Defend and Confirm

In this episode, we tackle an assortment of questions submitted by listeners: Did the Holy Spirit indwell faithful believers in the Old Testament, or is the indwelling Spirit unique to the new covenant? Can God create a stone so heavy he cannot lift it? If he can't, doesn't this mean God isn't really omnipotent?  Finally, should elders within a church be willing to step down from their positions for reasons other than moral failure? Or should we thinkg 'once an elder, always an elder?'

This episode's "books you should read": https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Christ-Antinomianism-Assurance_Why-Controversy/dp/1433548003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537296661&sr=8-1&keywords=the+whole+christ

God's Indwelling Presence, James Hamilton: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Indwelling-Presence-Testaments-Theology-ebook/dp/B00R3U22CE/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537297782&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=jim+hamilton+indwelling

In this episode, we revisit the question of how christians can know what we claim we know. We discuss the self-authenticating model of scripture, and interact with some of the competing ways christians and non-christians attempt to understand the authority of God's word. We also deal with common criticisms of our view. 

This episode’s “books you should read” is actually a series of lectures you should listen to: https://subsplash.com/reformtheosem/s/xjduvb5

Sean and Russell discuss Biblical theology, how it differs from systematic theology, and how having a good biblical theology lends ot the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 

This episode's "books you should read":https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Theology-Life-Church-Ministry/dp/1433515083/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539280234&sr=8-1&keywords=Michael+Lawrence+biblical+theology

In this episode, Russell is joined by 8-year-old guest co-host, Barrett. Russell addresses the problem of evangelical youth "leaving the faith." Is the problem a lack of apologetics training? Or is it a more fundamental problem in the evangelical church? We talk about the need for discipleship and evangelism of children, why you shouldn't assume your little ones are believers until they are old enough to make credible professions of faith, and give tips on how to better prepare your child to defend and confirm the gospel. 

This episode's "books you should read":

https://www.amazon.com/Ology-Ancient-Truths-Ever-New/dp/194257228X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539789156&sr=8-1&keywords=the+ology

https://www.amazon.com/Young-Baptists-Catechism-Beginners-Confession/dp/1556352611/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539789171&sr=8-1&keywords=the+young+baptist+catechism

https://www.amazon.com/Fallacy-Detective-Thirty-Eight-Recognize-Reasoning/dp/097453157X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539789190&sr=8-1&keywords=fallacy+detective

"The bible can't be from God because it condones immorality!" 

In this episode, Russell and Sean address this common criticism, and highlight the common errors in reasoning that lead to this conclusion. We cover the topics of slavery in ancient Israel, the "genocide" of Canaanites commanded by God, and the justice of laws regarding rape in the Mosaic covenant. 

This episode's "book you should read": https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Doctrine-Holiness-Building-Churches/dp/1433535890/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540320324&sr=8-1&keywords=sound+doctrine+9+marks

In this episode, we talk about abortion. Abortion is a horrendous evil, and yet the pro-abortion rhetoric is stronger than ever. Sean and Russell work through some of the most common arguments in favor of legal abortion, and show how they are all intellectually, morally, and scientifically bankrupt. 

This episode's "books you should read":

https://www.amazon.com/Case-Life-Equipping-Christians-Culture/dp/1433503204

Russell and Sean continue to take apart pro-abortion arguments, one at a time. We demonstrate how each of these arguments is intellectually, morally, and scientifically bankrupt, and give advice to christians on how to interact with pro-abortion rhetoric. If you missed part 1 of this discussion, check out episode 15!

Abortion claims the lives of approximately 3000 babies each day. What can we do to fight against this atrocity? Can anti-abortion ministry become unhealthy? Sean and Russell discuss these questions and list some simple ways that any christian can contribute to this battle.

In this episode, Sean and Russell discuss protesting outside of abortion clinics. Should christians do it? Are there right and wrong ways to approach this ministry? 

This episode's "books you should read" is an article by Sean: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/does-carrying-signs-really-save-babies