Core Christianity

Episode 641 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. Why did God place the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden? 2. Is purgatory a biblical doctrine? 3. Is having a prayer language biblical? 4. Does fasting have to be from all food? In our church we say fasting can be giving up anything that we think we can't do without. I am a diabetic on insulin so I just fast from all junk food & wheat. 5. Did God know that man would fall into sin? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources The Unfolding Word: The Story of the Bible from Creation to New Creation by Zach Keele

Episode 640 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. A friend of mine has bought into the teachings of a New Age guru who has told her that she is the reincarnation of Mary Magdalene and that Jesus is her husband. I was reminded when you spoke about 1 John and our need to use discernment when testing the spirit. I am wondering if I need to take a break from this relationship because she is saying hurtful things. What should I do? 2. My son died when he was 14. I miss him greatly and I am wondering if he is in heaven? 3. Why is the Song of Solomon so often neglected in the church? 4. My son is a Freemason and is asking my husband and I to join him. How should we respond? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources Walking with Jesus Through His Word: Discovering Christ in All the Scriptures by Dennis Johnson

Episode 639 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. I'm still relatively new to the faith. Recently I've been confused about the meaning of 1st John chapter 3 verse 4. There are a lot of discrepancies regarding that verse, and many are using it to say that we must uphold God's law, including the sabbath. I ended up going deep down the rabbit hole of the internet a couple weeks back and I've discovered that there are some groups claiming that our salvation is contingent upon our obedience to the Mosaic Law. I know that we aren't justified by the law, but all the conflicting information online has been making me really overwhelmed, confused and stressed. What should I do? 2. How should we respond to Messianic Judaism? 3. In Matthew 7, Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" This sounds like one of the scarier passages in the bible, what is your interpretation of this? 4. In Luke 22, Jesus says that one should sell their cloak and buy a sword. What does this mean? 5. In 1 Timothy 2, Paul says that God desires all to be saved, if this is true, why aren't all people saved? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God's Story by Michael Horton

Episode 638 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. How should the church observe communion and take the Lord's Supper? 2. Must a born again Christian be extremely zealous about the things of the Lord? 3. Should pastors perform special prayers just for men in the worship service? 4. In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, "I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Doesn't this contradict the idea that God has ordained things to happen prior to our praying for them? What is the purpose of praying if God has already ordained something? 5. Can man be holy and righteous, and even if we are not perfectly holy and righteous Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World by Michael Horton

Episode 637 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. I am a convicted felon. I know that Jesus has forgiven me for my past sins, but even after paying my due to society, it seems that I am forever marked by my past. How can I find rest when every day society reminds me of my past sins? 2. What is Lent, and why do some churches practice it and others do not? 3. When did Israelites become Hebrews? 4. How do I deal with regret? Sometimes it can feel overwhelming and prevent me from seeking the Lord. 5. I am friends with a Messianic Jew who is challenging me by saying that Christians must observe a Saturday Sabbath and other Jewish rituals, how should I respond? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources 7 THINGS EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT REPENTANCE

Episode 636 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. Does the story of Judas prove that suicide is the unpardonable sin? Help is available – Speak with someone 24/7 at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 2. I would like to tithe, but my spouse does not want to. Should I tithe out of my own paycheck? 3. How do I address my pastor when I think he has gossipped about someone in the church? 4. Why do we so often give up on people instead of give grace to them? 5. According to recent polls, many folks do not trust pastors. Why is that? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources 8 Things Everyone Should Know About Church

Episode 635 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. As a new Christian I find myself ashamed of myself for turning my back to Christ. How does one returning to the faith overcome the sense of shame and accept the love of Christ once again into my life? 2. How do you comfort someone whose teenage son died unexpectedly and the parent has no assurance of their son's salvation? 3. Does Jesus show some kind of prejudice to the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15? 4. Because of Covid-19, my daughter does not want me to attend church. If I attend I cannot see my grandchild. I have not been going to church so that I can see him. But then I think about Jesus saying that we are not worthy of Him if we are not willing to give up relatives for Him. Am I sinning by choosing visits with my grandson over church attendance? 5. When I go to church I feel like I am constantly made to feel guilty and convicted. Should I just stay home and read my bible? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources Bioethics and the Christian Life: A Guide to Making Difficult Decisions by David VanDrunen

Episode 634 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. I struggle with pornography. I know it's wrong and a sin and I hate that I am so weak. When I fail I stay away from God for a little while because I am ashamed and am not worthy. Even though I know I am forgiven, my brain just cannot comprehend that God can forgive me over and over again for the same sin. It doesn't seem fair to Him. 2. I am not receiving care from my elders and deacons at my church. Is this a sufficient reason to leave this church? 3. Are there apostles today? What are the characteristics of apostles? 4. What does Paul mean when he says that Christian's children are holy in 1 Corinthians 7? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources 5 WAYS TO HELP YOUR KIDS KEEP THE FAITH Sacred Bond by Zach Keele and Michael Brown

Episode 633 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. What are the marks in a church we keep an eye out for when we are looking for a new church to attend? 2. I have heard some people say that the true Sabbath is on Saturday, and if we do not observe the Seventh-Day Sabbath then this does not make us eligible for salvation. Is this true? 3. The Old Testament and New Testament seem to contradict themselves at times. Why is it that in the Old Testament, God says that lepers are not to be touched, while in the New Testament Jesus touches lepers? 4. Can a Christian be oppressed by demonic spirits? 5. Is it biblical to say that the Holy Spirit makes us one with God? Today's Offer Inner Core Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources 8 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CHURCH

Episode 632 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. If John was administering baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and Jesus was sinless, why did Jesus get baptized? 2. Should Christians be cremated or buried when they die? 3. I run a 12 step program and I use 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 where Paul talks about temptation to help those in the program. Am I applying this passage correctly? 4. I grew up being sexually abused by a family member. I want to forgive him, but I do not want to be in the same room as him. When Jesus says that we should forgive seventy times seven, does that mean I should force myself to include him in my life? I am struggling with knowing what to do. 5. What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Today's Offer Seeing Jesus Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault Book by Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb