BibleThinker

Jesus taught people to pay taxes. I think that most of us know that. But I think there is a lot more going on here and it helps us answer some of our tough ethical questions about how to deal with current issues in politics. If my understanding of the Bible is accurate on this then I think many Christians really need to have something of an overhaul on the way they deal with current political issues. This is part 47 of a verse by verse study through the Gospel of Mark. See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

~Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: ~ 0:00 Introduction 1. 0:12 Do you agree with any of the 5 points of Calvinism? And what is the one “point” you see as the hardest to reconcile? 2. 16:17 Jesus cast out many demon-possessed people on Earth. With the explosion of the human population and religions, one would think this phenomenon would be more prevalent today, but it’s not. Any insight? 3. 18:31 What's your response to the idea that Isaiah was written by multiple authors? 4. 20:06 Do you believe that God is a matchmaker for Christian couples? The idea of waiting on “the one” whom God has chosen as your spouse? Some pastors say this is a waste of time, or unrealistic. 5. 24:49 Is it biblically o.k. for a trinitarian Christian to marry a Oneness Christian? 6. 25:41 In constructing a biblical theology, where do we start? How do we construct a biblical method for doing theology? 7. 28:00 Any advice for a Christian who lives with parents that are always swearing, drinking, and watching vulgar things? Whenever I give them my opinion, they think I'm being judgmental. Am I? 8. 30:09 My country, Armenia, a Christian Nation since 301AD, is defending their lives from genocide by Turkey & Azerbaijan. What are some actions I can take as a Christian? That is, can I go to war if it is to defend? 9. 32:04 What separates us from an angel? They had (have?) free will too, right? Is it still possible for them to fall from grace/Heaven if they choose? 10. 33:52 Have you heard of the Berisheet Prophecy in Genesis 1:1 regarding end times? It is something I've run into a lot recently and wanted to know if you have any thoughts on it. 11. 34:46 My JW friend says the Greek for “soul” just refers to any living being (person or animal) and that the “immortal soul” is taken from the Greeks and was not a Jewish belief. How would you respond? 12. 36:22 Do you plan to do more verse-by-verse studies of other books of the Bible? (Mark is great!) 13. 36:59 Is it a sin for a Christian not to vote in elections? Will not voting negatively affect one's relationship with God? Thoughts or advice? 14. 38:44 Is it better not to give if you can't do it cheerfully/lovingly, or would it be better to give even if reluctantly in order to pick up your cross and try to imitate Jesus? (I don't mean just money.) 15. 40:39 What is the purpose of a church service? Should it primarily be for believers, or should it be intentionally inclusive of those in attendance who are not saved? 16. 43:00 How do you respond to people who use verses like 1 John 3:6 to say that, as they mature in the faith, Christians come to a point where they will completely stop sinning? 17. 46:05 I’ve been told by Christians that their relationship with God is personal and they don’t wish to discuss anything in regard to religion. Is this biblical? 18. 48:18 What is your favorite Bible verse? (A verse that you would look at daily that gives you courage and strengthens you…or multiple?) 19. 50:07 Where is God's help when fighting a porn addiction? Why does it seem that crying out in prayer yields little help, and even when resisting the temptation, I'm left exhausted? 20. 54:54 Should Christians follow OT dietary laws? Many people point to Acts, but I'm stuck on the prophecy in Isaiah 66: 16-17 where eating pork still seems to be detestable to God, even in the end times.Every Friday at 1pm PT A biblical survey of the doctrine of divine hardening, which seem incompatible with Calvinism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMuiT_R0zFQ&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHu8PlY0J-G2B9Pyp59S0pLZ&index=4 My video on how faith is not a work and how this relates to Calvinist teaching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxakEl8BYBE&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHu8PlY0J-G2B9Pyp59S0pLZ&index=1 After my first video on Limited Atonement I got a rebuttal video from Dr. James White and I did a MUCH more in depth response to the Calvinist reasoning and to Dr. White in a second video (both are linked below and you can find Dr. Whit...

Why is this verse missing from the ESV translation? Why does it have brackets in the NASB? Here's a summary of the reasons why this verse may not be original and how I think we should think about it. This is the shortest video in the whole Mark series so far and I'm just tossing it out there in the middle of a bunch of other content but I thought it was worth taking some time to discuss. Here's the playlist to my three videos on manuscript issues and translations of the Bible (which I mentioned in the vid) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WclIZwBFhq0&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuzJhPtmrgqpVoXhjvqiIjW Here's the entire Mark series playlist. I am absolutely LOVING this series and hope it blesses you tremendously. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c7jWg60N_0&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

This was an "in your face" moment between Jesus and the leaders of the Jews. But what strikes me the most isn't just Jesus' rebuke of the leaders, or how cleverly He does it (so that they cannot charge Him with a crime), or how Jesus integrates Isaiah 5 into this parable of the vineyard. What strikes me the most is how they could be totally aware of the failures of their forefathers and totally blind to those same issues when they were to be found in themselves. God help us to see our lives clearly, for we can all be just like they were. This is part 45 of a verse by verse study through the Gospel of Mark. See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF My website https://BibleThinker.org

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Introduction 1. 0:17 Do we go directly to be with God when we die? Will we see Him immediately, or is there some type of "soul sleep" that happens? 2. 8:29 What do you think about pages like "Memes for Jesus"? Is it ok to make jokes about Bible stories or situations? 3. 11:29 Premil, Amil, or Postmil - which view is the most correct? 4. 13:37 Recently, many people have been uploading videos of their "prophetic dreams," with many implying that the rapture will be within the next couple of months...What do you make of these dreams? 5. 17:52 How do you answer a friend that says that "spiritualism" (all new age stuff, tarot, yoga, manifesting) needs to be rescued from the New Age & that spiritualism is pure and is what Jesus practiced? 6. 23:08 We are proud that the NT is based on eyewitness accounts, but how could the Gospel writers have known what Jesus said and did while He was alone, like in the desert or the garden of Gethsemane? 7. 26:20 Does the Bible support celebrating birthdays and Christmas? Recovering JW here. 8. 30:36 If I get raptured before the Tribulation, will I, from my new place of residence, be able to do something good for my loved ones who were left behind on Earth? 9. 32:34 Speaking of whether or not we go directly to Heaven or Hell when we die, what are your thoughts on the comma in Luke 23: 43? A lot of mortalists say it belongs after the word "today" instead of before. 10. 36:38 My entire family is Pentecostal. They say I'm demon possessed and a male chauvinist because I believe Paul's teachings on women. Am I wrong to think that those family members may not be saved? 11. 40:31 Have you seen "The Chosen" series? If so, what do you think of it? 12. 43:45 I was reading Galatians, and got confused by Galatians 3: 23. I know that we are saved by our faith and not by the law, but what does it mean to be "confined to" and "imprisoned by" the law? 13. 46:48 If Jesus was raised back to life as a human with a body, and not as a spiritual being, then how did He suddenly appear in the locked room with the disciples? 14. 48:02 I would love to know your thoughts on what it means to pray "in Jesus' name" such as in John 16: 24. 15. 50:10 If a man wants to be water baptized, do they need a specific level of understanding of the Bible and Christianity, or just the desire and a simple understanding of baptism? 16. 51:39 How can I renew my love for God when He seems commonplace? 17. 53:26 I have left a "Word of Faith" church and I am actively speaking out about their false doctrine, but it is affecting my relationship with my sister. What should I do? 18. 55:04 How do we draw the line between wrestling with God and having vain repetitions in our prayers? How long is it appropriate to keep praying for something? 19. 56:45 I am an aspiring pastor, and I hope to be the shepherd of a church one day. Until then, what are some good things for me to be doing? How can I prepare myself better for pastorship? 20. 59:14 How do I speak to a pastor who tends to use feel good phrases like "you are enough" and "Jesus came to bring a piece of Heaven to Earth"? I find these phrases unbiblical. Every Friday at 1pm PT Here’s how you get your questions answered in the Q&A 1) Please reread your question before you ask to ensure that it will make sense to me. Clarity is paramount. 2) Wait till we go live before asking. We don’t take questions until then. 3) Put a “Q” at the beginning of your question. 4) Please only ask once, our mods are checking the chat continually. 5) I’m truly sorry if I’m unable to get to your question. I know its a bummer, but I am doing my best. 6) If you arrive late we may have already gathered 20 questions. Please check the live chat to see if we are full on Qs. Thanks! My website https://BibleThinker.org

It seems eerie to me how similar the claims that Roman Catholicism makes are to the claims that the Pharisees and Sanhedrin were making in the time of Christ. The Pharisees claimed to have and oral tradition that wasn't written down but was handed down through an elder-succession from Sinai to Jesus' time (which was simply not historically true). They claimed that this tradition was equal in authority to the written word. They claimed that they had a special right to interpret that Bible and felt more authority than they really possessed. They thought they were sitting in Moses' seat and carrying the continuation of his authority in their own role. Well, all of these points are alive and present in the claims of the Roman Catholic Magisterium. They claim to have an oral tradition that wasn't written down but is equal in authority to the New Testament (which is simply not historically true). They claim to have special right to interpret the Bible. They claim to have special authority over God's people due to a claim that they have apostolic succession in their leadership roles. They claim to sit in the seat of Peter and carry the continuation of his authority in their own role. All of the parallels make it really interesting when Jesus simply dismisses the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees in the New Testament. In other words, we have a sample of how Jesus might respond to modern Roman Catholicism in the way that He responded to the 1st century Sanhedrin. And I think we should respond the same way. This is part 44 of a verse by verse study through the Gospel of Mark. See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF My website https://BibleThinker.org

0:00 Introduction 1. 0:12 Are Christians supposed to "tithe"? 2. 10:17 To what extent should Christians protect and retaliate? Should we do what we can to stop others from abusing others? 3. 16:14 Someone wants to disciple me, and is asking for payment, citing Luke 8:1-3, Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 5:8 & 5: 18, Acts 2: 42, and 2 Samuel 23:8-17. Is being discipled similar to going to school, that you'd need to pay for it? 4. 19:20 Hebrews 10: 26-27 seems to teach a non-merciful judgment for those who reject the Gospel but know its truth, does this mean mercy will be shown to those who haven't heard? 5. 23:36 I grew up Lutheran but lately I’ve had doubts about how biblical Lutheran doctrine is. Would you consider covering it sometime? God bless you ministry, you’ve been a huge blessing! 6. 25:07 Should we repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness of sins we commit in our dreams? 7. 26:09 What is your practical advice for young man in small local church with growing call to do the ministry of the Word? It's a circle without ordained ministers, only lay preachers. Thank you! 8. 30:00 How should I understand the warning against apostasy in Heb 6:4-6? It's hard to believe the experiences described do not refer to true believers. Yet salvation isn't earned, so how could it be lost? 9. 30:54 If the Bible says that works born from within = no boasting/bad fruit, and works born from the Spirit = good fruit, then why do we think that faith born from within (prior to regeneration) is fruitful faith? Wouldn't faith born from our fallen nature be insufficient? Wouldn’t we be incapable of bearing ‘good fruit’ faith? (Similar to saying we had good works alone.) 10. 36:15 Some folks on Facebook were flipping out about idea of "Q" that scholars talk about as a potential source material. Is it another Gospel? Can you speak to what the idea of "Q" as used in scholarship discussion is, to help calm some nerves? 11. 39:01 What are your thoughts as to professed accounts of people (selling books about) visiting either Heaven or hell? 12. 42:49 In John 3, what does the Bible mean by “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God”? Is "born of water" referring to baptism, or is it referring to actual birth? 13. 44:02 Is being charismatically "slain in the Spirit" biblical (falling backwards, animalistic sounds, etc.)? If it is, how do we discern someone being "slain in the Spirit" vs. being demonically possessed? 14. 48:21 As an unemployed Christian, I feel convicted that I should not work at the cannabis sector, despite the fact that there are so many job opportunities now. As a Christian, can I apply to this sector, or not? 15. 49:56 Many people are prophesying right now. It seems like the Lord is pouring His spirit out just like He prophesied. What are your thoughts on that? 16. 51:37 I've heard you talk about annihilationism. Could you please expand on why you think it is not biblical. Does it affect any other doctrines? Can we disagree? 17. 53:11 I’ve heard Calvinists say that God is not guilty for sin He decrees, because His purposes are good. This seems like a version of the “ends justify the means." Is this a biblical way of thinking? 18. 55:45 What do you think of Grace Community Church disobeying the government of California by keeping their church open (since we are told to obey the government, but also to meet together as the Church)? 19. 59:17 1 Cor 6: 19-20 is often quoted at people who use tobacco or sometimes those who are just overweight. What is the biblical basis (if any) for maintaining our bodily health? 20. 1:04:58 What is Gossip? Is it simply sharing personal information about someone without their permission, even in a nice way? That is how I have understood it to be. Here is the podcast on interpreting "born of water" in John 3. Let me preface with this before you listen to it. I don't agree with all the reasoning here, in particular some of the objections to the evangelical view seem weak,...

This, right here, is probably the most powerful "name-it-and-claim-it" verse in the Bible. Mark 11:23–24 (NASB95) “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Honestly, I really struggled in prep for this study. At first I found myself wanting to just make sure that this passage wasn't used for the kind of stuff Kenneth Copeland teaches. But I sensed that, in my desire to avoid a particular interpretation, I might be blinding myself to what the passage is saying. So, I took a different approach, one that I try to always take but one that was particularly difficult for me to do this time around. I took myself out of the debate over "name-it-and-claim-it" teaching in the 21st century and instead sought to thoroughly understand how this radical passage makes sense in the context of Mark and the rest of the New Testament. The result has been a really rewarding study on the power of prayer and the reality of faith in the midst of suffering. This passage doesn't fit "name-it-and-claim-it" and it doesn't fit cessationism either. My hope is that I can bring clarity with this study and stir up faith. Faith for miracles and faith for suffering. See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

Every Friday at 1pm PT! 0:00 Introduction 1. 0:04 Must we speak in tongues in order to be saved? 2. 11:39 Does Scripture authorize only one cup during the Lord's Supper? How should we face different government regulations of Eucharist? (E.g. forbidden one cup drinking.) 3. 14:35 What are your thoughts on the book of 1 Enoch? 4. 17:36 A friend just told me he doesn't believe that the Bible is historically accurate (ex. The Exodus, flood). Any advice on resources to help him? 5. 21:26 Can you please explain the parable about using your talents, and how we can be sure about what our gifts are? 6. 25:44 What are your thoughts on the Lutheran Church? Is the liturgy/tradition a hindrance to the Gospel and true repentance, or is there any value in it? 7. 28:59 How do you understand 1 Thess. 5: 23? Is Paul saying that every person has a distinct spirit, soul, and body, or just that everyone has a material and immaterial nature? Also, how are spirit & soul different? 8. 31:41 People often use Proverbs 18: 21 to say that our words have power, and that we can use them to speak things into existence. Is that the true meaning of the verse? Are there any verses that support that point? 9. 36:17 What does it mean that God made the world through the Son in Hebrews 1:1-2? Is using the word “through” different than using the word “by”? 10. 40:04 How do I know the Holy Spirit? Are there any teachings about having a relationship with Him which are not focusing only on the gifts? 11. 42:20 Would it be appropriate for a Christian to attend a same-sex "wedding" of a family member/friend, or would that express acceptance of the union? 12. 43:46 For several years, when thinking about the afterlife, I've felt strong anxiety and I fear that these feelings might indicate that I don't love God. Any thoughts and/or tips on this? 13. 49:29 Do you think there is such a thing as neutral/common ground in apologetics? Or are our presuppositions so important that they have to be addressed before any evidence may be be examined, as presups say? 14. 52:29 How do you think biblically about RPG video games such as Elder Scrolls? Most RPGs you can play as a Warlock using fantasy magic. Does the content and nature of a game affect your game choice? 15. 57:19 Is there scientific evidence that speaking in tongues real? 16. 57:58 Can you please explain what Jesus meant when He said to sell your cloak and buy a sword in Luke 22: 36? 17. 1:00:35 I'm confused about fasting...should all Christians fast from time to time as a reminder that God is our true need? I've just never felt compelled to skip meals to grow closer to God. 18. 1:04:18 Hi Pastor Mike, I was wondering how the pharaoh's magicians were able to duplicate changing their staffs into snakes as Aaron did when accompanied by Moses in Exodus. 19. 1:07:19 How would you respond to a person who sees the Church as a historically bloody and evil organization? Here’s how you get your questions answered in the Q&A 1) Please reread your question before you ask to ensure that it will make sense to me. Clarity is paramount. 2) Wait till we go live before asking. We don’t take questions until then. 3) Put a “Q” at the beginning of your question. 4) Please only ask once, our mods are checking the chat continually. 5) I’m truly sorry if I’m unable to get to your question. I know its a bummer, but I am doing my best. 6) If you arrive late we may have already gathered 20 questions. Please check the live chat to see if we are full on Qs. Thanks!

I was interviewed by Rachelle and Carder on the Anything But Quiet Time Podcast. We talked about a variety of issues and I think the one consistent theme that might apply to this whole interview is having more wisdom in how we handle theology, apologetics and evangelism. Anyhow, I hope you'll find some personal benefit in it! Here is Rachelle and Carder's podcast but you can also find it on whatever pod catcher you have https://hopeondemand.com/podcasts#/anything-but-quiet-time

Dr. Tim Stratton presents his case that free will is evidence for God. Tim has spent a good deal of time refining this argument in his PhD studies and we're going to get an accessible breakdown of how it works. Now, Tim doesn't normally have an eye patch but since he didn't send me over a better photo I'm punishing him... and really, I just thought it was funny. I hope this breakdown of the "free will argument against naturalism" will be not only personally enlightening and convincing to you but will become another tool in your own intellectual toolbox of ways to help others see the truth of Jesus Christ. Here's Tim's web site and specifically an article on the problem of evil and how he answers it. Tim has TONS of free articles you may be interested on his site in addition to this one. https://freethinkingministries.com/3-circles-all-the-problems-of-evil/ Another article from Tim on "unjustified suffering" https://freethinkingministries.com/a-thought-experiment-vs-unjustified-evil-suffering/ Tim's YouTube channel, which he intends to utilize more in the future, has a video he asked me to share with you on how he handles divine determinism which many Calvinists affirm. https://youtu.be/qFKg0veH7fo

Every Friday at 1pm PT! Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Introduction & Cat Cam! 1. 0:16 How should we correctly interpret "by His stripes we are healed" in Isaiah 53:5? Has physical healing for today been purchased through the atonement? 2. 11:22 Can you explain why Old Testament sacrifices and offerings were "seasoned with salt"? Is there a spiritual/messianic picture or element involved in that? 3. 13:49 We are told to have a large amount of faith, but Jesus said that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. So what does that mean, in terms of faith? 4. 16:10 Is it biblical to sign a marriage contract before you marry someone? 5. 17:39 If you've had an abortion in the past, is it hypocritical to stand against it now, and would it be hypocritical to have a baby afterwards or think that you deserve to have a child afterwards? 6. 23:07 What does the Bible teach about masturbation? Is that act permissible for a follower of Christ? 7. 29:20 Do you share the opinion that we shouldn't ask God to heal diseases, but instead should speak over the sick person as if we have authority over sickness? Should we do it like Peter in Acts 3:6? 8. 35:02 What do you think of denominations? Are divisions ok, and can multiple factions of Christianity be legit? 9. 37:33 What are your thoughts on the apparitions of Mary at Fatima and messages given to the shepherd children? 10. 40:39 What is the "witness of the Spirit" mentioned in Romans 8: 16? Is it an experience like John Wesley's "strangely warmed" heart? How do you obtain the witness if you don't think you have it? 11. 43:58 What is the best way to study the Bible? Should I start in Matthew, or maybe Genesis? 12. 45:28 Mike what happened in Gethsemane? Was Jesus Christ separated or forsaken by the Father? 13. 48:39 What does Mark 16: 17-18 mean? I grew up in the prosperity gospel, and my family and 80% of my country is in it! I would really like to help them open their eyes to it. 14. 51:02 I know you're not a Calvinist, so are you Arminian, Molinist, or none of the above? 15. 51:41 Does Matthew 6: 14-15 imply that forgiving others is necessary for salvation? 16. 52:31 Do you have any counsel on how to be discerning and grow in the Lord without constantly worrying about every new heresy and false teaching that crops up? 17. 53:30 How should I approach a growing issue at my church where the Bible is not being preached, the pastoral staff is beginning to go off base, and the lead pastor bulldozes over people? 18. 54:55 To what extend should we try to rectify our sins? (e.g. should two Christians who fornicate then marry?) 19. 55:55 Where was Jesus' spirit during the 2 days he was dead? 20. 56:36 How to you stop bitterness and hatred from being in your heart, if you’ve held onto it for years? Here’s how you get your questions answered in the Q&A 1) Please reread your question before you ask to ensure that it will make sense to me. Clarity is paramount. 2) Wait till we go live before asking. We don’t take questions until then. 3) Put a “Q” at the beginning of your question. 4) Please only ask once, our mods are checking the chat continually. 5) I’m truly sorry if I’m unable to get to your question. I know its a bummer, but I am doing my best. 6) If you arrive late we may have already gathered 20 questions. Please check the live chat to see if we are full on Qs. Thanks!

Time Stamp Map 0:00 Introduction 1. 6:24 How did you initially find out about the WMSCOG, and what caused you to recognize the need for their teachings to be refuted? 2. 11:40 What are some of the books and other resources you used to delve into your research of this cult, and how did the difficulty of obtaining certain resources impact your studies? 3. 15:15 Overview of the origin & history of the WMSCOG, and their current teachings 4. 23:55 How does the WMSCOG's modalistic view of God allow them to elevate the position of key leaders in their organization? 5. 26:25 Does the WMSCOG believe there is a distinction between "Christ" and "Jesus"? 6. 27:23 How does the WMSCOG respond to the biblical truth that "the fullness of deity dwells bodily" in Christ (Colossians 2:9), and in all cults, how does their tendency to take verses of Scripture out of context affect their ability to spread false teaching? 7. 32:16 (Overview of the WMSCOG's current teachings *continued*) 8. 36:01 About AhnSahngHong's book, "The New Jerusalem and the Bride: Interpretation on Women's Veil" 9. 40:27 What are some of the definitive cultic characteristics of the WMSCOG, and how can having a solid Christian worldview serve as a safeguard for us against false teaching? 10. 42:12 About Steven Hassan, his books, and his B.I.T.E. Model of cult characteristics --43:19 B - Behavior Control --48:00 I - Information Control --1:05:02 T&E - Thought & Emotional Control 11. 1:00:07 and 2:00:53 If any of our listeners have WMSCOG books and would like to donate them to help equip our ministry, where can they send them? 12. 1:11:14 What role can spiritual warfare play in how the characteristics of the B.I.T.E. Model can affect cult members? 13. 1:13:05 When we engage in conversations with WMSCOG members, what are some of the key verses/arguments that get brought up, their perspective on how those verses/arguments support their theology, and some good responses we can offer to those verses/arguments? 14. 1:31:34 About the "Prophecy of the 40 Years of David" that WMSCOG members are taught 15. 1:38:53 Do you think the WMSCOG may claim that AhnSahngHong's baptism was at the age of 30 in order to strengthen the connection between him and Jesus (who was baptized at the age of 30)? 16. 1:39:33 About their observance of the feasts, and their claim that observance is necessary for salvation 17. 1:48:00 How do WMSCOG members interpret Galatians 4: 26, and how can we respond to that verse, offering them an explanation of its proper context? 18. 1:55:37 If I've come to realize that I've been a part of a cult (either formerly or presently), what should I do? Here is EVERYTHING I have on the WMSCOG. Please share this content with those who need it because there isn't nearly enough stuff out there on this group and they are making inroads all over the place. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHvwOzziMOk9ZIHKphdag47d Cultish appears on podcast or on the YouTube channel Apologia Studios, here's a link. https://www.youtube.com/user/Defendthefaithorg

An atheist offers what he sees as the best arguments against God. I admit ahead of time that this is mostly low hanging fruit. But I also would say that this sort of atheist reasoning is so prevalent that it needs to be addressed. That being said, this stuff is pretty bad. I want to offer a breakdown of this atheist's article which is perhaps a pretty serious commentary on some of the problems in pop-atheism. All in all, there are 4 really bad arguments, and 1 really tough one. I'll try to get to all of them, but when I did this for my small group yesterday I was only able to get to the first four. We'll see how it goes. This video is in lieu of the Mark series which will pick up in TWO weeks. Time Stamps: 1. 6:23 We Are All Atheists2. 24:46 Religion Only Exists Through Indoctrination3. 44:42 Atheism Is Instinctual4. 48:06 Religion Is Desperation5. 1:00:58 The Problem of Evil Links and more links to stuff you probably want to see: The original article I'm responding to is HERE. The Kalam Cosmological Argument (this is so thorough and simple it can be used in line at Disneyland or in academic debate). Click here for a teleological argument from the design in the universe presented by a physicist. A playlist of videos going deep into a moral argument for God by one of my favorite people, Dr. William Lane Craig. Click here for the argument from beauty (and yes, you should take this more seriously than you do). A ridiculous amount of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus presented by two historians: Click here To show the unity of the Bible, here is my "Jesus in the Old Testament" series. I think this is a very strong cumulative case for "unity" which is best explained by inspiration. For parents wanting to teach their kids critical thinking, here's a resource on Natasha Crain's blog for Christian parents. She not only teaches you to teach your kids to think critically, she teaches you to think critically, as well. Extraordinary claims don't require extraordinary evidence. Seriously, let's think critically about this slogan. Click here A great resource for the problem of evil is Clay Jones' book "Why Does God Allow Evil." I'm giving this to you as a book instead of a video as I honestly think it's going to be more helpful to read this one instead of casually watching a video. This topic is tremendously difficult, and the patience and thought that reading invokes is going to serve you well as you process it. Click here

Every Friday at 1pm PT! Time Stamps! 0:00 Introduction 1. 0:33 Since Jesus flipped over tables in the temple, does that give people an excuse to have violent protests today? 2. 9:59 I've been dealing with doubts lately, and it never seems to be the cause of any intellectual problem - It feels like an attack. How would you handle this? 3. 12:39 We can see in the Bible that we are to care for the orphan, widow, etc. and uplift those whom society shuns. Should this play out differently in the life of a believer than it does currently in the world (e.g. many people, especially in my young student circles see political action/ideals like socialism or communism as the way forward in this)? Basically, do you think there’s a difference between biblical justice and modern social justice? 4. 22:00 Any suggestions of Christian resources/ministries for women struggling with pornography? Why does the church focus more on men with this sin? 5. 24:09 What are your thoughts on the Enneagram and its origins? Some research states that it was created by desert fathers and mystics, however, some churches point its origins to Catholicism. 6. 26:46 You say we are saved by faith alone and not by works, so how can you say someone is not saved if they live in a homosexual lifestyle? Isn't that blending faith and works? So which works are required? 7. 29:55 How do you know if you believe in your heart vs just logically thinking in your mind that the evidence points more toward Christianity being true than false? referring to Romans 10:9 8. 32:51 Romans 6: 23 says, “for the wages of sin is death”...what kind of death it is referring to? Is it an eternal death? A physical one on Earth? A spiritual death? 9. 34:55 Have you heard of the dreams of Pastor Dana Coverstone? If so, what are your thoughts? 10. 37:42 Why is God the Father just called "God" in the NT? He doesn't typically have the descriptor "the Father" added, where as Jesus is specifically called the Son and the Spirit is called the Spirit? 11. 40:15 What in your mind is the difference between simple sexual attraction and lust, if any? It seems like too many Christians conflate them as one and the same. 12. 45:03 1 Cor 13: 10 is so controversial. If "the perfect" means the Bible and not Jesus, then spiritual gifts have ceased - so wouldn't that leave so many in deception and false understanding? 13. 48:11 Was God angry with Eli as a father or as a priest for not keeping his sons in check? 14. 50:07 What do you think about the Book of Enoch? 15. 52:13 We relocated, and the pastor at the church we are going to and want to join has been reading out of The Passion Translation more and more. Should we rethink our decision? 16. 53:51 How can I lovingly bring up and reveal the errors of the prosperity gospel to friends and family? 17. 55:09 If I am truly seeking God, will He show up for me? 18. 55:31 I've been reading lots of reports of exploitation of the laborers who make the products we use everyday (chocolate, phones, etc.) Should we as Christians boycott/abstain from these things? 19. 55:57 Are Christians allowed to read and study the Quran? In Denmark I have to take a class on religion before I can study theology at the university, but I feel convicted when reading. Should I stop? 20. 57:31 Why was the tree of knowledge of good and evil bad? Isn’t wisdom generally regarded as a good trait in the bible? Here’s how you get your questions answered in the Q&A 1) Please reread your question before you ask to ensure that it will make sense to me. Clarity is paramount. 2) Wait till we go live before asking. We don’t take questions until then. 3) Put a “Q” at the beginning of your question. 4) Please only ask once, our mods are checking the chat continually. 5) I’m truly sorry if I’m unable to get to your question. I know its a bummer, but I am doing my best. 6) If you arrive late we may have already gathered 20 questions. Please check the live chat to see if we are full on Qs. Thanks!

Jesus isn't "acting like Jesus" here. He does a number of things that simply don't fit our modern pacified version of Jesus. And that's a good thing. I don't want to fall into the pacified version of Jesus that our culture likes but I also don't want to act like Jesus' radical and aggressive actions of cursing the fig tree and kicking people and animals out of the temple while flipping tables is somehow an excuse for me to overstep my own authority and act sinfully in my own anger just because I think I am in the right. But, there's more to this passage than just finding the balance of how we can apply Jesus' extreme actions. We need to see the theological message of the passage as well as apply it into our lives by seriously evaluating our own status as the "temple of the Holy Spirit" and restoring the purpose of prayer and relationship with God in our lives. Craig Evan's article, which had a lot of interesting historical insights into this passage. "Jesus' Action in the Temple: Cleansing or Portent of Destruction?" https://www.jstor.org/stable/43717764?read-now=1&seq=23#page_scan_tab_contents See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

Every Friday at 1pm PT! Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Introduction 1. 0:16 Do 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 prohibit jewelry (wedding bands, necklaces, etc.)? 2. 9:16 In Matthew 21:1-8, there is a donkey and a colt (2 animals). Does this have something to do with Jews and Gentiles? 3. 11:30 Can a person who struggles with addiction be born again? Can you be saved, but not enter the Kingdom of God? (John 3:3) 4. 14:39 How do I pray for a believer who isn't truly walking in line with Christ, and not showing evidence of any growth or transformation in their life due to habitual sin and lack of intimacy with God? 5. 18:23 When you ask God for wisdom, how do you expect a reply? How do you hear from God? Does He send thoughts? 6. 22:27 My church is having an indoor wedding tomorrow, despite the local government's current mandate prohibiting indoor ceremonies. Is this in accordance with God's Word? (Romans 13, 1 Peter 2: 13) 7. 27:25 Shouldn't Christians practicing polygamy have the same moral obligation to obey God's commands on marriage as divorced Christians who should pursue restoration? Isn't polygamy a sin, no matter what? 8. 30:05 In 1 John 5: 16-17, can you explain what is meant by "sin not leading to death" and "sin leading to death"? 9. 34:05 Can you elaborate on Hebrews 6:4? Is it referring to backsliding, or salvation? 10. 35:00 What is "righteous anger" according to Scripture, and could it be applicable for us to occasionally experience today? 11. 37:47 What are your views on communion and the eucharist? How much should the early Church writings affect our views on communion? 12. 44:36 Is there any good reason to think that the rapture of the Church will most likely happen during the "Feast of Trumpets"? 13. 45:33 What is the difference between a feeling and a conviction? 14. 46:40 How much authority does a father have over his adult children, and does it differ between sons and daughters? 15. 49:33 Can you comment on Michael Heiser and his "Divine Council Theory"? 16. 53:29 How would you respond to someone who claims that the Old Testament is not true due to their belief that there was never a biblical flood or Exodus, and that the Hebrews just copied the cultures around them, etc.? 17. 59:04 In Genesis 6 and 1 Samuel 15, God regretted His decisions. How can God, who knows all things, make a decision that He later decides was wrong? Here is the video I mentioned about why God "repents" and "changes his mind" https://studio.youtube.com/watch?v=YpjKPn8hZQs Here’s how you get your questions answered in the Q&A 1) Please reread your question before you ask to ensure that it will make sense to me. Clarity is paramount. 2) Wait till we go live before asking. We don’t take questions until then. 3) Put a “Q” at the beginning of your question. 4) Please only ask once, our mods are checking the chat continually. 5) I’m truly sorry if I’m unable to get to your question. I know its a bummer, but I am doing my best. 6) If you arrive late we may have already gathered 20 questions. Please check the live chat to see if we are full on Qs. Thanks!

This question is NOT just a hypothetical. Missionaries in Africa asked me to answer this and I don't think it's application will be limited to them for too long. It seems to me that the moral slip-slide of our culture is heading toward a time when more and more of us will be confronted with the topic of polygamy. This is one of my final videos in the series I have done on divorce and remarriage. Here's the playlist with all those videos. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j

OH MAN! I forgot to mention a really cool historical insight we get from the Mishnah! Apparently, Jews were expected to enter Jerusalem on foot when travelling there for Passover. This means that when Jesus entered on a donkey it would have stood out as particularly odd and unique. This give us another reason to see the profound and deliberate proclamation to be the Messianic King. I meant to share that during the study to help those who might think, "so what, lots of people ride donkeys into Jerusalem". This was obviously a lot more than just a donkey ride. Sometimes it's the passages we find the most familiar that we have the most new stuff to learn from. This will be a careful study of the "Triumphal Entry", or "Palm Sunday" where we intend to get a deeper understanding of the passage and hopefully a greater appreciation for how strategically ironic the whole thing is. Mark 1:1-11 is probably the most ironic passage in the book, in my opinion. Here's my study on 24 ways Jesus fulfilled Passover. https://youtu.be/A-_6rpQ4zLg Here's my study on Daniel 9 and it's connection to the timing of Jesus' sacrifice. https://youtu.be/pK5RsOaVy4U See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

Every Friday at 1pm PT! Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Introduction 1. 0:47 Since there is no marriage in Heaven, are married couples going to be strangers in Heaven? 2. 5:11 If I’m not mistaken, you hold the view of conditional election, prevenient grace, and total depravity (though maybe not to the extent of the Calvinist). ​My question is, if Christ dies for all people and all sins, why does a sinner have to overcome the sin of unbelief on their own? 3. 8:38 A friend, at age 12, signed his soul over (in a blood pact) to Satan, in an at-home ceremony. He was a kid, but he now feels that he cannot be saved. Please comment on this deal with the Devil. 4. 10:01 What are your thoughts on Proverbs 16:4? Does that passage suggest that God created (perhaps predestined) the unsaved for judgment or condemnation? 5. 13:40 You inspire me to study my Bible verse-by-verse, but I don't know where to start! I was wondering what study resources you use or would recommend for someone not familiar with the original languages. 6. 18:16 How should I speak to someone who is going to die because of cancer, while another Christian got her hopes up that her cancer wouldn't return, claiming that "God said" it wouldn't? And how should I speak about evil & suffering to her? 7. 22:31 You mentioned, in Part 2 of your Mark series, that John the Baptist was the one setting the way for the Lord (Yahweh). Why, then, did you use the word "Yahweh", when Logos displays the Hebrew word there as "kyrios"? 8. 24:32 Verses like Jeremiah 29: 11 are quoted a lot to us, and I get confused while trying to understand whether God was speaking only to a group of people back then specifically, or whether we can still apply those verses to us personally today. 9. 28:18 I go to a liberal Christian university, and the Bible teaching here is untrue. Scripture and the Gospel are undermined consistently. How do I properly address these issues in my Bible class? 10. 30:40 Why does Paul teach that we are saved by faith alone and not by works, but Jesus teaches that works (like obeying the commandments) are necessary to get into the Kingdom of God? 11. 32:06 How does Matthew 28: 18-20 apply to each individual Christian, and how does one make a disciple? Is it just evangelism and baptism of a lost person, or is it overseeing their growth? 12. 35:28 Could you please share your testimony, and the struggles you may have had as a new believer? 13. 36:57 It is said that Jacob fought against God in Scripture, but the text refers to a fight with an angel...Is God the Angel of the Lord? 14. 39:20 Can someone who commits suicide go to Heaven? I’ve heard it argued that if they were true believers who just happened to commit that act in a moment of weakness/confusion, they are still saved. Is that biblical? 15. 42:53 I don't understand the biblical idea of "the elect"...Does that mean some people cannot be saved, no matter what? 16. 44:06 My husband grew up Catholic, and his family keeps telling us we "aren't really married" because we were not married by the Catholic Church. How can we lovingly respond to them with biblical truth? 17. 46:31 What if someone gets an unbiblical divorce, but their ex-spouse is already remarried, making reconciliation impossible? Are they free to remarry? 18. 47:41 I have a question about 1 Timothy 2: 12-15...Due to the text, does this make co-ed bible studies unbiblical? what about women's ministry? 19. 50:50 How do I address a lack of plurality in leadership? We have one pastor who teaches every sermon & every class, and no elders. How do I bring up this issue with the church, when we're relying too much on one person? 20. 53:11 Why do we, as Christians, not keep the Sabbath, even though it is part of the moral law? It is written by the finger of God in stone, not just spoken to Moses like the Mosaic Law. Shouldn't we keep it? 21. 1:01:05 In 1 Samuel 28, Saul talks to Samuel and asks for his help. I think it's sinful to pray to the de...

Expand for time stamps. I'm almost done with all my videos on this topic and boy is my brain tired! Seriously though, this study has been very rewarding personally and the feedback I have received from many of you, saying that this teaching series has really impacted your lives in positive ways, has been the absolute highlight. 0:00 quick stuff 0:48 Was Jesus really just talking about Herod when he mentioned divorce? 7:47 Does the OT prove that remarriage after divorce was normally allowed? 11:44 Does Deuteronomy 24 teach that 2nd marriages are invalid? 16:57 Deut 24 forbids remarrying a former spouse. Is that binding on us today? This is the playlist with all my videos on the topic of divorce and remarriage. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j

Some times we have been so indoctrinated into unbiblical ideas about faith, healing and prayer that we don't notice when the Bible is trying to correct us. As we study this passage I'm going to try and point out specifically how Jesus is not giving us the hyper-charismatic or new age views on prayer, healing and faith. But there is a risk that in refuting these false ideas we will miss out on the wonderful things God is trying to communicate. The Bible isn't just telling us what NOT to believe but also what TO believe. So, we are going to embrace what it says about faith, healing and prayer... all of it. Unlike the new age and hyper-charismatic tendency to ignore context and distort things to fit their movement and the "vibe" they are trying to create in their communities. Are you interested in the supposed contradiction regarding the healing of the blind man? Here's what I've got on that https://youtu.be/OA-4eQN16n0?t=791 See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

0:00 CAT CAM! and Introduction1. 1:32 What are your views on the rapture, or being “caught up”?2. 8:14 A friend of mine believes that Mark 16:17-18 is a sign for true believers today, because Jesus also sent the 70 besides the apostles to do signs and wonders. Can you help me to help him?3. 16:15 Do you have any advice for someone just starting out in ministry, especially as a missionary?4. 17:51 What are your thoughts on 1 Corinthians 11, regarding women wearing head coverings while praying or prophesying? We only stopped in the later half of the 20th century.5. 18:50 Could you do an in-depth study on believers committing deliberate sin and/or struggling with condemnation?6. 21:01 What is a biblical view of entertainment?7. 25:27 How can I trust manuscripts, especially ones from Alexandria?8. 27:08 My friend recently said she “still feels the presence of her dead loved one.” What is the biblical and loving response to this?9. 29:20 I grew up a “Christian”, but now, after trials which have caused me to turn to God in prayer, I have become more loving toward God and others. Was there a time when I may not have actually been saved, before this?10. 30:40 If a person is genuinely suffering from gender dysphoria, and as a result, they dress as the opposite gender, are they living in sin? What can they do to overcome gender dysphoria?11. 35:16 Can you please explain the Parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25:1? What does the oil represent? Some say it represents the Torah, and others say it represents the Holy Spirit.12. 40:11 What is your take on Jonathan Cahn and his books?13. 40:29 What is the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice being done through the eternal Spirit? Was Jesus separated from the Father?14. 43:41 What is your interpretation of John 6: 44? What is the “drawing” here referring to?15. 48:51 I am a school bus driver who is struggling to share Jesus with students, as it would be against school policy to do so. Is it more biblical for me to obey school policies, or to obey God’s command to spread the Gospel?16. 50:34 Can someone lose their salvation?17. 52:49 Are “tongues” overrated? I grew up hearing that tongues were like a special status symbol to give you better access to God, but is that biblical?18. 55:31 Some people say that not everyone can go to Heaven, because then, Heaven would be spoiled by bad people. But others say that by believing on Jesus, anyone can go to Heaven. Can these two be reconciled?19. 57:25 How do you properly repent from a sin?20. 58:26 Is having a more conscientious acknowledgement of God’s presence unto repentance of sin a symptom of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit?

I honestly think that most pastoral abuse would stop if we would take seriously Jesus' teaching in this passage. We sometimes miss the forest through the trees when it comes to studying verse by verse. So, I'm going to start this study with a survey of how the Gospel of Mark repeatedly is contrasting the true mission of the Messiah with the false expectations of the disciples and the Jews of Jesus' day (and modern day Judaism as well). Then we will see how big of a deal it is when Jesus tries to correct our thinking on the topic of servanthood as greatness and leadership as servants. Do you want to go through the whole book of Mark with me vs by vs, covering theology and apologetics in detail? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Introduction and a bit about the American Gospel movie 1. 5:15 Did Old Testament saints believe in "faith + works" for salvation? 2. 11:34 How familiar are you with Steven Furtick and Elevation Church? Is it wrong of me to be wary of mainstream churches that seem to be too "seeker-friendly"? 3. 15:22 How do you respond to Richard Carrier's argument that Jesus was in outer space and the Apostles where schizophrenic or schizotypal? 4. 18:33 In Romans 5: 12-21, does our nature inherit the guilt of Adam's sin, or are we only guilty of our own sin? In Hebrews 2: 17 and 4: 15, did Christ's human nature inherit Adam's sin, or just desire sin like us? 5. 27:19 How do you interpret the Beatitudes at the beginning of Matthew 5? 6. 30:57 What are your thoughts on the 2 trees in the Garden of Eden representing both the law and the Gospel in Genesis 3 (The Tree of Knowledge representing the law, and the Tree of life representing Christ)? 7. 32:13 Does it say in the Old Testament that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire? 8. 34:06 How would you biblically define our fallen state, and how would this compare to the Calvinistic view of "Total Depravity" and "Total Inability"? What are the key passages to help us understand our fallen state? 9. 38:45 How can we know that we're saved, when the heart is deceitful, since it's not biblical to believe that speaking in tongues is the indication of whether or not someone is saved? 10. 41:30 How often do you fast, and do you allow yourself coffee while fasting? 11. 42:51 I know that it's better than anything in this present Earth, but what does it mean to be "least in the Kingdom of Heaven"? 12. 45:01 What's wrong with "The Shack"? 13. 46:43 The book of James tells us that God will never tempt us, but in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask the Father not to lead us into temptation. Why is this? 14. 51:24 Why didn't Jesus stone the adulteress, if it was written in the law to stone those found in that sin? Quick rules for the Q&A 1) Please wait to ask questions until the stream starts 2) Before you submit your question please reread it to make sure it's clear and that I will be able to figure out what you are asking. Thanks! 3) Do not ask your question multiple times because it confuses our mods when they are compiling the questions 4) I apologize ahead of time for those who ask important questions which I won't have time to answer. There's only one of me.

Here are 5 historical arguments for and responses to 3 arguments against Jesus actually predicting His own death and resurrection along. After that apologetic section, which will take a big chunk of today's teaching, I'll share some theological and pastoral insights from this passage in Mark 10:32-34. Do you want to go through the whole book of Mark with me vs by vs, covering theology and apologetics in detail? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF My website https://BibleThinker.org If you like podcasts you can get this content in that form. Search for "BibleThinker" podcast or for my name, which is Mike, not Mark :)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Introduction and Announcements 1. 12:15 How do you go about doing a systematic theology on any given subject, such as soteriology? 2. 14:46 I was taught that Christians don't sin. 1 John 3:9 says, "Whoever has been born of God does not sin", and Romans is littered with talk of us being "free from sin". So why is this teaching wrong? 3. 22:55 What are your thoughts on "corporate responsibility" for pas sins, and "individual responsibility"? Can both be true? I see both in the Bible. 4. 25:24 Can you explain the Parable of the Talents? In Matthew 25: 14, what are our "talents", and why do the two servants get different rewards, when they both increased the amount by 100%? 5. 33:55 What does God say about men who abuse their wives emotionally, physically, etc.? 6. 35:49 What are the biblical definitions of sin, transgression, and iniquity? How can I be certain that the sins I've committed, while knowing they were wrong, are forgiven? 7. 38:49 What are your thoughts on the "new perspective on Paul"? 8. 41:43 Why did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden just to test Adam & Eve? 9. 44:38 What advice would you give to a woman who is interested in doing ministry in apologetics? How can women pursue this calling while being careful to stay within the parameters set in Scripture? 10. 46:03 If the punishment for sin is eternal suffering, how was it sufficient for Jesus to suffer temporarily? 11. 48:02 Is there any evidence for the biblical Exodus? If so, will you be making a video on this topic? 12. 49:42 How strongly do we need to believe that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved? I know the Bible talks about just having a mustard seed of faith. Some days, I have a lot of faith, and other days, I still have doubts. My website https://BibleThinker.org Here are the new BibleThinker mug designs and products from Zockoll Pottery. I don't receive any financial benefit from this, it's just for fun. 4 styles here - https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug 2 styles here - https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-tumbler-short-style BibleThinker magnets here - https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-magnets

Jesus' interaction with the rich, young ruler has been used by some to promote socialism and others have approached it looking for an explanation of justification like what we find in Romans. After spending some time on this passage and in the Gospel of Mark as a whole I think both of these approaches are wrong. This will be a careful, vs by vs study of Jesus' interaction with the rich man in Mark 10. We'll look at some controversy about this passage but our main concern will be to hear Jesus' radical call to come to Him for salvation, which is impossible for us to obtain without Him, and to come fully invested in His kingdom. What Jesus teaches through this encounter gives us not only an offer of salvation but a call to discipleship, where Jesus is not only a source of forgiveness, He is the very purpose of our live's and choosing Him means choosing His kingdom over our own or the kingdom of this age. It's that last part that I think people overlook when teaching on the rich man and I hope that this study helps you to understand it well. For all the videos in the Mark click here - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

This is a common and terrible tactic in trying to get away from an interpretation you don't like. I'm not surprised to see this come up in the comments section of my video but I am surprised to see respectful and thoughtful men like Gordon Wenham using this sort of nonsense in print. The objection goes as follows; "When you say that adultery is justification for divorce you actually encourage people to go out and commit adultery so they can have a justified divorce". Here's the playlist with all my divorce and remarriage content https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j My web site https://BibleThinker.org

Teaching that all babies who die go to heaven immediately brings up a number of important theological questions. Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Introduction 1. 5:10 How do we determine when a person is accountable? 2. 11:52 What role does sin nature have? 3. 19:00 What role does Jesus have in their salvation? 4. 20:53 What about free will? 5. 43:53 Does this give people an excuse to commit abortion? All this and more in today's follow-up study looking at the theological implications of saying that babies or anyone who is similarly handicapped in mental capacities are saved. Do you want to go through the whole book of Mark with me? Here's the playlist where we go verse by verse and tackle issues of theology, apologetics and the Christian life! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF My website https://BibleThinker.org New videos every week, helping you learn how to think biblically about everything.

Any correct interpretation of Jesus' teaching on divorce needs to account for the fact that the disciples were so shocked by Jesus that they said it was better to just stay single. In this video I try to explain how I account for the shock of the disciples with my view of Jesus' teaching on divorce and remarriage. Here's the playlist of all my videos on the topic of divorce and remarriage. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j My web site https://BibleThinker.org

This is a heavy issue and while many people think the Bible doesn't give us much to go on, I disagree. In this study I am going to examine a number of passages people use when trying to explain what the eternal fate of those who die in infancy is. It starts with a survey of Bible passages which don't seem to help us answer our question and then a survey of passages which do. This is part of the "Mark Series" where I am going vs by vs through the Gospel of Mark, covering theology, apologetics and the Christian life. Here's the whole series playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF My web site https://BibleThinker.org

Some tough situations have us asking whether a divorce can be justified for things not clearly mentioned in scripture. Not only do I give my best answer to the question of divorce for a spouse habitually draining the bank account, I hope that this answer will help you work through other tough questions like this one. I think the principles here apply very broadly. Here's my playlist with ALL my teaching on divorce and remarriage. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j My web site https://BibleThinker.org

While the Bible teaches that some divorces are justified, some people think that the command to “forgive… as God in Christ forgave you” requires us to NEVER divorce, because we must forgive even those offenses that would normally justify a divorce. This a challenging question, and I hope that my answer helps! Here’s my playlist with all my teaching on divorce and remarriage.

People in Jesus' time had a bad attitude about marriage, just like today. They seemed to think it was a person's right to divorce whenever they decided they wanted to, just like today. But Jesus corrected this by pointing them toward the nature of marriage and showing that marriage it a holy and wonderful union that God Himself has created. Jesus takes away their excuses and calls them to get back to the heart of marriage rather than seeking excuses to divorce. It was a message people desperately needed to hear at the time, just like today. Here's my big video on divorce and remarriage and everything the Bible says about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2pC6ZikbYo&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j&index=2 Here's the entire Mark playlist where we are working through the whole book of Mark verse by verse. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

I went down a rabbit hole of research to find out how some people have taken Jesus' teaching on divorce to mean the opposite of what it seems like He was saying. The issue is whether there is a special definition of "put away" as compared to "writ of divorce". On this peculiar view "put away" is taken to mean "send away a spouse without a divorce certificate", which means that if you are "put away" you are still married. On the other hand, "writ of divorce" (or certificate of divorce) is taken to refer to an actual divorce with a divorce paper. Here's why this view is wrong. Here is the playlist to all my videos on divorce and remarriage. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j My web site https://BibleThinker.org

What did Jesus mean by "because of your hardness of hearts Moses permitted you to divorce your wives"? Does this mean you can get a divorce if your heart is hard? Does it mean you can get a divorce if your spouse has a hard heart? Does it mean that divorce was regulated with protections for human rights because people's hearts are so hard they are going to divorce anyways? Yeah, it's the third one. If you have a bunch more questions on divorce and remarriage then you should start with my big and thorough teaching on the topic, linked here. https://youtu.be/N2pC6ZikbYo Here is a playlist of all my videos on Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j My website: https://BibleThinker.org

It may seem peculiar but I think that this solves a riddle about why scripture speaks the way it does on the topic of divorce. Jesus acknowledged divorce but taught that it didn't always free you from your moral obligation to your prior spouse. Paul, in 1 Cor 7, taught that a divorced couple was really divorced but still obliged to get back together or stay unmarried. In my view, this view comes naturally from taking the Bible at face value on it's teaching on divorce and remarriage. If you want to understand better what ends your moral obligation to a prior spouse then please watch the BIG video (the 1st one in the playlist below) which also has time stamps to help you find exactly what you are looking for. For all my videos on the topic of Divorce and Remarriage check out this playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j My web site https://BibleThinker.org

If sex doesn't equal marriage then what does? We will take a look at a number of biblical passages to find the answer to this question. The bottom line is that sex does join you to a person in a very intimate way, but that this alone does not constitute a marriage. Marriage is more than sex and it takes more to be truly married than to just start sleeping with someone. Here's the playlist for all the videos (as they come out) on marriage, divorce and remarriage. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j

I try to graciously, honestly and without misrepresentation, deal with a number of important issues related to Catholicism; the Pope, purgatory, Mary, the authority claims of Roman Catholicism, historical challenges to official teachings of the RC church, theological problems with the gospel as it is taught in the official councils of Catholicism (especially Trent) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The truth is that I wish I could say the disagreements I have with official Roman Catholic teaching were merely secondary issues. But, despite incredible agreement on many primary issues such as the inspiration and authority of scripture, the Trinity and the death and resurrection of Jesus, there remains the fact that Roman Catholicism teaches errors that seem to compromise the very gospel itself. I really wish I could affirm that the gospel is still in tact in the council of Trent or the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but I am honestly convinced it's not. So, with a heavy heart I think we need to talk about it. While the biggest issue here is the gospel I will still deal with a number of other connected topics and hope you'll find it helpful. Lisa Laizure's ministry - https://womensbiblestudy.com/ The playlist for this "Contending for the Faith" conference, which includes a teaching on Jehovah's Witnesses and on Mormonism. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHsR0GrnMlICl0I17pXiIrx6 My website https://biblethinker.org

1. 0:00 Intro and explanation 2. 1:56 In Jeremiah, God divorced Israel but didn’t marry someone else - he offered them restoration! Doesn’t this undermine your case for remarriage? 3. 6:08 If a person who illegitimately divorced their spouse is unmarried and repentant and if their former spouse has remarried, may that person marry someone else? 4. 9:04 If the punishment for adultery was death under the law then how can adultery be a cause for divorce? 5. 19:49 Is addiction to porn considered sexual immorality and therefore, grounds for divorce? 6. 22:54 Does the requirement for leaders to be the “husband of one wife” mean that a divorced man can’t be a pastor? 7. 44:20 What do you do when a spouse wants to separate but not divorce, leaving you in limbo? 8. 50:33 What about domestic abuse such as verbal/spiritual abuses? 9. 55:42 If a person becomes a Christian after an invalid divorce, and reconciliation is not an option (former spouse is remarried), is that person free to remarry? 10. 57:42 Mike, you’re saying marriage isn’t really for life. Two don’t become one-flesh? 11. 1:00:06 If adultery justifies divorce and the man who divorces his wife commits adultery then why is the innocent woman in Luke 16 vs. 18 not allowed to get remarried? 12. 1:06:28 What’s with the jar of gummy bears in the background? 13. 1:07:14 What about the mass divorce that God commanded in Ezra and Nehemiah? ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬................................ Conclusion of Pt. 1 ................................ The questions below will be answered in future videos on this channel. Subscribe and click the "bell" icon to get notifications when those short videos come out! ~ 14. When are two people considered “married” in God’s eyes? Is living and sleeping together enough? 15. What if a polygamist gives his life to Christ? Do they stay married to all their wives? 16. Can you please elaborate on what is meant by "still being morally obligated" after a divorce? 17. Can you explain what Jesus meant by “because of the hardness of your hearts” and comment on Roman Catholic annulment? 18. Some teach that the key to understanding the Bible is knowing the difference between “putting away” and “writ of divorce”. What’s up with that? 19. Is not one of the highest laws to forgive? Doesn’t Jesus say to forgive 70 times 7? If Jesus forgives Israel (see Romans 11), shouldn’t we, in our marriages, be forgiving all the time and never divorce? 20. What about a spouse who keeps draining the bank account and refuses to stop? 21. You have said adultery, abandonment, and abuse (lots of ways out of a marriage) are exceptions to divorce and remarry---why would the disciples be shocked in Matthew 19 if that's what Jesus truly meant? 22. If you can justify divorce with adultery then why not just go commit adultery to get out of a marriage as some people have? 23. Is it possible that Jesus was just talking about king Herod and we’ve misunderstood? 24. Since priests are forbidden from marrying a divorced woman does this mean it was allowed for everyone else under the O.T. Law? 25. Could Deut. 24 really be showing us that second marriages are invalid and adulterous, which is why she can’t go back to her first husband? 26. Given Deut. 24, should we also say today that remarrying an ex-spouse who you filed a certificate of divorce for is also not allowed? 27. Can I tell you whether to divorce or not? 28. Why I’m concerned about saying “abuse” justifies divorce. 29. Should ANY second marriage be broken up? 30. Have I changed my mind on my teaching? Here's the playlist on divorce and remarriage which has my LONG video on the topic https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtBvJzugPJp9P5X1T-hA91j On a biblical view of "interracial marriage" https://youtu.be/HEJKLvacY2I My web site https://BibleThinker.org

Some say the Bible forbids interracial marriage. Here's WHY they say it and WHY they are wrong. I'm still in the middle of making a series of videos on marriage, divorce and remarriage and since this particular question didn't really fit well into one of those videos I thought I'd make a stand alone video on it. I actually did some research to find out what passages of scripture people used to try to support a ban on interracial marriage (also called anti-miscegenation) and I'm responding to those particular passages and talking points in this video. Here's my full and in-depth teaching on divorce and remarriage in the Bible. https://youtu.be/N2pC6ZikbYo This is my teaching on a biblical understanding of wive's submitting to their husbands https://youtu.be/H8PFVZgIQ2w This is my teaching on how to be a husband according to the Bible. https://youtu.be/65eMggo_xKQ Subscribe to get new videos every week and learn to think biblically about everything. Here's my web site https://BibleThinker.org

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 Intro and announcements. 5:55 A Christian view of racism. 14:06 Is it biblical to believe that physical healing is equal to salvation in the atonement? 18:07 What is your advice for a new believer encountering militant anti-theists? 21:14 Is creation in Genesis 1 to be taken literally, as in 6 24-hour days, and why? 24:37 What is food offered to idols? In Acts 15: 20 and Revelation 2: 20, is there a law we have to keep? Is Halal food offered to idols? 31:14 Once someone is born again, can they lose their salvation due to bad behavior? 33:43 What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? 36:25 How can a person be sanctified? 40:46 What is your advice for a new Christian who is having trouble getting into the routine of studying Scripture and praying? 44:11 Should new Christians avoid watching non-Christian movies? 47:20 Is there such a thing as a non-Trinitarian Christian? 48:25 How can I gently correct a friend who thinks we can "speak things into existence"? 49:43 Is my pastor my "spiritual father"? 51:05 Is speaking in tongues required? 54:17 Is it biblical to have to do baptism classes and pass a test before being baptized, instead of being baptized right away? 56:29 Please explain "original sin"...Is it inherited, or something we commit? Are children born corrupted? 58:27 How can I help my little brother get closer to the Lord, in addition to Bible study and teaching him what's right and wrong? 59:47 Are the soul and the spirit two different things, and if so, what is the difference? 1:00:24 What law is in our hearts? 1:02:29 What are the "essentials" of the Christian faith? 1:04:04 What should I do if I've realized that my own church is taking after Bethel's "word-of-faith" model? My website https://BibleThinker.org Get your own BibleThinker mug here! https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug

VIDEO MAP/TIME STAMPS 0:00 Intro to topic #1 10:07 What you need to know about the Jewish backdrop of Jesus’ teaching on divorce. #2 25:53 Why you should be open to exceptions to Jesus’ rule about not divorcing. #3 37:15 What all four Gospels have in common on this topic. #4 39:00 Jesus’ teaching on divorce in Mark 10. #5 46:54 Jesus’ teaching on divorce in Luke 16. #6 48:42 Jesus’ teaching on divorce in Matthew 5. #7 50:16 I’ve been taught that marriage is literally unbreakable; that it is ontologically impossible to end unless your spouse dies. What about that? #8 54:26 What did Jesus mean by “sexual immorality”. #9 1:11:00 Jesus’ teaching on divorce in Matthew 19. #10 1:21:22 Jesus’ teaching on divorce in Romans 7. #11 1:28:17 Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 vs. 10-16. #12 1:37:54 Does “not enslaved” allow remarriage after divorce in 1 Corinthians 7 vs. 15? #13 1:51:19 When can a Christian spouse be treated like a non-Christian? #14 2:00:49 What about abuse or extreme situations? #15 2:08:25 If you divorce for abuse or extreme situations can you get remarried? #16 2:10:51 Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 vs. 17-40. #17 2:19:05 Who are we to disagree with the church fathers? #18 2:31:46 God said, “I hate divorce”, doesn’t that mean you can’t get divorced? #19 2:33:53 What about those who will abuse the exceptions and wrongly divorce? #20 2:36:28 What about alcoholism, gambling, drug use, etc.? #21 2:37:29 What about a marriage that was entered sinfully? Should it be broken up? #22 2:44:05 What about David Instone-Brewer? #23 2:57:06 Should a pastor marry someone who is wrongly divorced? #24 2:58:53 Summary of all 16 biblical principles. #25 3:02:45 What are bad reasons for getting a divorce? #26 3:03:16 Final thoughts. RESOURCE LIST My teaching for husbands. https://youtu.be/65eMggo_xKQ My teaching for wives. https://youtu.be/H8PFVZgIQ2w Know that I don’t endorse these different works. They are resources showing a wide variety of interpretations from the most strict to relatively lenient. If you want to go deep on this topic then I recommend reading several authors, especially those you disagree with. ARTICLES: John Piper, “Divorce and Remarriage: A Position Paper” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/divorce-and-remarriage-a-position-paper Raymond Westbrook, “The Prohibition on Restoration of Marriage in Deuteronomy 24:1-4” https://www.wisereaction.org/ebooks/westbrook.pdf this is where he gives his case for the first marriage involving a man keeping the ketubah and the second marriage involving the woman getting it. Wayne Grudem, “Grounds for Divorce: Why I Believe There Are More Than Two” (the infamous paper delivered at last year’s ETS) http://www.waynegrudem.com/grounds-for-divorce-why-i-now-believe-there-are-more-than-two/ David Instone-Brewer’s article on ancient marriage and divorce papyri. http://www.tyndalearchive.com/Brewer/MarriagePapyri/1Cor_7a.htm The Damascus Document https://www.academia.edu/28913750/The_Damascus_Document_CD_2005_ Carol Osburn article refuting David Pawson’s view that the Greek shows second marriages are continual adultery. “The Present Indicative in Matthew 19:9” https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=restorationquarterly BOOKS: David Pawson - “Remarriage is Adultery Unless…” https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00564TNV2/ Gordon Wenham, “Jesus, Divorce, and Remarriage: In Their Historical Setting” https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083ZN5ZQ3/ Wenham, Heth & Keener, “Remarriage after Divorce in Today’s Church: 3 Views” https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050O6P1O/ David Instone-Brewer, “Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible: The Social and Literary Context” https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Q3L4VY/ See reviews of Instone-Brewer’s work here (Gagnon’s negative review and I-B’s response are particularly interesting) https://www.divorce-remarriage.com/ Craig Keener, “…And Marries Another: Divorce and Remarriage in the Teach...

Want to skip right to the meat? 7:52 Thank you to Lisa Laizure and Women's Bible Study ministry for inviting me to do this and letting me upload it on to my YouTube channel! Here's a link to their web site https://womensbiblestudy.com/ and if you are reading this before June 25th you still have time to sign up for free and join us for the live web conference on Catholicism. This video is about Mormonism and it is done with a heart of love for them and a desire for them to know the true peace that comes through the true Jesus. I've got two more videos that will be in this series eventually. One on Jehovah's Witnesses and one on Catholicism. Here is the link for the playlist of all these "Contending for the Faith Conference" videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHsR0GrnMlICl0I17pXiIrx6 The final video on Catholicism will be uploaded in late June. My website https://BibleThinker.org

Thank you to Lisa Laizure and Women's Bible Study ministry for letting me upload this on to my YouTube channel! Here's a link to their web site https://womensbiblestudy.com/ and if you are reading this before June 25th you still have time to sign up for free and join us for the live web conference on Catholicism. This video is about Jehovah's Witnesses and it is done with a heart of love for them and a desire for them to know the true peace that comes through the true Jesus. Here is the link for the playlist of all these "Contending for the Faith Conference" videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHsR0GrnMlICl0I17pXiIrx6 The final video on Catholicism will be uploaded in late June. My website https://BibleThinker.org

My guest, Peter Williams, has a wonderful approach to showing that the Gospels are reliable. He builds his case with lots good scholarship but makes it easily understandable for the rest of us. I highly recommend his book to you all and I've given away several copies to friends of mine. Here's the book (and I'm not getting anything for this, I really just think it's that great):https://www.amazon.com/Can-Trust-Gospels-Peter-Williams-ebook/dp/B07DNF73F2/ Get the free Tyndale House magazing "Ink"; which gives normal people access to scholarship on the Bible and Christianity. I just subscribed! https://tyndalehouse.com/magazine My website is here: https://Biblethinker.org

Her book says that persecution of early Christians wasn't really a thing. This is actually a very important issue when it comes to the evidence for the resurrection of Christ. If the apostles experienced persecution then we have reason to think that they were sincere in their claims that Jesus had risen from the dead. In this video you'll hear several of Dr. Candida Moss' reasons for thinking their is a "Myth of Persecution" and you'll get thoughtful responses from Dr. Sean McDowell who has specialized in researching and writing on this topic. You'll get a balanced and thoughtful view of this topic today. Dr. Sean McDowell on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/Seanmcdowell76 Dr. Sean McDowell's book "The Fate of the Apostles:Examining the Martyrdom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus" https://www.amazon.com/Fate-Apostles-Examining-Martyrdom-Followers-ebook/dp/B01CR69L18/ Dr. Candida Moss's book "The Myth of Persecution" https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Persecution-Christians-Invented-Martyrdom-ebook/dp/B0089LOOF4/ My website https://BibleThinker.org

*Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:* ~ 1. 15:02 What is your view on the death penalty? Is "capital punishment" still valid today? ~ 2. 20:29 How many times was Jesus anointed during the week of the 3rd Passover? There seems to be a difference with the anointing at Bethany, when comparing the Synoptic Gospels with John's Gospel. ~ 3. 21:03 Looking at Colossians 3: 25 and 2 Corinthians 5: 10, will saved Christians who endure to the end be punished on judgment day? ~ 4. 28:35 As a young Christian, how do I deal with worrying about death? ~ 5. 31:12 Have you watched David Pawson on the subject of marriage and divorce? ~ 6. 31:43 How would you handle a conversation with someone who believes to hear directly from God, but is saying unbiblical things, and won't listen to biblical correction? ~ 7. 33:35 Can you do a "new-believer Q&A" again soon? ~ 8. 33:52 Do you disregard self-professing prophets/prophetesses if they give one prophecy which doesn't come to pass, like in O.T. times? Or is it different now? Also, are unfaithful prophets of the O.T. the same as "new-agers" now? ~ 9. 38:10 What are some good books or resources to use for historical, cultural, and social contexts when studying the Bible? ~ 10. 39:13 Do you think there are gaps in the genealogies in Genesis 5 and Genesis 11? ~ 11. 42:34 If a recently elected pastor's unwed and under-aged daughter is pregnant and he hid it prior to his election, how should this be addressed? ~ 12. 43:49 What are your thoughts on "Dominion Theology"? ~ 13. 44:36 Is the staff and rod in Psalm 23 a sign pointing to the cross? ~ 14. 46:08 What is your advice on getting a breakthrough from God, when dealing with habitual sin? ~ 15. 48:18 When using hermeneutics for interpreting texts, is the literal historical grammatical hermeneutic the preferred option? Or was the Canonical Principle used by the early church fathers? I've got a few things going on that I'd like to update you on. The first is a project where I'm working with a number of highly respected biblical scholars to provide scholarly reviews of The Passion Translation which will be understandable to the lay person. The second is a quick update on my study on marriage, divorce and remarriage. After that I will take some questions from the live chat. My web site https://biblethinker.org

We will go through 24 different ways in which Jesus fulfilled the Jewish Feast of Passover. Passover was given by God in the Old Testament and fulfilled by Jesus in the New. I hope this teaching stirs your heart with appreciation for the brilliance of the Bible as well as the incredible, loving self-sacrifice of Christ for our sins. He is our Passover and we are forgiven because of His offering. The full Jesus in the Old Testament Playlist (this is my absolute favorite series) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHsHyvMtfgOgSPU6zEnCvxUO My web site - https://BibleThinker.org Check out the FREE BibleThinker app in your app store.