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EPISODE 75: Q&A

Date: 5/5/2021

Questions

I listened to both podcast episodes on predestination and thought it was really helpful and loved how much the Bible directed the conversation. The question I walked away with is: If we believe in limited atonement, how exactly do we witness? What do we tell people? Christ tells us to preach the Gospel to everyone in Mark 16:15-16, but if Jesus only died for some, do we say, “Jesus loves you so much he died for you” although he may not have died for them if they are not chosen? What is the best way to share the Good News of the Gospel when we do not know who is chosen?

  1. Look at how the gospel is presented in the New Testament. 
  2. Peter in Acts 2:22-39 — “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’ 29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave. 32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’ 36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” 37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
  3. Look at Peter’s words in Acts 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:29-32; Stephen’s words in Acts 7:2-53; Philips conversation with the Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40; Peter in Acts 10:34-43
  4. That’s not even the first half of the book of Acts, much less the rest of the New Testament. Watch carefully how the gospel is presented and see what you might be able to learn in how to present the gospel yourself. What are common things in the gospel presentations? What are things not said that we tend to think are part of the gospel?

    When Adam and Eve were in the garden is there any information as to how long before they ate the apple?

    1. Nope. 

      I’m really struggling with 1 Cor 11. Can you please explain what Paul means regarding head coverings for men and women? Is our hair the head covering he speaks to? I always assumed it was just a “cultural thing” that doesn’t apply to us today, but then are we just cherry-picking what we want to call relevant to today’s culture and what’s not? How can we explain these sections of scripture to an unbelieving world that doesn’t sound like we are selectively choosing what we want to believe/dismiss? If I’m honest, I love chapter 13 but want to pass over the complexities of chapters 11, 12, and 14. Also, I need Shawn to speak to verse 14 🙂

      1. It’s all about the Greek word translated as “head” in verse 3 of chapter 11.
      2. ESV – But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
      3. The problem in Corinth wasn’t theological; it was applying what they believed to how they lived.
      4. Their new found freedom in Christ was resulting in some of the folks living in more sinful ways. They thought God’s grace meant they were free to sin more. 
      5. Thus what Paul appears to be addressing, here, is a misapplication of their freedom as men and women. Their identity in Christ didn’t neutralize their manhood and womanhood. Gender didn’t become fluid. And it appears that some women started taking on the role of men (both in the home and in the church) while some men took on the role of women. And Paul is making a case against this misapplication by going back to Creation and who God appointed to be the head (or authority) both in the church and in the home.
      6. MSG (vv3-9) – In a marriage relationship, there is authority from Christ to husband, and from husband to wife. The authority of Christ is the authority of God. Any man who speaks with God or about God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of Christ, dishonors Christ. In the same way, a wife who speaks with God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of her husband, dishonors her husband. Worse, she dishonors herself—an ugly sight, like a woman with her head shaved. This is basically the origin of these customs we have of women wearing head coverings in worship, while men take their hats off. By these symbolic acts, men and women, who far too often butt heads with each other, submit their “heads” to the Head: God.

        I’ve recently started dating. As an adult with limited dating experience, I want to know if you have any resources for dating in a Biblical fashion. He goes to a different church and we’re semi-long-distance so there are lots of things to juggle. So if you happen to have any resources, that would be a huge help!

        1. I don’t know of specific dating resources, but marriage books can be just as helpful. 
        2. Meaning of Marriage by Tim and Kathy Keller
        3. When Sinners Say I do by Harvey
        4. Various personality tests can be helpful in understanding one another better.

          Do you ever doubt? What do you do if you do doubt to get back on track?

          1. Of course. But I think what we’re doubting is important. And are you seeking answers to your doubt? (e.g. there’s a difference between doubting the resurrection vs doubting God’s presence in your life; one can be studied and verified; the other is more experiential)
          2. What do you do?
            1. Stay in God’s Word.
            2. Stay in Christian community.
            3. Seek God in prayer.
            4. These are often the things we stop doing — or have already stopped doing — when we have doubts.

            Is marriage recognized as a condition of the heart or by a marriage license issued by the state?

            1. I don’t know of marriage ever being referred to as a “condition of the heart”, at least not in the Bible. I googled the phrase, and some sort of romance novel came up, so that says a lot about the phrase. That and some studies about how marriages affect the actual condition (health) of our heart (the muscle).
            2. There is marriage in the eyes of the state (a state marriage license).
              1. May affect your taxes, medical insurance, and other things.
            3. Marriage covenant in the sight of God.
              1. The biblical vision of marriage.
            4. Why I’ve separated the two since 2015.
              1. For the longest time, the state license and the Christian ceremony were joined at the hip.
              2. Once same sex marriage was legalized, the word “marriage” not on state marriage licenses means something different than what the Bible means.
              3. So I’ve stopped signing state marriage licenses and have separate the Christian ceremony from the state.

              I have been reading in Hebrews 11 recently, and love personal questions. So, can each of you share about someone in your life that speaks to you by their example of faith? Please share, whether past or present, but specifically someone you have known, and identify how their faith has encouraged you.

              1. Josh – Karl; Wayne 
              2. Shaun – ?
              3. Laura – ?

                I’ve heard Titus 1:15 be used and misused in a variety of different contexts and would just appreciate hearing your commentary on it.

                1. All is pure to those who are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted. (NET)
                2. Without a changed heart, regeneration, your entire being is corrupted by sin and impurity. Thus everything someone does who isn’t a believer is done with a sinful foundation. But for the Christian, in having been set free from sin, they can now do things without sin being the foundation of their action.