Theology Lunch

Part of what it means to be Presbyterian is that we are connected (and accountable) to the broader church. Once a year our pastors and delegates are sent to discuss and vote on matters related to our denomination. We call this General Assembly. And we dedicate this episode to exploring the bigger matters confronting our church as a whole at this year's (2025) meeting.

It's something we have and will face. It's something we have been assured by Christ that we will overcome in His name. But it's something we still fear--dying. How do we death with our fear of dying?

Have you ever been told that we didn't choose Christ, but Christ chose us? Well, more being something that Christ has actually said (John 15:16), it expresses the doctrine we call predestination. But tell me more about it, and what purpose does God have for us in knowing this doctrine?

What is the mark of the beast? What is the bema seat? Who is...etc. As we all work through the book of Revelation, we are bound to have questions. But what is the right answer? Well, it all depends on your end times view (eschatology).

There are more challenging books to read than others, and two of them are the Books of Leviticus and Numbers. But this begs the question, why are these books giving to us? Perhaps even more, how are we supposed to read them with an eye to benefit from them?

Today we come back to several matters we left untouched in our sermon this past Sunday. Yes, the chapter is all about how God delivers His people, but what are we to do with these evil spirits? Is God behind and responsible for them? And what about this household idol in David's house and his wife lying twice? Is not David the anointed man of God?

Much of the Christian life is aimed at pleasing God, but is this even impossible? Are may we please God and what does the Scripture say about it.

Many of us have heard about the term 'sabbatical' but what does it mean? From where does this notion come and why does it mean our pastors leave us? Tell me more about this...

At the end of Chapter 17, Saul asks his military adviser, "Who is this David kid?" But what a minute, doesn't Saul already know who David is? Did he not take him into his household in the prior chapter as his musician and armor-bearer? Why is he asking who David is at this point? Furthermore, is this an editorial mistake in our Bibles?

So we all pretty much close our prayers with this phrase, but what does it mean? Do we even know? Are we using some secret incantation to get our prayers? No, but what then? Today we explore the meaning of this important phrase.

Many of us our looking forward to it, even saving up for it. But is the concept of retirement even biblical? What may Christians mean by retirement, and is that an appropriate calling for us?

Is there a set dress code for church? If there is not, are we free to wear whatever we want? What are the principles we should consider as we dress up for church? While we are at it, what should a minister wear to church? Should he wear a robe/collar?

Today we have two questions to tackle. First, submitted by one our young ones at the Kirk, what language did Adam and Eve speak and how do we know? Then, second, why does the Kirk use grape juice for the Lord's Supper?

There are so many special feast days and holidays in the Old Testament (OT) , but none in the New Testament (NT)...why is that? And why have we in the NT stopped observing those OT days?

Or perhaps the question is: How well should you know your Bible? Today, we explore the need for Christians to know their Bible. How does one do that better? Any tips or hints? What about the fear that we will be judged by our knowledge of Bible in the future? Let's take a listen...

Today we tackle two unrelated questions. First, what is the funniest passage of Scripture in the Bible? And what do we do with comedy in the Bible. But then, second, if a believer was to die during the period when Jesus was on earth, would Jesus also be in heaven to greet them?

What do we mean by the catholic church? Are we speaking of the Roman Catholic Church? And while we are at it, what do they believe concerning the sacraments, such as the Lord's Supper and Baptism? If I was baptized as a Roman Catholic should I consider being properly baptized?

Today we look at a very challenging question that presents itself to each one of us as we visit other churches while we are out of town: Should I take communion there? What about if you are visiting a Roman Catholic church or another church in which the truth is clearly not taught?

Does the Bible give us a set pattern for dating? Suppose you or one of your kids are in a relationship, how are you supposed to think through that Biblically? What are some principles and categories of thought that will help us?

Given that we the Reformed do not believe we can lose our salvation, how do we begin to explain passages such as Hebrews 6:1-8? Or how about Hebrews 10:26-31 and 2 Peter 2:20-22? These passages seem to suggest the opposite?

So what's the deal with hewing/hacking King Agag to pieces? And then the annihilation of women and children? Isn't this a bit gruesome and bloodthirsty? Samuel comes out covered in blood at the end of the chapter and God not only approved of this, but commanded it--how can this be? How do we reconcile this account with the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament to pray for and love your enemies?

Did God really regret making Saul king? And does that mean that God made mistake, and now needs to change His mind about Saul being King? What is going on in this text? Today we explore the subject commonly called the impassibility of God, i.e. does God have emotions and do those emotions alter His actions?

If this phrase sounds familiar, it should because it is our 5th vow of membership in the PCA! But what does it mean and what are we saying by "studying" it? Let's break this phrase down and explore it's applications.

We all believe in and heartily support the worship of the Lord on Sunday morning, but what about on Sunday evening? Are we to gather again on Sunday evening to worship again? Are we required to do so? If we are not required, how are we to best think about why we would have Sunday evening worship?

So we have been talking a lot about King Saul in our Sunday morning sermon series, and to be honest the press hasn't been in a good. He's done a lot of questionable and even wrong things. Is he a believer? Surely, believers make mistakes, but he seems to go beyond the pale...