A New Voice of Freedom

Podcast 111, 1st John, “Pt 1, Ch 1” Many, I suppose, agree that the apostle John, also known as John the Beloved and John the Revelator, is, like Isaiah, one of the most unique writers in the Holy Bible. It is fitting that the Holy Bible begins with Genesis, the Story of the Creation of the World, and ends with Revelation, the Story of the End of the World. Moses, one of the most unique individual...

Podcast 112, 1st John, “Pt 2, Ch 2” John had a unique voice and a unique calling. Is there a book comparable to The Book of Revelation? In the first chapter of Revelation, John records a vision of the Resurrected Lord that once seen cannot be unseen.  Revelation 1:13-16 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about...

Podcast 110, 2nd Peter, “Pt 8, Ch 3” It is accepted that Peter was the Chief Apostle. Peter was present at all the great miracles. It was to Peter whom the Lord said, Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Peter bears witness of e...

Podcast 109, 2nd Peter, “Pt 7, Ch 2” One of the roles or responsibilities of the quorum of the twelve apostles is to keep the doctrine pure. Even as early as the days of Peter, false teachers began to emerge in the church and to lead the people astray.  2nd Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in dam...

Podcast 108, 1st Peter, “Pt 6, Ch 1” Peter, introducing himself by his given name and by the name that Christ assigned him upon their first meeting, addresses his second epistle to the new converts of the church, both Jew and Gentile. 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Sa...

Podcast 107, 1st Peter, “Pt 5, Ch 5” How different the world is because of the letters of the first apostles. It gives a personal approach to religion.  Peter, a humble fisherman, once was named Simon. When called by the Savior to be a disciple, Simon’s name was changed to Cephas or Peter, meaning rock. He was given the keys of the kingdom that whatsoever he bound on earth would be bound in heaven...

Podcast 106, 1st Peter, “Pt 4, Ch 4” Becoming a follower of Christ has a great price. We naturally assume that all good comes from God and all evil comes from Satan. That is true. For agency to exist we must be enticed by one or the other. It is the law of opposition. That is the only reason that Satan is permitted to live on the earth. Agency is primary to progression. It is one of the greatest g...

Podcast 105, 1st Peter, “Pt 3, Ch 3 Perhaps few verses have been more abused and more misunderstood than those found in Chapter 3 of First Peter. For example,  1st Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; Many husbands misinterpret the phrase, “be in subjection to you...

Podcast 104, 1st Peter, “Pt 2, Ch 2” Peter occupies a special place among the apostles. His name was Simon but Christ gave him the name of Cephas which means stone.  John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The Greek equivalent is Petros, which also means rock or ston...

Podcast 103, 1st Peter, “Pt 1, Ch 1” When we think of the four gospels, we naturally think of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John. When we think of the leadership of the apostles, we naturally think first of Peter and then of James and John, for they were singled out. It was to Peter whom Christ gives the keys of the priesthood. Matthew 16:18–19 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon...

Podcast 102, James, “Pt 5, Ch 5” Chapter 5 is divided into two parts. Part I, verses 1-6, condemns the rich. Part II, verses 7-20, calls upon the saints to be patient. There is always a subtext. For example, on the one hand, the Lord condemns the rich who get their riches by fraudulent means or who selfishly hoard their riches and withhold their help from the poor. On the other hand, the Lord does...

Podcast 101, James, “Pt 4, Ch 4” A writer once said words to the effect, ‘Write not to be understood, but that ye be not misunderstood.’ It is paradoxical but to the point. James was such a writer. Another writer was asked, “What are the three greatest principles of writing? He reportedly answered, “clarity, clarity, clarity.” Again, James is equal to the task. Consider: James 4:1-3 From whence co...

Podcast 100, James, “Pt 3, Ch 3” In typical hands-on fashion, James looks at the practical side of the new Religion that comes to be known world-wide as Christianity. Christianity is a hands-on religion that translates into everyday life. In Chapter 3, James addresses the issue of language. Even in the early days of a new religion that would change the world, it was known that every spoken languag...

In the creation story found in Genesis, among the many truths taught by Moses, one truth seems to have slipped through the cracks. It is simply this. We are all children of God, born of the same father, brothers and sisters all, equal in the heart of God. We all have the same earthly father, Adam, and the same earthly mother, Eve. That simply means that we were brothers and sisters in heaven in th...

Podcast 98 Epistle of James, “Pt 1, Ch 1” In Christian tradition, James is generally believed to be James the Just, brother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a leader in the early church. His writings bring a practicality to Christianity. He does not remain in the abstract but envisions a practical religion modeled after the works of the Savior as well as his teachings. Curious beings that...

Podcast 97 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 12, Ch 12” Understandably the final chapter in Ecclesiastes is a summing up. Characteristically Solomon boils down everything leaving to the end what is most important. I think we may properly assume that Ecclesiastes was written when King Solomon was old and knew that he was about to die. He gave us many clues. Consider the following statements given early on: Ecclesi...

Podcast 96 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 11, Ch 11” The first verse of Ecclesiastes is such a common axiom in every Christian vocabulary, it is likely that most have forgotten its origin. Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. What is it that keeps such a phrase alive. We hear it in other ways, “What goes around comes around.” “That which ye sow, so shall ye...

Podcast 95 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 10, Ch 10” One of the things that makes Ecclesiastes so interesting is that King Solomon, also known as The Preacher, is speaking from vast knowledge and experience as a political and spiritual leader. Perhaps everyone would agree that King Solomon is larger than life: the wealthiest man, the most powerful man, the wisest man, the most famous man, the greatest king, bu...

Podcast 94 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 9, Ch 9” To King Solomon the world is a precarious place. The world is not fair. The world is not equitable. The world does not discriminate. That theme appears to dominate Chapter 9. Perhaps Solomon’s most often quoted words, found in Ecclesiastes 9, are “Time and chance happeneth to them all.” It is proverbial. It is provocative. It is true to life. We live in a worl...

Podcast 93 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 8, Ch 8” Solomon’s gift was to plumb the depth of things. He did not allow all the distractions of his kingdom to keep him from a contemplative life.  Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. What does it mean “to know the interpretatio...

Podcast 92 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 7, Ch 7” Prophets often turn things upside down. King Solomon is an empire builder. He governs twelve great nations. He has power, wealth, fame, prestige, and wisdom, but he is also given to the contemplative life. Notice the startling statement in verse 1. Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth....

Podcast 91 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 6, Ch 6” It is very common in scriptures for the prophet to make a sweeping statement in the beginning upon which the rest of the chapter follows, giving specific detail explaining its meaning. It moves from general to specific. In English we call it a thesis statement, a purpose statement, or topic sentence. In other words, the prophet raises a question and then answe...

Podcast 90 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 5, Ch 5” Consider verse 1 of Chapter 5 of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. The ‘house of God’ refers to the temple, the long awaited sanctuary which Solomon built from the materials collected by his father David. To u...

Podcast 89 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 4, Ch 4” When we consider the range of King Solomon’s meditations, we find a man of compassion. He is a king, the wisest in the world. He has wealth, power, position, fame, luxury, and all the things the world can provide, yet he considers the plight of the least. Ecclesiastes 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold...

Podcast 88 Ecclesiastes, “Pt 3, Ch 3” There is a philosophical edge to Ecclesiastes which suggests that King Solomon, with all of his power, glory, and empire building, took time out from his responsibilities as King and pondered the meaning of life. He was introspective. Verses 1-8 of Ecclesiastes 3 became a popular song, modified by Pete Deeger in the late 1950s but popularized by The Byrds in 1...