Contending for the Word Q&A
by Dave Jenkins
Contending for the Word Q&A is a biblical theology and discernment podcast from Servants of Grace, where we answer your questions from the truth of God’s Word. Each short episode provides clear, Scripture-rooted answers to help Christians grow in discernment, understand essential doctrines, and apply biblical truth to everyday life. Whether the topic involves theology, Christian living, church life, or cultural issues, every response is grounded in the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. For more biblical resources, visit servantsofgrace.org.
Episodes
-
Remaining Thankful When Trials Do Not End
Some trials continue long after we hoped they would end. Grief remains, prayers seem unanswered, and waiting becomes exhausting. God's Word teaches Christians to give thanks while bringing their sorrow honestly before the Lord. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins…
more -
Remembering God’s Goodness Strengthens Faith and Gratitude
Remembering God's goodness strengthens faith, fuels gratitude, and helps Christians trust the Lord when present circumstances are difficult. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers Psalms 103 and 77 and the biblical call to remember God's character, promises, and...
-
Giving Thanks to God When Life Hurts
Christians can give thanks during suffering because God's character, promises, and saving grace remain unchanged. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Philippians 4:6–7, and Romans 8:28 to explain how biblical gratitude and honest lament...
-
Biblical Gratitude: Giving Thanks in Every Circumstance
Gratitude is more than a response to favorable circumstances. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how biblical thanksgiving grows from God's character and the saving work of Jesus Christ. Drawing on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Colossians 3:15–17, he considers...
-
Holding Fast to the Faith Once for All Delivered
Christians are called to receive, defend, live, and pass on the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Concluding this church history series, Dave Jenkins considers Jude 3 and 2 Timothy 2:2 and explains how sound doctrine shapes worship, character, family life, the local church, and everyday...
-
Christ Preserves His Church in Every Generation
The church endures because its Savior is faithful. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins reflects on Isaiah 40:8 and Matthew 16:18 to explain why Christians can stand firm in every generation. Concluding this month's church history focus, Dave highlights God's unchanging...
-
Learning from Church History Without Romanticizing the Past
Christians can treasure church history without treating any generation as a perfect Christian age. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how to receive the wisdom of previous generations, learn from their failures, and test everything by Scripture. For more from...
-
Church History and the Final Authority of Scripture
Christians should learn from the church's history while remaining governed by God's Word. Dave Jenkins explains the final authority of Scripture, the meaning of sola Scriptura, and the proper use of creeds and confessions. Drawing from 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Acts 17:11, and Jude 3, this episode shows...
-
Old Errors, Unchanging Truth
Church history helps Christians recognize recurring errors, appreciate sound doctrine, and learn from faithful believers who have gone before them. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how historical awareness strengthens biblical discernment and cultivates…
more -
Church History Strengthens Biblical Discernment
Church history helps Christians recognize recurring errors, learn from faithful believers, and trust Christ's faithfulness to His church. Dave Jenkins explains how studying the past cultivates humility and strengthens biblical discernment. Learn four practical ways to benefit from church history...
-
Learning from Church History to Stand Firm Today
Church history helps Christians gain perspective, recognize recurring theological errors, and persevere in biblical faithfulness. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins draws together lessons from previous generations to encourage believers to stand firmly on Scripture....
-
Practicing Discernment with Humility and Courage
Biblical discernment calls Christians to stand firmly on God's Word with humility, courage, and love. Drawing from Philippians 1:9–10 and Ephesians 4:15, Dave Jenkins explains how a teachable spirit, biblical conviction, and devotion to Christ shape faithful discernment. Learn why discernment…
more -
Testing Revival Claims by God’s Word
Christians must evaluate claims of revival by Scripture. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why crowds, emotions, and miracle claims cannot establish that a movement is from God. Drawing on 1 John 4:1 and Acts 17:11, he outlines four principles for biblical discernment: submit to God's Word,...
-
Biblical Revival and the Need for Discernment
Genuine revival is a sovereign work of God that produces repentance, devotion to Christ, and obedience to His Word. Dave Jenkins examines lessons from revival movements, explains why emotional excitement and extraordinary claims are insufficient evidence of spiritual renewal, and encourages...
-
Why Creeds Still Matter Today
Historic creeds continue to serve the church by summarizing biblical truth, strengthening unity, helping believers recognize false teaching, and passing sound doctrine to future generations. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers Ephesians 4:11–14 and 2 Timothy 2:2...
-
The Purpose of Creeds and Confessions
Creeds and confessions serve the church by summarizing biblical doctrine, guarding against false teaching, and promoting unity in the truth. Their authority is always subordinate to Scripture. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how faithful doctrinal summaries...
-
God’s Truth Is Worth Defending
Christians are called to contend for the faith with conviction, humility, and love. Drawing from Jude 3 and Ephesians 6:10–18, Dave Jenkins explains why God's revealed truth must be received, proclaimed, and guarded. This episode considers the centrality of the gospel, the importance of…
more -
Why False Teaching Keeps Returning
Why does false teaching resurface in every generation? Dave Jenkins examines Satan's opposition to God's truth, the sinful heart's susceptibility to deception, and the return of old errors in new forms. Drawing from 2 Peter 2:1 and 1 John 4:1, this episode explains how Scripture, church history,...
-
Lessons from Historical Heresies
False teaching has challenged the church from its earliest days, and many old errors continue to appear in new forms. Dave Jenkins explains how studying historical heresies helps Christians recognize error, appreciate faithful defenses of biblical doctrine, and stand firm in the gospel. Drawing…
more -
When the Church Compromises Biblical Truth
Compromise often begins with small departures from God's Word. Dave Jenkins explains how softened doctrine weakens the church's witness, confuses believers, and obscures the gospel. Drawing on Scripture and lessons from church history, he calls Christians to sound doctrine, repentance, faithful...
-
Learning from the Saints Who Went Before Us
Dave Jenkins reflects on four lessons Christians can learn from faithful believers throughout church history: commitment to Scripture, perseverance through trials, learning from imperfect examples, and confidence in God's faithfulness. Drawing on Hebrews 11 and Hebrews 13:7, this episode…
more -
Responding to New Age Teaching in the Church
Doreen Virtue discusses how Christians should respond when churches introduce New Age teaching or practices. She addresses manifestation, mystical practices, and the importance of testing teaching against Scripture. This episode offers practical counsel for approaching church leadership...
-
J. C. Ryle: Lessons for Christians Today
Dave Jenkins explores four lessons Christians can learn from J. C. Ryle: biblical clarity, practical holiness, doctrinal faithfulness, and genuine spiritual growth. Drawing on Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 4:16, this episode shows why sound doctrine and godly living belong together and encourages…
more -
Church History and Recognizing False Teaching Today
Samuel Farag explains how studying church history helps Christians recognize false teaching today. Examining Gnosticism, Arianism, Pelagianism, Montanism, and Marcion's rejection of Scripture, he highlights recurring errors concerning Christ, salvation, and biblical authority. This episode calls...
-
Lessons from Charles Spurgeon for Christians Today
Dave Jenkins explores four lessons Christians can learn from Charles Spurgeon: confidence in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, devotion to Christ and the gospel, compassion for people, and perseverance through suffering. Drawing on 2 Timothy 4:2 and 1 Corinthians 2:2, this episode...
-
Lessons from John Calvin for Christians Today
Dave Jenkins explores four lessons Christians can learn from John Calvin: commitment to Scripture's authority, the importance of sound doctrine, theology that strengthens the church, and perseverance in serving Christ. Drawing on Acts 20:28 and 2 Timothy 4:2, this episode encourages believers to...
-
Recovering the Gospel in Every Generation
The gospel never changes, but every generation must guard against teachings that distort it. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why recovering the gospel was central to the Protestant Reformation and remains essential today. Drawing from Galatians 1 and Romans…
more -
Reformation Truth for the Church Today
The Protestant Reformation reminds the church of Scripture's authority and sufficiency and the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Dave Jenkins explains why these truths remain essential today and encourages believers to guard the gospel, test teaching by...
-
The Danger of Syncretism Even When It Uses Jesus’ Name
Doreen Virtue explains why blending unbiblical beliefs and practices with Christianity is dangerous, even when Jesus' name is attached. Drawing from her experience combining tarot cards with the Bible before her conversion, she addresses idolatry, false gospels, and the misuse of Christian…
more -
Martin Luther and the Biblical Gospel
Martin Luther helped recover the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone in Christ alone and called the church back to the authority of Scripture. In this episode, Dave Jenkins examines Luther's opposition to indulgences, his commitment to God's Word, and his example of courageous...
-
The Protestant Reformation and the Recovery of the Gospel
The Protestant Reformation called the church back to the authority of Scripture and justification by faith alone in Christ alone. Dave Jenkins explains why reform was needed, how the gospel had become obscured, and why these truths still matter today. Every generation must test its beliefs and...
-
Learning from Faithful Christians in Church History
Church history reminds us that God has sustained His people through persecution, false teaching, and difficult seasons. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins reflects on how faithful Christians from the past encourage perseverance and biblical conviction. Drawing from…
more -
Why the Early Creeds Matter
The early creeds helped the church clarify biblical truth, defend against false teaching, and preserve sound doctrine. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how these statements connect believers to the historic Christian faith while remaining subject to Scripture....
-
Counterfeit Experiences and the True Gospel
Doreen Virtue explains how Satan uses counterfeit spiritual experiences and false teaching to draw people away from the true gospel. She addresses the New Age emphasis on feelings, distortions of God's love, and deception concerning sin, judgment, and salvation. Pointing to Christ's sinless life,...
-
Church History Matters for Christians
Church history gives Christians perspective on God's work through the centuries. Dave Jenkins explains how believers can learn from faithful Christians, recognize recurring errors, and rejoice in the Lord's faithfulness to his church. The same God who sustained his people in the past remains...
-
Sound Doctrine Shapes the Christian Life
Sound doctrine is for every Christian. Dave Jenkins explains how biblical truth shapes godly living, strengthens discernment, deepens worship, and helps believers stand firm in the hope of God's promises. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit:...
-
God’s Faithfulness from Salvation to Glory
The God who begins the work of salvation will bring it to completion. Dave Jenkins reflects on God's faithfulness in saving, sustaining, sanctifying, and ultimately glorifying his people. Drawing on Philippians 1:6 and Lamentations 3:22–23, he encourages believers to trust God's promises and look...
-
Persevering to the End by God’s Grace
Believers endure because God faithfully preserves His people. Dave Jenkins explains biblical perseverance from Philippians 1:6 and Hebrews 12:1–2, showing how God's grace sustains Christians through suffering, weakness, and struggle. Learn why perseverance does not mean sinless perfection and how...
-
Living Today in Light of Eternity
Eternity shapes how Christians live today. Dave Jenkins explains how Colossians 3:1–4 and 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 direct believers toward lasting priorities, endurance in suffering, and faithful obedience. Learn how the hope of glory and Christ's promised return strengthen us to live faithfully in...
-
Christian Hope Is Grounded in God’s Promises
Christian hope rests on the unchanging promises of God. Dave Jenkins explains how Christ's resurrection and promised return give believers confidence for eternity and strength for today. Learn how biblical hope comforts us in suffering, strengthens endurance, and encourages faithful living as we...
-
Life After Death and the Christian’s Hope
Death does not have the final word. Jesus Christ does. Dave Jenkins explains what Scripture teaches about death, judgment, and the believer's hope. Learn why believers who die are immediately with Christ, why the gospel is urgent, and how the promised resurrection gives Christians confidence as...
-
Glorification and the Completion of Salvation
The Christian life includes temptation, weakness, suffering, and an ongoing battle with sin. Yet these struggles will not have the final word. Dave Jenkins explains the biblical doctrine of glorification, the final stage of salvation when believers will be completely freed from sin and perfectly...
-
Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ
Spiritual growth is not about becoming impressive or achieving immediate perfection. It is the lifelong work of God as He transforms believers into the likeness of Christ through His Word, His Spirit, and His grace. Dave Jenkins explains what it means to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus...
-
The Daily Practice of Repentance
Repentance is not merely something that happens when a person first becomes a Christian. It is an ongoing part of the Christian life. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains the difference between repentance and regret, why believers must continue confessing and forsaking sin, and how genuine...
-
The Christian’s Ongoing Battle with Sin
Christians have been forgiven and transformed through faith in Jesus Christ, but they have not yet been perfected. Temptation, weakness, and remaining sin continue to affect believers throughout the Christian life. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains how Christ has broken sin's dominion, why…
more -
The Holy Spirit’s Work in Sanctification
Sanctification is not simply trying harder or modifying outward behavior. It is the supernatural work of God through the Holy Spirit. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains how the Holy Spirit indwells believers, convicts them of sin, uses God's Word to transform them, empowers obedience, and...
-
Genuine Repentance After Occult Involvement
Doreen Virtue explains the biblical marks of genuine repentance for someone who has come out of occult involvement. This episode contrasts worldly sorrow with godly sorrow, considers repentance as a turning from sin to God, and points to the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of the Holy Spirit's...
-
Sanctification: God’s Ongoing Work of Making Us Like Christ
When God saves a sinner, He immediately forgives, justifies, and reconciles that person to Himself. Yet the Christian life also includes the lifelong work of sanctification. God steadily grows His people in holiness and conforms them to the image of His Son. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains...
-
Saved by Grace Alone: God’s Work From Beginning to End
Salvation is God's work from beginning to end. Dave Jenkins explains the biblical teaching of grace alone and calls believers to rest in Christ with humility, gratitude, and worship. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/
-
Justification by Faith: Declared Righteous Through Christ
Justification is one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains that justification is God's legal declaration that a sinner is righteous in His sight because of the righteousness of Christ, received through faith alone. Believers are not…
more
About this show
Contending for the Word Q&A is a biblical theology and discernment podcast from Servants of Grace, where we answer your questions from the truth of God’s Word. Each short episode provides clear, Scripture-rooted answers to help Christians grow in discernment, understand essential doctrines, and apply biblical truth to everyday life. Whether the topic involves theology, Christian living, church life, or cultural issues, every response is grounded in the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. For more biblical resources, visit servantsofgrace.org.
Hosted by
Dave Jenkins
Categories