The Analytical Preacher - Bible Discussions For The Modern World
Andy
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The Bible provides a way to validate that it is the true word of God and offers compelling answers and insights to living in our modern world. Dr. Daniell explores current topics with a rational, objective approach, providing enlightening and sometimes surprising answers from the scriptures. Each episode provides the biblical view of the subject in question along with explanations for those conclusions. Andy is the author of the book Clear Vision: How The Bible Teaches Us To View The World. He has been interviewed by World Christian Broadcasting about his book and been a guest on the On Faith’s Edge radio program. He has written religious articles for The Christian Standard magazine, The Christian Post and The Atlanta Journal.
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Was Jesus Really Tempted In Every Way That We Are?
In Hebrews chapter 4, the author states that Jesus was tempted in every respect as are we, though He remained sinless through the process. But with all the temptations of the modern world, how is it possible that Christ could have been tempted just like we are today? In this podcast, Andy looks at the scripture in question and a couple of other relevant verses to provide the biblical answer to this probing question.
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May 26, 2023
Does Christianity Call For A Life Of Abundance Or A Life Of Denial And Self-Sacrifice?
The example that Jesus set for His followers was one of living a life of self-denial and self-sacrifice. But there are also verses where Jesus promises blessings, peace and even a life most abundant for Christians. So, which is it, a life of self-sacrifice or a life of abundance? Can it be both? In this podcast Andy uses scripture to dissolve the apparent tension between these two options, explaining the abundant Christian life and how we achieve it.
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May 19, 2023
What Does The Bible Say About Slavery?
There are verses in scripture that speak very harshly about slave traders and slave holders. Yet there are also verses that seem to provide support for the institution. So, what does the Bible say about slavery - how does it define it and does it provide slavery with an endorsement? In this podcast, Andy looks at scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments to provide comprehensive answers to these questions.
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May 12, 2023
Are Sickness And Natural Disasters God's Direct Punishment For Sin?
The Bible teaches one of the curses of sin is that bad things such as sickness and natural disasters will occur. And we also see in certain parts of scripture that God has used such things as punishment against specific people for specific transgressions. In this podcast, Andy addresses the issue of how we know when a misfortune is direct punishment from God and whether such occurrences still take place under the New Covenant of Christ in which we now live.
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May 5, 2023
How Bad Is Sin? A Story Of Apples and Manure.
Are all sins bad? What about sins that we do in private that no one else knows about? What about sins that don't seem to harm anyone, including us? In this podcast, Andy uses the story of the fall in the Garden of Eden and a simple instruction given to the Israelite army which dramatically show our need to obey God through faith. Adam and Eve could not have possibly understood the consequences of eating the fruit and we can't possibly understand the impact of even our simplest sins either.
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Apr 28, 2023
When Does A Thought Become A Sin?
We know that we can be tempted without sinning, as the Bible tells us Jesus did just that. But we are also warned that our thoughts and internal desires can be sinful. So, when does a thought become a sin? In this podcast, Andy explores that question and answers it from a biblical foundation.
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Apr 21, 2023
Why Do We Worship On Sunday And Not On The Sabbath (Saturday)?
Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Old Covenant and it would stay in effect until all was accomplished in it. Jesus having fulfilled it, though, we are no longer under its obligations, including keeping the Sabbath. In this podcast, Andy explains the Old and New Testament verses that make this clear to us and also examines a few other differences in how God instructs us to act now that we are under the New Covenant.
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Apr 14, 2023
Does Science Disprove The Need For God?
It is impossible to 'prove' that something doesn’t exist but has science - given its ability to explain everything by natural causes - at least eliminated the need for a god-like entity to exist? In this podcast, Andy explores what science can and can't explain in terms of natural causes and scientific laws and compares it to what the Bible records as being governed by natural laws versus what required supernatural origins. The overlap of the scientific and biblical lists is quite revealing.
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Apr 7, 2023
Was Jesus Actually In The Grave For Three Days And Three Nights?
Many people point out that though Jesus said He would be in the earth three days and three nights, He did not quite make it that long, given a Friday night to Sunday morning timeline. In this podcast, Andy explains that Jesus was in the grave for the period of time He foretold. He uses the Bible, of course, to explain the answer to the apparent contradiction.
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Mar 31, 2023
Why Are There Different Denominations In Christianity?
Christianity today is marked by a myriad of denominations and sub denominations. But are Christians instructed to do this in the Bible? No, in fact, just the opposite. In this podcast, Andy discusses what the Bible has to say on the topic and explains why denominations developed in the first place.
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Mar 24, 2023
My Sins Are Bad. Will God Forgive Me???
One of the most personal and painful questions asked of a minister by someone is whether God will forgive them (or even could possibly forgive them) for what they have done. Many asking the question have indeed done some terrible things that have hurt a great many people. But the good news is that the answer to the question rests not on how bad we are but how good and merciful God is! We can be forgiven and in this podcast, Andy explores exactly why that is and how we are to go about accepting God's grace and receiving that forgiveness.
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Mar 17, 2023
What Should We Call God?
When speaking to others about God or praying to Him alone, what are we to call Him? God gave a description of Himself and a name for Himself to Moses in the Old Testament. The question of how we are to refer to God is a common one and there are a few mistaken notions related to the topic. In this podcast, Andy will explore what the Bible says and use the scriptures of the New Testament to provide an answer to the question.
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Mar 10, 2023
How Much Is Too Much? Practical Rules For Living In A Materialistic Society
The Bible says that we cannot serve God and money and that the love of money is the root of much evil. But few specific rules and regulations are given for how a believer should make, spend, invest or give away their money in the New Testament scriptures. Because we live in a wealthy, capitalist society, many Christians are seeking answers to the question "how much is too much"? In this podcast, Andy uses biblical foundations to suggest some practical rules for living as a Christ follower in our materialistic age.
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Mar 3, 2023
What Should Christians Think About Capitalism?
Are the teachings of Jesus opposed to capitalism? Should Christians support or engage in capitalistic activities? Honest questions such as these are often discussed in Christian circles but not always in a logical and objective fashion. In this podcast, Andy searches for answers through the lens of a biblical worldview.
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Feb 24, 2023
Should Christians Use The Old Testament?
A long simmering battle in the Christian world over whether we should use the Old Testament portion of the Bible in our preaching and teaching has gotten a little hotter lately. Two recent sparing partners have been Andy Stanley and Ken Ham. So, should Christians in modern day America still rely on Old Testament scriptures and if so, how much and for what? We do need the Old Testament in order to provide a logical foundation to our faith (which is not to be based purely on emotion) and to answer the questions that naturally arise such as "why is there suffering" and "doesn't science eliminate the need for God"? In this podcast, Andy explores the issue and uses the Bible to help answer the question.
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Feb 16, 2023
Biblical Advice To Strengthen Your Marriage
Relationships are critical to our life, health and happiness. But human relationships - especially marriage - can be challenging. Thankfully the Bible offers words of wisdom and guidance. In this podcast, Andy discusses some specific biblical recommendations to help make our marriages stronger.
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Feb 10, 2023
Biblical Advice To Strengthen Our Relationships With Friends
Relationships are critical to our life, health and happiness. But human relationships - whether with family, friends or our spouse - can be extremely challenging. Thankfully the Bible offers words of wisdom and guidance for our relationships. In this podcast, Andy discusses some of those biblical guidelines to improve our general relationships and friendships. Next week's podcast will include some specific recommendations for marriage.
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Feb 3, 2023
Why Did Jesus Have To Die? Why Couldn’t God Just Forgive Us?
Why did Jesus have to die? Couldn't God have just forgiven us our sins and let us all into heaven? In this podcast, Andy discusses this question, pulling the answer from the attributes of God's holiness and the consequences of our sins. The best solution, in fact the only solution, was for Christ to pay our sin debt in the manner in which He did and we will discuss why here.
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Jan 27, 2023
How Do We Know We Are Saved?
Would you like to be certain about your salvation? Is it even possible to know now whether you are truly saved? If it is possible, then how do we know? This is a common, recurring question in Christian circles. The Bible does actually tell us that it is possible to be assured of our salvation and provides answers about how we will come to this assured knowledge. In this podcast, Andy looks primarily at the letter of 1st John, because the Apostle John stated therein that he wrote the letter so that we can have the assurance that we are in fact saved. And in nailing the argument down, we will also discuss some of the teachings of Jesus and the letter written by Jesus' half-brother, James.
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Jan 20, 2023
What Is The Most Important Part Of The Ten Commandments?
The scriptures containing the Ten Commandments is one of the most well known sections in the entire Bible. But does one part stand out over the others? If so, what is the most important section and why? In this podcast, Andy identifies that key component and, more importantly, explains why that piece is so critical to our understanding of not just the Ten Commandments but of the entire Bible. Because of how it shines light on our relationship with God, every Christian should understand this topic.
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Jan 13, 2023
I Am Mad At God!
Are you mad at God? Do you have a good understanding of what has made you angry with Him? In his ministry, Andy has worked with a number of people who are mad at God and in that work he has tried to provide the proper biblical perspective from which they can examine their feelings. In this podcast, he shares that fresh viewpoint with the audience.
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Jan 6, 2023
Biblical Forgiveness: What It Is And What It Isn't
Our willingness to forgive others is foundational to our Christian faith, the Bible is very explicit about that. But what exactly does it mean to forgive another person? To forgive someone in the biblical sense does not mean that you are saying what they did was okay and to forgive someone in the biblical sense does not mean that you have to maintain the same level of relationship with the person as before. In this podcast, Andy looks at and explains the requisite verses and biblical concepts of forgiveness so that we have a full understanding of what it means to forgive.
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Dec 29, 2022
What Does The Bible Say About Self Defense?
Are Christians allowed to defend themselves, their family and children from grave harm if they are being brutally attacked? Generally speaking, yes. But wasn't Jesus speaking about the immorality of self defense when He taught us to "turn the other cheek"? Actually, no. He was speaking more to how we handle personal insults. Are there Bible verses that deal directly with self defense? Yes, there is one in the Old Testament. In this podcast, we look at what the Bible says about self defense and how we are to properly apply those teachings to our lives today.
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Dec 22, 2022
A Devotion: What Is Satan's Biggest Lie?
The Bible not only tells us that Satan lies to us but that he is "the father of lies". Since we know Satan is going to try and trip us up with his fabrications, it is obviously helpful to understand what his most common and successful lie has been to humans down through the ages. Satan attempts to feed us the same lie that he told Eve in the Garden of Eden and one of the same lies with which he tried to trick Jesus in the wilderness after His baptism. In this podcast, we uncover Satan's biggest lie (which is not that God doesn't exist) and discuss why it is so effective.
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Dec 16, 2022
How Can God Be With Us If He Can't Be Around Sin?
There is a misconception that the Bible contradicts itself by saying that God cannot be around sin and yet that God is everywhere, including all the earthly places infected with sin. The Bible does not contradict itself, of course. In this podcast, Andy discusses the scriptures in question to easily put this misconception to bed.
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Dec 9, 2022
How To Do Good And Really Make A Difference
The Bible teaches us to be kind and charitable to others. But what are the biblical guidelines for such activities? In this podcast, Andy challenges us that too often our charity comes with little true sacrifice on our part and may be providing a minimum amount of real help. Scripture contains some very direct and powerful lessons on giving and helping and they are all covered here.
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Dec 1, 2022
Avoiding The Biggest Parenting Mistakes
We all love our kids and want what is best for them. But it is not always obvious in the moment when we are making a parenting mistake. In this podcast, Andy speaks from his experience as a minister with a biblical worldview about the three most common but harmful mistakes parents make in raising their children. In the course of the conversation, he provides biblical scriptures and real world examples to assist parents in their journey.
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Nov 24, 2022
What Does It Mean To Have A Personal Relationship With Jesus?
One of the most popular phrases in modern Evangelicalism is that we each must have a 'personal relationship with Jesus Christ'. But what exactly does that mean? And what, if any, is the scriptural basis for such a statement? In this podcast, Andy answers those questions, helping you understand if and how you achieve such a relationship.
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Nov 17, 2022
A Christian Minister's Honest Conversation About Sex
Being from God, sex is - in its proper use - a blessing and a gift meant to strengthen our marriages and produce children for us. Because sex has powerful impacts on people, however, its misuse is the cause of much direct and indirect misery. In this podcast, we look at the biblical view of sex, its design, proper use and potential harms.
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Nov 10, 2022
What biblical faith is (and what it is not). And what do people mean by 'faith over fear'?
In this podcast, we nail down a solid biblical definition of faith and look at the now common phrase of "faith over fear". Andy talks about true biblical faith, false faith and self-serving faith. He also examines when the phrase "faith over fear" is used appropriately and when and why it is so commonly misused.
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Nov 4, 2022
A Preacher's Thoughts On Happiness And Contentment
Are you truly happy? Do you have peace? Is your joy overly dependent on the circumstances in which you find yourself? The Bible teaches about a permanent hope and happiness and a peace that is so strong it is hard to understand. How do we tap into and achieve real biblical happiness? In this podcast, Andy discusses some traditional common sense guidelines for greater happiness and pulls into the discussion some less commonly known but equally powerful biblical principles.
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Oct 28, 2022
What Does The Bible Teach About Baptism?
Jesus warns us in scripture about establishing human traditions that override the authority of the teachings of God as found in scripture. One area where this seems most prevalent in the modern church regards the teachings and practices of baptism. In this podcast, Andy takes a fresh look at baptism in order to weave the most accurate biblical picture of the subject. He speaks about how words such as immersion, dipping and sprinkling are used in the Bible and draws firm conclusions about how the practice should be implemented in churches today.
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Oct 20, 2022
How Are We Saved?
The Bible speaks of each person's need to be saved from the penalty due for their sin. And we are reminded throughout scripture that we are unable to pay (any part of) our debt to God on our own. Of course, the message of the Gospel is that through His amazing grace, God provides a way - through the blood of His Son Jesus - for us to be saved and connected back to Him. Each denomination has developed their own customs and traditions concerning how a person is saved. In this podcast, though, Andy encourages listeners to set aside all customs and habits and take a fresh look at exactly what the Bible teaches in this area. How are we saved? How do we talk to others about being saved? It is all covered - straight from the Bible - in this podcast.
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Oct 14, 2022
The Bible And Modern Medicine - When Are We "Playing God"?
Are we "playing God" when we use modern medicine or advanced medical techniques such as organ transplants and gene editing? The use of medicine and medical procedures is not in and of itself unbiblical but there is a line which can be crossed. In this podcast, Andy explains how the Bible supports medical advancements and provides a rule for where the line should be drawn.
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Oct 7, 2022
Christians And The Environment
The Bible tells us that we are stewards of God's earth so we can use it for our benefit but must be careful not to abuse it. In this podcast, Andy discusses how the Bible directs Christians regarding environmental topics and policies.
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Sep 29, 2022
Why Jesus Opposes Self-Righteousness And Virtue Signaling Part II
Jesus taught against self-righteousness, moral posturing and virtue signaling. In the second part of this two-part podcast, Andy examines how Jesus' opposition to self-righteousness relates to behavior in the secular realms of our family, social and political lives.
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Sep 22, 2022
Why Jesus Opposes Self-Righteousness And Virtue Signaling Part I
Jesus clearly taught against self-righteousness, moral posturing and virtue signaling. In this podcast, Andy looks at a number of reasons why Jesus was opposed to this attitude and its associated behaviors, focusing especially on the religious and church realms of our lives.
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Sep 15, 2022
The Bible, Government And Modern Politics Part III
In this third podcast on the Bible and Politics, we examine government welfare and spending policies. Though many believe Christians must have a greater desire for government policy to take from the wealthy and give to the poor, we actually see the bigger problem is that the government subsidizes the wealthy at the expense of the less well off (as has been the custom of governments down through history).
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Sep 9, 2022
The Bible, Government And Modern Politics Part II
In this second podcast exploring the Bible and government or Bible and politics, we cover how the Bible's definition of certain aspects of human nature can guide government policies. We also discuss in what arenas the Bible does and does not influence a Christian's view of government policy.
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Sep 1, 2022
The Bible, Government And Modern Politics Part I
This podcast looks at the Biblical definition of and the role for government as well as how the Bible teaches Christians to interact with it. We'll cover the death penalty, whether Christians should serve in the military and why and how the First Amendment impacts us the way it does today.
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Aug 26, 2022
What The Bible Says About The End Of The World
Are we living in the end times? Will God give us any signs regarding the second coming of Christ? Do we know if there will be a rapture or when it might come? In this podcast, Andy covers these topics and others related to what is referred to as the end times, the second coming or the Day of the Lord.
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Aug 19, 2022
What The Bible Teaches About Bigotry, Racism and Discrimination Part III
In this final podcast on the topic of what the Bible teaches about bigotry, racism and discrimination, Andy provides additional detail on the evils of stereotyping and explores the parable of the Good Samaritan, pulling out life lessons for us today.
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Aug 12, 2022
What The Bible Teaches About Bigotry, Racism and Discrimination Part II
In Part two of the podcast on what the Bible teaches us about bigotry, racism and discrimination, Andy provides us with three life application points to take away from what we learned from the scriptures in the first podcast on the topic.
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Aug 5, 2022
What The Bible Teaches About Bigotry, Racism and Discrimination Part I
The Bible provides definitions for bigotry, racism and discrimination and speaks against them in very strong terms in both the Old and New Testaments. In this podcast, Andy covers those scriptures in some detail and provides the best biblical lesson for each of us to take away from those teachings today.
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Jul 30, 2022
The Bible And Anxiety Part II
In part two of this podcast about the Bible and Anxiety, Andy discusses some questions and answers on the topic and provides some practical, biblical recommendations for living with and working through anxiety.
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Jul 22, 2022
What Does The Bible Teach Us About Anxiety? Part I
How does the Bible define anxiety and what assistance does it provide on the topic? Surveys consistently show anxiety is a rising problem in the U.S. and the first place we should begin for all the issues we face in the life is the Bible. In this podcast, Andy looks into what main biblical authorities such as Jesus and the Apostle Paul have to say on the topic. The scriptures speak about our having peace but how do we navigate the journey to get to that destination?
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Jul 15, 2022
What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos?
Does the Bible speak about tattoos? If so, what does it say on the subject? Tattoos are mentioned in one place in the Bible, in the Old Testament Law of Moses. In this podcast, Andy discusses that Old Testament verse and what it means for us in the New Testament Church. He also examines related Christian principles so as to provide the most comprehensive answer possible on the topic.
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Jul 7, 2022
The Bible Teaches Christians To Be Rational Thinkers Who Make Logical Decisions
The Bible teaches Christians to be rational, data dependent believers and citizens. For example, we are to test the Bible for falsehoods, we come to faith through repentance, which is a conscious change of mind not an overwhelming emotion and Christian love, agape, is more of a decision than a feeling. But the concept goes much deeper than that. In this podcast, I cover why and how our faith is rational and discuss how looking logically at the world influences our views on everything from nuclear power to genetically modified foods (GMOs).
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Jul 1, 2022
"Nobody can judge me but God!" True or False?
The phrase "nobody can judge me but God" is a common defense when we are accused of something (and, perhaps, especially when we know we are guilty of the transgression). But is that statement biblically acceptable or just a worn out excuse? The answer to that depends on whether the individual being admonished is a professing Christian or not. In this podcast I explain why that is and give more detail into what it means.
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Jun 23, 2022
My Rational Journey To Faith: A Personal Testimony
How did someone with a Ph.D. in an analytical field become a Christian with a strong faith? In this episode, I cover my personal testimony. It is not a thrilling ride of emotional ups and down through near miraculous events. Instead, it covers a methodical, rational (scientific and philosophical) journey to my faith in the God of the Bible.
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Jun 17, 2022
Why Is There Evil And Suffering If God is Good?
Perhaps the most stressing question down through history has been "why is their evil and suffering in the world if God is good"? In this episode, Andy addresses this question head on with biblical answers.
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Jun 10, 2022
A Sermon For Pentecost
The first Pentecost after Jesus' resurrection and ascension was when the first Gospel or Christian sermon was preached. And that day the Apostles proclaimed exactly what Jesus had directed them to proclaim. They preached repentance in Jesus' name. But exactly what is repentance and how does it impact our (Christian) lives?
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Jun 3, 2022
The Bible And Interracial Marriage
What does the Bible say about interracial marriage? Does God concern Himself in any way with whom we date or marry? And if He does, why?
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May 27, 2022
The Bible & Immigration
How does the Bible direct a Christian regarding topics related to the treatment of immigrants, the level of immigration and policies for the Dreamers? In this podcast episode, I cover the relevant scriptures and describe the Bible's framework for answering such inquiries.
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May 20, 2022
What Is The Unforgivable Sin (and can I be guilty of it)?
The Bible says blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable or unpardonable sin. What does that mean? Could I be guilty of that sin? Is it possible that I have accidently committed it? These are common questions and here I provide a reassuring answer. But this episode closes with a couple of challenges the Bible provides us relative to the Holy Spirit on which Christians might need to focus more attention.
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May 13, 2022
Biblical Recommendations To Improve Our Current Political Environment
What would Jesus suggest is the best way to address the chaos in and dissatisfaction with our current political environment? In this podcast, Andy discusses the direction in which a biblical view will take us on this topic.
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May 6, 2022
The Bible And Abortion
After a recent leak from the Supreme Court, abortion is receiving a renewed focus. What does the Bible say about the unborn? What guidance (direct or indirect) does scripture provide for a believer relative to supporting or opposing abortion?
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Apr 28, 2022
The Relationship Of The Bible And Science Part II
Some (uninformed) believers are leery of science and some scientists take shots at the Christian faith. But the truth is the Bible supports, actually compels us to undertake, science. In the second of this two-part series, I complete my discussion of the Bible's foundational support for modern science.
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Apr 22, 2022
The Relationship Of The Bible And Science Part I
Some (uninformed) believers are leery of science and some scientists take shots at the Christian faith. But the truth is the Bible supports, actually compels us to undertake, science. In this first of a two-part series, I establish the framework of the Bible's foundational support for modern science.
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Apr 15, 2022
An Easter Sermon
Jesus made big, bold claims about who He was and what He was sent to accomplish on earth. Big, bold claims, of course, require big, bold proof. In this Easter sermon, I discuss what proof Jesus provides us to support His earth shattering claims.
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Apr 8, 2022
A Palm Sunday Sermon
This episode is a sermon which discusses Jesus fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy as He rode into Jerusalem on the Sunday before His crucifixion. I explain why and how Jesus was claiming to be King through this activity and what it signified about Satan's ultimate defeat.
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Apr 4, 2022
Are We To Take The Bible Literally?
Is the Bible a factual historical account, beautiful poetry or only a collection of myths? In this episode, I explore how it is that we are to interpret the stories and lessons of scripture by examining the Bible's various components.
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Apr 2, 2022
How Do We Know The Bible Is True?
If the Bible is truly the word of God, then it must have some way to validate itself as such. In this episode, I explain how we know the Bible is true. Don't be surprised if the answer reminds you a bit of a science class.
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Apr 1, 2022
The Bible And Vaccines
What direction does the Bible provide us related to complicated modern topics such as the use of vaccines? In this episode I take a biblical view of vaccines and their use in modern medicine.
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