- Is God interested in making us happy, or in making us holy?
The hosts react to 'God isn't interested in making you happy, He's interested in making you holy' — one host calls it one of his favorite phrases. They agree holiness and happiness are not mutually exclusive: happiness defined by God is a consequence of pursuing holiness, citing the Beatitudes, Psalms on joy in God's presence, Augustine on restless hearts, the Westminster Shorter Catechism on glorifying and enjoying God, and Aquinas on union with God. They note the phrase works in its usual context — choosing against an unholy action that promises worldly happiness — but fails as a standalone truism.
More on Scripture
-
'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
-
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
-
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
-
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