No Church Answers!

We take a deeper look into one of Jesus' most famous parables and try to find the Christian differentiation in this classic lesson in otherwise universal ethics. A big hint lies in the choice of characters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...

Whether it's Christianity or any other area of interest, you'll find four types: the closed mind, the dabbler, the easily-distracted and the student of the game. We discuss how the Parable of the Sower identifies each. April 26, 2022 Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See...

As guys, we perk up when discussion turns to building projects. In this week's podcast we talk about the necessity of solid foundations -- in our residences and, more importantly, in our spirits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

We begin a look at the parables of Jesus with allegory of old wine and new wineskins. Jesus dines with Matthew and his dodgy tax collector friends while the Pharisees shake their fingers. We talk about the message of this parable and why a Christian life should be joyous despite the hardships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

James ends his letter with three basic instructions: speak honestly, pray in all matters and bring lost individuals to the Lord. We discuss each in turn as we wrap up our study of the Letter of James. April 5, 2022 Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Pri...

James counsels patience In the face of injustice, suffering and difficult relationships. Moreso, James seems promote a lifestyle of "active patience" as a way of coping with life's frustrations. For action-oriented, goal-driven men, is this even possible? March 29, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more abou...

Is complacency--the belief that every aspect of your life is under your control--just a form of soft arrogance? Everything that's happened in the past two years--right up to the crisis in Ukraine, directly counters that idea. In stark terms, James says only a fool puts faith in the dependability of long-range plans and the permanence of wealth. Yet we won't deny the difficulty in submitting oursel...

James says that true humility and submission is the key to ending enmity and creating loving relationships. But as men, don't we work hard to excel at what we do and to earn what we have? Is it wrong to cultivate one's gifts from God, recognize their value, and put them to good use in the world? We try to find the balance between James call for humility and doing our best to be salt and light for...

Our panel takes up the challenge of seeking God's wisdom, from both the Bible and experience. Along the way, we discuss mentoring, humility and discernment. No one said it was easy. March 10, 2022Bill Cox, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...

Lions and killer whales have shown to be easier to train than the tongue. We talk about James' advice to choose words wisely when choosing to speak--or text, tweet or post--and perhaps be ready to ask if it's wise to do so at all. March 8, 2022Bill Cox, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper, Earl Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

Point/Counterpoint! We interweave scripture from Galatians and James to create a spirited debate between Paul and James over the role human action might have, if any, on personal salvation--always a touchy subject, especially in Evangelical churches. We attempt to find the common ground between two passionate church founders. February 22, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu Hosted on Acast. S...

Sunday school tend to pigeonhole this passage into another "be kind to the poor" lesson, but read correctly, it calls out the human inclination toward bias, prejudice, judging by appearance and general social stratification. These traits were already pervading the church of James' time and he ardently decries them sinful. Do we still take our conscious and unconscious biases us into church? Check...

We wade into a stream-of-conscious passage in the letter of James that hits as many as six points in nine verses. We spend time on the difference between destructive anger and righteous anger, as well as ways Christians can properly express the emotion. We talk about putting words into action and the virtues of listening over talking (as podcasters this does not escape our sense of irony). Robert...

What is the difference between temptation and a test? We hash out the similarities and differences, James says temptation does not come from God, but what about so-called trials? While God tests individuals in the Bible, should we regard every difficulty we face "a trial from God?" Sunday school sayings notwithstanding, how do we as Christian men, even as we prize our own strength and resourcefuln...

We begin a study of the Letter of James, believed to be one of the earliest of New Testament writings, and certainly among the most practical in terms of Christian living. We begin with the idea of finding joy through perseverance amid trials and hardship. The fellows do some intense sharing of experience as they talk about "active patience" and "suffering with a tranquil mind."Recorded January 19...

In our second podcast on Samson, we turn to one of the most popular stories in the Bible, Samson's ill-fated affair with Delilah. But how well are the particulars of this tale really explored, and what conclusions does it force us to make? Was Delilah really a temptress, or just a loyal Philistine subject? How much was the famed Israelite strongman responsible for his own come-down. Join us as con...

In the first of two podcasts on Samson, we look at why it's so difficult to fit this Herculean figure into a Sunday school box. He seems to serve God more through his flaws and disobedience then through faithful purpose. Is he a hero, an anti-hero, or just a spoiled brat intimidating enough to get his own way? Are we too rough on the big guy? Listen, comment and share! January 11, 2022Bill Cox. St...

While we take our Christmas/New Year's break, we've re-posted our Christmas 2020 podcast, in which we look at Joseph, one of the most important figures in the Christmas story yet one who rarely gets any attention. God delegates the care and protection of Mary and the child Jesus to Joseph, who remains humble and obedient to the Lord, while decisive and purposeful in accomplishing the difficult and...

For our annual Christmas podcast, we look at the journey of the Magi, an expedition of faith that has captured the imagination of Christians and non-Christians alike since the nativity story has been told. Who were the Magi? What motivated them to pack up and travel as far as a thousand miles to investigate an astrological portent that was only peripheral to their own religious and national backgr...

We look back on the stories of each of the biblical judges we've studied these past weeks, looking at how each had their own leadership characteristics. We pick our favorite judges--and Bill gives one-verse wonder Shamgar his due--as well as make an ironic choice as to the judge we men would choose to follow. We also ponder the general absence the priestly class of Levites during the time of the j...

Is it really the case that we either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain? In a spirited discussion, we look at the questionable decisions Gideon makes after his resounding victory over the Midianites. Does he mirror other great men who are overcome by their faults? We debate the motivations Gideon may have had for making an idol of a gold ephod. Was it pride, insecurity, fear or a...

As Gideon pursues the invading Midianites back across the Jordan, we look at leadership decisions he makes. We admire his diplomacy in getting the tribe of Ephraim to join the fight, but debate his post-victory execution of all the men of Penial, which along with Sukkoth, refused to provide food for his army when it was on the march. Was it a necessary demonstration of support for the men under hi...

Gideon's call to Israel brings 32,000 men, but God has other plans, and has Gideon winnow his army down to 300, which he marches into battle armed only with trumpets, jars and torches. This story kicks off a discussion in the Christian disciple of simplicity--divesting the accumulated clutter that offers the illusion of security in your life and placing absolute trust in God. No one said this was...

Should we ever test God? Some scripture says we shouldn't, but then we get Gideon, who asks for not one, but two signs of God's authenticity (not even counting an earlier demonstration) and is not rebuffed. Our panel concurs that there are appropriate time to test God when we feel a he is calling us to Kingdom work, and we discuss when those times are. November 16, 2021Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Rober...

Our study of Judges brings us to Gideon, another Bible hero who, reluctant at first, dives in with a dramatically transgressive act against local pagan worship. We look at how sometimes life can have us, like Gideon, stuck in a futile situation and trying to marshal the courage to act. Gideon trusts God, but also finds his risk rewarded with support from unexpected corners. November 9, 2021Bill Co...