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“How can an all-powerful, all-good God exist in a world filled with suffering?"
It's one of the toughest questions Christians face. In this episode, we dive into the problem of evil and the powerful apologetic responses of something called, theodicy. Let’s get equipped to address our doubts, engage in meaningful conversations, and deepen your own faith as we tackle one of philosophy's biggest challenges—head-on. Let’s explore how our God is still good, even when suffering is still a reality.
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Right now, there are roughly five generations alive today have been labeled here in the U.S.- the Silent Generation (those born around 1945 or before, 78-96 years old), the Baby Boomers (1946-1964, 59-77 years old), Generation X (1965-1976, 44-59 years old) Millennials (1977-1995, between 28-43 years old), and Gen Z- 1996-2015 (between 9-27 years old).
It’s no secret that often the younger generations are misunderstood, mischaracterized, and subjected to negative stereotypes within the church. It’s no different now with the youngest active generation, Gen Z.
In spite of the often bad and unfair characterizations Gen Z receives, we as Church leaders are called not just to love this generation, but to reach them, guide them, and disciple them into the next wave of leaders within the body of Christ.
How do we do that? How can we engage them if we don’t understand how they think, what they value, and what makes them tick?
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Well, Beards and Bible listeners, we made it. Well, kind of. The ballots are counted (or are being counted), but questions still linger. Will the results be accepted? And as the dust settles, how do we, as a nation, move forward together despite the deep divides that remain? Join us as we unpack the uncertainty, the challenges, and the hope for unity after Election Day, 2024.
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The Protestant Reformation was a major religious movement that began in the early 16th century, fundamentally altering the landscape of Christianity in Europe and laying the groundwork for the modern church and Western civilization. The reformation was essentially a movement against perceived corruptions and excesses in the Roman Catholic Church. It sought to reform church practices and doctrines and ultimately led to the establishment of various Protestant denominations.
So why was the church in the 16th century in such need of reformation? Who were the key figures of this reformation? What were the major events of this pivotal movement and what was its legacy?
Join us as we unpack Martin Luther’s revolutionary Ninety-Five Theses, discover the profound changes in worship and governance, and examine the lasting impact on modern Christianity. We’ll discuss key figures like John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli, explore the rise of various denominations, and see how this movement laid the groundwork for some of the ideas we still cherish today.
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“What is truth?” This is the question Pontius Pilate famously asked Jesus in the gospel of John. In our day and age, truth is defined as relative and open to subjective opinions, perspectives, and interpretations that vary based on someone’s experiences, contexts, or social class.
It’s no wonder that in a context like ours, many Christians have begun to question if the Bible is trustworthy. After all, it was written by human authors. How can we be certain that it’s actually been inspired by God? Surely it must be imperfect, full of error, and open to interpretation.
But what happens to the Christian faith when we begin to undermine and question the Bible’s authority? How does it affect our faith, our churches, and our witness? Today on the podcast, we’ll talk about just what’s at stake when we let go of the foundation of God’s Word, and how that changes everything about we define the Christian faith.
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Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Words carry the power to divide, distort, and destroy, and in our divided and polarized society, the stakes have never been higher. Political rhetoric today inflames tensions, breaks down relationships, and spreads anger and fear. But as followers of Christ, we are called to something different—something higher.
As Christians, how do we speak truth and engage with the issues of our time without getting swept up in dangerous and hateful language that divides? How can we be peacemakers, even when we passionately disagree? In today’s episode, we’ll explore how we, as people of faith, can become critical thinkers, careful speakers, and living examples of Christ in a polarized world.
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In today’s world, it seems like politicians have mastered the art of distorting the truth. They often use clever language and manipulative tactics to present themselves in the best possible light, while casting their opponents as completely unworthy of trust. The media, often driven by its own agenda, only adds to the confusion, making it difficult to know who’s really telling the truth.
But as Christians—and people of faith—we’re called to a higher standard. We’re not meant to just accept what’s said at face value. Scripture tells us to use discernment, to search for truth, and to seek justice in the midst of corruption and deceit. So how do we navigate this mess? How do we sift through the noise to find what’s real, and align our understanding with God’s truth?
In this week’s episode, we’re going to fact check tonight’s debate between U.S. presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and explore these questions in order to discuss how we can better engage with politics and the media without losing our moral compass.
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Scripture calls us as believers to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. We’re supposed to be ready at any time to give an answer to everyone who asks us about the reason we have hope, and we’re supposed to do it with gentleness and respect. We’re told that we’re Christ’s ambassadors, imploring people to be reconciled with God.
But if we’re being honest…some of us aren’t doing too much preaching or sharing the gospel with those who aren’t Christians. We often struggle with fear of rejection or judgment, we lack of confidence because we often don’t know what to say, but more than anything, a lot of us have seen evangelism done wrong. And we don’t want to misrepresent the Christian faith.
What’s the most effective strategy to share Christ with those in our life that don’t know Him? And in what ways can we be ineffective?
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On today's episode, we answer listener/viewer questions related to predestination and election, prayer labyrinths and their role within the church, and the 400 years of prophetic silence between the book of Malachi and Matthew's gospel. If you have any other questions, send us an email at [email protected]!
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It's been an interesting July, to say the least.
On July 13, former president Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt while addressing a crowd at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. The aftermath of this event is still being talked about, as ripples have been felt throughout the political landscape here in the U.S.
Then on July 26, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games took place in Paris, France. And let's just say, the reviews were varied...
The most noteworthy segment, in case you missed it, involved drag queens that was variously claimed to depict a feast with Dionysus—the ancient Greek god of wine—or what seemed to some people as a parody of The Last Supper. However it was meant by the ceremony producers, it was widely criticized as being a mockery of Christianity.
As Christians, how do we make sense of it all? What does the Christian worldview tell us about living for Christ in the midst of the uncertain times in which we live? -
A common experience for many Christians is to encounter another believer who seems to think that their church is the only true church, and outside of that particular church (or ones like theirs who have similar names, traditions, or practices) there is no other true church. Some might go far as to say that others who belong to different churches may not even be saved.
So what is the one, true Church of Jesus Christ? Out of the roughly 45,000 Christian denominations, tribes, and traditions- which is one is the “true Church”? And how do we have conversations and dialogue with Christians who happen to think that their tribe is the only one doing things right?
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There are now 17.8 million children in the U.S. without a biological father, step father, or adoptive father in the home. That’s nearly 1 in 4 kids. Research shows that when a child is raised in a father-absent home, they’re more likely to have behavioral problems, commit a crime, go to prison, become pregnant as a teen, get addicted to drugs and alcohol, and drop out of school.
Even though U.S. Census data and other research clearly shows the benefits of fathers playing active roles in the lives of their kids, our culture is sending a clear message that fathers are not needed, wanted, or even necessary. But nothing could be further from the truth.
So what are the challenges unique to being a Christian dad in today's culture, and how do we navigate them?
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On May 30, former president Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime when a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. After two days of deliberation, the 12-member jury pronounced Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts he faced.
This high-profile case has sparked conversations nationwide about the trial’s legitimacy, its implications, weaponization of the justice department for political causes, and the overall impact it will all have on the 2024 Presidential elections.
And if you’re a Christian…you’ve probably seen a lot of…interesting reactions from folks around. Like those crazy memes floating around that compare Trump to Jesus.
So what do we do with all of this? How can we keep a level head and a sober mind as we explore the moral, political, and spiritual implications of this high-profile case?
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We’re commanded in Scripture to be anxious for nothing, to not worry about our lives, and to cast all our cares upon the Lord.
So…if we feel anxious or battle an anxiety disorder, are we in sin?
What about depression? Does being a Christian mean that we’ll never get depressed or battle intense seasons of despair or discouragement?
*****DISCLAIMER*****
We’re not therapists, psychologists, or mental health professionals. We’re pastors. Everything we talk about on today’s episode is from our point of view as people who give spiritual guidance to those in our congregation. So please be discerning as you listen and take it in with a grain of salt. If you’re dealing with mental health issues, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional. Alright, back to the show.
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Philippians 3:20 tells us that as believers, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Peter 2:11-12 calls us as believers, “sojourners and exiles”. All throughout the Bible, it’s clear that the people of God have a primary allegiance to a different kind of Kingdom and a preeminent, sovereign King who rules and reigns over and above the kings and kingdoms of this earth.
However, all of us as believers will find ourselves living within the boundaries of a certain nation. And if that nation has a form of government where our participation is invited and encouraged, how should our faith inform that participation? Is it wrong for us to love our country and work to see it improved and our viewpoints as Christians represented?
When does love for country become something more than love, and turn into something that looks more like, idolatry? What is patriotism, and what is nationalism? How can I know when my love for country has superseded my love for God?
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Beards and Bible podcast listeners, we have now reached 100 episodes!!! We are so incredibly grateful for all of our amazing listeners and fans who have made our podcast the thing that it has become over the past four years.
To celebrate our 100th episode, we're dedicating the entire episode to our listeners by answering some of your awesome questions. We will be tackling questions on boundaries, the messianic significance of passover/communion, divorce and remarriage, the difference between healthy and sinful pride, and as many more as we can squeeze into an episode. Looking forward to a great time talking through some awesome topics! -
Different terms translated as dragon appear more than 20 times in the OT and four times in the NT. Not only that, nearly every major ancient culture has myths and legends about giant reptiles. How would these civilizations, continents and millennia apart, all come up with legends of giant reptilian creatures?
In an epic crossover episode with our friend from Nerds and Jesus podcast, we're diving deep into the fiery mysteries of dragons in the Bible. Join us as we open our Bibles, separate fact from fiction, and explore the symbolic significance of these mythical beasts. Whether you're a devout believer, a curious skeptic, or just a flat-out dragon enthusiast, this episode is for you.
Check out Nerds & Jesus podcast's website!https://www.nerdsandjesus.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nerds-jesus-podcast/id1677259182 -
What’s up Beards and Bible listeners, on today’s episode, both of us will respond to four separate questions (related to life, theology, ministry, or anything else) that we haven’t seen or heard about beforehand- so every answer we give will completely unscripted- for better or for worse. So this oughta be fun…what could go wrong?
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The relationship between churches, pastors, missionaries, ministries and money can be tricky. Ministries rely on the financial contributions of donors to sustain everything they’re trying to do. All throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, the people of God are told to be generous and give to the work of God through the church.
So, churches and ministries need money to do good things, like help people, take care of their buildings, and pay their staff. But sometimes, things can get messy. Especially when money gets involved.
Many people worry that ministries, churches, and pastors are using the money for things they shouldn't. Almost on a daily basis, there are reports of some pastor or ministry somewhere accumulating wealth and property through donations from the faithful in an excessive, inappropriate, and decadent way. In some ways, it seems like ministries and pastors are more about exploitation and greed than they are actually helping anybody but themselves.
But does that mean that Christians aren’t supposed to give to support the work of a church or ministry? And what about tithing? Are Christians supposed to tithe, or that an Old Testament thing?
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