Bible in Context

Three creeds have stood the test of time as foundational for faith and life. Today collects questions and explores concepts of "catholic" and "world" v "age."

Our study of Christianity in Context continues as we venture into the Apostle's Creed.

Today finishes God’s different life through the lens of the 10 Commandments. We hit 9 & 10, along with final reflections on the motivation behind them all.

Murder and Adultery are today's topic as we explore the 5th and 6th commandments using Martin Luther's teaching in his Large Catechism. Easy to identify right? But are there ways in which we violate these commandments that are more subtle?

Martin Luther talks about honoring our father and mother as the most important commandment. Why? Was he just having a bad day with his kids? Today explores what else might be going on.

Today takes on the 3rd Commandment using Martin Luther’s teaching in his Large Catechism. A look at Sabbath, why Christians aren’t bound to follow it, the timeless wisdom still found within it, and how he makes the leap from a day of rest to rooting in the Word of God.

Today dives into Luther’s teaching on the 2nd Commandment in his Large Catechism. Guidance and wisdom on treating God as holy.

Today moves into a different Christian manual, Luther’s Large Catechism. We look at the 1st Commandment. If you get this one right, you get the rest. *Note: Due to a recording error, a portion of the middle of this bible study episode is missing.

Today wraps up the  Didache.  It’s teaching on fasting and prophets springboards into navigating our former life and new life in Christ, and discerning prophecy today.

Today dives deeper into  The Didache,  exploring questions early questions wrestled with like how to give and how to baptize.

The Didache is an ancient document meant to help people learn how to live a different kind of life in Christ. It practically functioned as a manual for how to do church and is filled with insights on the Christian life, then and now. Today dives into specific questions it raises, where it can help guide life with God today, and where it doesn’t.

For 2000 years, people in Christ have been seeking to embrace the different life God has birthed in them. There’s a lot to learn from those who have gone before us. Today dives into  The Didache,  the oldest known church instruction manual written to teach people coming from the pagan Roman world about the different way of life in Jesus and what it looks like.

Today is 2 Samuel 7:1-16. It’s our seventh and final Old Testament anchor passage. Here God promises David a kingdom and dynasty that will never end. From here flows messianic hope.

Week 6 of studying the Old Testament using 7 key passages.

The fifth OT passage is Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Here we get a snapshot of the soul and substance of God’s covenant. Situated at the tail end of Israel’s wilderness wanderings, this passage captures the heart and soul of God’s call on his people.

It’s week four. God rescues his people from Egypt and forms a people for himself from the descendants of Abraham, and others who want to follow their God, Yahweh. God makes a covenant with them at Sinai that defines the future roll and purpose of Israel and God’s rescue operation for this world. Exodus 19:3-6 is the anchor passage. Knowing it will help you understand the trajectory of the Bible.

After disinheriting the nations, God chooses a man named Abram (later to be called Abraham) through whom he is going to go about blessing all people of the world. It’s the third key passage of the Old Testament. Today hits Genesis 12:1-3.

Today hits key passage #2: Genesis 3:14-15. Humanity falls. The conflict is set. Mortal conflict between humanity and the forces of evil begins. But evil won’t triumph in the end. God will finish what he started and work through humanity to bring about what he started in creation.

The OT is long and confusing. Many people lose heart after trying to read it. It's also foundational. Its storyline and theogy can be summarized in seven key passages. Today we tackle the first: Genesis 1:26-28. Anchored in the story of creation, it's the purpose of humanity.

We come to the end of Revelation with Jesus’s final words, “Yes, I am coming soon.” It’s been nearly 2000 years since he said these words. Today digs into how to live with a “soon” mindset when Jesus is long in coming, what it meant for the seven churches of Revelation, and what it means for us today.   

Revelation 21-22 show what eternal life will be like. It’s not just heaven. It’s a new heaven and new earth. Eden restored. Today traces the theme of the entire Bible, leading from Eden to the fall to God’s rescue operation to restore that which was broken. It’s what Revelation 21-22 is all about.

Revelation is about hope. Chapters 21-22 point to a new heaven and new earth. Today dives into a resurrected eternity and how many mistakenly trade it for dying and going to heaven.

1000 years, two deaths, two resurrections, Satan unleashed, and a great white throne. Today dives back into Revelation 20, along with four different ways Christians have sought to interpret these events.

Revelation 20. Satan is chained, a 1000 year reign, and a great white throne of judgment. What’s it all about? When does it take place. Part 1 of a look at a chapter that sets the tone for all kinds of end-time scenarios.

Revelation 19. Jesus returns and with it comes the fairy-tale ending God’s people are yearning for. The dragon is slain. The conquering hero triumphs. The long-awaited wedding comes to pass. It’s about the hope and perspective God wants for all people.