Christian Questions Bible Podcast Rick and Jonathan
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- Religion & Spirituality
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Rick and Jonathan talk about how mainstream and biblical topics mix in today's world. This is a discussion from several different angles that will make you think about the Bible like you never have before!
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What Is the New Creation?
We don’t know much about the spiritual world, especially before the creation of humanity. What we do know is that it was an entirely harmonious world with loyalty and obedience to God at its center. God foreknew that when pride crept into Satan’s heart and was exposed, it would lead to a massive shift in the way things would run. In heaven, it would no longer be business as usual, for now the lessons of sin and disobedience would be unleashed. These painful but necessary lessons would - under God’s power and providence - ultimately bring the whole of His creation back into the harmony it had left behind, only this time that harmony would be for eternity. How would He make this happen?
God existed before time began.
His spiritual creations within and outside of our universe are ageless and beyond our human comprehension. Even His creation of our home, planet Earth and all of its life and abundance, are ancient beyond our reckoning. When God finished with this earthly creation, the Bible said God rested. Let’s understand, His resting was not because He was tired and needed a break. On the contrary, His resting signified He had completed exactly what He had set out to do.
Did God give up on the "old creation"?
It is a startling development when thousands of years later, we are introduced to the concept of God developing a “new creation.” Many questions may arise as a result of this proclamation. Why create something new? Did God’s old creation not work out? Was it flawed? Were there unexpected developments that required God to develop a “Creation 2.0” version? Is God going to scrap the original creation and replace it with this new thing?
The answer to all of these questions is a resounding NO! God is far to wise and powerful to need to adjust or revamp His original plans. Such scrambling is left to us as impetuous, imperfect and incomplete human beings. Rather than being a quick fix, God’s "new creation" is actually a crowning jewel He designed to be put in place at the proper time and under the proper conditions.
So, what is this new creation? Who is it, and how does it work? Check out our March 11, 2024 podcast, “What is the New Creation?” for answers. We establish how, not surprisingly, it all began with Jesus and his faithful mission of sacrifice as a perfect human being. We follow how Jesus was and is THE pioneer of this amazing new part of God’s plan. Built upon his glory and honor are even more inspiring details and developments. This new creation also has everything to do with those who are called to be true disciples of Christ. What we uncover here is perhaps one of the most sensational aspects of all of God’s creations at any time in all of history. Don’t miss this mind-expanding revealing of a biblical truth that is so often ignored! -
Why Is Jesus Called the “Last Adam”? (Listener Q&A Series)
Jesus is the Savior of the world. We all know how he left his heavenly glory with the Father and was reduced to the human condition so he could be the ransom - the corresponding price - for Adam and his fall from obedience and grace. By so doing, Jesus gave the whole human race an opportunity for everlasting life. So, when we look at Jesus, we see him as Savior, Redeemer, the Lamb of God, the author and finisher of our faith, and I could go on and on. So, why address him as the "last Adam”? Simply looking at such a title actually invites a lot of questions, especially since all the other ways we know Jesus seem to be so much higher and honorable. As we look into this, we will find what we always find: inspiring reasons and lessons that unlock an even deeper understanding of all Jesus has done!
Adam was blessed
Though Adam’s tenure as the most honored, privileged and perfect earthly creation of God was short, it certainly was significant. His unique opportunities can be summed up in several distinct proclamations of God right at the beginning. God plainly stated Adam was created in His image, and he was singularly blessed as a result of that. Further, Adam was given the privilege of ruling over God’s beautiful green earth. This showed that God saw he had potential for wisdom, integrity and leadership. Finally, God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply so they could fill the earth.
But sin changed the course of those blessings
All was in place for a glorious earthly creation to honor God. That is, until Satan, sin and Adam’s choice changed the course of those blessings. The consequences that followed gave way to death and destruction. To many observers, this looks like a major failure on God’s part. Though it looks like he was caught off guard, the exact opposite is true. God allowed sin and depravity to rear their ugly heads as an eternal object lesson. Enter Jesus as the one who would be called the "last Adam."
Jesus succeeded where Adam failed
The title of “last Adam” holds great significance. God is telling us that he would treat Jesus in the same way as he treated Adam. The difference would be that all of those things Adam failed at would be picked up and powerfully managed by Jesus. The gifts of being in God’s image, blessing, dominion and fruitfulness would all be not only brought back to center, but highly elevated.
Check out our March 4, 2024 podcast, “Why Is Jesus Called the 'Last Adam'?” for more. We systematically work through how Jesus took all of what Adam had failed at and redeemed, repaired, revitalized and renewed each and every piece. This surprising and thrilling journey through Scripture shows us aspects of God’s plan that are rarely ever noticed. Observing and appreciating the work, perseverance and precision with which Jesus as the last Adam accomplished his task gives a whole new meaning to appreciation. Don’t miss this!
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Have We Lost Our Ability to Honor One Another? (Part II)
Honor and respect. These seem like simple enough words but try and find them actively functioning in everyday life and you will find that they are surprisingly rare. As we speculate about why this is, we may conclude that we as a social order simply don’t perceive a need for them. The further we go down the road of each of us primarily answering to only ourselves, the less important honor for others becomes. While this may now be socially acceptable, it is far from being scripturally authorized. On the contrary, as Christians, we are solidly instructed to be people who exemplify honor in every aspect of our lives. As we began laying the “how to” groundwork in Part I, we began to see what a difference this practice of giving honor can make in everyday life.
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Have We Lost Our Ability to Honor One Another? (Part I)
Our society is in trouble. In many ways, it seems that we have lost our way, and we no longer have a general sense of societal respect. Maybe it’s just me, but when I was a kid, I was clearly shown the importance of valuing others. We were taught to respect those in charge, and respect those who enforced the law and kept order. We were taught to have high esteem for parents and educators. We were taught to appreciate and value all who did whatever their part was, be it big or small. Now it seems we are taught respect should be demanded from others and not given. Our go-to approach encourages disrespecting and demeaning any who don’t fit our personal perceptions of how we think life should look. Interestingly, the Bible has a lot to say about how honor and respect should work!
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Can My Marriage Be a “Happily Ever After”?
It would seem that most entering into marriage do so with high expectations of a life of happiness, fulfillment and companionship. Unfortunately for far too many, these expectations are foreign to their reality. Excluding marriages that end in divorce, how many are truly happy and fulfilled, and how many are simply going along to get along? These are hard things to look at. In order to do so in a positive and growth-oriented way, we need to establish two basic truths for our conversation. First, let’s understand that “Happily ever after” is a fairy tale ending. The feelings it ignites of an everyday bliss-filled life are unfair and not real. Second, let’s understand that our marriages CAN be happy, fulfilled and full of companionship, IF we know what we’re striving for and are willing to put in the effort!
Every genuinely successful marriage has a few things in common. With each of these things, there is always a continual need to focus and refocus as life can relentlessly get in the way. Let’s start with the one thing that most of us think of as obvious - love. We “fall in love” and develop a powerful connection. We cannot imagine that connection ever changing or waning, as it is so strong and binding. We get married. Maybe we have kids. Maybe we have demanding careers. Maybe we have trauma or family issues or sickness or loss. Maybe we grow apart from one another. We wake up one day and realize that our once seemingly indestructible connection is blurred or foggy. Are we done? Is it over?
Can perspective help?
It certainly doesn't have to be, as there are MANY things we can do to rebuild, revive and reconnect. One principle to begin with is perspective. As we observe what has happened or is happening in our marriage, we need to realize we have the power to set our perspective. Most often we feel the pain or sorrow or regret or confusion of what is happening, and those emotions drive our conclusions. This natural and emotional approach can easily end in disaster. However, there is another way. We absolutely need to feel what we feel, but it is important to ask ourselves one important question. This question can open the door to strong, revitalizing possibilities.
How am I seeing my marriage challenges?
Is the glass "half empty" or is the glass "half full"? The fact is, when we see any situation as a “glass half empty” scenario, we are framing it as a loss. Studies have shown that once we frame something this way, it is very hard to reframe it as a gain, as a "glass half full" conclusion. Understanding this simple life equation can change everything. Check out our February 12, 2024 podcast, “Can Marriage be a Happily Ever After?” for more. We delve into the power of perspective and apply it to the foundational building blocks of marriage. Join us for answers - real practical and marriage-enhancing answers! -
What Did Jesus Really Think of the Pharisees? (Part II)
Jesus was at odds with the scribes and Pharisees. They stood for traditions that had been built upon the foundation of the Jewish Law but were not part of the already complex rules and guidelines God had commanded through Moses so many generations before them. No, these traditions were fabrications, and were likely in place to separate the ruling class from the people. Meanwhile, Jesus stood for the people. He stood for those who were less educated, less fortunate and less prominent, as they were the ones most likely to be open to God’s grace and mercy. This division came to a head shortly before Jesus was crucified, as he directly confronted these leaders with their hypocrisy. In Part I, we began to address the seven powerful "woes" Jesus had proclaimed to them.
How?
It is important to realize how Jesus presented the seven woes to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. First, he was in a mixed crowd and began by telling the average people about the danger their spiritual leaders were bringing to them. Jesus said some hard things, and he said them right in front of those very spiritual leaders. Next, Jesus turned to those leaders and proceeded to tell them the depth of their failures.
Why?
He did this for several reasons:
* All he said was true and necessary.
* He knew that his crucifixion was imminent, that he was out of time.
* He loved those religious leaders as members of God’s chosen nation, and he grieved over their fall from God’s favor.
The first three woes Jesus proclaimed to Israel’s religious leaders revealed hard truths about their lives. Jesus began by describing them as hypocrites. They claimed Moses’ authority even though it was far beyond their reach. They sought to convert others to be of the “ruling class” like them, while leaving the average people of Israel without the guidance they were tasked to give. They blindly added confusion to the sacredness of worship in the Temple so the average Jew could not measure up.
"Hypocrites and blind guides!"
Jesus did not stop there. Oh no, there were four more of these woes, and each one dramatically captured their hypocrisy and deeper and deeper failures to truly uphold God’s Law. Check out our February 5, 2024 podcast, “What Did Jesus Really Think of the Pharisees? (Part II)” for more. We walk through the painful realities of these last four woes and focus in on the reasons for Jesus’ blunt approach.
These leaders had proudly and publicly obsessed over tiny details of the Law. They intentionally hid their craft and corruption beneath a shiny, clean appearance. They systematically proclaimed themselves better than everyone else both past and present. Join us for this remarkable journey as we observe Jesus calling out hypocrisy, self-imposed blindness to truth, corruption and devilish behavior. There is SO much we can learn by knowing what NOT to do!
Customer Reviews
On Point
This show gives great insight into the scriptures in a theologically impartial format. Answers to perplexing questions can be found in the Bible and Rick and Jonathon ask the tough questions and search the Bible for answers in a most unbiased manner.
This show is phenomenal
This has given me such a better understanding of the harder questions in Christianity. Rick and Jonathon take the time to thoroughly answer these hard questions backing up what they say with the Bible and are able to point out where we may have misconstrued the meaning over the years. Highly recommend!!!
Very insightful
Rick and Jonathan and their team of volunteers do an extraordinary job by focusing in questions that are inline to actual concerns or curiosity to this modern digital world.