This episode is all about returning to the meaning of "church" as Christ has called us to. The episode will very likely bring to mind some questions that disturb you, but there is no reason to shy away for that reason. I want to challenge you to find the meaning of "church" in the Bible, not how you use it now. Would Paul know what you meant when you used it in a sentence? Would Jesus? If not, perhaps it is worth revisiting. 

Church of Christ Table Talks

What is "Church," really?

Hello!Thank you for your time and devotion to God and His will for your life. This episode furthers our focus on the basic concepts of the Christian message. Now that you know you are "God's special possession, a royal priesthood," in what message do you abide? How do you tell the convict, the criminal, the lowly a message that is relevant and powerful to save even the most hopeless, dirty humans on the earth? The Christian message is one of (Hope), (Grace), and (Liberation), and we need to bring that to the forefront of our minds and to the world! 

The Message of Hope

Hello! Thanks for choosing to listen in. This episode is the beginning of the Back to the Basics series. What does it mean to be a Christian in a world that fights for your attention? Well, we start with recognizing that we are God's own, His chosen people. We move from there to what God wants us to do with that information, with that gift. Let's rediscover our identity as a people set apart for and by God to declare His praises, preach His word, and worship Him alone!

You Are God's Special Possession

Hey there! I'm stoked to be done with grad school and move on to the next challenge! What I've found in the past year is that our churches have been far too distracted. We have programs...so.many.PROGRAMS. It's exhausting. I believe with all my heart that now is the time to restructure what we know as Church. We need to get back to what it means to be a Christian, and I believe that we can do it! This new study will revisit many of the fundamentals of Christianity. How to read the Bible. Who Jesus is? Why it matters? Emphasis on the Spirit. And much more. So, share this with a friend, or church, or just enjoy yourself as we dive deeper into the mystery of Christianity. 

Back to the Basics

In this episode, I compare two perspectives of God: (1) that God experiences suffering; (2) that God does not suffer, and (3) that God suffers by a different quality than humans do. I use two authors: Paul Gavrilyuk (The Suffering of the Impassible God) and Jurgen Moltmann (The Crucified God). Throughout the episode, I present several questions that are naturally assumed with this study: The Problem of Evil--if God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving, why is there evil in the world? If God suffers as I suffer, how does that project who God is for the better or for the worse? If God does not suffer, can He really be said to "mediate" for the human? Many of these questions and more are wrestled within this episode. If you're interested in the sources, there is a link below. God bless!Paul Gavrilyuk: https://www.amazon.com/Suffering-Impassible-God-Dialectics-Patristic/dp/0199297118/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Paul+Gavrilyuk&qid=1605708657&sr=8-2Jurgen Moltmann: https://www.amazon.com/Crucified-God-Jurgen-Moltmann/dp/150640295X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GEXBKSYXCJOF&dchild=1&keywords=jurgen+moltmann&qid=1605708740&sprefix=Jurgen+%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-3

The Problem of Evil and the Suffering of God

Hello!During this podcast, I speak of the great Augustine of Hippo. During the show, I wrestle with the four concepts that I've understood from Augustine's prolific work, De Trinitate. That is, Augustine emphasizes the limits of the human capacity to conceptualize God (and nature); Augustine proposes that faith and reason are not separate dimensions of the human belief formation and that there is no such thing as an inferior or subordinate God. The primary sources for this class were Anatolios' book, Retrieving Nicaea and De Trinitate, by Augustine.  This serves as the conjunctive assignment for weeks 9-11. 

Is Seeing Believing?

Hello!Thank you for listening to the podcast. I have been tracing the development of Christian theology throughout the first 400 years. It has been a challenge, and I hope that you have been challenged as well. This episode seeks to introduce the topics of Scripture interpretation and the progression of doctrines. Have you ever heard that "The best interpretation of Scripture is the literal one" Or"To grasp the meaning of the Scripture you need to consider all of the variables and the context"? Each of these issues is wrestled with by theologians Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus. With the help of Paul Garvrilyuk, I will post a link to his book, I go through the natural progression of theology as it pertains to God's being. How is 3-in-1 reconciled? Or is it? What we will find is that salvation and doctrine went hand in hand. For the early Church, it was critical that they expressed the coherence of salvation and the equality in the unity of the Godhead. Perhaps there is no better coherence than the one found in Basil's De Spiritu Sancto (link posted below). According to his cornerstone scripture, 1 Corinthians 12.3, the Spirit reveals the Son, the Son reveals the Father. Here are some links to the material that will help you understand their approaches: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3203.htm De Spiritu Sancto, Basil of Caseraea https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310229.htm Oration 29, Gregory of Nazianzushttps://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310231.htm Oration 31, Gregory of Nazianzus

The Foolish Message of the Cross

Hey Everyone!This episode was a change of pace. I was blessed to be able to speak with Owen Chandler, a medical school student at Wake Forest University, about the importance of going to the church building. Why? If we have projected a message that going to the assembly is not a sin, what is the motivation to get our people back together? Enjoy!

The Importance of the Assembly

Hi Friends!In this episode, I cover the final section of John Behr's, Formation of Christian Theology, Vol. 1, The Way to Nicaea. Specific topics covered: Dynamic MonarchianismModalismOrigen of AlexandriaOverview: This week, I cover some of the early opponents to orthodox Christianity. Namely, I speak about the school formed that taught heretical doctrines regarding the nature of Jesus Christ. The first sought to identify a finite point in history by which people ought to identify Jesus of Nazareth being adopted as Son of God and, essentially, becoming God. The second is a form of deductive logic used by modalists to declare that Jesus must have existed as the Father, not a distinct Person of the Trinity. Thus, the concept of Patripassianism is introduced--the concept that it was the Father who suffered on the cross. Finally, I seek to employ the ancient technique of Origen of Alexandria to gain insight into the spiritual meaning of Scripture. Enjoy!

How Should We Speak of Jesus Christ?

In this episode, I consider and compare the approaches of three early Christian thinkers--Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus of Lyons. Things to consider: 1--How each defined Logos in their systematics. 2--What are some of the defining characteristics of Logos (what role did Logos play in their missions and interpretations of scripture?3--How Logos-theology changed from Ignatius to Ireneaus. 4--What contemporary schools (bible classes) teach, whether implicitly or explicitly, Logos to mean. 5--How the context of Greco-Roman civilization affected the interpretation of Logos. The resources for the episode are John Behr's, The Way to Nicea, and Justin Martyr's, Dialogue With Trypho. See the following links for more information:Dialogue With Tryphohttp://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.htmlDemonstration of the Apostolic Preaching https://ccel.org/ccel/irenaeus/demonstr/demonstr.iv.htmlAgainst Heresies http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/irenaeus.html

Logos-Theology

Welcome! This is a unique study that I will be hosting as I progress through my final semester at Abilene Christian University! The aim of this study is to provide scholarly information that is relevant and accessible to modern lay members. You will find that I explore each source during the episode and attempt to synthesize what I've learned in a way that those listening will benefit, not with a mere head knowledge, but with a change in heart and reverence for the God of Christianity. Each week, I will upload an episode focusing on a historic point of emphasis in the development of early Christian Theology. *Edit* I misspoke midway through on something so easy! Paul wrote Thessalonians, NOT Peter. Have no idea why I said that.*ACU's own, Dr. Kelli Gibson, is the professor for this course, and below are the sources used for this episode: Behr, John. The Way to Nicaea. Formation of Christian Theology Vol.1. Yonkers, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001. 

Intro. to Historical Theology

In this study, I break down the key concept offered by Paul in Romans, that is, "there is no impartiality with God." I speak briefly on social injustice and the mentality that fuels distinction in Christendom. Enjoy. 

Romans 2 & 3: The Impartiality of God

I'm excited to begin a new study In (potentially) the hardest book of the Bible--Romans. I introduce you to the style, composition, purpose, and first chapter in the book in this episode. 

Romans Intro. and Chapter 1

In this episode, I discuss the implications of 4 key concepts. These concepts range in topic from theology, to eschatology (after death), to philosophy and epistemology (study of forming beliefs). It is the most in-depth episode yet, and I hope you enjoy!

John 20-21: 4 Concepts from the End

In this episode, we seek for meaning of "inspiration", we bring to color the brutality and unjust trial of Jesus, and other things as well. Enjoy!

John 17-19: Jesus, the Passover Lamb

Welcome to the official place for all discussions church of Christ! This podcast is an attempt to provide a unique platform for members of the churches of Christ to engage in deep conversations that may not normally happen in the Sunday morning Bible class setting. This is not a podcast for sermons, Bible study, or doctrine. This is a place where people with different perspectives (all members of the church) will share what they believe and how they got there. I will have a plethora of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, ministries, professions, and experiences on this show. I hope to show the broad range of beliefs that are found in the churches of Christ today, and I want to provide you with the opportunity to participate in the discussion!

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Church of Christ Table Talks

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