Theology for the Rest of Us

This episode is somewhat unique in that it covers material from a previous episode, but in a shorter time. This episode covers the same content that is covered in episode 247 however this episode aims to cover the material is much less time (this episode is less than 17 minutes while episode 247 is nearly 45 minutes long). Questions and topics related to the origins of humanity, the age of the uni...

How old is the universe? How old is the Earth? These are questions often asked by Christians throughout the world, seeking to understand the origins of humanity while also seeking to reconcile the words of Scripture with the news updates coming from the world of science. In this episode, Kenny challenges listeners to be charitable and diplomatic when tackling this topic. Kenny gives various histor...

Many people in our world are lacking true joy and satisfaction, longing for “something more” but so many of them end up settling for a sub-par life and sub-par spirituality, simply because they do not know the true source of joy and satisfaction. Furthermore, there are many genuine Christians that do not understand or value certain key doctrines and philosophies simply because they hav...

A frequent (and tragic) trend in modern American Evangelicalism is the devaluing of the importance of quality doctrine and theology. This is evident in many ways in contemporary American Christendom, but fewer moments make this more obvious than when church leaders (and lay people) refuse to objectively (or critically) assess the theology, ideology, and preaching content of many prominent preacher...

In this episode, Kenny answers the question: Will people from all Christian denominations go to heaven, or will only certain ones, with the right doctrine, be saved in the end? This can be a controversial subject indeed, but Kenny seeks to make it simple by making the point that faith in Christ is what actually saves us, not right doctrines. Studying theology and doctrine is very important, and th...

Last year, our host Kenny did a mini-series on the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Kenny tackled multiple topics related to the Holy Spirit. One of those topics was the topic of prophecy. You can listen to that episode here: “ 87: What is Prophecy? ” Kenny made the case that the gift (or function) of New Testament prophecy has been grossly...

Romantic relationships can be complicated, even under the best of circumstances, but they get even more complicated when flawed philosophies and bad theology are thrown into the mix. One of the flawed philosophies that often gets embraced, in terms of romance, is the ideal concept of a soulmate. While this concept has lost popularity over the past two decades within contemporary Christian circles,...

Civil disobedience has long been an effective manner of protest, both in antiquity as well as in contemporary societies. The protests led by Gandhi in India, the American civil rights movement of the 20th century, and the Boston Tea Party (as a part of the events leading up to the American Revolution) have all been some of the most famous and most effective forms of civil disobedience in world his...

In response to an email from a regular listener which included a question about the mixture of Christian theology and American nationalism. Some Christians claim that the USA is a “Christian nation” and that we ought to structure our government with this ideal in mind. Is this true? Are we a Christian nation? If not, should we seek to make it an officially “Christian” count...

In this episode, Kenny explains the concepts of natural rights and natural law. Kenny compares and contrasts natural rights, that originate from a source that transcends governments, with legal rights that originate from a national government or from the leadership of some jurisdiction. Kenny explains that the Biblical purpose for national governments is to bring law and order for the people, to a...

Throughout the pages of the Old Testament, many of the kings were sinful and wicked. In other cases they may not have lived a totally wicked lifestyle, but they made some very sinful choices. Why did God permit this? In response to an email from a regular listener, Kenny dives into this topic in this episode by asking Why did God allow the kings of the nation of Israel to sin in so many different...

In this episode, Kenny covers the topic of “replacement” theology, which is the term that Dispensationalists use when they are referring to concept that the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people. That the church has “replaced” Israel. Dispensationalist typically embrace the idea that the Jews are still God’s chosen people, that they still have a special covenan...

Recently, a regular listener sent Kenny an email asking about Yoga, and whether or not it is okay for Christians to practice it. Yoga is the traditionally Hindu theistic philosophy and ascetic discipline, that involves the suppression of activity, and is aimed at connecting with the spiritual realm in hopes of attaining a higher sense of self-awareness and also aimed at the absolute liberation fro...

In this episode, Kenny responds to an email from a regular listener asking about the word “glory” and its definition in relation to how Jesus refers to it in John 17:22. In the passage in question, Jesus says these words: “I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one.” (HCSB). Kenny explains that the word “glory” refers to fame, p...

At face value, prayer seems to be one of the simplest and most powerful disciplines that any Christian can engage in. Prayer is an incredible privilege! We have the opportunity to talk with and potentially request things from the Supreme Creator of the universe who has the power to grant whatever we ask. This is an amazing truth! However, it seems to many believers that prayer can simultaneously b...

In this episode, Kenny dives into the terms “conservative” and “liberal” explaining what they literally mean, and more importantly, explaining how those terms are utilized within our modern Western culture in the realm of politics and in the realm of theology.

Within Christian theology, heterodoxy has typically been explained as any Biblical interpretations or Christian doctrines that are different from the official or orthodox positions of the church at-large. In this episode, Kenny explains the concept of heterodoxy, and expounds upon the differences between orthodoxy, heresy, and heterodoxy. Kenny also makes clear that heterodox doctrines might be di...

Traditionally, heresy has been said to be any belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious dogma and is profoundly at odds with what has generally been accepted. In this episode, Kenny defines heresy as any doctrine or teaching that is: Outside of the bounds of traditional Christian orthodoxy Opposite of the foundational or essential doctrines embraced by orthodox Christians Clearly contrary t...

With the popularity of non-orthodox Christian theology and modern liberal ideology growing within contemporary Christian circles, there has been a need to label or identify those specific Christian groups and churches which hold closely to the doctrine and ideals of traditional orthodox Christianity. That group has been labeled “Evangelical Christians.” The Evangelical movement is a wo...

Since the middle of the 1800’s theological liberalism has become an influential movement and a part of mainstream thought within many churches, seminaries, and denominations throughout Europe and the United States. The rise of a counter-movement to “battle for the fundamentals” of Christian orthodoxy began in the later portions of the 1800’s and really came to prominence in...

There are multiple occurrences in the Scriptures of people being possessed by demons or influenced by evil spirits and principalities. Recently, Kenny received an email from a regular listener saying that the listener’s pastor had made the claim that those Biblical narratives (the passages that speak of demon possessions) that the persons where not actually demon possessed, but rather they w...

The most frequent questions that Kenny gets (both from podcast listeners as well as from some of the young people that he has mentored) are typically related to the topic of sex. One frequently asked question is about oral sex. Is it wrong? In this episode, Kenny clearly explains that oral sex can often be viewed as even more intimate than intercourse in the minds of some people. There are even so...

Multiple times throughout his ministry career and throughout his correspondence with regular listeners of the podcast, Kenny has been asked about nudity in media, in the arts, and in our society overall. How should Christians engage with nudity? In addition, Kenny was recently asked by a photographer if it would be sinful or inappropriate for him to take nude photos of people if they have requeste...

Throughout the New Testament the apostles made reference to the Old Testament law and its connection to the Gospel. The law was the set of rules, regulations, and expectations that God had set down for the people of Israel in the Old Testament. God gave this law after the Exodus from Egypt but before they entered in the promised land. The law was given to them through their spiritual leader Moses....

In this episode, Kenny interviews a personal friend about a recent non-profit organization she launched called “Closely Held.” Several years ago, Amber Matyi and her husband had a child with significant medical issues. They quickly realized that the families going through the difficultly of having a child with unique medical challenges are often lonely or lack resources and support. Am...