Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

Pastor J.D. discusses whether a certain level of “Christian celebrity” can be helpful, or if it is always hurtful. Show Notes: I don’t think the idea of a Christian celebrity is categorically, across the board, a bad thing. It’s always been a part of Christianity in some way, even going back to the apostles. I think of men and women like Billy and Ruth Graham, Elisabeth Elliot, John Pi...

Pastor J.D. talks about the pain of unanswered prayer and the realities of prayer for the Christian. A glimpse inside this episode: This is a tricky question. I’ve often heard that behind every question is a question er . When we’re dealing with unanswered prayer, the Bible has a lot to say. But the heart of the questioner matters a lot here. More often than not, when someone asks me about unanswe...

Pastor J.D. shares some practical ways to cultivate a habit of prayer. A glimpse inside this episode: I have a 15-15-15 pattern . (15 minutes Bible reading, 15 minutes prayer, and 15 minutes in a devotional of some kind.) When it comes to prayer itself, I’m a big believer in helpful mnemonics. The one I always use is: HEAR (hear, examine, apply, respond) . Also, ACTS (adoration, confession, thanks...

Pastor J.D. discusses the title of his newest book, “Just Ask: The Joy of Confident, Bold, Patient, Relentless, Shameless, Dependent, Grateful, Powerful, Expectant Prayer.”  A glimpse inside this episode: Why is your new book called Just Ask ? I wanted to communicate the simplicity of prayer. We are supposed to come to God like children. Children don’t think about how they approach, whether they a...

Pastor J.D. explains the differences in the creation of Bible translations.  Episode Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is to reach as many people as you can. So BELAY, the innovative staffing solution with over 10 years...

Pastor J.D. talks about the celebration of post-Christian culture within the church and whether or not that’s a good thing. A glimpse inside this episode: Distinction is good–but only those who have lived in a privileged Western lifestyle would ever say something like that. The loss of human dignity that comes from a crumbling Christian worldview is devastating. Sin corrupts. Rebecca McLaugh...

Pastor J.D. and Rebecca McLaughlin discuss Rebecca’s new book, The Secular Creed , as she helps to disentangle the beliefs Christians gladly affirm from those they cannot embrace.  A glimpse inside this episode: Today we come to the end of our special series with Rebecca McLaughlin. Rebecca is the author of  Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion . If you have...

Pastor J.D. and Rebecca McLaughlin discuss several complex questions on topics like same-sex attraction, race, and politics. A glimpse inside this episode: We are in the middle of a very special series of episodes for you. For the past few weeks here on Ask Me Anything, we have guest Rebecca McLaughlin joining Pastor J.D.  Rebecca is the author of  Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for t...

Pastor J.D. and Rebecca McLaughlin discuss some areas of life where Christians have been more shaped by culture than Scripture. A glimpse inside this episode: We are in the middle of a really special series of episodes for you. Starting last week (so go back and listen to last week’s episode if you haven’t already), and for three more weeks, we have guest Rebecca McLaughlin joining Pastor J.D. Reb...

We have a really special series of episodes for you. For the next four weeks, we have guest Rebecca McLaughlin joining Pastor J.D. Rebecca is the author of Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion . If you haven’t read this book or have it on your shelf as a reference, you’re really missing out. She also recently released 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask...

Pastor J.D. shares the valuable wisdom he’s learned from three of the women who have influenced him most.  Spoiler alert: Elisabeth Elliot Elyse Fitzpatrick Jen Wilkin   Episode Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is...

Pastor J.D. discusses the role of women within the church, especially as it relates to positions of leadership. Resource: One in Christ Jesus: The Role of Women at The Summit Church   Episode Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and...

Pastor J.D. and Matt Love sit down with Will Mancini to talk about his new book and answer an important question about the future of the church. Resources from this episode: https://www.willmancini.com/ https://www.willmancini.com/books/future-church

Pastor J.D. discusses God’s design for men according to Genesis 2 and 3. A glimpse inside this episode: It goes back to Genesis 2–3. Spiritual Leadership :  Woman brought into a situation where he already has a walk with God. He is supposed to explain the commands of God to her.  He names the animals, even names her!  He’s given the responsibility to lead the family. Not only spiritually: She’s br...

Pastor J.D. shares five identities of a disciple—worshiper, family member, servant, steward, witness. A glimpse inside this episode: At our church, we’ve really made this a big emphasis this year. Jesus called us to make disciples, and that means teaching people how to follow Jesus and live the life of a Jesus follower. We’ve been walking through 5 identities of a disciple: Worshiper Daily time wi...

Pastor J.D. defines what it means to be pro-life and explains what it requires and the responsibility for Christians. A glimpse inside this episode: Last week, we covered some answers to pro-choice arguments , and if you missed that one, I’d encourage you to go back and listen to it. So, now, what does it mean to be “pro-life?” From womb to tomb, but that includes when the womb is a tomb. We must...

Pastor J.D. explains a few of the most common pro-choice arguments and responds to each one with scientific and scriptural insight. A glimpse inside this episode: What greater tragedy is there than taking the life of another human? First, “ The baby is a part of a woman’s body, and we need to respect her right to privacy and sovereignty over her body.”   I agree that the right to privacy over our...

Pastor J.D. discusses how this view might be a reflection of our time and place as well as the Bible’s role throughout history. A glimpse inside this episode: Feeling the morals are regressive may be a reflection of our particular time and place. I mean, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Bible offends our culture. We should be concerned if they don’t. The Bible has offended every culture, just no...

Pastor J.D. shares why humility and repentance are key in any discussion about Critical Race Theory.

Pastor J.D. briefly explains CRT and how injustice should be considered humbly, soberly, and charitably in the light of Scripture.

In this re-broadcast of one of our most popular episodes, Pastor J.D. looks at the creation narrative and explains that an open Bible and an open mind are key when contemplating the concept of evolution. A glimpse inside this episode: The short answer is, “Yes.”  This is one of those areas where Christians should be free to disagree. There are many conservative Bible scholars who believe in someth...

Pastor J.D. explains that it’s more about why than what we ask God. A glimpse inside this episode: Short answer is no, it is not wrong. Psalm 27:13: “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living !” Examples of things Christians prayed for. Here’s a handful, in no particular order: Hannah prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1). Solomon prayed for wisd...

Pastor J.D. talks about why the definitions of friendship and marriage are vital to understanding the Bible’s intent for relationships. A glimpse inside this episode: I’ve heard more and more people propose some sort of committed, same-sex, non-sexual romantic friendships for those who want to uphold the Christian sexual ethic. This, they say, avoids the supposed loneliness of singleness while uph...

Pastor J.D. discusses the purpose of the Second Amendment and a Christian perspective of self-defense. A glimpse inside this episode: Is self-defense ok for the Christian?  Yes (Biblical evidence: Old Testament law; Jesus letting disciples have swords.) What about turning the other cheek? In Romans 12, God tells the Christian to not ever seek vengeance, but to leave it to God. And then as an appli...

Pastor J.D. explains original sin and why it’s bad news that makes the good news of salvation possible. A glimpse inside this episode: Original sin is where we all sinned in Adam. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned” (CSB). The result of this choice was that death (physical an...