Theology Talk

Being human means being made in the image of God, which includes having creative potential, being made for relationships, and living with purpose. Being human is to live within a story. Unlike animals or computers, humans create and are shaped by stories. We long for meaning and direction, and this longing is ultimately fulfilled in the story of Jesus. The Gospel is presented as the ultimate story that fulfills this human longing.Additionally, to be human is to create beauty and bring order to the world. The Bible itself is seen as a story that doesn't hide humanity's flaws, but instead speaks truthfully across time, culture, and history, showing God's authorship in a way that continues to resonate deeply today. 📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources

Human identity is shaken when we lose access to things we’ve always relied on, prompting deep questions about who we are. The central message of Scripture is “God With Us” — from Genesis to Revelation. However, life experiences often don’t align with that promise, leading to honest struggles and doubts about God’s presence. It's okay to wrestle with questions like “God, are you even here?” — that kind of honesty can create space for others to do the same. Despite the pain and loss in life, Christians live in the tension of present suffering and future hope, trusting in the promise that Christ will one day restore all things. This tension is a core part of what it means to be human.📕 Learn About Josh Ryan Butler: https://joshuaryanbutler.com/about/📕Order Josh Ryan Butler's book: https://joshuaryanbutler.com/books/god-is-on-your-side/📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources

Asbury Revival reveals a deep insight into what it means to be human. That moment acts as a powerful reminder that true humanity is rooted in humility and dependence on God. Being human means embracing our "creaturehood"—acknowledging that we are not self-sufficient. But modern life often pushes us toward self-reliance, control, and a desire for belonging through status, approval, or material things. These pursuits, though understandable, actually distance us from God and undermine our true humanity. 📕Learn About Zach Meerkreebs: https://www.zachmeerkreebs.com/about📕Order Zach's book: https://www.zachmeerkreebs.com/ 📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources

To truly understand what it means to be human, we must begin with Genesis 1 and 2, where humanity is created in God's image. Starting with creation gives us a fuller picture of who we were meant to be. This, in turn, helps us grasp the tragedy of the Fall and the purpose of sanctification through Christ—beginning with His incarnation and continuing until His return.We can see two flawed views of humanity: Rejecting the physical as inherently bad, and overindulging in the physical (hedonism), assuming there’s nothing after this life. Both extremes lead to distorted worldviews. Instead, the Christian worldview offers a balanced vision: humans are both physical and spiritual, made in God's image, and called to reflect His design in both body and soul.📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle

The question of what it means to be human is both simple and deeply profound—philosophical, theological, and ethical. Drawing from Dr. John Kilner’s work, it emphasizes that being human means being made in the image of God. This image is not destroyed by the Fall; rather, humanity itself is broken, making us unable to live up to the standard that comes with this God-given status.The image of God remains in every person—unchangeable and irrevocable—but our ability to reflect it fully has been compromised. This underscores our need for Jesus and sanctification, which restore our ability to reflect God’s image.📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬 Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle#Christianity #Theology #Gospel #BeHumanSeries #Humanity

The discussion dives into the profound question of why good people suffer, spotlighting the biblical figure of Job. His trials reveal the struggles of maintaining faith amid adversity. The podcast emphasizes the importance of humility and integrity, even in the face of suffering. Listeners learn how God's sovereignty offers peace, even without clear answers to their pain. It also connects ancient narratives to modern journeys of faith, reminding believers that they are part of an ongoing divine story.

The question has been raised about what age we will appear in heaven.—whether it will be at our "peak" in our 20s, 30s, or the age we die. We can see that Jesus, who entered time and space, died in his 30s and appeared after his resurrection looking the same as before—recognizable and not significantly younger or older.On the other hand, what happens to infants who die? Many parents face deep grief from losing babies—through miscarriage, stillbirth, illness, accidents, violence, or tragedy. These heartbreaking situations lead to profound questions: Do these children go to heaven? And if so, what form do they take there—do they remain as children or are they somehow transformed?📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources

David’s prayer reflects a powerful biblical pattern seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments—a theology of remembrance. His prayer looks back to God's past faithfulness, acknowledges the present situation, and expresses hope for the future. This trust is rooted in God’s unchanging character: because He has been faithful in the past, we can trust Him now and in the days to come.In 1 Chronicles 29:14, David humbly asks, “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?” recognizing that everything they offer comes from God’s own hand. David also reflects on Israel’s past, describing them as “aliens and temporary residents,” recalling their time in Egypt and the wilderness. This historical awareness grounds their identity and deepens their gratitude and dependence on God.📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle

Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen from among the people of Israel. His role was to lead and protect Israel, especially in times of threat, like during the encounter with Goliath. However, Saul was gripped by fear — fear of enemies and fear of circumstances. Rather than turning to God in trust, Saul let fear drive him to poor, faithless decisions. Most notably, he disobeyed God's commands and even consulted a medium instead of seeking guidance from the Lord. As a result, God rejected Saul, ended his reign, and gave the kingdom to David.The key takeaway is that while fear is a natural human emotion, what matters is how we respond to it. Fear should push us toward God, not away from Him. Saul’s downfall illustrates the danger of letting fear drive us to self-reliance or disobedience rather than trusting in God's presence and guidance.📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp 📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬 Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle

This week’s focus is on King Hezekiah—a good and faithful king who brought renewal and revival to Israel, but whose story is also marked by tragedy. Despite his righteousness, Hezekiah shows a moment of self-dependence that proves to be dangerous, reminding us that even the best leaders fall short without full reliance on God.We also see Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Here the message challenges us today to ask: Are we cheering for a Jesus who meets our expectations, or surrendering to the true King who calls us to humility, peace, and trust in God's greater plan?📕 Dr. Joel's Bible Study: https://a.co/d/2LR3QAp📕 Order Dr. Joel's Book, "The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility" - https://bit.ly/muddamalleresources💬Follow me on SubStack! https://substack.com/@muddamalle