Hermeneutics is the art and practice of interpretation. We use hermeneutics every day whether we realize it or not. We interpret not only the words people say, but how they say them and in what context. Understanding the Bible requires the same carefulness and deliberateness that we apply to the words and actions we encounter and interpret in our everyday lives.
Gary discusses a recent article written by Scott Lively on WorldNetDaily. In the article, Lively bolsters his political views about the Biden presidency by speculating about Russia, Ukraine, and sensational interpretations of Bible prophecy. Gary points out that Lively's political arguments can stand on their own and don't need—and aren't helped by—appealing to dispensational "end times" prophetic scenarios. Read the article here ....
God created the world and established its boundaries and rules for living in every area of life. The justice system we have today was at some time largely based on biblical law. The laws that are being overturned today for the most part are laws that Christians spent centuries implementing. The Christian worldview is comprehensive and speaks to every topic. It is as true and authoritative today as it was thousands of years ago.
Gary discusses 2 Timothy 3 and the full meaning of Paul's letter. Just as Jannes and Jambres are historical footnotes and the Church continues to exist, so shall today's enemies of the Gospel come to be forgotten and inconsequential. This is Part One of Two.
Gary summarizes more than a dozen common misunderstandings from his book, Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths . Christians and churches are often paralyzed into inactivity in political and cultural battles because they believe the Bible tells them not to be involved. God expects His people to bring truth to bear on every topic and activity in His world. Sin effects every area of life and needs the revelation of biblical truth....
Gary discusses Acts 16, where Paul appeals to his Roman citizenship to further his Gospel ministry. Being a Christian has real-world implications and we must be aware of these in order to be prepared in every situation. Gary wrote a book called Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths to combat the many excuses that Christians use to NOT be involved in modern controversies. In this first part of his talk, Gary begins defusing these excuses.
Gary answers questions from audience members about the Christian worldview. He begins by briefly discussing an article written in the Yale Law Review in 1979 by Arthur Leff. In the article, Leff laments the fact that his atheism can't account for moral absolutes. Leff puts his own anti-theistic beliefs to the test and this is exactly what Christians need to do when questioned about their own beliefs. NOTE: The electronic interference continues in parts of this talk
A materialistic worldview has limits. Matter isn't and can't be all that matters. Evolutionists and materialists will rarely admit to this intellectual, ethical, and moral failing in their assumptions, so in this talk, Gary points out the problems for them. NOTE: There is electronic interference in parts of the talk
Gary continues his talk on the Christian worldview. He discusses the concept of "borrowed capital," or how non-Christians steal morality and ethics from Christians in order to argue against them. Only Christianity provides the moral and ethical foundation for life; an evolutionary worldview can provide only an "everyone for themselves" approach to life. There is no love, equality, family, or compassion in a random chance world.
The Gospel of Jesus was "a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 1:23). Despite being in the cultural minority, the early church "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). Gary discusses the Christian worldview, how we got where we are today, and how we get back to being world-changers.
Gary answers a listener question regarding Matthew 24:29-31. Did stars fall from the sky and did the angels gather the elect in AD 70? If so, how? When interpreting Scripture, we must not let the events change the time. If a particular event doesn't meet our expectations, we need to ask why according to the rest of the Bible, not our assumptions. The time texts constrain the events to a particular timeframe. "This generation," "immediately," "right at the door," and other phrases indicate the ti...
A new series of video podcasts are available from Darren Doane featuring much unused footage from the film, Collision . Doug Wilson and Christopher Hitchens debated the question "Is Christianity Good for the World" and the two keep it very entertaining (and educational) for the audience. Darren decided to begin releasing this behind the scenes footage as a video series, and the first season is now available. Gary discusses Collision , the lead up to the event, and these new videos on today's pod...
Gary completes his lessons on Mark 13. The audience and time context of the Olivet Discourse must not be ignored. The events described were set in a first century context and involve first century technologies. The cosmic language is describing judgment, just as cosmic language described judgment in the Old Testament.
In the second part of his lesson on Mark 13, Gary discusses the text of Mark 13 and Matthew 24 and compares them to events in the book of Acts. Everything Jesus said would happen in the Olivet Discourse did happen just as He said it would in the lead-up and the destruction of the temple in the first century.
Bernie Sanders is back in the news, this time decrying the super-yacht industry. Once again, his answer is to tax the rich even more. Forgetting all of the economic and employment advantages the luxury industry creates, Sanders relies on envy and emotion to make his socialistic claims of inequality. These rich and powerful philosopher kings living in gated communities and lavish homes have no idea what it actually takes to start and run a business.
Gary continues his first talk on Mark 13. If the events spoken of by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse (Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21) have been fulfilled, does that mean they have no relevance to today? Does fulfilled prophecy have any significance after it has been fulfilled?
