrite the rules.   Now, assuming a person is convinced to give bitcoin a shot, the glaring question still remains: How can someone get set up on bitcoin?  Fortunately, there are great resources (including a Startup Guide and many others on BitcoinandtheBible.com!) to help lead the way, and though there are things to learn,