Tips On Theology

Dealing with head cold this week so I am reposting a blog from 2021. Hope everyone has a good week. -Chris

The Good Word

Theology and biblical study can be overwhelming. I am the furthest thing from an expert but I do want to share with you some tips on how to form your theological opinions.

Truth is a lot of times we can form opinions on scripture prior to even reading scripture. We hear someone take a position and tell us why that is true in the Bible and that version sounds good so we resist anyone else’s take on scripture because our mind is made up already.

Don’t put any theologian on a pedestal no man has it exactly right, only God has full knowledge. You can be a Lutheran or a Calvinist or a part of any other denomination while disagreeing with the person who started the denomination or the person the denomination is named after. As a matter of fact you should disagree with them on occasion as they’re a…

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Christian YouTube Channels 2022

I have to admit this post will be a little lazy (especially since I did a post like this in 2020 and that one included write ups). But today I will be giving you a list of ten YouTube Channels (in no particular order) I frequently have used for Christian content in the last couple of years.

Here we go…

1. Mike Winger: https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeWinger
2. Logos Bible Software: https://www.youtube.com/c/logosbiblesoftware
3. Ten Minute Bible Hour: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTenMinuteBibleHour
4. Dr. Jordan B Cooper (Lutheran Perspective): https://www.youtube.com/user/SemperReformanda1517
5. AOC Network: https://www.youtube.com/c/AmbassadorsofChrist
6. THE BEAT by Allen Parr: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebeatagp
7. Dr. Michael Heiser: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrMichaelSHeiser
8. The Remnant Radio: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRemnantRadio
9. Inspiring Philosophy: https://www.youtube.com/c/InspiringPhilosophy
10. Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/c/bibleproject

Bonus! Fun YouTube Channels Christians Would Like…
Chronicles of Narnia Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/IntotheWardrobe

Lord of the Rings Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/NerdoftheRings

Hope you all check them out,
Chris

Luke 18:9-14 Bible Study Guide

Hello Everyone,

This Wednesday Night at my church I will be leading a Bible Study on Luke 18:9-14. I wrote a study guide this morning so I would like to share that with you for this week’s entry. Hopefully the questions can help you think about the text in a more in-depth way.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Luke 18:9-14
New International Version
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Questions

-When you read this parable what comes to your mind? What are your first thoughts?

-Let’s compare the two people in this parable. 

-For me there seems to be a common trend of Jesus speaking up against arrogant religious leaders. How can this be a cautionary tale to us as Christians especially in leadership?

-Do you think the pharisee was a bad person or perhaps just misguided?

-Is it possible to become so focused on God’s commandments that we forget God’s grace?

-This may be a tough one. What’s some tips and guides we can all use to stay humble while not sacrificing our integrity?

-Tell me some of your closing thoughts.

-Prayer 

A Second Look At Peter

My Sunday School group that I am a part of just finished studying 1^st and 2^nd Peter. It was a 12 Lesson program and it was really uplifting and education. Thoroughly enjoyed the class semester.

However, one take away I have from this is the negative reaction many have to events in Peter’s life.

I want to look at three moments in a different way.

First many always point out Peter sank in the water after leaving the boat but how many of us would even have the faith to walk out on to the water in the first place? Yes he ended up sinking but he had more faith then most.

Second Peter was told by Jesus to “get behind me Satan” after Peter said about Jesus’ death that it, “shall never happen to you”. Most of us knowing what would happen probably shake our heads at Peter but in that situation would we not be thinking the same thing? How many of the other disciples had similar thoughts? But Peter had the courage to speak up and challenge Jesus even if he was out of line.

Last Peter cut off a Roman Soldiers ear, this a brutal and scary moment when you think about it but again this shows Peter’s courage that while many of us would cower in that situation Peter was ready to fight to the death for Jesus Christ.

Peter didn’t just have faith and courage, he loved Jesus. He loved Jesus so much that he did things no one else had the faith or courage to do, even if he was wrong and made mistakes his love for God was clear.

Let’s remember Peter in his faith and remember God in how he took a flawed man of faith like Peter and turned him into one of the most importance leaders in church history.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Bible References:
Peter Sinks
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014%3A22-33&version=NIV

Peter Called Satan
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016&version=NIV

Peter Cuts of Soldiers Ear
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18%3A10-11&version=NIV

Daily Bible Readings:
Monday – Jeremiah 17:5-10

Tuesday – Psalm 1 

Wednesday – 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Thursday – Luke 6:17-26

Evangelism Part Four: How To Evangelize

This entry will be the last (or at least I think it will be the last), entry in the Evangelism series. As I mentioned in the original entry, I am writing this as I learn how to evangelize.

Because of this, today is going to be more a video-based post.

Here are some how to evangelize videos.

First…

Next…

This video I found interesting it is a full hour interview, the video focuses mostly on “reaping”…

To dig really deep in this, here is a three part series from Paul Washer on Evangelism.

Part 1…

Part 2…

Part 3…

Remember God loves you and wants to use you for this. I know it can be scary so here is one last video, it is how to deal with fear and anxiety when it comes to Evangelism…

Now go, be bold and brave. I will pray for you and please pray for me.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Also, I would highly recommend you reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I recently read this and it was wonderful. I am leaving a link to the book on Amazon but you can always check your local library to see if they have a copy as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis-audiobook/dp/B00JPJGZE2/ref=zg_bs_12380_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YRKAJKE6KQY5RRMH7921

Daily Bible Readings:
Monday – Ruth 1:1-18

Tuesday – Psalm 146

Wednesday – Hebrews 9:11-14

Thursday – Mark 12:28-34

Tips On Theology

Theology and biblical study can be overwhelming. I am the furthest thing from an expert but I do want to share with you some tips on how to form your theological opinions.

Truth is a lot of times we can form opinions on scripture prior to even reading scripture. We hear someone take a position and tell us why that is true in the Bible and that version sounds good so we resist anyone else’s take on scripture because our mind is made up already. 

Don’t put any theologian on a pedestal no man has it exactly right, only God has full knowledge. You can be a Lutheran or a Calvinist or a part of any other denomination while disagreeing with the person who started the denomination or the person the denomination is named after. As a matter of fact you should disagree with them on occasion as they’re a fallible man.

It is very important when you hear a scripture verse used in an argument to cross reference that verse with the rest of the Bible. Scripture doesn’t contradict itself if you find a verse that seems to do so then find another interpretation of the original verse from scripture you were cross referencing and see if that view makes more sense.  

Read those who you disagree with, you can still learn from your brothers and sisters even if you disagree with them.

Learn what heresy is, it is not just something you disagree with, true heretical doctrine should be spoken out against in a different manner than a non-heretical stance that is different than your own.

It’s okay not classify yourself, you can hear all sides and form your theology. For example when it comes to soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), I don’t classify myself as anything. I have my opinion (I will not share it because soteriology is like the politics of theology it cannot be brought up without a big argument ensuing). I listened to all sides of the argument and read the scripture and came to my opinion on salvation. I am sure it may fall in a category but that doesn’t really bother me. I just want to focus on being a Christian first and a category within Christianity second.

Most importantly read scripture on your own and let the Holy Spirit be your teacher.

God is the ultimate teacher, He can teach through man but it is His Word not ours.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Links:

Holy Spirit As Your Teacher
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Holy-Spirit-As-Teacher

Cross Referencing Tool
https://www.blueletterbible.org/

Heritage Baptist Church Service