Theology for the Rest of Us

Latest Episodes:

158: What is Christian Fasting? Sep 20, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, Kenny talks about the spiritual discipline of fasting. Kenny specifically talks about ways to fast and the power fasting has to usher you into deeper intimacy with the Lord.

Recommended Resources

Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough (Elmer Towns)

157: Is God a Moral Monster? with Tyler Vela Sep 17, 2016

Show notes

Many atheists and secular progressives have sought to attack Christianity and undermine the integrity of the New Testament’s message by pointing out things that God has done things throughout Biblical history that they judge as supposedly being “evil.”

In their way of thinking, God is somehow a “moral monster” because He has done some things that He Himself outlaws humans from doing. But this claim is absurd for many reasons.

In this episode, Kenny interviews author, apologist, podcaster, and philosopher Tyler Vela to answer this question and give clear logical reasons as to why it is simply inconsistent to claim that God is a “moral monster.”

Tyler is the host of The Freed Thinker Podcast and blog and is a frequent guest on many Christian and skeptical podcasts and forums.

Subscribe to The Freed Thinker Podcast: www.thefreedthinker.podbean.com

156: What is “Soul Sleep?” Is it Biblical? Sep 16, 2016

Show notes

The concept of “soul sleep” is the idea that humans are completely unconscious or unaware of their surroundings between their physical death and the end of this age when the dead are resurrected for the final judgment.

This concept has been embraced by many different religious groups over the centuries, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Seventh-Day Adventists.

In this episode, Kenny explains this concept in depth and points out the clear Biblical reasons why this doctrine is not supported by Scripture.

Highlighted Verses

2 Corinthians 5:8

Matthew 17

155: Why Is the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible? Sep 16, 2016

Show notes

The Book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most unique books of the entire Bible. It has some great wisdom and unique perspective from the wisest man to ever live King Solomon; but this book also possesses some odd words that may cause some people to raise an eyebrow because it can be easily misunderstood.

The Book of Ecclesiastes also has some interesting language that, if taken out of its context, is highly likely to lead readers to embrace weird or bad theology. In fact, several religious groups have asserted some strange and false doctrines because of their misunderstandings of the Book of Ecclesiastes.

In this episode, Kenny clearly explains why this book was written and explains King Solomon’s circumstances when he wrote it. Kenny highlights what we can learn from reading this book, and points out how this book reminds us of the importance of always cultivating genuine vibrant intimacy with the Almighty.

154: The Importance of Apologetics with Jason Ladd Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

There are many questions in the arenas of faith and spirituality. Many people wrestle with a variety of faith-related ideas, and there is no shortage of sources and outlets in the world giving answers to those questions. But are the answers that are being given always Biblical? Of course not.

It is essential for all Christians to study apologetics and be immersed in truth, so that we can all develop a genuine Christian worldview, and so that we can recognize quality Biblical truth in our world.

In this episode, Kenny interviews author and apologist Jason B. Ladd about his own story of coming to faith in Christ and how apologetics played a major role in that process. They also talk about several ideas related to logic, philosophy, spirituality, worldview, and theology.

Jason B. Ladd is an award-winning author, US Marine, and Iraq War veteran. Ladd served on active duty with the Marines for fourteen years and has flown as an instructor pilot in both the F/A-18 and the F-16 fighter jets.

Check out Jason’s Book: One of the Few

Follow Jason on Twitter: @jasonbladd

Check out Jason’s Website: www.jasonbladd.com

153: What About Reincarnation? Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

Many world religions embrace the concept of reincarnation; but it is a Biblical concept? Does the Bible teach that we will be reborn after we die?

In this episode, Kenny makes clear what the Bible says about the topic of reincarnation.

Highlighted Passages

Hebrews 9:27

2 Corinthians 5:8

152: Did Jesus Have Children? And What About “The Da Vinci Code?” Sep 13, 2016

Show notes

Was Jesus ever married? Did He have any biological children? Was He married to Mary Magdalene? Or was she His concubine? And has there been a massive cover up by the Catholic Church to hide these facts, like we read in Dan Brown’s best-selling fiction novel “The Da Vinci Code?”

In this episode, Kenny answers these questions and talks at length about Dan Brown’s famous novel.

Kenny starts by making it clear that Jesus was not married, and Kenny highlights the fact that there is absolutely no evidence that ought to lead us to assume that Jesus was ever married or that He ever fathered any biological children.

Secondly, Kenny goes through the supposed evidences used by some critics; evidences that supposedly point to the idea that Jesus fathered children. Kenny demonstrates that all of these evidences are fraudulent, hoaxes, or simply absurd. These supposed evidences include:

1) The absurd claims by the early Mormon leaders’ asserting that the ancient Greek philosopher Celsus made a statement about Jesus being a polygamous;

2) The Coptic fragment found in 2012 which is known as “the Gospel of Jesus’ wife” that eventually was proven to be a forgery;

3) The 2008 documentary “Bloodline” by Bruce Burgess that was based on faulty claims by archaeologist Ben Hammott; eventually Hammott issued an apology for his faulty claims. [NOTE: Click here to see statements about Hammott’s claims];

4) A 13th century French monk mentioning that there were some people in his region who hypothesized that Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ concubine, but doing so with no real evidence to support any such hypothesis;

5) The “Jesus Scroll” made famous by an Australian radio producer after his travel to Israel in 1970’s to examine the Masada evacuations, but he produced no authentic evidence that the scroll ever even existed.

Third, after going through those five false evidences, Kenny highlights the logical fallacies that critics often argument from in order to make claims that Jesus was married or that He had kids. Kenny finishes the episode by making the point that there is as much evidences for “Abraham Lincoln being a three-eyed Martian” as there is evidence for any supposed biological bloodline of Jesus.

151: What is Theonomy & Christian Reconstructionism? Sep 03, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, Kenny explains and defines the concepts of Theonomy and Christian Restructionism.

Theonomy is the idea that Old Testament law should be considered morally binding. Theonomists reject the traditional Reformed belief that the civil laws of the Mosaic Law are no longer applicable to us today. Most Theonomists are also proponents of Christian Restructionism, which is the idea that the Old Testament law should be considering binding on societies and modern governments.

150: What’s the Difference Between Conviction and Condemnation? Sep 03, 2016

Show notes

Sometimes we feel remorse or guilt for our sinful actions. Is this good or bad?

Well, it depends on the source of those feelings and impressions. Sometimes those feelings are coming from the conviction of the Holy Spirit and other times its emotions of condemnation. How can we tell the difference?

Conviction is from God, and it causes us to feel sorry for our sin and ought to inspire us to repent. Condemnation is from the enemy of our soul, and it causes us to feel shame and run from from God.

In this episode, Kenny discusses the difference in these two impressions, their sources, and their eventual outcomes. Kenny then gives us pastoral advice on how we ought to respond to conviction versus how we ought to respond to condemnation.

Highlighted Passages

John 3:17

2 Corinthians 5:21

Romans 8:1-2

149: Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews? Sep 03, 2016

Show notes

Theologically speaking, the Book of Hebrews is one of the most important books of the entire Bible. It eloquently defines Jesus Christ as our High Priest, supreme over all of creation, and highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Law and Prophets. But both the authorship and audience of this letter are in question.

Church tradition had long embraced the Apostle Paul as the author of this letter, but the consensus among most scholars today is that we simply do not know precisely which early church leader wrote the Book of Hebrews.

However, scholars today are certain that Hebrews was written by someone who was well educated and intimately acquainted with the Jewish Scriptures. We also know that it certainly written by an apostle or someone directly mentored by an apostle, which is why it was allowed into the Canon, but by which apostle, we’re not 100% sure.

In this episode, Kenny dives into all of the authorship questions around Hebrews. Kenny dives into the evidence for and against Paul as the author of Hebrews as well as giving us evidences for other potential writers such as Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, and Clement of Rome.

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