No Church Answers!

Who is Jesus? Fully God and fully man, writes Paul, creator, sustainer and redeemer. We explore the primary theological idea behind Christianity—Jesus Christ as God-made-flesh in a conversation along the way touches on the image of God, the Son of God’s pre-incarnate appearances in the Old Testament, and Big Bang and quantum physics. With us this week: Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) Mike Cropper...

We’re back after a break for Thanksgiving with the start of a study on Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. After looking at some of the overall themes of the letter, we talk about the encouragement Paul offers in words and prayers at the outset of his letter, and our own approaches to prayer, including Robert’s ACTS formula. With us this week: Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) Mike Cropper (“The...

In our last installment on the Ten Commandments (plus two) we discuss the Great Commission, Jesus’ instruction to make disciples of all people. As men, we wonder if its best to witnessing with actions and attitudes, and leave the words to the preachers. Above all, the importance of love and human connection to any discipling endeavor. We also speak to the emergency at the Houston Food Bank (www.ho...

Loving God is easy, Loving your neighbor is hard. We step our game and do an actual studio taping, and talk about who our neighbors really are—particularly the “invisible” souls around us who might simply need human contact and the acknowledgment that they, too, matter. It’s more than suspending judgment. Sometimes it means testing whether our own ingrained values truly reflect those of God. With...

The culture wants us to want things—things that promise happiness and well-being but that ultimately leave us empty. Robert Cocheau (“The Professor”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler") and Bill Cox talk about countering balancing desire with contentment and gratitude, as well as cultivating a spirit of authenticity. Visit us at www.man-upspiritualoasis.com. Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Twitter, Fa...

We look at the legal, ethical and Christian aspects of the commandment against bearing false witness, perhaps the easiest commandment to break, therefore the easiest to rationalize. What is our responsibility to the truth in a time when hype and spin are considered a natural part of doing business? Our panel this week: Mike Cropper ("The Judge"), Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Kyle Trahan (The D...

“You shall not steal,” says the Eighth Commandment. Although it’s doubtful any of us will rob a bank, we look at how we can justify swiping pens at the office, surfing the Internet on company time and downloading music and video without paying. Robert talks about how to promote employee ideas without stealing them. Steve asks about the rules of God’s economy. With us this week: Robert Cocheau (“Th...

We look at the 7th Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” and debate its meaning, complexity and scope in our highly sexualized cultural climate. *Warning: Mature Content* What is the Christian alternative to a world where sex is commoditized? Is the church hypocritical when it tolerates divorce and adult sexual relationships outside of marriage yet banishes gay men and women? How do millenn...

Who knew four words (two in Hebrew!) could raise so many complex questions? We talk about the upholding sanctity of life amid contemporary questions regarding war, capital punishment, suicide and--not willing to flinch--abortion. No church answers, and no easy ones either. Listen and comment (civilly, please). With us this week: Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) Larry Post (“The Pastor”) and Steve Titch...

We look at the 5th Commandment and its New Testament counterparts (Eph. 6:1, Col 3:20). We discuss how to “honor” one’s parents, and, as men, making ourselves worthy of the honor and respect of our own children. We discuss the importance of family to social stability and debate the appropriateness of spanking. With us this week: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) Larry Pos...

God commanded his people to take a day off each week from worldly pursuits. In modern times we struggle to find a balance between neglect of the Sabbath and legalistic, restrictive observance. This week’s podcast on the Fourth Commandment looks reasons why we should stop, rest and rejuvenate and the pressures that frustrate that. Bill Cox (“The Director) also revisits some his thoughts from last w...

Names are a big deal. This week, we look at the injunction against using the name of God in vain. Our discussion touches on the emotional power every name carries. We look at the different “names” of God and how they show different aspects of the Divine. Bill, our host and director, also talks about times, as a Christian, he’s felt it artistically necessary to employ profanity in professional writ...

In a discussion of the 2nd Commandment, we look at the dangers of falling into idolatry, even in in the name of religion. Is it all too human to replace worship with ritual and attempt to fit God into our plans rather than seek how we fit into God’s plans? With us this week: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Larry Post (“The Pastor”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler"). Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts....

We look at the first commandment, “You shall have no other Gods before me.” We identify the "gods"--sex, science, sociology and others--we tend to put ahead of the one true God, and how easy it is to rationalize those choices, especially in a pluralistic culture. But the commandment is clear—you can’t worship two deities. With us this week to discuss the implications: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor...

We begin our 13-week study of The Ten Commandments. We look at how they reveal God’s character and they stand in direct opposition to the morality of modern times. And what did Martin Luther mean when he wrote of the freedom to be found in the Decalogue? With us this week: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Mike Cropper (“The Judge”) and Steve Titch ("The Gambler") Bill Cox (“The Director”) hosts. V...

David takes a census of his army. Why does this anger God to the degree he sends plague that kills 70,000 Israelites? In this final lesson in 2 Samuel, we look at the consequences of big decisions made big men. We also take some time to review the narrative of David’s life and whether his reign actually modeled God’s design for kingship. Panel includes Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Mike Cropper...

We discover a biblical example of how to deal with a toxic personality and a wise woman “man’s up” and does what’s necessary to avert a costly siege. We also talk about the two sides of Joab, David’s loyal general, who takes immediate, bloody action in one case, but judiciously listens and resolves conflict in another. Guts spill and heads roll in this week’s podcast. With us: Robert Cocheu ("The...

Matters reach a climax as David faces a tragic dilemma: survival of his son or survival of his kingdom. Although we sympathize with David, we look at how he was the author of his own pain. Also, why is Joab traditionally considered the villain of this piece? He just saw 20,000 men die and faced a choice to either indulge a monarch’s wishful thinking or do what was necessary to end a civil war. We...

We find and aging David at his lowest point, facing lies and curses from figures from his past as he flees Jerusalem. Meanwhile Absalom, his rebellious son, takes his father’s concubines before the entire city. We find contemporary parallels as David finally confronts the consequences from years of passivity and inaction. With us this week: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"), Steve Titch ("The Gamble...

David, at his lowest point, is forced to flee Jerusalem as his son Absalom moves against him. Our panel looks at David’s dysfunctional household and dangers that face leaders when they fail to confront mistakes and choose indecision and isolation instead. Along the way, we manage to weave in everything from office politics to Shakespeare to Disney. With us this week: Robert Cocheu ("The Professor"...

Consequences from David’s adultery with Bathsheba continue, as Amnon, David’s eldest son, follows Dad’s example and rapes his half-sister Tamar. David does nothing to acknowledge the crime, remaining passive while Absalom, Tamar’s brother, allows his anger to fester. Our panel discusses how fathers inevitably model behavior, good or bad, for their children. We also address the hard task of discipl...

Facebook’s algorithms blocked the link to Podcast 111, claiming it violated “community standards.” Our host Bill Cox (“The Director”) and Steve Titch (“The Gambler”) react with equal parts of bemusement and concern in this special podcast. While it seems unbelievable that a group of regular guys reading and discussing the Bible raises flags at Facebook, at the same time, it’s not so incredible giv...

The prophet Nathan confronts David over his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. David repents and receives God’s forgiveness, but can’t avoid the consequences. Our panel wonders if David’s repentance was incomplete – was writing the heartfelt Psalm 51 enough, or should he have done more to take ownership of the damage his sin caused? And how tough was it for Nathan to speak truth to power...

No church answers and we mean it in this podcast! We peel back the layers in this story of lust, adultery, dishonesty, cover-up and murder. We look at David, Bathsheba, Uriah, Joab, even the messenger and sort out their roles in the drama. Not only to we discuss the dangers of yielding to lust, but we also explore why David, a man at the height of his power, success and fame, does something so bla...

David had an impressive run of victories 2 Samuel 8, extending Israel's borders to their widest extent. We look at the traits that made David an effective, respected leader and how they can be applied today. The gang's all here. Panel consists of: Michael Cropper, Attorney ("The Judge"), Robert Cocheu, Trainer ("The Professor"), Steve Titch, Writer ("The Gambler"), Kyle Trahan Insurance ("The Deac...