We inaugurate our new name with a scripture lesson that lives up to it. Many commentators see Elihu, the fourth friend of Job who suddenly appears in the narrative, as proffering the "wisdom of youth." We don't quite see it that way. To us, Elihu comes across as that angry zealot who needs to defend God and speak for him--largely in platitudes and "church answers." He doesn't so much offer Job divine insight as he does disrespect the man. Do we have a point, or are we just a bunch of older guys ...
Sep 13, 2022•58 min
We change things up this week and perform two dramatic readings from the dialogue between Job and his three friends, followed by discussion. The argument gets heated, insults fly and sarcasm arguably approaches blasphemy. At heart, a pious, but deeply afflicted individual is trying to move beyond traditional but erroneous interpretations of scripture, while his peers dig in their heels on "conventional wisdom." Situation sound familiar? We also discuss how Job moves out of his lethargy of despai...
Aug 30, 2022•59 min
Does suffering come upon us because we have sinned? Are we to accept hardship as correction from God? Job's friend Eliphaz believes so, but Job argues back. He won't keep silent. Does Job have a right to demand an accounting from God himself? Do we? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 15, 2022•56 min
In one of the most disconcerting chapters of the Bible, Job, his wealth, family and health suddenly removed, cries out to God in anger and a confusion, cursing the day he was born, wishing for death and above all, asking if this is all there is, what's the point of living anyway? Most people know the basic story of Job, but few, even Christians, know how explosive this outcry is. But isn't expression of anger part of being human? We talk about what this section tells us about our right to confro...
Aug 02, 2022•57 min
We begin a study of the Book of Job, a well-known story filled with poignancy and nuance. First up, the wager between God and Satan over Job's piety, which immediately puts a big question in play: is our worship of God purely self-serving? Do we praise him when times are good, but curse him when times are bad? We are told Job is faithful and pious man, yet he is willing to question--and grow angry--with God. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 19, 2022•59 min
We finish our look at Jesus' parables told in Luke with another difficult story that seems on the surface to be about money, but in truth is about the expectations God has for his people. This parable seems to say the Lord detests passivity and rewards those who seize opportunities to expand the Kingdom. And despite the doctrine that states "once saved, forever saved," there's clearly a call to account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 05, 2022•50 min
Is shrewdness purely a worldly value, or does it have a proper place among believers? This just one question that comes up when we consider the puzzling message of the Parable of the Shrewd Manager. We hash out who this parable was directed at, why the behaviors of the characters seem so unchristian, if the manager is rewarded or condemned in the end, and if the master represents God or not. Finally, we play "Gadfly in the Congregation," exploring scenarios that call for a balance between gullib...
Jun 14, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Along with The Good Samaritan, the Parable of the Lost Son is one of the most well-known of Jesus' parables. It also arguably ranks as the most layered. All the characters are vitally important to the point it makes and, at different times of life, a reader may take away different perspectives. Yet in 22 verses it sums up the Gospel. Join us for an entertaining discussion as we look at the challenging aspects--and unanswered questions--of this remarkable story. . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
Jun 07, 2022•1 hr
God invites us to a joyous relationship of bountiful love, yet why do we find excuses to decline so easy? We look at the way we rationalize our avoidance of God and his kingdom invitation and, to be fair, it's no easy task. We also discuss the fallout from the Southern Baptist Convention report on sexual abuse and look at ways churches can create a culture of child and youth protection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 31, 2022•50 min
As some often ask today, some in Jesus’ audience wanted to know if the people killed unjustly or die in freak accidents had done something particularly sinful. He answers with a parable that basically says we are all on the clock. Our discussion looks at faith amid the reality of misfortune. loss and suffering and we try to fathom awesome Christians we know who hold onto their faith in the aftermath of personal tragedy that would leave us reeling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more ...
May 24, 2022•52 min
The traditional meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool is that we should be storing up treasures in Heaven rather than placing faith on worldly measures of wealth. That's not wrong, but we think the message is a bit more complex than allowing us making us working stiffs to shake our fingers at the wealthy while absolving ourselves of the sin of avarice. Can you be of modest means yet still be as greedy as Ebenezer Scrooge? #No Church Answers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
May 17, 2022•53 min
In this parable, Jesus promises that all prayerful petitions to God will be granted. And there's no fine print. Yet, if we are honest, we can say that many of our heartfelt prayers have gone unanswered. In this podcast, we confront this heavenly "accountability gap" and take issue with classic church answers (e.g, "God answers prayers in his time" and "Sometimes God's answer is No") that only raise more questions. Get ready as we let our skepticism loose. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
May 10, 2022•48 min
We take a deeper look into one of Jesus' most famous parables and try to find the Christian differentiation in this classic lesson in otherwise universal ethics. A big hint lies in the choice of characters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 03, 2022•55 min
Whether it's Christianity or any other area of interest, you'll find four types: the closed mind, the dabbler, the easily-distracted and the student of the game. We discuss how the Parable of the Sower identifies each. April 26, 2022 Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 26, 2022•52 min
As guys, we perk up when discussion turns to building projects. In this week's podcast we talk about the necessity of solid foundations -- in our residences and, more importantly, in our spirits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 19, 2022•55 min
We begin a look at the parables of Jesus with allegory of old wine and new wineskins. Jesus dines with Matthew and his dodgy tax collector friends while the Pharisees shake their fingers. We talk about the message of this parable and why a Christian life should be joyous despite the hardships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 12, 2022•51 min
James ends his letter with three basic instructions: speak honestly, pray in all matters and bring lost individuals to the Lord. We discuss each in turn as we wrap up our study of the Letter of James. April 5, 2022 Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 06, 2022•59 min
James counsels patience In the face of injustice, suffering and difficult relationships. Moreso, James seems promote a lifestyle of "active patience" as a way of coping with life's frustrations. For action-oriented, goal-driven men, is this even possible?March 29, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 29, 2022•52 min
Is complacency--the belief that every aspect of your life is under your control--just a form of soft arrogance? Everything that's happened in the past two years--right up to the crisis in Ukraine, directly counters that idea. In stark terms, James says only a fool puts faith in the dependability of long-range plans and the permanence of wealth. Yet we won't deny the difficulty in submitting ourselves to a role in God's plan. March 22, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. S...
Mar 22, 2022•52 min
James says that true humility and submission is the key to ending enmity and creating loving relationships. But as men, don't we work hard to excel at what we do and to earn what we have? Is it wrong to cultivate one's gifts from God, recognize their value, and put them to good use in the world? We try to find the balance between James call for humility and doing our best to be salt and light for the world.March 15, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See a...
Mar 15, 2022•58 min
Our panel takes up the challenge of seeking God's wisdom, from both the Bible and experience. Along the way, we discuss mentoring, humility and discernment. No one said it was easy. March 10, 2022Bill Cox, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 10, 2022•51 min
Lions and killer whales have shown to be easier to train than the tongue. We talk about James' advice to choose words wisely when choosing to speak--or text, tweet or post--and perhaps be ready to ask if it's wise to do so at all. March 8, 2022Bill Cox, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper, Earl Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 08, 2022•50 min
Point/Counterpoint! We interweave scripture from Galatians and James to create a spirited debate between Paul and James over the role human action might have, if any, on personal salvation--always a touchy subject, especially in Evangelical churches. We attempt to find the common ground between two passionate church founders. February 22, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 22, 2022•50 min
Sunday school tend to pigeonhole this passage into another "be kind to the poor" lesson, but read correctly, it calls out the human inclination toward bias, prejudice, judging by appearance and general social stratification. These traits were already pervading the church of James' time and he ardently decries them sinful. Do we still take our conscious and unconscious biases us into church? Check your privilege at the door for this provocative discussion.February 15, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, M...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 1 min
We wade into a stream-of-conscious passage in the letter of James that hits as many as six points in nine verses. We spend time on the difference between destructive anger and righteous anger, as well as ways Christians can properly express the emotion. We talk about putting words into action and the virtues of listening over talking (as podcasters this does not escape our sense of irony). Robert explains why he avoided seeing "The Blair Witch Project."February 8, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robe...
Feb 08, 2022•58 min
What is the difference between temptation and a test? We hash out the similarities and differences, James says temptation does not come from God, but what about so-called trials? While God tests individuals in the Bible, should we regard every difficulty we face "a trial from God?" Sunday school sayings notwithstanding, how do we as Christian men, even as we prize our own strength and resourcefulness, truly lean on God through dark times? February 1, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu, Mic...
Feb 01, 2022•1 hr 6 min
We begin a study of the Letter of James, believed to be one of the earliest of New Testament writings, and certainly among the most practical in terms of Christian living. We begin with the idea of finding joy through perseverance amid trials and hardship. The fellows do some intense sharing of experience as they talk about "active patience" and "suffering with a tranquil mind."Recorded January 19, 2022Bill Cox, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
Jan 25, 2022•56 min
In our second podcast on Samson, we turn to one of the most popular stories in the Bible, Samson's ill-fated affair with Delilah. But how well are the particulars of this tale really explored, and what conclusions does it force us to make? Was Delilah really a temptress, or just a loyal Philistine subject? How much was the famed Israelite strongman responsible for his own come-down. Join us as continue our "revisionist" look at Samson.January 18, 2022Bill Cox, Steve Titch, Robert Cocheu, Michael...
Jan 18, 2022•1 hr 5 min
In the first of two podcasts on Samson, we look at why it's so difficult to fit this Herculean figure into a Sunday school box. He seems to serve God more through his flaws and disobedience then through faithful purpose. Is he a hero, an anti-hero, or just a spoiled brat intimidating enough to get his own way? Are we too rough on the big guy? Listen, comment and share!January 11, 2022Bill Cox. Steve Titch. Robert Cocheu. Michael Cropper, Earl Lloyd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Jan 11, 2022•1 hr 3 min
While we take our Christmas/New Year's break, we've re-posted our Christmas 2020 podcast, in which we look at Joseph, one of the most important figures in the Christmas story yet one who rarely gets any attention. God delegates the care and protection of Mary and the child Jesus to Joseph, who remains humble and obedient to the Lord, while decisive and purposeful in accomplishing the difficult and stressful tasks he faces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 28, 2021•1 hr 7 min
