In the Shadow of the Cross

Statistics show that Christians are leaving Christianity in large numbers. Jim, Michael, and Loren discuss the reasons why they think this is happening.

The Prince of Peace. Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Turn the other cheek. The vast majority of Christians are quite familiar with these statements. Yet, how is it that we’re confused about Jesus’ stance on violence? This week Michael, Jim, and Loren discuss Jesus’ teachings on violence.

Just war! Holy war! War for Independence! War to end oppression! Christians have all kinds of reasons for going to war and engaging in violence. But what did Jesus teach about it? What did the early church believe about engaging in war? Buckle your seatbelts as Jim, Michael, and Loren engage in a controversial conversation for the purpose of finding the Jesus way.

Is the creation narrative in Genesis literal or symbolic? Could it be that there are larger issues at play that we’re missing as we engage in these kinds of debates? What about the parables? Why did Jesus teach that way? What’s the point of a parable? This week Michael, Jim, and Loren dive into these waters as they look at Genesis and the parables of Jesus.

There is much discussion these days about church. How should the church meet? Where should the church meet? What should happen when the church meets? What are people looking for when they go to church? Jim, Michael, and Loren join the ongoing conversation sharing their thoughts on community.

Jim, Michael, and Loren continue their discussion they began in the previous podcast on Spiritual Warfare. This time they look at the mind. The mind plays a significant role in the light or darkness present in individuals, communities, and even society. There is a reason Jesus came saying repent, which means “Change your thinking!”

If you’ve been in Christian circles for a while you’ve probably heard the term “Spiritual Warfare.” What is it? Are there demons out to get us? Who or what is Satan? Some see a demon behind every bush while others completely deny the existence of evil. Jim, Michael, and Loren take a stab at this loaded topic.

In John 17 Jesus prayed that we would all be one just as He and His Father are One. But when we look at the church today, we see divisions all around us. Many look to getting back to the way things were in the early church. But was the early church truly the picture of unity that many have been led to believe? Is unity possible? What does it mean to be unified as followers of Christ? Jim, Michael,...

As followers of Christ, we speak about hope. But what is our hope? What produces hope? Jim, Michael, and Loren discuss hope and how it grows in us.

As followers of Christ, we know we’re supposed to grow. But sometimes growth stops, and we find ourselves no longer becoming more like Jesus. What causes our growth to stop? What are the things that halt maturity and keep us stuck in a rut? How can we overcome those obstacles, so we continue to grow? Join Jim, Michael, and Loren as they examine the hindrances to spiritual growth.

Burnout! Sadly, it is something that is far too familiar to many Christians. Whether you’re a pastor, youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, worship leader, sound board operator, or volunteer, the feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted is very real. This week Jim, Michael, and Loren discuss what causes burnout and what can we do to prevent it.

Every healthy living thing grows and changes. The Apostle Paul was no different. When we study his letters chronologically, we see a drastic change in his theology between his early letters and his later letters. Paul moves away from the dominant view of a vengeful, wrathful God to a perspective that aligns with the author of John, a God in whom there is no darkness at all.

So, you want to get back to the early church because they were one happy unified group of Christians. Think again! Romans clearly supports your stance against the LGBTQ+ community. Does it though? Paul and all the apostles stood in agreement and preached the same Gospel. Did they? This week Michael, Jim, and Loren take an in-depth look at the Apostle Paul and what you hear may surprise you.

Michael, Jim, and Loren continue their discussion on the Lord's Prayer. What did Jesus mean by "Your Kingdom come..." What's this whole thing about forgiving us our trespasses AS WE forgive those who trespass against us? Of course we all know what Jesus meant by, "Lead us not into temptation" or do we?

Most of us are quite familiar with the Lord's Prayer. We've recited it many times. But as Michael, Jim, and Loren discuss, there is so much more to this prayer that Jesus taught us to pray than what most of us have noticed on a surface-level reading. Through this prayer, Jesus once again points us to what separates our Father from all other gods.

What does it mean to be saved? What is sin? How do we define God? What does it mean when we refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God? This one may have you changing your thinking about many commonly held beliefs as Michael, Jim, and Loren look at commonly used terms in Christianity and their actual definitions.

Christians are often trained in how to respond to the arguments their critics present. They invest large amounts of time and energy in perfecting their defense of the scriptures. But do we need apologetics? Is following Jesus about defending the scriptures and winning arguments?

Jim, Michael, & Loren continue their conversation about why the gospel that is often presented doesn't sound like good news. What makes the Gospel good news?

The Gospel is supposed to be good news. Sadly, what is often presented as the Gospel doesn’t sound like good news at all. Why is that the case?

What is the point of Communion/The Eucharist? In many protestant, evangelical, Pentecostal, charismatic, and organic church circles it’s something only done on rare occasions, if at all. Some know Jesus said to do this but they struggle to find meaning in it. Others view it as a dead ritual, so it’s completely ignored. Others have shifted the emphasis away from communion/the Eucharist and placed t...

What is Easter all about? Michael, Jim, and Loren discuss how Easter is a pivotal moment that shatters our old paradigms and radically transforms our understanding of our Heavenly Father.

Michael, Jim, and Loren discuss what liberal Protestantism could do better in their approach to the scriptures.

What could protestant conservatism do better in their approach to the scriptures?

Michael, Jim, and Loren look at the way most Universities approach the Bible which is as literature through the historical-critical method. There are some good things about this approach as well as some pitfalls. The three of them also discuss the work of the Spirit in the younger generation.

Is every verse in the Bible inspired by God? If you've attended church at all, the answer to that question is a no-brainer. But it may not be as cut and dry as we always thought. Michael, Jim, and Loren continue their discussion about the Bible. This week they look at the Bible and inspiration.