Matthew 5:33-37: must Christians refuse all oaths?
- Are you really violating anything by taking an oath, or just upholding cultural norms?
Mike, addressed by name, reads Matthew 5:33-37 aloud ('do not take an oath at all... let what you say be simply yes or no') and argues America's courtroom oath ritual (hand on the Bible) is exactly what Jesus forbade. The hosts debate applications: a juror may assume refusal means guilt, a kid's father barred Boy Scouts over the oath, marriage vows and loan contracts, and whether Jesus meant all oaths or just integrity of speech. One host warns they cede too much ground to culture; another counters the broader point is being careful and trustworthy with words. They close by quoting the IVP Bible Background Commentary on rabbinic oath tiers (swearing by the temple vs. the gold on the temple) and land on: your word should need no outside backing.
More on Scripture
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'It's not a religion, it's a relationship': framing the big question
- Does God want a relationship with you - and if so, what do we actually mean by it?
Ben frames the night's first big question: the phrase 'it's not a religion, it's a relationship' is common, and evangelicals say 'God wants to be in relationship with you' - but is it true, and if so, what do we mean?
From No. 602 · Relationship Counseling
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The New Testament case for human shaping
- What does the New Testament actually say about spiritual authority and submission?
Ben walks the New Testament texts: Hebrews 13:17 ('obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls') presumes a soul-watching laborer, not a rule-maker;…
From No. 600 · Rage The Elephant
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How to tell your voice from God's: the Bible test and leniency
- How can you tell the difference between you speaking and God speaking?
Ella distills the question: how do you tell the difference between you speaking and God speaking? Her first answer: we have a Bible — what God is telling you is probably already in it ('Ben's gonna have a proud papa moment').
From No. 597 · Maybe A Word From God
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Self-help Jesus and the wave problem
- Why do believers cycle through self-help-style Jesus fads instead of lasting growth?
The hosts move to the second topic: 'self help Jesus' content on social media — spirituality coded with affirmations that God loves you but really centered on self-improvement, arriving in waves like fad diets.
From No. 545 · By Invitation Only