No Church Answers!

We take up the story of Deborah and Jael, two women who upend the conventional church model of Godly women. Deborah is judge. prophet and warrior. Jael has an unusual notion of maternal hospitality. And because we are a men's podcast, we also consider Barak, Deborah's reluctant general. Was he stymied by analysis paralysis? Was he afraid of battle? Or did he just not like taking orders from a woma...

We examine the story of Ehud, the Israelite charged with bringing the nation’s tribute to the fat Moabite King Eglon until one day buried a home-made sword in the monarch’s belly, then led a massive uprising against the occupier. The Bible provides little back story to this unlikely hero, but that doesn’t stop us from speculating. After years of accommodating Moabite oppression, did Ehud decide he...

We begin a study of the Book of Judges, looking first at who the Israelite judges were, where they fit in the biblical history timeline and the overall purpose of the book. First up is Caleb, whose conquest of Hebron is the climax of a story of faith over fear that has been set up in preceding episodes in the books of Numbers and Joshua, with other elements going as far back as Noah's ark in Genes...

In the second of our two "flamethrower podcasts," we dive head first into church polity, liturgy and domination-specific theology and doctrine. Our focus is where the new generation of church leaders should be steering congregations in order to remain engaged and relevant in today's culture as well as an example of "salt and light" to the world. There's no holding back as we discuss various denomi...

In the first of two "flamethrower" podcasts, the panel discusses (and argues about) ways the global church must face the changing realities of today's world. Specifically, we look at cultural pressures of socio-economic inequality, consumerism and sexual ethics. Accommodation, resistance or something in between? What roadmap does the Bible offer in navigating these issues? What must we, as church...

In our final scripture study of Solomon, we contrast the brevity of the account of Solomon's death to the lengthy catalogue of the accoutrements of his wealth that precedes it. This checkered "obituary" leads to some thoughts about building a Christian legacy: how we hope to be remembered and what we hope to leave behind when we die. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lea...

Solomon didn't, and as a result, his kingdom splintered. If a leader as wise and faithful as Solomon could allow himself to be distracted by pagan gods and idols, what hope do we ordinary guys have? Solomon's vulnerability was hundreds of wives and concubines plus staggering wealth, a test of God's own warning to Israel's future kings in Deuteronomy 17:17. What weaknesses threaten to take our atte...

At the height of Solomon's reign, the Queen of Sheba visits him in search of answers to "hard questions," presumably about God. We don't know the content of that conversation, but that does not stop us from speculating about it, and discussing how we should answer the "hard questions" put to us by those seeking to know more about Jesus Christ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

Men are natural risktakers. How does Christian faith align with evaluating risk and reward? When does risk become a leap of faith? In this Men Matter segment, Robert Cocheu ("The Professor") and Steve Titch look at Biblical examples of risk-taking ("The Gambler") as they discuss questions of risk, probability and faith. They apply them to current decisions about COVID vaccinations and masking, as...

Solomon's Temple has been consecrated; sacrifices have been offered and received; the fanfare has died down and everyone's gone home. In the stillness of the evening, God speaks to Solomon, making the same conditional offer he made to the king's ancestors--love me, obey me and turn from sin and I will remain with you. Forsake me and you will be forsaken. There is hope, but also grim foreshadowing...

Men's groups at church can be a pilot light for the fire of the Holy Spirit. We talk about ways men in the congregation can step up and offer men spiritual enrichment beyond property repair projects and family activities. In short, there's a place in church for men that extends beyond their wife and children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad cho...

The author of 2 Chronicles describes the size and strength of the the pillars of Solomon's Temple, but today, when the Church is the People of Christ themselves, who are its pillars? We discuss what "being a pillar" actually means and ways Christian men can step up and take leadership roles in their church and their community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...

The economic alliance between Solomon and King Hirim of Tyre is a jumping off point for a discussion about how Christians should approach business negotiations. Solomon provides an interesting example of wisdom, shrewdness and fairness, but when does shrewdness become exploitation? In the competitive bustle of the marketplace, how do we balance humility with assertion of rightful value of our tale...

Solomon prays for wisdom as he prepares to begin building the temple. In our discussion, we look at the necessity of wisdom for effective leadership and the degree to which wisdom is expressed in conviction and action. 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 Calif...

American Christians have a huge blind spit when it come to wealth and money. We look at David's largesse in terms of gifts of his own gold, silver, bronze and gems toward financing Solomon's temple. This leads to a discussion on tithing, the proper attitude and reasons for giving and the radical Christian idea that everything you have actually belongs to God. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

We begin a study of the reign of Israel's King Solomon as recorded in 1 and 2 Chronicles. We start with David's public endorsement of Solomon as heir and king, and the private consul he offers his son as he prepares him for the throne. We talk about the importance of training, encouraging and preparing the way for those who come after us, and the challenge of knowing the right time to hand off lea...

Recorded live June 19, 2021 at Sugar Land Baptist Church, we revisit the story of David and Bathsheba in the context of how both the culture and the church treat adultery and sexual exploitation, and how Christian men can navigate the minefield of commoditization, trivialization and commercialization of sex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choi...

Jesus asks "Who are my brothers?" This gives us a chance to talk about the difference between blood relatives and so-called church families. Does one replace--or support--the other? What happens when they come into conflict? 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...

Our study of Mark turns to one of the most confusing and debated statements by Jesus--that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. Our discussion touches on the definition of blasphemy, the differences between blasphemy and unbelief, and the conflict between the claim that the Cross offers complete redemption and the apparent exception of one sin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Two lessons in one, plus a special guest! First we look at another Sabbath healing by Jesus, and the legalist reaction from the Pharisees, We then look at Jesus' assembly of the 12 apostles, a "motley crew" of provincials who make for an unlikely brotherhood. We're joined by Dr. Chris Curran, senior pastor of Southland Baptist Church, San Angelo, TX, who authored the two scripture lessons from our...

Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, so how did things get so complicated that munching on some wheat raises hue and cry? We continue our look at how Christ challenged the blind legalism of the Pharisees. On the way, we touch on blue laws, HOAs, and little known agricultural techniques. In a 24/7 world, how do we best observe the Lord's Day and keep it holy? Hosted on...

Jesus faces questioning as to why he and his disciples are not fasting when the Pharisees are. Jesus uses this opportunity to preview the idea of a New Covenant, where ritual and tradition give way to faith and relationship. Cross-referencing this week's verse with Jeremiah 31:31-34, we explore the tension between obeying the letter of Old Testament law as revealed to Moses and following spiritual...

Jesus dines with Matthew and his tax collector friends, much to the condemnation of the religious authorities. Unlike many of of those Christ ministered to, tax collectors, while rejected by the religious elites, nonetheless had wealth and power. We talk about how Christians can best connect to those who feel religion offers little or nothing to them personally. Apologies in advance for poor sound...

Sooner or later faith must become action. To get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, four guys hauled him onto a roof, burrowed a hole and lowered him down. What should we, as Christian men, be prepared to do to bring people to the Lord? 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/p...

We look deeper at Jesus' healing touch of a leprous man and how transgressive it was to a culture which believed it had moral sanction the dehumanize members of a specific group. In a lively discussion, we apply it to today's racial environment, and debate the degree even the most humble of white Christian congregations can be blinded by biases imbued and reinforced across generations. As leaders...