Hard question: do the ends justify the means?
- For Christ, do the ends justify the means?
A brief YouTube channel and newsletter promo gives way to the question Phil the drummer put to Mike on Sunday morning: for Christ, do the ends justify the means? Mike's answer - no, never; the means are what produce the end that gets judged - anchors a long debate touching Paul's prison letters (rivals preaching Christ from wrong motives), Matthew 16:26 on gaining the world and forfeiting the soul, televangelists running for-profit ministries, the line between watering down the message and making church welcoming, 'itching ears' preaching, and the woman caught in adultery as the model of truth without condemnation.
More on Church
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Church, emotions, and the self-focus of affluence
- How do you help people in an affluent, self-focused culture see that they need Jesus?
Ben revives a question from two or three shows back: are church services and worship tunes postured toward certain personality types — predominantly emotions and dealing with emotions?
From No. 603 · Found Out
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Leadership training for church leaders: get a business manager
- Do people who lead churches need leadership training?
Mike's real question: to what extent do people need leadership training to lead churches? Ben gives two distinct answers.
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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Confetti and lasers: what should God's people be known for?
- Do we want to be known as the confetti and lasers people?
- What should God's people be known for?
Ben redirects to the docket's denomination question: when someone hears Silas's church described as 'the confetti and lasers people,' should that sting?
From No. 598 · Emphasis | Accountability, Worship and Praying with Strangers