The Analytical Preacher - Bible Discussions For The Modern World

Many Christians answer the question "are you going to heaven" with "I hope so". But according to scripture, we can know our eternal fate with certainty. It isn't an arrogance on the part of the believer that drives that certainty but the power of Christ and the faithfulness of God. In this podcast, we explore the Bible verses that teach us about this certainty. #Bible #Sal...

The Bible says that it is a living and active, two-edged sword. In part this means that its scriptures are relevant to every person in every situation at all times down through history. And it also means that it has a way of melting away our excuses and exposing our conscience to God's convicting power. In this podcast, we examine Hebrews 4:12 in context to allow the Bible to explain for itse...

Though He is known for His love, compassion and servant's heart, Jesus did get angry and even aggressively confronted folks a few times. So, why did He treat those people differently? And what lesson are we to take from this as Christ followers today? 

The Apostle Paul writes to us in the Bible that we should examine ourselves before we take communion so that we will not take it in an unworthy manner. But what exactly does this mean for believers today? In this podcast, we look at these scriptures in context to uncover the clues necessary to answer that question. #christianity #bible #communion 

Have you ever had doubts as a Christian? It is not an unforgiveable sin to question certain aspects of our faith or to even have doubts occasionally. But how are we to address those doubts? In this podcast, we look to answer that question by examining how the doubts of John the Baptist and the Apostle Thomas were handled. 

Are Christians to be looking for signs of when Jesus will return? If so, are any of the events we are witnessing today foretold in scripture as those which will usher in the end of times? 

Does Christianity have holy sites and holy items? If so, what are they? The New Testament provides us with a clear direction on this topic, which we discuss in this podcast. 

If we are created in God's image, formed and made by Him, then why would God disapprove of who we are and how we choose to act? Is it fair to say that we shouldn’t be blamed for acting in a way that is natural, even instinctive to us? As we discuss in this podcast, we can't begin to biblically answer that question until we are viewing the question through the appropriate God-focused lens...

As a Christian, how do I give a defense of the hope that is in me? The charge to be able to give a defense of our faith by giving reasons for the hope that is in us comes from 1st Peter chapter 3. And the Bible provides those reasons (peace with God, the promises of God, the faithfulness of God) in other, related verses. In this podcast, we look at all the relevant scriptures so that we will be pr...

How can I be better at sharing my faith as a Christian? Some believers love talking to people about Jesus, some find it a bit challenging but others are paralyzed with fear at the very thought of trying to witness. In my experience, I encounter two main misconceptions that hold people back from testifying about what Jesus means to them. In this podcast, I expose and disarm those misconceptions and...

There are two meanings of the phrase 'don't grow weary in doing good' as found in the Bible. The most common meaning is explicated in Galatians 6, while the lesser understood takes its context from 2nd Thessalonians chapter 3. Of course, this reinforces the necessity of studying scripture in context. 

Can communion be taken too frequently? Can it be taken too infrequently? As with all things related to our faith, we want to base our actions as much as is possible off of what we see in scripture and avoid the trap of basing manmade rituals on our historic traditions. So, what does the Bible teach about communion, how it is done and when it is done? We explore the relevant scriptures in this podc...

A common question that circulates in both Christian and non Christian circles is whether God sends people to hell or they choose to go themselves. Of course, scripture as a whole points us to an answer to this question. But in this podcast, Andy looks at just two verses from one of Jesus' parables to point us in the right direction. 

There are ongoing conversations on whether one can lose their salvation while they are still on earth or if the Bible teaches that once we are saved we are always saved. And I have been asked a similar question to this - can a believer lose their salvation once in heaven? Can a Christian ever be kicked out of heaven as Satan was? The Bible provides a very clear and definitive answer! 

We all know the Bible teaches that "it is more blessed to give than to receive". But the Bible also provides a number of different directives on the types of charity we should seek to provide and restrictions on those to whom we should provide it. We use specific Bible verses to cover those directives in this podcast. 

The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith but also says in a number of places that we are to repent for the forgiveness of our sins. So, I am frequently asked the question "are we saved through repentance or faith?" Thankfully, of course, there are verses in the Bible which perfectly meld these two interlocking concepts together. #salvation #faith #grace #repentance 

We have made songs, posters and so much more from the verses from the book of Numbers which say "The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace". And the Bible adds a bit to that concept in the Psalms. In this podcast, we discuss how Psalm 67 makes that blessing actionable for us as believers today. 

It is possible to take the notion of trying to find good in everyone or only trying to find good in everyone too far. If we were all good all the time, the Bible wouldn't need to remind us that love covers a multitude of sins nor would God's word repeat to us the importance of being patient with and forgiving one another. In this podcast, we discuss the balance between loving others and...

In two different places, Jesus provides a summary of scripture as it existed in His day, a summary of God's moral law. But when we look closely at those two summaries, we see that one seems incomplete. In this podcast, we explain how those two summaries work together to compliment one another. #Goldenrule #Greatcommandment 

Where did the church come from and what structure is it supposed to take? The answers to these questions determine not only what the church is but how we are to interact with it. In this podcast, we cover a handful of scriptures that clearly explain the church's origins, structure and our necessary participation in it. 

In Genesis chapter 12 the Bible takes a dramatic turn and begins to focus on one family which has been promised to produce one person who will bless all the other families to ever exist. The first eleven chapters of Genesis teach fundamental lessons about the nature of God and man and the origin and consequences of sin. But beginning in Genesis 12, the focus turns to tracing the promises and fulfi...

There is one main lesson for modern Christians in Genesis chapter 11, which is a reinforcement of a lesson on our motives first brought to light in Genesis chapter 4.  

In Genesis chapter nine, we see God repeating some commands previously given to Adam and Eve and adding to or changing other commands. Genesis ten reminds us all of our common beginnings. 

The main lessons in Genesis chapter 8 range from those providing great emotional and spiritual support to modern Christians to renewed challenges for humans to undertake scientific endeavors. #genesis #oldtesament 

The lessons found in Genesis chapter 7 are straightforward but important. In this podcast, we explore four of those main lessons. #Bible #Genesis #OldTestament