Onward in the Faith

This episode explains what we mean by Sola Scriptura, as well as some errors we can still fall in to if we aren't careful.   I teach a theology program at church with Pastor Chris Lenoir, and we were recently locked out of our building and unable to have class. We recorded a conversation-style lesson about the sufficiency of Scripture, which I'm also uploading here. If you'd like to see the PowePo...

This episode looks at the Roman Catholic understanding of the sufficiency of Scripture and how it balances with tradition.   I teach a theology program at church with Pastor Chris Lenoir, and we were recently locked out of our building and unable to have class. We recorded a conversation-style lesson about the sufficiency of Scripture, which I'm also uploading here. If you'd like to see the PowerP...

Christ set us free to walk in freedom. Galatians 5 and Romans 6 show us what that means, what it looks like, and how we can see it in our own lives. This is an audio recording of my teaching at Gospel Centered Recovery at Saylorville Church here in Des Moines, Iowa.   See the video recording here .   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   Scripture...

The Bible may not speak directly about abortion, but it does clearly reveal God's heart, both in how He thinks about the unborn and how He hates murder. As we conclude this series, we can get a clearer picture of our God that will allow us to understand why abortion is so serious.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   You can find this episode's...

There are many arguments for supporting abortion, at least up until a certain point in an unborn child's development. This episode looks at the most popular ones, pointing out the inconsistencies and logical conclusions required to truly believe those arguments.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   Fetal Growth Chart image   You can find this ep...

In the first of a 3-part series, we lay a foundation for discussing abortion and then examine how the law of biogenesis proves that a complete human being is created at conception. If the unborn are truly human, then what does that mean for us?   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   You can find this episode's original article here .   Scripture u...

Before committing to reading the Bible in a year, evaluate why you've failed in the past and whether you're setting yourself up for success this time around. This episode helps you examine not just why you've struggled to consistently read your Bible in the past but gives some ways you can succeed and grow in your regular time in God's word.   Why we fail: -From couch potato to marathon running -D...

When we look at the history surrounding the shepherds, a familiar story becomes even more significant. Join me as I look at 5 (or maybe just 4) reasons we can be in awe of our God and the message He delivered to these men.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   You can find this episode's original article here .   Scripture used: Luke 2:8-20, Hebr...

Is suicide evidence that someone never had true faith in Christ? Does suicide remove our salvation? This episode applies a biblical worldview to these questions, bringing hope and clarity to a painful topic.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   How I Survive Depression (This is only an article - I really thought I'd done an episode on it as well...

There are two important reasons why we can't know everything about God, and one dangerous reason why we'll keep trying to fit Him in a box that we do understand. This episode explores our hearts and discusses how we can live with a balance of trusting that there are things we can't know and responsibly seeking answers to the things we can know.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support:...

It can be scary to know that there are things about God we don't understand. There may be things about Him we don't like. What do we do? Often times, we'll diminish God and bring Him down to a level that we can understand and control. This episode discusses what that looks like and why we can have faith that God doesn't need to bow to our desires before we trust Him.   One-time support:  PayPal or...

We are body and soul, but we don't have two parts. In the final episode of this series, I discuss why our souls were never meant to exist apart from our bodies, as well as how this belief aligns with everything we see from Genesis to Revelation.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   Time stamps: Intro - 00:00 The basics - 3:05 [Pros] Original cre...

The Bible talks about a soul and spirit, but it talks about them as though they're the same thing. In this episode, I discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a dichotomy view - that humans are a body and soul/spirit. One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   Timestamps Intro: 00:00 Why soul and spirit should have different roles - 5:08 Similarity #1 (c...

Does the Bible portray us as 3-part beings? It seems that way at first, but there are some definite issues we must address if we're going to hold to this interpretation. (Apologies for the lawnmower in the last 1/3 of the episode!)   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   Timestamps Intro: 00:00 Support #1: The Trinity - 4:15 Support #2: 3-Part Divi...

Part 1 of a look at what humans are made out of. This episode discusses the pros and cons of the biblical argument that we are purely natural creatures with no spiritual component.    One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   You can find this episode's original article here .   Video on nephesh   Scripture used: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 1:20, 24, 30, Gene...

This episode can change how we think about the world. It's a big episode, but it's worth sticking around to the end.   After looking at who the Beast is we can now look at the purpose of his mark. I discuss why there will be a mark; who will receive it; the end result of the world the Antichrist creates; why Christians don't need to fear accidentally getting the mark; and I challenge listeners to...

Who is the Beast in Revelation 13? What should we look for if we're going to accuse someone of being the Antichrist? This episode will not only help us better understand the goal of this mysterious figure, but also set the stage to discuss the mark of the Beast in our next episode. One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   You can find this episode's o...

What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Can Christians commit the unpardonable sin? What we're really asking about this confusing passage is this: Is there a sin so bad that Christ's sacrifice can't cover it? This episode digs into why Christ said the words that have caused panic in many Christians, and by the end we may have a much clearer picture of what it might mean for us today.   One-time supp...

When we read 1 Corinthians 14 we can get distracted by all the talk about tongues. However, there's much more going on here, and it shows us how wrong we are when we think about our church and the people inside it. Original video on Saylorville's channel Gospel Centered Recovery Saylorville Church in Iowa   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   Scr...

Most of us can agree what happens when someone rejects Jesus Christ. But what about those who never hear the gospel? Is God so cruel that he'll punish people for breaking laws they didn't know existed? How can they worship a God they've never heard of? This episode digs in to this important question and points out some problems we create when we try to get God off the hook.   One-time support:  Pa...

"I don't want to waste all the time I've put into this by just replacing it." "I feel so bloated and uncomfortable, but I couldn't waste all that food." "I can't just throw away all the years I've put into this relationship." If these phrases are familiar, you've likely fallen for the Sunk-Cost Fallacy. And you're not alone. This episode explains what it is, why it's so easy to fall for, and how w...

Telling others about Christ is a daunting, terrifying task. What do we say? What verses do we use? What if we say the wrong thing and send them to Hell for eternity? There’s no single right way to share Christ, but this episode discusses one way that, at the very least, can move us in a good direction.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   Ray Co...

What is the Fruit of the Spirit? What do we do if we're lacking? Can we really say things like "God hasn't gifted me with gentleness, so people need to deal with me being offensive"? This episode digs into how the Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus Christ, what to do when we're lacking, and gives advice that may honestly change your spiritual walk.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly su...

The Bible is full of truth, but most of our Bibles are also filled with distracting numbers. This episode discusses how a Bible without verse numbers may be a huge blessing to your daily Bible reading.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon.com/OnwardintheFaith   You can find this episode's original article here . Teamwork by Scott Holmes is licensed under an Attributio...

Does the Bible forbid certain acts or positions in the bedroom? Can Christian couples watch pornography together? How can we know what is, or isn't, honoring to God as we think about sexual intimacy?   This episode is important for all married couples who desire to glorify God in all areas of their lives, including in the bedroom.   One-time support:  PayPal or Venmo Monthly support: www. Patreon....