Switching Lenses Podcast Switching Lenses

In this episode we continue the conversation from the previous episode on asking "How did we get our Bible?" except we will look at how we got the New Testament we have today. We will look at 3 tests that are given to determine the whether or not ancient writings would be included in the New Testament. We also look at how the documents came together from divine inspiration to the writing process. Lastly, we will respond to the critique that the final version of the Bible was a result of a few select men from a church council deciding what would be in the Bible and what would be left out. 
 
Music by Brian Buchanan

A popular question that has surfaced within our Western culture is the question “What is Truth?” In Season 1 we are going to begin to address this question and what better place to start that with the Bible. During this season we are going to address several questions non-Christians and Christians alike have about the Bible.
In this first episode we will address the question “Where did the Old Testament come from?” We get into the types of materials that were used to write on, how oral transmission worked, and common misunderstandings about the formation of the Bible.
 
EPISODE NOTES
INTRO- WE”RE BACK!!! (00:35)Welcome to Season 1Introduce the new format
Introduce Season 1- “What Is Truth”

Give a teaser or brief summary of this episode

COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT THE HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO BE (02:53)First, you have to establish a standard by which to judge whether or not something came from God or not. Most people who judge the legitimacy of the Bible have no such standard. (02:53)
Personal past experience of how we thought the Bible came to be (06:20)
Golden tablets from the sky (9:11)
Biblical writers in a trance

HOW WAS THE OLD TESTAMENT COLLECTED? (11:07)Parts were written in stone, others on clay potsWe have several mentions of Moses being commanded to write down commands from GodExodus 34:27 “27 And the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” (13:04)
Exodus 24:3-4 3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules.[a] And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” 4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Supposed Jewish Council- Was there a council that canonized the Hebrew Bible?Definition of “canon” (15:19)
Was there a Jewish council? (16:03)


Oral transmission was critical (19:23) Talk about how this worked
Address the accusation of the oral transmission being similar to a game of Telephone.

At some point you have to ask, “Are these writings historical accounts of actual events and actual encounters people had with God?” (22:59)Some think the authors of these books in the Bible are biased in some way but they are writings just like we have of other historical events and people throughout history. We just need to ask the question “Are they reliable?”

Jesus recognized books of the Hebrew Bible by often referring to “The Scripture” and “As it is written.Shane comment about Psalms (25:35)


OutroWebsite www.switchinglensespodcast.com
Social media Twitter @lensesswitching
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Email the show at feedback@switchinglensespodcast.com
 
Music by Brian Buchanan and Trap Lofi Guitar Beat [ FREE NO COPYRIGHT ] lost found - soloftt x lowly in heart x middle child
 

We finally finish our discussion on the topic of abortion in this third and final episode. We begin by responding to some popular criticisms of those who are anti-abortionists. Criticisms such as:
1. "What do we do when a woman is pregnant as a result of rape?"
2. A fetus is "just a clump of cells"
Next we look at what it looks like to fully walk out the title of "pro-life." What should we be doing to support ALL life as a community and as individuals? Finally we end this whole discussion with a message of hope and forgiveness for anyone who has had an abortion. A hope that can only come from Jesus Christ. 
All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com
Music by Brian Buchanan
Photo by Bardo Luna from Pexels

In the episode we continue the conversation from the previous episode addressing the topic of abortion and look specifically at pro-abortion reasoning. We respond to the following arguments:
- Personal autonomy- "My body, my rules"
- The underlying assumption of "the right to be as sexually active as desired"
- "The baby doesn't feel pain during the abortion"
We end the episode beginning a defense of some of the claims made against those who oppose abortion. We tackle the questions made about mothers in tough economic situations and then perhaps the most widely-used argument of pregnancy from rape.
 
All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com
Music by Brian Buchanan
Photo by Thirdman from Pexels

Is the anti-abortion, defense of human life actually defensible? In this first segment of our discussion we first look to see what the Bible says about human value and when "being" or "existence" is recognized. Does the Bible recognize "being" after the womb, during, or perhaps before? Next we begin to address some of the common reasoning given by supporters of abortion. Personal autonomy is a growingly popular reason being given. Is personal autonomy a reasonable stance? Does anyone actually want personal autonomy when it is fully "walked out."
All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com
Music by Brian Buchanan
Photo by Janko Ferlic from Pexels

We continue our series discussing the hopelessness many people find themselves drowning in due to many factors. In this episode we direct our focus on the issue of climate change. Many feel that humanity is doomed on some level. Some are foregoing the decision to bring children into the world while others feel like they will have far less opportunities than previous generations. Regardless of your views on climate change, we want to bring a message of hope.
 
1:32 -"Eco-anxiety"
4:21 -Is this the first time we have faced impending doom?
7:51 -The importance of worldview when discussing climate concerns and potential effects
10:31 -If I'm a Christian, how should I view this issue?
 
All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com
Music by Brian Buchanan
Photo by Harrison Haines from Pexels