Godly Talks and Devil's Advocates

GTADA
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A safe and comfortable place for believers and non-believers alike, to come listen and participate in the discussion of God centered topics.

Episodes

  1. 11/14/2016

    GTADA ep12: Evangelism

    Evangelism This week we discuss evangelism.

  2. 11/14/2016

    GTADA ep11: 2016 Election Reactions

    2016 Election Reactions We are back from the summer hiatus again!  This week we discuss the results of the 2016 and some of our reaction.

  3. 07/09/2016

    GTADA ep10: American Imperialism! Exciting.

    American Imperialism!  Exciting. We are back from the summer hiatus!  This week we discuss American Imperialism- American foreign policy- and the justification (or not) of war, support, and global aide. The majority of the discussion stemmed from the results of this survey.  Feel free to take the survey and see how you compare with us!  Also, here is a link to the google doc with the full breakdown of research. Based on Micah 6:8: “With what shall I come before the Lord,     and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,     with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,     with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,     the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8 He has told you, O man, what is good;     and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,     and to walk humbly with your God? Aversion to “politics” stops us from discussing controversial issues in the church and with Christians and puts up a protective security cloak between our government and us.   Being an American Christian, typically means supporting aggressive U.S. foreign policies for some inexplicable reason. Most both Democrats and Republican candidates accept the “special” role of the United States in world foreign policy typically without question.   The assumption that the safety and security of U.S citizens is more important than the security of others is a dangerous one.  Are Americans worth more to God then other people? U.S. Christians are mostly ignorant of the havoc that our Government and our now Global Corporations wreak on the rest of the world.  In order to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God, we must take an interest outside of our own borders and do whatever little thing we can to stop the suffering to which we contribute.

  4. 05/20/2016

    GTADA ep9: Self-Actualization

    GTADA ep9: Self-Actualization To what extent should a Christian follow their own dreams and passions, as opposed to always seeking to supplant them with Christ's dreams and passions for our lives and our world? Here are the links to the videos we watch at the beginning of the podcast:      Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCzth7Vz_bM      Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvtxOzO6OAE Carl Rogers defined self-Actualization as "the curative force in psychotherapy – man's tendency to actualize himself, to become his potentialities... to express and activate all the capacities of the organism." Thought for the evening: To what extent should a Christian follow their own dreams and passions, as opposed to always seeking to supplant them with Christ's dreams and passions for our lives and our world? There are many stunning examples today of men and women who have chased self-actualization - the pursuit unto realization of your dreams and goals.  We have all been given, in some way, the American dream - that through hard work and relentless pursuit we can achieve our dreams and goals in life.  Who doesn’t admire the small business owner, the self made man, the entrepreneur? But then where is hope in Christ?  Is it possible to work relentlessly and tirelessly for your dreams, and yet consider it “garbage” compared to knowing Christ?  To what extent should we even try to change our position in this world, which is wearing out like a garment?  Is there any place in the Christians life for earthly ambition?   Philippians 3  7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith ina Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 1 Corinthians 7 29What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

  5. 05/06/2016

    GTADA ep8: Knowledge and Questioning

    Group Notes - May 5, 2016 National Day of Prayer The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for our nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Since its inception, this day has continually united Americans from all socio-economic, political, and ethnic backgrounds in prayer while also encouraging personal repentance and righteousness in the culture. The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans and is a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens to celebrate our most beloved freedom; the freedom to humbly come before God and seek His guidance in prayer. At this crucial time for our nation, we can do nothing more important than pray. Our theme for 2016 is Wake Up America, emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to return to the God of our Fathers in reverence for His Holy Name. To further highlight our theme, we’ve chosen Isaiah 58:1a as our Scripture for this year:  “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.” Excerpts and prayer from: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/ National Prayer Dear heavenly Father, we come to You today as a humble people desperate for Your supernatural intervention on behalf of our beloved nation.  First, we thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed on our land, blessings that have allowed us to bring so much good and benefit to not only our own citizens but also to the rest of the world. The very ideals upon which this country was founded were based on biblical truths, no matter how some try to rewrite history to deny that very fact today. This is why our hearts are so broken over how You continue to be marginalized and dismissed by both our people and our institutions. We are also saddened by the fact that Your people have contributed greatly to the spiritual apathy that now engulfs us. Our satisfaction in remaining religious without being fully committed to living out the truths of Your Word has caused us to become co-conspirators with the forces of evil that are destroying us as a society. It is for this reason that we personally and collectively repent of our carnality and recommit ourselves to becoming visible and verbal disciples of Jesus Christ. Enable us, by Your Spirit, to no longer be secret agent Christians but rather to publicly declare and live out Your truth in a spirit of love so that You feel welcome in our country once again. Thank You for Your promise to hear our prayers when we call to You with hearts of repentance and obedience, which is how we are appealing to You today, Father. On behalf of Your church, we affirm afresh the priority You are to us that You would fill every dimension of our lives as we seek to bring You glory through the advancement of Your kingdom in our personal lives, our family lives, and in the lives of our churches and our government leaders. We confidently invite heaven’s intervention into all the affairs of our nation and we praise You in advance for Your answer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Knowledge What is knowledge “The Bible is clear that the knowledge of God is the most valuable knowledge a human being can possess. But it is also clear that simply being aware of God’s existence is not sufficient; the knowledge of God must encompass the deep appreciation for and relationship with Him.” http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-knowledge.html Deut 8:3, Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Why is it important A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. Proverbs 24:3‭-‬5 NLT The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Ecclesiastes 12:11‭-‬14 NLT Questioning To question From a place of faith not doubt: James 1:5-6 ESV, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” In pursuit of God: Psalm 10:1-18 ESV, “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them.”  Along with numerous other Psalms When in need; truthful, honest questioning: Psalms 22:1, ”my God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? “  Still from a place of faith O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Habakkuk 1:2 ESV But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Romans 9:20 ESV But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Psalm 73:2-5 ESV Or not to question Refer back to James 1:5-6 Don't “test Him” as a challenge: Deuteronomy 6:16, “you shall not put the Lord, your Good to the test.” Corroborated by Jesus: Matthew 4:5-7 So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others? Ecclesiastes 6:8 NLT I [Solomon] said to myself, “Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them.” So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind. The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:16‭-‬18 NLT Application Thirst for God, the living God Psalms 42:2 Their [the Proverbs] purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:2‭-‬7 NLT Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NLT So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?  God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:24‭-‬26 NLT As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead. Ecclesiastes 5:1‭-‬2‭, ‬7 NLT Group Foundation/Mission/Creed/Purpose Doug's thoughts Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. Ecclesiastes 7:5‭, ‬15‭-‬18‭, ‬24‭-‬25 NLT So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne! Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil. Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowled

  6. 04/25/2016

    GTADA ep7: The Meaning of Jesus' Death and Resurrection

    The Meaning of Jesus' Death and Resurrection For those of us who have heard the gospel- the good news- of Jesus' death and resurrection on our behalf, the meaning behind his sacrifice is life-changing and profound.   We discuss what this means for us in our day to day lives and dive into some practical applications of what it means to be a Christian who has accepted what Jesus did for us on the cross. We launch the talk from Hebrews chapter 2: A Warning against Drifting Away 1So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.2For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. Jesus, the Man 5And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? 7Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 8You gave them authority over all things.” Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. 11So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 12For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” 13He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.” 14Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. 16We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.18Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois, 60188. All rights reserved.

  7. 04/17/2016

    GTADA ep6: The Destiny of the Unevangelized - Part 2

    Destiny of the Unevangelized (Main Source: Across The Spectrum) Grace on display Show Notes for Episode 5 - The Destination of the Unevangelised Voices: Tim, Matt, Doug, Ben “Even the demons believe” (James 2:19) Great Divorce by CS Lewis Across the Spectrum by Greg Boyd & Paul Eddy Annialationism - is a Christian belief that at the Last Judgment those not receiving salvation are destined for total destruction, not everlasting torment. Restrictivism/Traditionalism/Exclusivism - refers to the fact that orthodox Christian doctrine maintains only faith in the Jesus Christ of the Bible leads to salvation or heaven. Universalism - is a school of Christian theology which includes the belief in the doctrine of universal reconciliation, the view that all human beings will ultimately be restored to a right relationship with God in Heaven and the New Jerusalem. Pluralism - As acceptance of the concept that two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid. Universal Opportunity Before Death - Universal opportunity is the idea that anyone who has a heart to receive the gospel will indeed come to receive the gospel by the power of God. Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10) Scripture regarding God blinding people 2 Cor 3:14, 4:4 Jn 12:40 Is 6:7-13, 29:10 Lk 8:10 Rom 11:8 Deut 29:4 Eph 4:18 1 Pet 3:18-21 Hope After Death/postmortem evangelism - another chance to choose to follow Christ after death. Love Wins by Rob Bell Inclusivism - one of several approaches to understanding the relationship between religions, asserts that while one set of beliefs is absolutely true, other sets of beliefs are at least partially true. It stands in contrast to exclusivism, which asserts that only one way is true and all others are in error. Parable of Sheep & Goats (Matt 25:31-46) The Greatest Commandment (Matt 22:37-40) Romans 10:9-10 Lazarus & the Rich man (Luke 16:19-31) Arminianism Calvanism Verses on Everlasting torment Lk 13:28 Rev 20:10; 14:11 2 Thess 1:8 Lk 16:24 Jude 7 Dan 12:2 Matt 25:46, 30; 13:42,50; 8:12; 22:13; 24:51 Verse on the one who can kill the soul (Matt 10:28)

  8. 04/10/2016

    GTADA ep5: Destiny of the Unevangelized - Part 1

    Destiny of the Unevangelized (Main Source: Across The Spectrum) Show Notes Voices: Tim, Matt, Doug, Ben “Even the demons believe” (James 2:19) Great Divorce by CS Lewis Across the Spectrum by Greg Boyd & Paul Eddy Annialationism - is a Christian belief that at the Last Judgment those not receiving salvation are destined for total destruction, not everlasting torment. Restrictivism/Traditionalism/Exclusivism - refers to the fact that orthodox Christian doctrine maintains only faith in the Jesus Christ of the Bible leads to salvation or heaven. Universalism - is a school of Christian theology which includes the belief in the doctrine of universal reconciliation, the view that all human beings will ultimately be restored to a right relationship with God in Heaven and the New Jerusalem. Pluralism - As acceptance of the concept that two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid. Universal Opportunity Before Death - Universal opportunity is the idea that anyone who has a heart to receive the gospel will indeed come to receive the gospel by the power of God. Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10) Scripture regarding God blinding people 2 Cor 3:14, 4:4 Jn 12:40 Is 6:7-13, 29:10 Lk 8:10 Rom 11:8 Deut 29:4 Eph 4:18 1 Pet 3:18-21 Hope After Death/postmortem evangelism - another chance to choose to follow Christ after death. Love Wins by Rob Bell Inclusivism - one of several approaches to understanding the relationship between religions, asserts that while one set of beliefs is absolutely true, other sets of beliefs are at least partially true. It stands in contrast to exclusivism, which asserts that only one way is true and all others are in error. Parable of Sheep & Goats (Matt 25:31-46) The Greatest Commandment (Matt 22:37-40) Romans 10:9-10 Lazarus & the Rich man (Luke 16:19-31) Arminianism Calvanism Verses on Everlasting torment Lk 13:28 Rev 20:10; 14:11 2 Thess 1:8 Lk 16:24 Jude 7 Dan 12:2 Matt 25:46, 30; 13:42,50; 8:12; 22:13; 24:51 Verse on the one who can kill the soul (Matt 10:28) Posing the Question - Why is this question so important You have been a missionary for a couple of years.  You have just started seeing fruit from your labor.  One of your first converts asks to speak to you in private: He tells you how happy and grateful he is God sent you to share the news about Jesus.  But he wants to ask you a question that has been plaguing him for months.  His father died a few years ago before you ever came to this village.  His father was a good man, respected in his village and loved by everyone, but he died without ever hearing the gospel. The new Christian asks you, Does my Father have any chance of being in heaven or will God send him to hell just because he was born in the wrong place at the wrong time? Outside of the fold - Views typically considered to be outside of mainstream Christianity We arent going spend much time on these since they are fairly easy to refute either logically or through scripture, but they are at least worth mentioning: Annihilation - Agnostics and Atheists Pluralism Universalism In the fold - Inside Mainstream Christianity Restrictivism More Lenient Views God Does All He Can do (Universal Opportunity Before Death) Hope Beyond the Grave He has not Left Himself without a Witness (Inclusivism) CS Lewis and  Inclusivism Emeth The Great Divorce - Hell is a choice We should mention this only in passing as being our main competition in modern secular culture.  So of course there is no heaven or hell if there is only the material life.  Many people regard themselves typically as too scientific and not superstitious enough to believe in anything other than what they can materially prove exists and therefore it is logical from that point of view to regard that there is nothing after death.  A sub point here worth discussing at some other point is whether or not those who go to hell are annihilated, but that is more concerned with what happens in hell whereas this particular topic is more centered around who goes there and under what circumstances Jesus is only 1 of many paths to God/Enlightenment.  Jesus is neither ontologically nor epistemologically necessary for salvation. Since most religions have very conflicting views on how one would be saved, pluralism seems very silly.  I would be interested in meeting someone who was truly a sincere pluralists. Most people at least in the United States who pretend to be pluralists really mean that they don’t really believe in anything.  They accept all views as equally valid like a parent who accepts their child pretending to be a fireman or a basketball player as equally valid.  Someone who goes about saying everything is true is basically saying nothing is true. is the doctrine that all sinful and alienated human souls—because of divine love and mercy—will ultimately be reconciled to God.[1]   In other words, everyone would go to heaven.   Christian Universalism while usually being considered heretical is the closest to the mainstream Christian views in that it relies both upon a monotheistic God and a Savior, Jesus Christ, in order to save.  A couple of big problems with Universalism are 1.  It conveniently ignores all scripture in regards to hell.  2. It does not adequately explain how this view could be reconciled to God’s sense of justice.  Even the most liberal minded believer would have a difficult time squaring with certain human beings being automatically granted heaven.  IE Hitler, those who torture, rape, abuse children, etc. 1 Source: Wikipedia Not all of these views are necessarily in contradiction and since they are all supported by 1 form of scripture or another, you have to figure out how to reconcile them all together. Salvation is restricted to those have heard the gospel and have made a conscious decision to accept it.  What they should have known is sufficient to condemn them. Scriptural Argument Romans 1:18-22 Acts 4:12 1 Timothy 2:5 John 14:6 John 3:18 1 John 5:11-12 John 17:20-21 No hope after death - Hebrews 9:27 No hope for “sincere” people of other religions They are deceptive and under God’s judgement (Exodus 20: 3-6, Chronicles 13:8-9, Isaiah 37:18-19, Acts 26: 17-18 Sincerely religious people in the Bible still needed Jesus - Acts 9:2, 10:30-33 Majority of people are lost, “For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life and there are few who find it (Matt 7:13-14) Church History: Augustine, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Carl Henry, R.C. Sproul, Ronald Nash Objections This view is unfair Response:   People are judged on the basis of what they should have known, not on the basis of what they did not know.  They are left without excuse because the glory of God is revealed throughout Nature and is available to all.   We can’t call God unfair.  To what standard of justice can we hold God to. Calvinist position already holds to an election.  This is not really different.  Opportunity to believe is a part of that election The fact that it is not fair is what makes it true.  Life is not fair. According to this view, babies and mentally disabled cannot be saved Response: If people cannot make responsible decisions, they cannot sin. Again we must resist making ourselves judges for God.  God may elect some babies and mentally disabled while passing others by. The next 3 views find restrictivism problematic.  They all draw from similar verses to make their inferences on God’s justice but they draw from different verses and different viewpoints with their conclusions.    God is all powerful.  He uses humans when it pleases them, but does not need them to get the job done.   The Bible teaches that God wants everyone to be saved He takes no delight in the destruction of any soul however wicked Takes no delight in the destruction of the wicked  - Ezekiel 18:32, 33:11 Wants all people to be saved - 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4 Holds out welcoming arms all day long - Romans 10:21 Protect Jerusalem as a hen gathers her chicks - Matt 23:37-39 Rewards those who seek him - Matt 7:7-8 God loves all (John 3:16, 1Tim 2:4) and wants none to perish (Deut 30:15-20, 2nd Peter 3:9).   He has Power over Death and Keys to the grave (Revelation 1:18) This view agrees with Restrictivism in that a person is not only is a person saved by Christ (Eschatological)  they must know him in order to be saved by him (Ontological). If a person is willing to accept Christ as Lord, the all powerful God will find a way to give that person the opportunity to so.  He will send a missionary, a dream, a vision.  One way or another they will hear.  People will not be damned who would have believed had they been placed in different circumstances.  One way or another God will give them a chance to come to a saving faith. Scriptural References Ethiopian Eunuch - Phillip physically transported - Acts 8:26-40 Cornelius - Messengers and Visions - Acts 10:1-48 Dreams, Visions, Angels - Gen 20, Daniel 2 Supporting Arguments Church Tradition - Thomas Aquinas, Jacob Arminius, John Henry Newman Reason The notion of a person going to hell because he or she was never given the chance to hear the gospel violates reason.  What kind of loving God would wager eternal happiness or misery based on where and when someone was born?  People cannot control those factors The only view that affirms the logical consistency of God’s loving character with the requirement of necessity of believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Objec

  9. 03/25/2016

    GTADA ep4: KU Basketball and Proverbs

    KU Basketball and Proverbs We ran through SOAP (scripture, observation, application, prayer) on a randomly picked proverb during halftime of the sweet 16 KU Basketball game. Subscribe in a reader

  10. 03/14/2016

    GTADA ep3: It's A Miracle?

    It's A Miracle? This week begins by going through some listener feedback as well as some clarifications to the previous discussion.   We then discuss what makes something a miracle, whether or not we believe they exist, and experiencing the miraculous. Subscribe in a reader

  11. 02/28/2016

    GTADA ep2: Naturalism/Evolution vs. Intelligent Design

    Subscribe in a reader Naturalism/Evolution vs. Intelligent Design This week's discussion goes through the weighty topics of Naturalism/Evolution vs. Intelligent Design.  Beginning with the Big Bang and moving up to when humans came around.  This one is abnormally long, due to the depth of material and discussion. Update! I (Doug) mis-spoke A LOT during this session.  I basically was intermixing details between DNA replication, DNA transcription into mRNA, and Translation (from mRNA -> Protein).  Below are pictures I found online which really show a high-level overview much better than I did with my explaining. Less-detailed overview More detailed overview DNA Replication in detail Further update 3/4/2016: Here is an article posted today about "Red Shift" and peering into history (in a manner of speaking).

  12. 02/28/2016

    GTADA ep1: Openness of talking about God in conversation

    Openness of talking about God in conversation This week's discussion is about why we sometimes have difficulty openly talking about God in our conversations even with other Christians?  And, if we intend to do so more often, how should we go about it? Subscribe in a reader Update! Here's a response from who I was discussing in the previous group discussion wrote for us in response to listening to the podcast (it's long): "Hey Dbone- Been meaning to write you but have not had sufficient chunk of time to reflect and carry out thoughts and reflections on paper in relation to the group discussion. NOW is the time! Good morning! How are you? (hopefully this finds your soul well) First of all, may I say I love the group you are involved in. The hearts of the 3?? 5??? men that are in your group really blessed me. The biggest thing I carried away from listening to the discussion is how subtle the adversary actually is. I caught immediately some of the resistance you were meeting and it's simply because the adversary would love nothing more than for us to not take part in this "full sharing" that I spoke to you about. What's funny is these are some of the same things i was toiling with in my thoughts initially last year.  I also had some input of my own for some of the questions asked, i thought I might share them in hopes that you may share them with the group...i thought that coming from the individual who is now seeing this stuff for the first time and experiencing it for the first time, it may help ease the minds of your friends and give more insight into what it is exactly that Gabe and I are going through in our walks with God. Here we go.... One of the biggest questions was "how do we do this practically".  It doesn't come from fabricating or forcing or taking part in an 8 step program on how to "talk christian like" it comes from the mere innermost part of the heart. If i can summarize the biggest change Gabe and I have taken part of in our walks it is that Christ said to die to ourselves (every selfish desire, expectation, lust, want, made up need) totally surrender ourselves DAILY, pick up our cross....and then following Jesus...just like Jesus asked his disciples to. It's a heart change. Now when I wake up in the morning, my eye is single. I want to only serve my God...not serve myself in an all american christian dream...and then put the "God stamp" on it. I no longer want to take part in a selfish gospel. I want my life lived to exude Christ. God asks us to live transformed lives. Are we really living transformed lives? Lives that are void of self? Is my life imitating the life of christ? He was ONLY concerned with doing His fathers business. are we? Everything about his life-his words-his actions reflected a continual communion/intimacy with God. We too can do this because it is now Christ in us, we have a perfect spirit. We can wake up every day putting our selfish desires, expectation, wants aside and seek the face of God.And i mean really seek the face of God. Not out of christian duty but with a heart of-God...my life is yours-what would you have me to do today for your kingdom. He gives wisdom liberally, i promise you he will give that wisdom and instruction freely on how to love those in your "camp"  How to break chains on their hearts that are keeping them from living a life selfless and totally surrendered to God. So basically-doing this from a place of authenticity comes from a heart change. The word can be active and living. It can exude from our mouths and our actions when our eye is single. what is in our heart will issue forth-the scriptures promise that. The idea of "forcing" conversation. This is a walk with God. Just like mentioned before....each interaction, each circumstance, each individual-God will direct you differently. God doesn't promise its going to "feel" any certain way. a lot of times-you are bumping up against a lot of resistance or darkness...but God will show you how to root it out in love and with truth. There is no blue print accept that of Love and a heart to listen and obey God's voice. It's a heart to break chains or encourage that person in your midst. For instance-While in Miami last month-God heavily put on my heart to go give a man pizza and to tell him he is loved by the creator of the heavens and the earth. Although he almost kicked the living "S**t out of me...i know I obeyed the voice of God and it planted a seed in his heart. In another situation, I sat at the bedside of a dying child with a family and simply prayed with them and gave them my bible to read psalms for comfort. In another situation-God gave me a vision of a young overweight teenager in my midst who was going to go home and commit suicide-he asked me to go encourage her to seek out the face of God and that's where she would find everlasting acceptance and love. He also asked me to share with her that whatever she planned to do that night-not to do it, for God was seeking her to love her and work through her to change other people in need of help. Crazy...right?! I know! But it's God!   In another interaction-God gave me the words to speak love and truth into a situation to help an individual draw into a more intimate relationship with God. Sometimes God says go drop  the J bomb...the jesus bomb. other times, God says go Love them into the kingdom. Whatever and however that looks will be different every single time as you look to God to show you and direct you what to do and say...this is taking part in the communion...and intimacy with God that he paid such a high price for...that's why he gave us spirit that we may be drawn nigh to him...that we may walk and talk with him. It's a beautiful thing. the topic of "talking about it"....its not a prideful thing or done with a  heart to bring glory to oneself. It is done in a heart of love that brings truth and encouragement. God calls us to work out our own salvation with reverence and awe. He also calls us to live openly and honestly with one another-confessing our faults one with another that we may be delivered. The adversary would like nothing more than ones pride to be in the way that he can not talk about things he is struggling with in fear that he will be "inadequate" in the eyes of other christians. The bottom line is....this is a walk. not one single person is perfect. God sees us for our value, purpose, and potential in jesus christ. That is how we are to see one another-and with hearts like that-we should be free to share what God is teaching us, growing us up in, and where we need help and encouragement in. Don't see yourself identified with your "inadequacies" for God does not see you that way. That my friend is the devil holding you back in condemnation and pride. That just sets you up for a life filled with condemnation and "not meeting the christian mark" See yourself fully identified in Christ. At that place, you can surrender your pride and be free to grow and learn and share in the growing up in God's grace.  You will also be free to openly share and encourage from a life lived...where sometimes...you may not have it all right...i certainly don't nor ever will. The topic of...is this genuine. Simply put...if the motive behind all of this talking and doing is love...it's genuine. If the heart is to encourage and call other christians and those in darkness to a life transformed and lived in christ...its genuine. If it is void of self...its genuine.  Are there those out there who do it for vainglory and recognition...yes...but God gives you spirit to discern that stuff. He also gives you spirit to discern your own heart that you may keep your motives pure in the midst of running the race. May I say...God has revealed to me several times that a motive was not pure in some situations-thankgoodness for His grace that he may teach me and show me that he can keep me from stumbling in this in the future. The topic of "free will" and "God's control".  In the midst of God's sovereignty, he created man to have free will because that was the loving thing to do. He wanted a relationship with man, and that relationship would not be one based on love it was instituted without man's free will. In his sovereign plan he gave man free will to obey or disobey (in the garden)...and when man disobeyed God loved us so much that he made it available for us to choose to have life again through jesus christ. The life of jesus christ was set forth to also give us a living example of a man and a life that we can now exemplify and follow because we have a perfect spirit in us to equip us to do so. But it is by our willingness to either live lives by the flesh or the spirit. So in the midst of all of this, God can not overstep man's free will. So with questions like "what is God working in your heart"...its  really asking "what is God teaching you? what is she growing you up in? What has he worked through you that you have allowed him to?  All of those examples of "missions" above were all "God at work" but it was my willingness to LET Him work through me. It was my willingness to ask him, receive information from him, and then obey it. The topic of "not everyone wants to have deep meaningful conversations". Sometimes, looking at the motive of questions actually disqualifies and discounts the question itself. that is what I am going to do here. This question is asked out of self preservation. It is posed to help protect and justify flesh/old man nature/self. We place our fleshly non spiritual man made judgements on a situation without actually checking in with God. We assume people don't want to talk, or we actually are fearful to talk about it to people because we aren't sure if we can handle any various of responses that may come our way (being more concerned with self reputation/self preservation than with God's will in the situation)....all tricks and devices of the adversary. We also many times don't "t

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