Practically Theologians Practically Theologians

Andrew and Josh talk about the benefits of church membership. We hope it is helpful!


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Andrew is back!!! The podcast is always much more fun with Andrew along, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. We talk in this episode about the necessity of church membership. Does the bible call Christians to be members of a local church, or is that an optional thing? And what is "membership?" Oh, and what is a "local church?" We both believe that the bible calls Christians to be members of a local church and we get into why we believe that to be the case. 

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Another driving episode, sorry for any road noise or such. I am a cessationist, which many people are not today. Thought it would be helpful to explain what that is.


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A brief description of what "reformed" means as well as a bit of discussion on what covenant theology is. I was driving to work, so had no notes, pardon any rambling or stupidity :-).


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Josh discusses pictures of Jesus. According to the 2nd commandment we ought to have no graven images of God. According to other passages, like Deuteronomy 4 we ought not to make any likeness of God. Why do many Christians today have no problem with pictures of Jesus if they believe He is God? 

Protestant evangelical churches today seem to take more of a Lutheran position on this as well as on public worship in general (normative vs regulative principle). Josh presents a position on images from the Reformed and Presbyterian point of view. 

An example of the Reformed position from the Heidelberg Catechism:

96. What does God require in the second Commandment?

That we in no wise make any image of God,1 nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded us in His Word.2

1 Deut 4:15-19. Isa 40:18, 25. Rom 1:22-24. Acts 17:29. 2 1 Sam 15:23. Deut 12:30-32. Matt  15:9. * Deut 4:23, 24. * John 4:24.

97. May we not make any image at all?

God may not and cannot be imaged in any way; as for creatures, though they may indeed be imaged, yet God forbids the making or keeping any likeness of them, either to worship them, or to serve God by them.1

1 Exod 23:24, 25. Exod 34:13,14. Deut 7:5. Deut 12:3. Deut 16:22. 2 Kgs 18:4. * John 1:18.

98. But may not pictures be tolerated in churches as books for the people?

No, for we should not be wiser than God, who will not have His people taught by dumb idols,1  but by the lively preaching of His word.2

1 Jer 10:8. Hab 2:18,19. 2 2 Pet 1:19. 2 Tim 3:16,17. * Rom 10:17.


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An interview with my brother in law, Nathan Cedarland. He is pastoring down in Puerto Escondido. He and his family moved down there around summer 2020. We talk about what he is doing, and get into some rambling on education and the three spheres of authority (church, state, family).

You will hear of a school project he is working on, please consider praying for and/or donating to this project if it is something that God has given you an interest in. Also, they could use teachers.

Some links below:

The school: globaleducationministries.org

Newsletter is available here: impactmexico.org

The family blog: cedarlandia.com

Nathan's Book: www.amazon.com/Mark-Evanlor-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B09ZTB82DZ


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