Reasoning Through the Bible

This informal discussion is about Steve and Glenn's thoughts on the author Michael Heiser and his book "The Unseen Realm."  Note that this discussion is only over critical portions of Heiser's work, but provide thoughts on the strengths, weaknesses, and questions about his work.  Note that this informal discussion merely provides our initial thoughts and concerns and does not p...

In this informal discussion, Steve and Glenn discover the author Michael Heiser and his book "The Unseen Realm." This first part is a discussion upon first learning of Heiser and his views about the Divine Council and the possible assignment of gods to be over earthly realms. This first part is an introduction prior to examining Heiser's work.  Part two includes a more detailed reac...

To resolve the question of what is required of the Gentiles, the church leaders gather with all the church members in Jerusalem. We see the leaders speak and listen respectfully to each other.  We learn how the early Christians decided doctrinal questions, which was by discussion among the leaders, not from one leader.  We learn the importance of the church not requiring the law in order to be sav...

Because the church had both Jews and Gentiles, there was a great dispute that arose.  Some Jews maintained that the Gentiles must be circumcised. As always happens with legalism, the rules keep growing and expanding. When the controversy involves what is required to be saved, it becomes a serious doctrinal question. So the church sends Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to decide the issue.  What is r...

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Here is our update on the status of our ministry. We summarize what we have accomplished so far and talk about what is coming in near future. We talk about our plans and schedules, what you can pray about, and how you can support the program.  Support the show Thank you for listening!!  Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listene...

This session discusses two questions:    Did Jonah die in the belly of the fish?  Is the prosperity gospel true or false?  Support the show Thank you for listening!!  Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners.  You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Ple...

We again see people who fight against Paul as he speaks the good news of Jesus. The people of Lystra use the execution method of the day to stone Paul and leave him for dead outside the city. Yet Paul does a wonderous thing that shows his dedication to reaching people.   When we run into hardship, what are we to do?  What if we get killed for the Lord’s work?  Where did Paul and Barnabas get the s...

God heals a lame man through Paul. This healing led the local pagan priests to try to worship Paul and Barnabas, but they refused the efforts to worship them. Paul does not hesitate to call them wrong, saying their religion is worthless and empty. Paul then gives another sermon, this time starting with things the Gentiles would understand, but again ending with the death and resurrection of Jesus....

Some traditions hold that the Bible should not be taken literally. But what does this mean? Is the Bible literal or not? How can we tell the difference between passages that claim to be literal and those which are not?   In this session we learn that many of the claims about the Bible cannot be understood correctly without dealing with specifics. We know that some passages use poetic, symbolic, or...

Paul’s first message draws a large crowd of both Jews and Gentiles. The leaders then become envious of Paul’s success and begin working against the message of the gospel. In the face of severe opposition, Paul rejoices and keeps on doing the Lord’s work, then goes on to work in an area where there is great opposition to the word of God.   What problems can envy create?  Are there people today who...

Paul speaks at a synagogue and gives his best sermon. Like Stephen, Paul starts with the history of the Jewish people and works toward the death and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. Paul reminds his audience that God chose the forefathers and led Israel out of Egypt.  Paul accuses the Jewish leaders of not knowing their own prophets, for the prophets spoke of Jesus. This passage a...

From a very diverse church in Antioch, the Holy Spirit selects Barnabas and Saul for a specific job He has for them. Going from Antioch, they preach the word to Jews, a political leader, and a sorcerer who works against them. We learn Saul’s approach is direct and blunt, a technique that is sometimes needed in the face of opposition. We also see the dangers of opposing the Lord’s work.   How diver...

Peter has seen the death of a close friend and is promised the same fate, which is the most severe problem he has ever faced. Yet his response may seem surprising. We also see a humorous story that proves the power of prayer. We also see some dire consequences to King Herod when he accepts worship. This passage also mentions ancient Tyre and whether the prophecy of Tyre’s destruction in Ezekiel wa...

First, God providentially ensures that those people with money are able to give to those in need. We discuss what motivated the Christians to help their fellow believers even though they lived far away.   Next, King Herod kills James the apostle.  Some Christians in every age have faced persecution and death. This session gives some guidelines to be prepared if we happen to be ones who are persecu...

When Peter gets back to Jerusalem, the other Jewish Christians seem appalled that Peter went to a Gentile home and ate with them. Peter retells the story of God sending him to the gentiles. Peter’s fellow Jewish Christians change their theological position based on the evidence of what Peter tells them.  This session again discusses the point at which people are saved. Then some unnamed Christians...

Up to this point, the good news of salvation in Jesus has only gone to the Jews and the Samaritans. When Cornelius and his household hear the news, they too are saved. We see how God is no respecter of persons, so anyone can be a child of God. Peter gives a sermon to these Gentiles, and at the point of belief, they receive the Holy Spirt and are saved.   Does God show partiality among people? Does...

Acts 10 has Peter’s vision of the sheet and the unclean animals. Peter then finds out that days before God had arranged for messengers to arrive at that same hour. Gode was working at different times to ensure two men were brought together at the same time.   Peter’s world is rocked, for he has God tell him something that goes against everything he was taught to believe. Could it be that God was b...

How is it that some modern churches deny the essentials taught in the Bible while other churches are sound doctrinally but have disconnected from the culture and have no impact on people outside the church? The answer is in how the churches view the Bible, and this session gives an overview of the thinkers who influenced the modern Christian religious leaders. We show how Descartes, Hume, Kant, Ki...

In this session we see a woman (Tabitha) raised from the dead, much to the amazement of the people mourning at her funeral. As a result, many believed on the Lord. Then we see a Cornelius, a Roman military officer, told to send for Peter so he could get a message. In both of these instances, we see God doing extraordinary things through ordinary people, a feat that He still does today.  This sessi...

Paul the apostle, originally named Saul, has met the glorified Jesus on the road to Damascus. In today’s session, we see a regular Christian, Ananias, sent to do one task to one man, Saul. Not only were his physical eyes opened, but his spiritual eyes are opened as well. Saul is already “brother Saul” which means that he was saved prior to when Ananias arrived.       We then see Saul immediately g...

God speaks to an average believer, Ananias, and tells him to go speak to one man. Ananias does not understand God’s purposes in this risky assignment but obeys anyway. Ananias does not know the significance of this assignment to go talk to only one man, yet it is of utmost importance. We also do not understand the significance of speaking to individuals.  We learn that when God directs us to do so...

God arranges two divine appointments. He first brings together Philip and a royal member of the Ethiopian court, then He finds Saul on the road to Damascus. In both cases we see God working to bring about His will in dramatic but different circumstances. In typical fashion,  We also learn of the person of the Holy Spirt and what His role is in these conversions.   Luke provides many accurate histo...

The apostles hear that Samaria has received the word of God so Peter and John go to see for themselves. The Samaritans show evidence of truly being in Christ. Peter is again present at this key event of the Holy Spirit going to another major people group. We also see Simon, the former sorcerer, who seems to be drawn to showy miracles and is rebuked by Peter. Simon give us a chance to discuss a mod...

The church in Jerusalem is persecuted and scattered throughout Judea and into Samaria. This causes change in the church when the believers are forced to move to other cities and towns. The church was supposed to take the message of Jesus to Judea and Samaria, and God uses persecution to bring about His will. The church grows and expands under these circumstances, a positive thing.    We also meet...