Theology For the Rest of Us | Quick Answers to the Questions About God and the Bible

The system and framework of theology which asserts that the covenants are essential to overall hermeneutics (Biblical interpretation) is known as Covenant Theology, and it is typically contrasted against Dispensationalism. Within the system of Covenant Theology, there are typically two overarching covenants that govern how we interpret the Bible. However some people within Protestantism assert that there is actually a third covenant, known as the Covenant of Redemption. In this episode, Kenny explains the Covenant of Redemption and the divide among Protestants over this doctrine. The Covenant of Redemption is an eternal agreement (or pact) amongst the members of the Trinity in which the Father appointed the Son to become a human, to suffer, and to die as the federal head of mankind in order to make an atonement for the sins of the elect. In return, the Father promised to raise Christ from the dead, glorify Him, and give Him a people (the elect).

This episode is a follow-up to our previous episode about Covenant Theology. As stated in the previous episode, there are two primary frameworks used by most Protestants today to interpret Scripture: Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. Dispensationalism considers Biblical history as divided deliberately by God into specific time periods (dispensations). In each dispensation, God governs and relates to his people in different ways. According to dispensationalists, each time period is thus administered in a certain way, and humanity is held responsible as a steward during that time. In this episode, Kenny highlights the key differences between the two theological systems. Then Kenny explains a few examples of how dispensationalism would interpret certain passages of Scripture versus how most theologians would interpret those same passages by taking a covenantal approach.  

There are two primary frameworks used by most Protestants today to interpret Scripture: Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. In this episode, Kenny talks about both frameworks of theology, giving us a brief overview of their histories and the key contrasting points between the two systems. Then Kenny dives into the nuts and bolts of Covenant Theology, highlighting that this system is founded upon using the theological concept of a "covenant" as an organizing principle for Christian theology. Kenny specifically explains the primary covenants that God uses to relate to people: the Covenant of Works, which was established with Adam in the Garden of Eden and applies to humanity by default, and the Covenant of Grace, which is the covenant God uses to interact with and govern His people, the people of faith. (Note: There is a third covenant that Kenny mentions in this episode, but plans to elaborate upon that covenant in a future separate episode.) Covenant theologians assert that covenants in the Old Testament are an extension or manifestation of one of the overarching covenants, either the Covenant of Works or the Covenant of Grace.  

We know that the Jewish people were God's chosen people, the nation that God chose to use as His instrument to bring forth the Messiah. This is a big deal that cannot be overstated. But many Jewish people in the first century rejected Jesus, and many more contemporary Jews reject Jesus as well. In this episode, Kenny answers the question: What should we, as Christians, think of the Jewish people, and how should we feel towards them, in light of the fact that they rejected Jesus?

In this episode, Kenny answers the question, "What does it mean to be confessional?" In essence, Kenny explains how subscribing to, or fully affirming, an historical confession can be helpful in our faith and church governance.

Many people have asked their pastors and church leaders about the topic of the "unpardonable sin" that Jesus talks about in Matthew 12:31-32. In that passage Jesus makes it clear that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin. In this episode, Kenny dives into the context of Matthew 12 in order to give us insight into this question. There are several views of this passage but the view that seems most consistent with the rest of the New Testament is the idea that the only sin that God will not forgive is unbelief. The very nature of unbelief indicates that God cannot forgive it. The unpardonable sin is simply the complete and final rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

What is the prosperity gospel movement? Why is it so popular? Why is it so dangerous? With the rise of this so-called " gospel" movement, it is very important to answer these questions. In this episode, Kenny clearly defines the prosperity gospel movement and its most extreme form, wherein preachers claim that God wants all Christians to always experience good things, mainly to be financially wealth. Many contemporary preachers would lead you to believe that your enjoyment and your financial resources are God's #1 priority... but His #1 priority is not you! God is consumed with His own glory and His own fame... that should also be our #1 priority. Misunderstanding this truth can lead people to continually cultivate a desire for something(s) that may or may not be what God wants for you. The prosperity gospel is consumed with material blessings, which cultivates desires in us that will ultimately lead to "ruin and destruction" but right Gospel preaching leads people to being willing to sacrifice all for the glory and fame of God. Highlighted Passages - Proverbs 30:7-9 - 1 Timothy 6:6-10    

What does it mean to have a seared conscience? And, maybe more importantly, is this condition irreversible? Or once you have a seared conscience, is that the final condition of your soul? In this episode, Kenny addresses a listener question about our consciences and how sin impacts our souls. Kenny uses simple illustrations from his recent experiences with both his air conditioning repairmen and his dentist to explain how sin numbs our souls and impacts our spiritual health. Highlighted Passages 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Romans 2:15-16  

In this episode, our host Kenny interviews his personal friend Kenneth Freire about the trustworthiness of the Bible and the importance of shaping our lives around the core values we see in Scripture. They also talk about the importance of allowing the Bible to be our ultimate authority when determining our beliefs. Kenneth Freire has proven to be an expert in the arenas of theology, apologetics, Christian worldview, and leadership development. He gives us three primary reasons why the Bible ought to be trusted: 1- Jesus substantiated the Scriptures. 2- The reliability of the New Testament manuscripts. 3- The living and active nature of the Bible. Kenneth Freire has a Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies from Liberty University and an M.Div. from Regent University. He has more than eight years of experience with leadership development, having trained over 500 men and women in leadership and theology. Kenneth Freire currently serves as a part of the staff team at Bethany Global University in Minneapolis, MN and he is one of the Directors of their Lead Internship gap-year program. Read Kenneth Friere's Blog: www.kenfreire.com Follow Kenneth on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenneth.freire Check out the Lead Internship: www.leadintern.com  

Déjà vu is a French term that literally means "already seen" and refers to a phenomenon that many people have claimed to experience wherein they experience having a strong sensation that an event, that is currently being experienced, has already been experienced at some point in the past. So this begs the question: Is this phenomenon a spiritual experience? Is this experience, in some way, God speaking to us or guiding us? In this episode, Kenny highlights both the scientific and metaphysical explanations for this phenomenon. Kenny also addresses the wrong assumption and false belief that this phenomenon could somehow be evidence for reincarnation (see Hebrews 9:27-28). Kenny also gives us a great reminder that the only spiritual experience that we ought to be seeking is the cultivation of personal friendship and intimate communion with the Holy Spirit.

Suicide is a controversial topic, as well as a sensitive one for many people, therefore we ought to not be flippant as we dialogue about the subject. With that stated, we know that suicidal thoughts and tendencies are very real in the minds and emotions of many people. As we examine the Bible, we sometimes see Biblical characters venting or lamenting, and sometimes they even seem suicidal. In this episode, Kenny dives into one specific Bible character that some people say seems suicidal; that is the Old Testament man named Job, whom suffered greatly after God gave Satan permission to attack Job. After facing much pain and suffering, Job certainly seemed to be "done with life" but to say that he was suicidal doesn't quite seem fair. Many times Job vented his frustrations to God, he lamented, and he even wrongly cursed the day of his birth, but many times Job would later acknowledge God's sovereign hand and God's right to determine when Job would die. Job often acknowledged the power and the majesty of God, which demonstrates that he still trusted God, even in the face of his incredible pain and his feelings of despair.  

Some people claim that the Bible supports slavery; or that it does not say enough in condemning the institution of slavery. Are those people right? In addition, many of those same people claim that the Bible's stance on slavery proves that it is an antiquated irrelevant book. Are they right? In this episode, Kenny dives into the topic of slavery, starting off with the clear Biblical condemnation of any act of selling a human and/or treating any person like property (see Exodus 21:16), so to say that the Bible does not condemn slavery is simply inaccurate. Then Kenny specifically contrasts and highlights the distinction between the ancient Roman practice of slavery that would have surrounded the writers of the New Testament and the modern forms of slavery that we today are much more familiar with, such as the African slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries. Understanding the historical context gives you better insight into the passages of the New Testament that relate to slavery. Kenny finishes the episode with a quick examination of the Apostle Paul's most intimate letter, his letter to his friend Philemon, which gives us deeper understanding into the Apostle Paul's expectations of slave-owners in the first century.

Many people are proud of their nation, but some people wonder whether or not it is wrong to have any love of country. Others have wondered if they can find a way to take any pride in a nation that has done bad or evil things around the world. Others have even grappled with the idea as to whether or not any national allegiance is helpful at all. In this episode, Kenny tackles to topic of patriotism and how we as Christians ought to approach love of country. For modern American Christians in particular, there might not be an issue more complicated or wrapped-up in history and politics than patriotism. Even saying the word patriotism in any gathering of Christians is likely to garner as many responses as there are people. A love for one's country is looked upon with both reverence and revulsion, depending on who you talk to about it... and Kenny believes that both sides seem to have good reasons for their positions. So how ought Christians think about patriotism? Kenny dives into the idea of having patriotism versus having nationalism. Kenny makes it clear that patriotism can be very good, but nationalism is nothing more than a form of arrogance. It is good to appreciate the things your nation has offered the world, but good patriotism also includes the ability to judge your own nation in both its successes and its shortcomings. It is good to have a love of your fellow countrymen, but arrogant to believe that your fellow countrymen are somehow inherently more valuable than people born in other nations. They major theme Kenny addresses is the idea of primary allegiances. Those of us that love God must never forget that our primary allegiance is to Jesus and the kingdom of God and the things that Jesus cares about most. Kenny challenges us to make sure that we are more passionate about defending the Gospel than we are about defending our nationalism or our brand of politics.

In this episode, Kenny answers the questions whether or not it is okay for Christians to be cremated; or is it sinful. As with many topics, Kenny tells us that asking about whether or not it is "okay" is not the right question, but rather we ought to be asking whether or not it is ideal for us. We know that when we die we will either end up in heaven or hell, our soul leaves our body. But it is important to remember that whatever happens to our body after we are dead has no impact on our eternal destination. We also know that one Jesus will return to Earth and give new bodies to all those who were united with Him. Our souls will be reunited with our bodies, therefore no matter which we choose, burial or cremation, our new bodies will be perfect. With all this stated, Kenny recommends we choose burials whenever possible because it follows the biblical pattern followed by the Old Testament saints and the pattern observed by the early Christians.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Several centuries before Jesus showed up on the scence, the propher Jeremiah was preaching to the Jewish people as they faced the judgment and discipline of God, meted out at the hands of the Babylonians. Jeremiah said many things, but there is one verse from his writings that is most commonly quoted within certain modern Christian circles. That verse that is famously quoted is Jeremiah 29:11, often used as a proof-text to demonstrate that God always wants us to prosper. In this episode, Kenny tackles the question head on: Does Jeremiah 29:11 apply to Christian believers today? If so, how does it apply? Kenny makes the point that the verse does indeed point to the fact that, overall, God wants good things for His people... He loves His people... He favors his people... just like any good daddy, God loves showering His children with goodness. He's the greatest daddy there is. However, most people quoting this verse ignore the context of Jeremiah's writing; the fact that the Jewish people were facing a fate that did not seem "good" by their standards. God declares to have good plans for us, but sometimes His plans do not seem good; but that is mostly because our definition of "good" is often skewed. God's greatest desire for His own people is to mold us to be more Godly and to shine His own glory through us. God's good plans for you may include some short-term forms of suffering because that may very well be the thing that enables you to receive the ultimate good plans that God has for you in the long-term and in eternity.