The Word Without Walls Podcast

As we continue thinking about questions to ask students, and prompts to get them engaged in the classroom, this episode considers the ideas of collaboration versus competition.  Different avenues of converation can include: Consider various models where collaboration is used, versus those where competition is the driver. What are strategies we can use to resolve contentiousness? Think about worldv...

This episode focuses on different prompts I introduce in my classes regarding worldview, including talking about where to start conversations and how to find common ground, as well as when to step back.   I refer to the  Red Pyramid  and  Green Arc worldviews in this episode.  Here are the links  a visual of each model.  You can also learn more about these models by listening here .

There are certain topics/questions I introduce in all of my classes to set the tone and create an atmosphere where we are free to pursue the truth.  Something we discuss at the very beginning of the semester are the words of Jesus in Matthew 7 when He commands us to judge not.  What does that really mean?  What kind of judgment is in the world all around us?  Is it all bad?  What was Jesus' intent...

In this episode, I share conversation starters I use in my university classes, especially at the beginning of a semester to set the tone for the class and what we'll be thinking about.  The intent of the questions has to do with the nature of students, what young people are like, and what captivates them.  My discussion prompts are: What if ________________? Are we allowed to talk about __________...

In this episode, I share an exchange of ideas with a student who asked me about if Christians should be vegetarians.  We consider such things as: What are the different aspects of this question? What did Jesus say about diet? What should be our priorities, as Christians? What if, as Christians, we were less wasteful? What virtues should we pursue?

In the final episode of this mini-series on my new book, The Parabolic Universe , we consider some parables of Jesus that are often considered repetitive.  Are they, really?  Or are they sequential, providing more wisdom with each successive story?  We take a close look at the text of Matthew 13 (treasure in the field, pearl of great price, net catching fish) and Luke 15 (lost sheep, lost coins, l...

In part 3 of the mini-series about the parabolic universe, we're taking a look at some parables of Jesus, going from the simple to those that are seemingly impossible to understand.  These include the parable of the sower, the wise and foolish virgins, and the unfaithful steward.  What are we to make of these? This discussion is based off of my new book,  The Parabolic Universe , a consideration o...

As we continue this mini-series on the parabolic universe, this episode looks specifically at hermeneutics--the study of what the source intends the reader to understand (including translation and explanation).  How do we rightly understand parables and how to apply them?  We look into two ancient schools of thought, and consider Jesus' talk of bread in John 6, the parable of the ten virgins, and...

This episode is an introduction to my new book, The Parabolic Universe , a consideration of how God reveals Himself in nature.  In the past few hundred years, the church has abandoned nature as bearing witness to God.  Why is that?  Think about Bible passages such as Psalm 19 and Romans 1. Where in nature can we see a parabolic element, of physical things showing a spiritual truth?  We'll dive dee...

What if all atheists are functionally believers in a god?  What if every human being according to our human nature is functionally atheist?  This episode explores what actually functions as god in people's lives, compared to the true and living God who regenerates our soul in the image of His own Son so that we know the blessedness, peace, and joy of believing.

In the final episode of this mini-series on the nature of salvation, we consider salvation as nutritional.   What does that mean?  It's something Jesus talked about all the time, but we never do.  Why?  How does it contrast with other ways to think about the nature of salvation?   Bible references made in this episode include John 6, John 8:31-32, and Deuteronomy 6.

As we work through this series about the nature of salvation, in this episode we consider a person's disposition.  How does the Bible describe people who are saved?  Consider the disposition of those in the Bible who were helped by God.  We think specifically about Hagar, Esther, Job, and New Testament accounts of Gentiles and Jews.  

In the latest episode of the "How Salvation Works" series, let's consider salvation as a result of connectedness/inseparability.  Is salvation a result of what we are connected to? Think about marriage as an example, or the relationship of a mother and child.  There are excellent passages in the book of John that demonstrate this truth (chapters 4, 6, 8, 10, 15).  

Typically we think of salvation as intellectual, or what you can do.  But our ideas tend to be backward. Looking at salvation geographically brings that into focus. This episode discusses the idea of salvation as geographical, and we consider many biblical narratives and verses about being in proximity to Christ. In the episode, I mention The Parabolic Universe book on Amazon.  You can find it her...

As we continue the consideration of the nature of salvation, in this episode we examine if salvation is volitional--an act of the will.  What should we think about the human will?  What about the will of God versus human will? In this episode, I make reference to a few other episodes.  You'll find links to those below: Genesis 1:1-25 Genesis 1:26-27 Genesis 1:28--2:7 Genesis 2:7-17 Genesis 2:18 Ge...

How should we think about emotions?  What about God's emotions?  Are our emotions a choice?  Where do they fall in the dynamics of cause/effect in our lives?   What would God's wisdom tell us to think about the emotions we feel?  What would stewardship have one do with these emotions?  

The second installment of our salvations series, in this episode we consider if salvation is an intellectual processs--are we getting information about God, using our reason, and making an informed decision from there?  What are the problems with this idea?  What does the Bible say about this? 

One of the many benefits of engaging students and bearing concerns and care for other people is that the gravity of our needs keeps pressing us more deeply into the green arc of God's truth and grace. Most recently I have been pressed into thinking about how Christianity and salvation can be thought about in several different ways. The Bible uses many different terms for those who are saved. In my...

There are some passages in the Bible--Exodus 32 and Numbers 14:20 are two such instances--that seem to indicate that God repents, or changes His mind.  A student inquires about this.  We consider the original Hebrew word, and discuss what to do when we encounter words in the Bible with uncertain meaning. A follow-up question we also tackle in this episode is if our prayers change God's mind.  

As a follow-up to the last episode about prayer, this is an explanation of the Lord's Prayer, and how we can think of it as a floor or platform, rather than a ceiling.  We can use the structure of the prayer Jesus gave us to help make our prayers more effective. You can read more about John 17--an expanded version of the Lord's Prayer--in this blog post , and hear more in podcast episodes 280 and...

In this episode, a student asks questions related to prayer.  He struggles with prayer, and feels like he's just going through the motions.  He grapples with others talking about a "personal relationship" with Jesus, and wonders what that means.  We work through various aspects of his question.  Included in this episode are references to: The Exegete's Prayer (Psalm 119:33-40) The Lord's Prayer as...

In this episode, I continue from our previous episode responding to a question about language in the Book of Concord.  What new challenges do we face in our society that weren't there when the Book of Concord was written?  When we think about salvation, is one "out until one's in"?  Is that what the Book of Concord is saying?  How should any ideas about salvation begin?

As the study of baptism continues, this student's question is related to language found in the Book of Concord.  What is the Book of Concord?  Does a regenerate soul=faith/belief/trust?  Can you lose your regenerate soul?  

In this episode, we consider Romans 6 and Titus 3 as they both relate to baptism.  What does our anthropological view need to be as we read these passages?  Why is a three-dimensional worldview essential?  We take an in-depth look at these texts, clearly defining the terms we encounter.

As we continue to work through questions on baptism, today's are: Can you lose the regenerate soul as you "mature", or if your heart becomes hard? What is instruction given before adult baptism?  As we discuss these, I talk about the  Red Pyramid worldview and a Green Arc worldview.  Below are visuals that I reference in the episode.