Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

Prominent pastor J.D. discusses the response to moral failure in the church, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and accountability. He shares personal experiences of building community, supports fallen pastors, and offers advice on how laypeople should respond. A must-listen for church members and leaders.

Pastor J.D. shares helpful tips to structure quiet time with God and reminds listeners that It’s more important to find a rhythm that works for them than to do it “the right way.” A glimpse inside this episode: Pastor J.D.’s Personal Method: 15-15-15 15 minutes of Bible reading 15 minutes of prayer 15 minutes of devotional, Scripture memorization, etc. ACTS method of praying Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication Prayer helps Paul Miller’s A Praying Life Notecards, journaling, going for walks, etc. Gospel Prayer from Gospel In you, there is nothing I could do to make you love me more; nothing I have done that makes you love me less. You are all I need today for everlasting joy. As you have been to me, so I will be to others. As I pray, I’ll measure your compassion by the cross and your power by the resurrection. Start where you are! Don’t get overwhelmed. If you aren’t doing anything at all, start with 5 or 10 minutes. Don’t let what others are doing intimidate you from just starting. It’s more important that you find a rhythm that works for you than to do it “the right way.” To paraphrase a friend of mine, “I like my way of meeting with God better than your way of not meeting with him.”  

Pastor J.D. discusses four core myths about Christians and politics while encouraging listeners to exercise both empathy and charity in their daily lives, especially when talking about politics. A glimpse inside this episode: This is always tough for me. On one side, I feel guilty for having said too little … on the other, for having said too much. It’s important to remember that politics is just one way we impact society. Luke 12 Four myths about Christians and politics: (1) Secondary political ideals are matters of first importance. We might be wrong about them. Politics doesn’t have the same weight as the gospel. (Matthew the tax collector and Simon the zealot) (2) Christian truth doesn’t apply to politics. MLK was able to oppose racism because of his Christianity. (3) There is never a time to take a controversial political stand. We should be vocal of people saying, “If you aren’t vocal about this issue, you aren’t being faithful.” But there does come a time when we need to connect the dots. Bonhoeffer went from “Discrimination is wrong” to “We must oppose the Nazi party.” (4) We see everything clearly. Great Christians can be wrong. Support of slavery, of Jim Crow… For us specifically today, two words—empathy and charity Empathy – If you voted for Trump, you should be listened to those who are dismayed, and your voice should be the loudest in opposing xenophobia, misogyny, or racial stereotypes. Show that you care for the poor and disenfranchised. Charity – Assume the best about those who voted differently than you. Not every Trump voter was a villain. Give the benefit of the doubt and choose to believe a better narrative than our society tells about politics. Additional Resources from Pastor J.D.: Four Myths Christians Believe About Politics (Video) Challenges to Racial Integration: Politics When Should the Church Make Political Statements? Empathy and Charity: How Christians Can Respond to the 2016 Election

Pastor J.D. explains that neither celebrating nor opposing Halloween is right or wrong. However, the holiday does present a unique opportunity for fellowship among neighbors. A glimpse inside this episode: This is a topic that demands we respect each other’s perspective; both sides need to extend charity to the other. Functionally, Halloween isn’t good or bad. Paul, similar topic, in Romans 14: Whatever is not of faith is sin. Some people will choose to refrain because of the historic connections with the occult. Many, though, will recognize that cultural symbols shift. “Trick or treating,” for most, has nothing to do with the occult. For those who do celebrate: I encourage people to see trick-or-treating as an opportunity for outreach. As my friend Ed Stetzer says, on what other day of the year are your neighbors out in the neighborhood and willing to engage in conversation? Why would we not use this open door? Halloween at the Greear household. Recommended resource: The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield

Pastor J.D. answers one of his most asked questions and talks about the non-negotiables of the Christian faith in contrast to some particulars where it’s okay to disagree. A glimpse inside this episode: Theologians have argued about this for 2000 years. “Calvinism is not an issue to me until it becomes one to you. But when it becomes one to you, it becomes one to me, and I’ll probably take whatever side you are not.” -Pastor J.D. What someone believes about the finer points of Calvinism is not usually the issue; it’s how they believe it. We may have trouble achieving absolute clarity together on every one of the “five points,” but we can be absolutely clear on the fact that the Bible condemns a divisive and uncharitable spirit over something about which gospel-loving Christians have historically had trouble finding complete agreement. John Calvin’s favorite verse: Deuteronomy 29:29. God chose to keep some things hidden from us. Type A people like me hate that. But it’s for our good. We must never go farther in our theology than Scripture allows. Elevating your doctrinal system too highly makes you a fundamentalist. You start to believe that God’s graces are only found in your narrow little camp. Calvinists seem especially prone to this. Anti-Calvinism can be just as bad. (Remember: Luther, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Judson, and Carey were all Calvinist! Calvinism doesn’t kill evangelism!) Christians should “cross-pollinate.” I’m not saying I’m a doctrinal relativist. Some things are non-negotiable (bodily resurrection, salvation in Christ alone, etc.) Reading broadly takes humility. Isn’t that a good thing? Eat the fish, spit out the bones. The gospel—not the 5 points of Calvinism—is the center of our faith. If you believe in the loftiness of God’s glory, that salvation belongs only to God, and that God is sovereign over the world, and that he that has begun a good work in you will see it through, then you and I can stand in alignment, even if we parse some of the particulars differently.

Pastor J.D. shares his vision for Ask Me Anything and discusses why it’s important to ask candid, tough questions in pursuit of biblical wisdom.