Alphabet Soup

You're aware that the word "confession" appears frequently in the NT, but did you know there are two different forms of that word? Each has a unique meaning and the differences between them opens up a much greater appreciation for what God is teaching us about confession. In Part we'll look at the shorter of the two words that has one prefix added to the front. Let's examine...

You're aware that the word "confession" appears frequently in the NT, but did you know there are two different forms of that word? Each has a unique meaning and the differences between them opens up a much greater appreciation for what God is teaching us about confession. In Part 1 we'll take a close look at the longest of the two words that has not one, but two prefixes added to...

Boaz appears in the OT book of Ruth as a real hero. But beyond a story of love is the dynamic of the Goël, a key feature in the Mosaic Law that is central to understanding this book at what it teaches us about our Savior. In Part 2 we'll see how Boaz fulfills the role of Goël and by doing so serves as a type of Christ.

Boaz appears in the OT book of Ruth as a real hero. But beyond a story of love is the dynamic of the Goël, a key feature in the Mosaic Law that is central to understanding this book at what it teaches us about our Savior. In Part 1 we set the scene for this story and nail down some of the key features of the narrative.

Atonement is the most important word NOT in the New Testament. In this episode we'll learn what the word means and how the concepts behind the word atonement appear in the New Testament.

Atonement is the most important word NOT in the New Testament. In this episode we'll learn what the word means and how it was used in the Old Testament. This will set us up well to look at the NT and see the concepts behind atonement present in very important ways.

Let's go look at this wonderful story of a short guy with a big presence in the Gospel of Luke. In Part 2 the rest of this narrative reveals some interesting details that have serious lessons to teach.

Let's go look at this wonderful story of a short guy with a big presence in the Gospel of Luke. In Part 1 we'll set the stage with some important background information and then begin working through this interesting and powerful narrative.

In a deviation from the normal format let's take a look at youth ministry in the local church. What if we're doing it wrong? And what if our good intentions are having very negative outcomes? Agree or disagree, but a fresh look at youth ministry is, in my opinion, overdue. In Part Two we'll look at another way to do youth ministry, a way that turns out to be a return to what was.

In a deviation from the normal format let's take a look at youth ministry in the local church. What if we're doing it wrong? And what if our good intentions are having very negative outcomes? Agree or disagree, but a fresh look at youth ministry is, in my opinion, overdue. In Part One we'll examine the problems with the current approach.

Xerxes, aka Ahasuerus, was the king of Medo-Persia and the monarch behind the story of Esther. In this episode we'll look at that book and some of the issues within the narrative worth discussing. Part 1 examines some of the lessons to learn from this fascinating book.

Xerxes, aka Ahasuerus, was the king of Medo-Persia and the monarch behind the story of Esther. In this episode we'll look at that book and some of the issues within the narrative worth discussing. Part 1 is an overview of the book and covers the background and main characters. 

Wisdom is a virtue we all want. But what is wisdom? And what is wisdom literature? In this episode of Alphabet Soup we'll look at the meaning of the Hebrew word "hakmah" and see the value of spending time in the Bible's wisdom literature. Part 2 examines the wisdom literature books in the OT, their differences, and how best to read each of them. 

Wisdom is a virtue we all want. But what is wisdom? And what is wisdom literature? In this episode of Alphabet Soup we'll look at the meaning of the Hebrew word "hakmah" and see the value of spending time in the Bible's wisdom literature. Part 1 explains the term and discusses the role of wisdom in our lives. 

Do you know what the term "virgin birth" means? (Probably not) Do you know how many times it's mentioned in the Bible? (Probably not) And do you know how critical it is to your faith? (Probably not) In this episode (only one part this week) we'll examine this unique aspect of the incarnation and discuss it's significance to the Christian faith. Yeah, you might be surprised. 

Do the unsaved spend eternity in judgment, or is everyone saved? That latter view is called universalism. This episode examines universalism in light of some key biblical passages to test it against the teaching of Scripture. In Part 2 we look at some of the passages that teach the unsaved spend eternity in judgment and discuss the implications of this truth.

Do the unsaved spend eternity in judgment, or is everyone saved? That latter view is called universalism. This episode examines universalism in light of some key biblical passages to test it against the teaching of Scripture. In Part 1 we'll look at the motivation for the view and some of the passages used to support it. 

Understanding the depth of our sin problem is important if we're to grasp the significance of God's grace that saves us. In Part 2 we answer the question of how our sin nature came to us and how God's grace saves us.

Understanding the depth of our sin problem is important if we're to grasp the significance of God's grace that saves us. In Part 1 we'll look closely at the sin in all of us - where it comes from, its extent, and its power. 

Here's another church word that gets used more often than defined. So we'll try to discover what sanctification is and how it happens. In Part 2 we'll focus on the "how" of sanctification and explore ways in which our efforts to be holy can become a negative thing.

Here's another church word that gets used more often than defined. So we'll try to discover what sanctification is and how it happens. In Part 1 we'll focus on the meaning of the word and the three tenses of sanctification.

The last book of the Bible may be the most difficult to understand. In these two episodes we try give some basics for how to read Revelation and a general outline of the book.

The last book of the Bible may be the most difficult to understand. In these two episodes we try give some basics for how to read Revelation and a general outline of the book.

That's a pretty weird title, but when you listen to this episode you'll understand. In Part 2 we'll see some of the problems with Q and why it's time to send it to the dustbin of theological nonsense.

That's a pretty weird title, but when you listen to this episode you'll understand. In Part 1 we'll describe Q and the role it played in giving us two of the four Gospels. Or did it??