Crises caused by people, not claims: COVID walkaways and Jesus-plus-stuff
Ben argues many midlife faith crises have nothing to do with God's claims and everything to do with disappointed expectations of people: believers who walked away over COVID-era church behavior or who bundled Jesus with politics, patriotism, or lifestyle causes. The hosts agree that bailing on Jesus because someone bundled him with something else is bailing for the wrong reason, while also refusing to abandon fellow believers over their entanglements.
More on Politics
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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
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Ask the Pastor: Joan of Arc and violence in God's name
- How should we think about Joan of Arc and claims of divine direction toward violence?
A complaint-line listener asks how to think about Joan of Arc, who claimed divine visions directing her to support Charles VII in war.
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Article one: does the Bible teach us to obey authority?
- Does the Bible teach us to obey authority?
- Is it worse for Christians now than it has ever been?
Framed by 2 Timothy 4:3-4 ('people will not put up with sound doctrine'), the hosts push back on nostalgia: persecution is real in some places but not worse than ever (Nero's garden torches; the sack-with-animals martyrdom).
From No. 561 · The Answer is Liverpool
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Dear LFTP: the political sister who won't stop debasing my candidate
- Is there a polite, non-confrontational way to make my sister stop debasing my political choice during her visits?
A host reads a Dear LFTP letter from a quiet listener whose sister visits weekly for cards but constantly debases the listener's political candidate, nearly bringing her to tears.
From No. 490 · QuickTrip Johnson