Contending for the Word Q&A

Doreen Virtue joins Contending for the Word Q&A to explain how Christians can discern false views of Jesus. She points believers to Scripture, especially 1 John 4, and urges Christians to test every teaching by the biblical confession of Christ. False teachers often distort Jesus by presenting Him as merely an ascended master, universal teacher, moral example, or source of "Christ consciousness."...

Not all false teaching sounds obviously false. Some errors sound close to the truth, use biblical language, and appear convincing while distorting the full message of Scripture. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why half truths are spiritually dangerous, how they distort our understanding of God, sin, salvation, and the gospel, and how Christians can guard thems...

Doctrine is often dismissed today as unnecessary, complicated, or divisive. But Scripture teaches that sound doctrine is essential for knowing God rightly, understanding the gospel clearly, guarding the church from error, and living faithfully before the Lord. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why doctrine still matters, how it protects believers from confusion,...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what happens when truth is rejected. Looking at Romans 1:21–22, Dave shows how rejecting God's truth leads to futile thinking, darkened hearts, moral confusion, and bondage. Yet the gospel offers true freedom through Christ, who said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." For more from Contending for the Wo...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses the relationship between feelings and truth. In a culture that often says to "follow your heart" and "live your truth," Scripture gives Christians a better foundation. Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick. While the Bible acknowledges emotions such as joy, sorrow, fear, anger, an...

Every day, our minds are being shaped by something. Culture, media, education, entertainment, conversations, and personal experience all press upon the way we think. Romans 12:2 calls believers not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why God's Word must shape how Christians think, be...

In this weekend reflection from Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins reflects on Psalm 119:160 and the enduring truth of God's Word. In a world filled with confusion about identity, morality, and truth, Christians are called to be anchored in Scripture. God has not left His people to drift with cultural trends or shifting opinions. He has spoken finally, fully, and sufficiently in His Word. T...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses the cultural claim that truth is relative. Many today say that everyone has their own truth, but Scripture teaches that truth is not created by us. Truth is grounded in God's unchanging character and revealed in His Word. From John 17:17, this episode explains why relativism collapses under its own claims, why God's Word provid...

Doreen Virtue explains what the New Age means by being "awakened" or "waking up" and why this idea is a counterfeit of biblical salvation. New Age awakening points people toward oneness, non-duality, and the lie that humanity is divine. Scripture exposes this deception and points sinners to repentance, faith, and salvation in Jesus Christ alone. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please vi...

Every person has a worldview, whether they recognize it or not. Our beliefs, decisions, opinions, and assumptions all flow from how we understand reality. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians must examine their worldview in light of Scripture. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches that we are either trusting in the Lord or leaning on our own understanding. A worldv...

Every person sees the world through a lens. That lens shapes how we understand reality, truth, morality, identity, purpose, and the meaning of life. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins begins a month focused on worldview and culture by explaining what a biblical worldview is and why it matters for the Christian life. A biblical worldview means seeing all of life through th...

In this end-of-month reflection from Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins reflects on a month of episodes focused on identity, sexuality, repentance, truth, love, and faithful Christian living in a confused culture. John 1:14 teaches that Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth. Christians are not called to choose between the two. Truth without grace can become cold and detached, while grace...

Many moral conversations today involve questions about sexuality, identity, relationships, and personal conduct. But underneath every moral question is a deeper issue: who has the authority to define what is true and good? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians must submit to the authority of Scripture in moral questions. From 2 Timothy 3:16–17, we see...

Christians are called to stand firm in the truth of God's Word while displaying gentleness toward others. In this weekend reflection from *Contending for the Word Q&A*, Dave Jenkins reflects on 2 Timothy 2:24–25 and explains why truth and gentleness are not enemies, but belong together in the life and witness of the Christian. The church cannot abandon biblical truth, but the way believers speak a...

Christians today often feel caught between pressure to compromise biblical convictions and the temptation to respond harshly when those convictions are challenged. Scripture calls believers to something better: standing firm in the truth of God's Word while reflecting the compassion of Christ. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians can remain faithful...

Parents, pastors, and church leaders face the important task of helping the next generation understand biblical sexuality. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why young people need to be taught God's good design from creation, the hope of the gospel, and the importance of faithful Christian example. The church has the privilege and responsibility of helping young...

Modern culture treats sexual expression as central to identity, fulfillment, and personal freedom. Scripture calls Christians to something better: holiness, self-control, and faithfulness to Christ. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers how Christians can remain faithful in a sexualized culture. Looking at 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4, this episode explains why believers...

Why must the church hold truth and love together? In this episode, Dave Jenkins examines the biblical relationship between truth and love and explains why separating them distorts the church's witness. Drawing from Ephesians 4:15, 1 Timothy 3:15, and John 13:35, Dave shows that the church is called both to guard God's truth and to demonstrate Christlike love. Truth without love becomes harsh. Love...

How should Christians communicate biblical truth in a culture marked by hostility and confusion? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians must hold firmly to biblical truth while speaking with grace, humility, and compassion. Drawing from Colossians 4:6 and the example of Jesus Christ, this episode highlights the importance of Christlike communication th...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how believers can remain faithful to biblical truth while demonstrating genuine compassion toward friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers who see sexuality differently than they do. This episode explores the dignity of every person as an image-bearer of God, the importance of holding biblical convictions with humility,...

In this weekend reflection, Dave Jenkins considers Titus 2:11-12 and explains how God's grace not only forgives sinners but transforms them. Grace trains believers to turn from ungodliness, pursue holiness, and grow in Christlikeness throughout the Christian life. This episode highlights the biblical doctrine of sanctification and encourages Christians to place their hope not in themselves but in...

How should Christians speak about sexual sin in a culture deeply divided over sexuality? In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why believers must speak with biblical conviction, humility, compassion, and confidence in the transforming power of the gospel. Christians are called to hold truth and grace together, faithfully proclaiming God's design while pointing sinners to the forgiveness, hope, an...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how the Bible teaches that every person is a sinner in need of God's grace and that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Examining Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:9, and 1 Corinthians 6:11, this episode highlights the power of Christ's finished work to forgive, justify, sanctify, and transform all who come to Him in repentanc...

Can people really change? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explores what Scripture teaches about the transforming power of the gospel. While human effort cannot overcome sin, God provides forgiveness, new life, and ongoing transformation through Jesus Christ. Learn what the Bible teaches about sanctification, why lasting change is possible for believers, and how God's g...

Freedom is one of the most celebrated ideas in modern culture, yet Scripture presents a very different understanding of what freedom truly means. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why freedom is not found in independence from God, self-expression, or following sinful desires. Instead, true freedom is found in Jesus Christ, who delivers sinners from the bondage o...