Theology for the Rest of Us

Latest Episodes:

78: Why is Homosexuality a Sin? Apr 27, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, Kenny clearly explains why God labels homosexuality as a sin. Kenny starts the episode apologizing to any person who identifies as gay who has been mistreated by Christians. Kenny then challenges Christians to be consistent in their evaluation of sins.

Kenny then makes the point that the Bible does indeed label homosexual behaviors as sinful (citing 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Timothy 1:10, Romans 1), but then Kenny begins to answer the question “Why?”

There are typically multiple levels as to why something is sinful. The deepest layer when it come to understanding sexual sin is rooted in understanding God’s ideal design, and that is one man and one woman, within the bounds of covenant marriage. During the act of sex there is something mysterious and supernatural that happens that emotionally unites the man and woman.

The book of Genesis says they will become “one flesh” which is translated from the Hebrew word “echad” which speaks to plurality and diversity, but still points to a perfect unity. This is designed to reflect the Trinity. Through the creation of genders, God is reflecting both His unity and His diversity.

The members of the Trinity are committed to one another, they are in covenant with one another, therefore God desires covenant before the unity, which is why we believe premarital sex is wrong.

God’s design for humans is for us to function as He functions, that we would mirror Him and His character. Therefore, when two men have sex, they are not mirroring the diversity of the Trinity, for this reason God labels this as sin.

Our understanding of the creation account and our understanding of the Trinity point towards God’s ideal for sexuality. Any behavior outside of the ideal design is sinful, including homosexual behavior.

Recommended Resources:

What’s the Meaning of Sex (Denny Burk)

Transforming Homosexuality (Denny Burk & Heath Lambert)

What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? (by Kevin DeYoung)

Is Gay the New Black? (Voddie Baucham) (Video)

How Can Homosexuality Be Wrong If It Doesn’t Harm Anyone? (Video)

Previous Related Episodes:

11: Why Is Premarital Sex Sin?

55: Why Does Sexual Purity Matter? With Dr. Corey Allan

58: Why Is God Consumed With His Own Glory?

65: Is It Wrong To Live Together Before We’re Married?

70: How Does God Determine What Is Sin And What Is Not Sin?

77: What About Sex Toys? with Dr. Corey Allan Apr 26, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, Kenny interviews Dr. Corey Allan for a second time. This time they talk about “sex toys” and how married couples can approach the topic of being “diverse” in their quest to enhance their sexual relationship.

Dr. Allan is a therapist, author, blogger, speaker, and podcaster. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has coached hundreds of people through issues related to sexual integrity.

After the interview, Kenny gives some additional thoughts and commentary on the issue of sex toys related to single people, masturbation, celibacy, and homosexuality.

Resources:

Check out our previous interview with Dr. Corey Allan (Episode 55: Why Does Sexual Purity Matter?)

Connect with Dr. Corey Allan at www.simplemarriage.net

76: How to Work for a Company You Morally Disagree With? Apr 25, 2016

Show notes

With the ever changing cultural landscape of North America, many companies are now passing policies that are not in line with a Biblical worldview. This means more and more that Christians will be faced with the predicament of working for a business that promotes something that Christians may morally object to.

In this episode, Kenny dives into this topic and gives Christians several things to remember as they navigate these sorts of issues. The legal questions around this topic are certainly still very “grey” in many ways, but we need to make moral resolutions and build our ethics upon Biblical truth, regardless of whatever laws are passed. But it is also imperative to remember that our convictions will vary from person to person.

As we determine our convictions, we must do these things:

1) Ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27); and ask yourself good questions as you determined your convictions such as:

– Is this really a big deal?

– Can I reconcile this?

– Am I being inconsistent or being a hypocrite?

– Am I directly participating in the destruction of another human being or their God-given potential?

2) Be clear and precise with your language.

3) Dialogue with your boss, peers, or clients.

4) Be kind, respectful, and gentle (1 Peter 3:15).

75: How Should We Respond to the Transgender People and Bathrooms Debate? Apr 25, 2016

Show notes

There has been a recent debate around the topic of transgender people, specifically their usage of public bathrooms. So, that begs the question, How should we, as Christians, respond to this recent transgender people bathroom usage debate?

In this episode, Kenny attacks this recent debate with clarity. First, Kenny reminds Christians that we need to be sensitive to people with emotions we may not be familiar with. Secondly, Kenny affirms that it is okay for Christians to reject certain ideologies based on Biblical convictions. Lastly, Kenny gives Christians three practical things to remember as they engage with this debate:

1- Be kind.

2- Invest extra energy into protecting your children.

3- Be consistent with your voting and how you spend your money.

74: How Should Theology Impact Our Eating Habits? with Stephen Mackey Apr 23, 2016

Show notes

Many Christians compartmentalize their lives in such a way that their theology never bleeds into certain areas, but our theology should impact every area of our lives.

In this episode, Kenny interviews pastor and podcaster Stephen Mackey, for a third straight episode, but this time they dive into a topic that few Christians ever talk about: “How should our theology impact our eating habits and our approach to being physically healthy?” Mackey has lost more than 70 pounds over the last few months and he has become passionate about living a healthy life.

Mackey says that living a healthy lifestyle does two very important things:

1- Health honors God.

2- Gives us the power to say “no” to things that are unhealthy, physically and spiritually.

3- Exposes the fact that we find satisfaction in food more than Christ.

4- Enables us to live a longer healthier life, so that we can do more Gospel work.

5- Impacts our self-esteem and how people see us.

73: Is Jesus a Liar, a Lunatic, or the Lord? with Stephen Mackey Apr 22, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, our host Kenny is joined, once again, by pastor, speaker, and podcaster Stephen Mackey (M.Div.) to discuss the importance and magnitude of each individual person’s view of Jesus Christ. The most important answer you will ever give in your life is the answer you give to the most important question in the world: Who do you say Jesus is?

In this conversation, Mackey examines and unpacks a famous quote from C.S. Lewis wherein he made the claim that Jesus must be either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord; there is no fourth option, neither is there a hybrid. You must either reject Jesus’ words or embrace them as absolute truth. We must either reject Jesus as having any value or we must worship Him, there is no middle ground option.

72: Does God Give us the Power to Forgive Sin on His Behalf? with Stephen Mackey Apr 22, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, Kenny interviews a pastor friend Stephen Mackey (M.Div) to answer a tough theological question that came in from a regular listener of the podcast.

The question was: “I came across John 20:23. After appearing to the disciples, Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive another’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Doesn’t this seem to negate the work Jesus just did on the cross. I am not sure from a historical point how his was interpreted.”

Kenny and Mackey dive into the Greek nuances of the Gospel of John to help in order to help bring clarity to this particular passage.

71: Is Mental Illness Caused by Demons? Apr 21, 2016

Show notes

Topics related to mental illness are very sensitive for many people, therefore it is essential that we have quality Biblical theology around the topic of mental health and related issues.

A few weeks ago Kenny received an email from a regular listener, in response to episode 43: Is Judas in Heaven or Hell?

In the email, the listener praised Kenny for not “blanketly condemning” all mental illnesses, and those individuals who suffer from them, as merely being “unChristian.”

In this this episode, Kenny addresses that comment and clearly answers the question: “Is mental illness caused by demonic activity?”

There are some people that believe demons cause mental health issues and mental illness. In response to that, Kenny says that sometimes they do, but other times they cause other health issues. Furthermore, there is Biblical evidence that only some health issues can be directly attributed to demonic activity.

Highlighted Passages:

Luke 17

Mark 6:5

Matthew 13:58

Luke 8:2

Mark 16:9

John 21:25

Luke 9:39

Luke 13

Mark 9:17

Mark 9:25

Matthew 12:2

Luke 8:27-28

Luke 9:1-2

Luke 13:32

Acts 5:15-16

70: How Does God Determine What is Sin and What is Not Sin? Apr 18, 2016

Show notes

Sometimes people believe that God seemingly condemns certain things or certain behaviors arbitrarily, randomly, or haphazardly. This is not true.

In this episode, Kenny explains that we were created to glorify God and reflect His character, therefore anything in us that does not glorify or reflect Him violates the purpose for which we were created. Furthermore, we were all created by God to function in certain ways, with an ideal design in mind. Anytime we do not function as we were created to function, or anytime we go outside of His perfect ideal design for us, then we will cease to glorify and reflect Him.

Kenny asserts that God determines certain things to be sinful based upon the ideal design with which we were created. Anything that goes outside that design can potentially be labeled sinful, or at least will eventually lead us down the road to sin.

69: Does God Punish Christians? Apr 16, 2016

Show notes

In this short episode, Kenny makes it clear that God never punishes believers. The Father has already punished his own Son Jesus at the cross, therefore there is no need to punish you.

However, God does discipline His people. God steps in to coach us and He also corrects us, and sometimes those moments of correction can be painful, but we are never being punished. Our discipline comes from the hand of a loving Father, molding us into the image of His Son Jesus.

Highlighted Passages:

– Romans 5:1

– Romans 8:1

– Romans 8:29

– Hebrews 12:5-6

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