State of Theology survey; heresy one: Jesus isn't the only way
- What is a heresy?
- Why is it not possible for God to accept the worship of all religions?
The hosts move to the Christianity Today piece on the 2022 State of Theology survey (Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research): more than half of American adults now say Scripture is not literally true. The show endorses the Bible as God's infallibly written word, noting some of it is poetry and true metaphor without needing word-for-word literalism. Heresy one: 56% of evangelical respondents affirm that God accepts the worship of all religions. The hosts reject it — Judaism and Islam share the Genesis problem of sin but offer no atoning sacrifice; one host tells of befriending a Muslim family, building the relationship while holding that the man's view of Jesus as merely a prophet leaves him without salvation. Evangelism is framed as love, not hatred: the Penn & Teller line — how much would you have to hate me not to tell me? — plus the 'bring them to the light, not save them from the hammer' reframing.
More on Evangelism
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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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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
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Dear LFTP: the $600 lawnmower and buying them a mower
- My nephew's wife took my $600, lied about it, and is avoiding me. Should I say something or let it go?
Mike reads a letter from someone who gave a nephew's wife $600 for a self-propelled lawnmower; she spent it, never bought the mower, and now avoids them.
From No. 587 · Coffee After Sunday
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Maintaining hope for people who won't choose Jesus
- How do you maintain hope for someone who keeps rejecting Jesus when God won't override their free will?
The episode's centerpiece: Mike's pre-show question about how to maintain hope for people who reject Christ when God won't override their free will.
From No. 579 · Wanted: Paul and Hope | Paul’s Persecution of Christians and Radical Redemption