Snake on the Table

Jerry Dorris & Tanner Cartwright

Reformation Church pastors, Jerry Dorris and Tanner Cartwright, hash out tough and often taboo topics.

  1. 4월 14일

    SNAKE 96: No Justice for Iryna Zarutska!

    When injustice strikes and the systems we trust fail us, where do we turn? This conversation challenges us to think deeply about our response when courts release the guilty and innocent blood cries out for justice. Drawing from the example of David in 1 Samuel, we're reminded that faithful response isn't passive resignation disguised as piety. David didn't just write psalms and pray while Saul pursued him—he took action within his God-given authority while refusing to take vengeance into his own hands. The key distinction matters: we must both cry out to God as the ultimate Judge and engage faithfully in our spheres of influence. This means supporting righteous magistrates, raising children who understand civic duty, and speaking prophetically to those in power. Like the prophets who confronted kings at great personal risk, we're called to warn leaders that God will judge injustice. Yet we must avoid two ditches—becoming either detached pietists who only pray or political sycophants who compromise our prophetic voice for access. The challenge before us is to discern the difference between Elijah's role as prophet and Obadiah's role as a God-fearing official working within a corrupt system. Both feared God, both served faithfully, but in different capacities. As we navigate our broken judicial system and cultural decay, we need both prayer and action, both long-term strategy and immediate courage, both prophetic declaration and wise engagement. Chapter 1: The Failure of Justice: A Case Study We examine the recent case where a man who killed a Ukrainian woman was deemed incompetent to stand trial, raising questions about judicial failure and the Christian response. Chapter 2: The Problem of Judicial Overreach and Impeachment We discuss how the judiciary has gained excessive power in American government and why impeaching corrupt judges should be a priority, though it's politically difficult. Chapter 3: The Christian Response: Prayer, Prophecy, and Action We explore the balanced Christian response that includes prayer, prophetic witness to magistrates, and strategic political action rather than either pietistic passivity or vigilantism. Chapter 4: Distinguishing Roles: Prophets, Politicians, and Purity Spiraling We distinguish between the prophetic role of pastors and the strategic role of politicians, warning against both compromise and purity spiraling that weakens our effectiveness.

    31분
  2. 3월 10일

    SNAKE 92: Should a Repentant Polygamist be Required to Divorce Any of His Wives?

    This discussion wrestles with one of the most challenging ethical questions facing the modern church: what should happen when a man with multiple wives comes to faith in Christ? Drawing from both Old and New Testament principles, we explore the tension between God's ideal design for marriage and the reality of messy human situations. The conversation examines the qualifications for church elders found in Timothy and Titus, noting that while these standards call for men to be 'husbands of one wife,' this doesn't necessarily mean we should force new believers in polygamous marriages to divorce all but one spouse. The key insight here is recognizing that marriage is a real covenant before God, even when it falls short of His original design. We see throughout Scripture that God works redemptively within imperfect situations without requiring us to compound sin with more sin. The discussion challenges us to think carefully about how we apply biblical principles in cross-cultural contexts and reminds us that protecting the vulnerable, particularly women who would be left destitute by forced divorce, must be part of our ethical calculus. This isn't about endorsing polygamy but about showing wisdom and compassion when dealing with the complex realities that arise when the gospel enters new cultures. Chapters Chapter 1: Introduction: The Question of Polygamy and Conversion 0:00 - 4:36 We explore the question of whether a man with multiple wives who converts to Christianity should divorce all but his first wife. Chapter 2: Biblical Foundations: Marriage as Real Covenant 4:36 - 10:38 We establish that marriage is a real covenant before God, even when it's not ideal, and that divorce is not the solution to polygamous situations. Chapter 3: Practical Implications: The Harm of Forced Divorce 10:38 - 18:20 We examine the devastating consequences for women who would be divorced in polygamous situations and why this constitutes a greater evil. Chapter 4: Theological Distinctions: Perpetual Sin and Marriage Legitimacy 18:20 - 21:50 We distinguish between the sin of entering a marriage and the legitimacy of the marriage itself, rejecting the idea of perpetual sin. Chapter 5: Cultural Context: Marriage, State, and Church Authority 21:50 - 24:47 We explore the relationship between state authority over marriage and God's definition of marriage, concluding with pastoral preparation for future challenges.

    25분
  3. 2월 17일

    SNAKE 91: Should We Pray Imprecatory Prayers in Corporate and Private Worship?

    This conversation challenges us to reconsider a neglected biblical practice: praying imprecatory prayers—prayers that call upon God to bring justice against the wicked. Drawing from the Psalms, we're reminded that Scripture itself contains numerous prayers asking God to judge evildoers, dash wickedness, and vindicate His people. These aren't prayers of personal vengeance but cries for divine justice when wickedness flourishes unchecked. The discussion centers on our responsibility to pray boldly for God's judgment against those in authority who promote evil—particularly leaders who advocate for the harm of children and blaspheme God's Word. We've grown uncomfortable with these biblical prayers because modern culture has softened our sensibilities, but the stakes are too high to remain silent. When leaders possess the power to influence millions toward wickedness, our prayers become one of the most powerful tools we have. The conversation invites us to examine whether the church's reluctance to pray this way has contributed to the flourishing of evil in our society. Perhaps God has answered our lack of prayer by allowing wickedness to continue. This is a call to return to the full counsel of Scripture, including those uncomfortable passages that remind us God is both loving and just, and that we should actively pray for His justice to prevail. Chapter 1: Introduction to Imprecatory Prayer We explore the biblical practice of imprecatory prayers and why the modern church has largely abandoned praying the Psalms, particularly those calling for God's judgment on the wicked. Chapter 2: The Case of Wicked Leadership We examine the specific case of a governor who blasphemes Scripture to justify wickedness, discussing why praying for God's judgment or removal of such leaders is biblically justified. Chapter 3: Private Prayer and Public Witness We discuss how imprecatory prayers should be part of our private devotional life and how the church's failure to pray this way has allowed wickedness to flourish in our culture. Chapter 4: Friend-Enemy Distinction and Cultural Hypocrisy We expose the hypocrisy of those who condemn imprecatory prayers against wicked leaders while celebrating violence against the righteous, highlighting the importance of proper friend-enemy distinction.

    25분

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Reformation Church pastors, Jerry Dorris and Tanner Cartwright, hash out tough and often taboo topics.

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