No Church Answers!

An recent article in Christianity Today posed this question. Is Ozempic an an answer to prayers or does it represent a easy worldly response to a struggle that belongs only in the spiritual realm? Nonetheless, obesity is a health issue and, like it or not, research shows the world is biased against overweight people. Robert and Steve debate how Christians should approach obesity, medication, diet and health and if Satan really wins every time you grab a donut. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert and Steve talk about AI, Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical and what ethical issues the technology raises for Christians. We debate the degree of value AI offers and whether it too easily can become a crutch that replaces human creativity and effort with "quick and cheap." Robert has fun prompting ChatGPT to create a sermon on Acts 1:6-9 for five different denominations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to our first Back Porch Banter podcast, a spin-off of No Church Answers! We’re going to be a little more informal, a little less structured. We'll spend more time on topical discussions while still maintaining a Christian perspective. First up we visit with No Church Answers' venerable host, Bill Cox, who has just published his new book The Man Up Formula: How Your Church Can Build an Effective Discipleship Group for Men. Bill talks about his experience as a "Sunday School Consumer" and how, when given the chance to launch his own men's group, broke the mold of standard Sunday School set-ups. Bill also talks about why men's church ministries are important and new ways a congregation can serve men in the church--and in turn motivate men to better serve the congregation.The Man Up Formula Amazon.com linkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Jesus said the last shall be first and whoever wants to be great must become a servant, he attached no qualifiers or provisos. In our last podcast before summer break, we confront the Bible truth of the upside-down Kingdom, even as some churches today preach that Christianity means national, political and cultural dominance. The Apostles James and John literally thought the Messianic mission meant a seat beside God's throne. Jesus admonished them otherwise. We talk about the Christ's command to witness through servanthood and the danger of looking for loopholes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In his second letter, Peter vigorously asserts the inevitable return of Jesus. Instead of debating the question of when, Peter emphasizes the importance of living righteously and in accord with the Lord's teaching during the great Second Advent. From there, we get the concept of "Imitation of Christ." Our good friend Dr. Chris Curran, senior pastor of Southland Baptist Church, San Angelo, Texas, joins us for a discussion on what we, individually and as a Church, should be doing while waiting for the Second Coming. Rather than squabbling in the pews, perhaps we should modeling life in the Kingdom to come and nurturing the spiritual fruits Paul (who gets a shout out here from Peter) lists in Galatians. Perhaps there are expectations to be gleaned in Matthew 24 and 25. What do you want Jesus find you doing when he returns?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do we mean by Bible inerrancy? We accept the Bible is essential truth, but is every passage and every story literally true? We talk about the authorship, history and authenticity of scripture, then we delve into our opinions about what's essential truth as opposed to literal and discover we have some different opinions. Did Adam live to be 960? Was there an Exodus? Was Jonah swallowed by a great fish? All this and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If this request brings you no dread, may God bless you. For most men, sharing their faith is a difficult ask, even though the Bible beseeches us to spread the Gospel. Trouble is, the traditional model tends to be the energetic preacher who regales us how, in the lowest point in his life, the sudden "bright light of Jesus" saved him. Believers all around shout "Hallelujah!" Who wants to follow that? We discuss different ways one can speak about their faith, sometimes by not speaking at all, but by just in the way they treat people. The fellows talk about the ways they have made their testimony their story, and some of the challenges they've had along the way. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our final podcast on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible, we look at Psalms that praise God as the ultimate lord and king of creation. We also discuss the overall study, and question whether Bonhoeffer is too steadfast in his insistence that knowledge of Jesus is required to pray the Psalms correctly. Also, does the study, clearly intended as academic, fail to address the poeticism and passionate expression of faith the Psalms contain? Finally we look at how the Psalms can be a foundation for daily prayer and devotion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we look at psalms of suffering, confession and the difficult imprecatory psalms that call down God's wrath on enemies of Israel. All three groups express deep and fearful emotions. We look at how the pain of suffering and guilt are different, but that the psalms promise salvation from both. And how should we approach psalms that ask God to call down divine vengeance, sometimes in horrifying terms? These include Psalms 35, 58 and 137, one of the most notorious. Join us as we continue our discussion and debate on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christian perspective on these difficult psalms he offers in Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we continue our study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Psalms: Prayer Book of the Bible, we look at Psalms about Creation, Life and what Bonhoeffer sees as the Church, at least distilled through ancient Psalms about Jerusalem, Zion and the Solomon's Temple. We cover the much-loved Psalm 8, which Mike calls the "Astronomer's Psalm" and, beyond appreciating the poetry, we look at the ways Bonhoeffer says we should respond to these God-breathed songs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we continue our study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Psalms: Prayer Book of the Bible, we look at Psalms about Creation, Life and what Bonhoeffer sees as the Church, at least distilled through ancient Psalms about Jerusalem, Zion and the Solomon's Temple. We cover the much-loved Psalm 8, which Mike calls the "Astronomer's Psalm" and, beyond appreciating the poetry, we look at the ways Bonhoeffer says we should respond to these God-breathed songs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We begin a study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible with an overview of the Book of Psalms, what they are and how Bonhoeffer sees them connect with Jesus and the New Testament. Is the Lord's Prayer the 151st Psalm? The Psalms are prophetic, but we debate Bonhoeffer's assertion that we need Jesus' spiritual presence to pray them correctly. But we agree that Christians should take a renewed look at the Psalter and the breadth and power of both the emotions and faith expressed therein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our panel gathers to mark our 400th installment with, what else, a clip show. We revisit some of our favorite podcasts, including our discussions on horror movies, faith and works, and whether you can commit adultery without sex, or even if adultery matters anymore (from our live show). All episodes featured are archived, awaiting your discovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What exactly do Christians mean when we refer to "the Work of the Cross?" In our 2026 Holy Week and Easter podcast, we discuss the cosmic significance of that fateful day Christ was crucified--and why it was much more than simply an atonement for sin. Conversely, why do some Christians want to "take Jesus off the cross" rather than confront the reality it represents. Get ready for some deep theology as we look at why we commemorate the Cross not as a gruesome tragedy, but the greatest victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Given the level of persecution Christian face in other parts of the world, is it arrogant or even shameful for any American Christian to say they are persecuted? In a spirited debate, we ask if Evangelicals are mistaking loss of cultural influence for an anti-Christian attack. Do gay marriage and DEI initiatives constitute "soft persecution" against the believers, or does it simply reflect the growing secularization of society? And even if they hold Christianity in contempt, do we really need the approval of TV pundits, TikTok influencers and Ivy League professors? Why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When asked when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said it was already here, in our midst. He added, however, there would be a second coming, which would be sudden and involve judgment. We debate whether this passage describes the Rapture and which group, the taken or the left behind, are the ones who are saved. We explore this uniquely Christian idea of the "Now and Not Yet" and exactly what our role is in this Kingdom this time between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Jesus' time, people continually asked for signs that identified him as the Messiah and Son of God. Christians continue to do so today. Jesus said he was the only sign they needed, although he provided many. Are we too busy worried about the destination to see the signs? Why do we always want one more? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Transfiguration is one of the most mystical moments in the New Testament, perhaps second only to the Resurrection itself. Yet its scope is too often narrowed to just another story about Peter's cluelessness. There's far more going to this mountaintop revelation, a watershed moment in the entire Biblical narrative. Join the boys as they fearlessly delve into this strange event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The regular podcast takes a break this week and Steve and Robert step in to talk about the Christian sensibility and positive masculinity that runs through the Paramount Plus series Landman. We believe the series offers a degree of authenticity that Christian men today can recognize and identify with and tie our discussion to a series of podcasts we did last fall on Brant Hansen's The Men We Need. What makes Sheridan’s male characters feel real is how they struggle with emotions, relationships, and consequences of their choices. They’re not emotionless stoics; they grieve, they doubt, they care for family and community, and they often fail before they succeed. In Landman, men struggle with wives, sons, fathers, authority and legacy, but the show never implies that these struggles are evidence of moral failure or emotional deficiency. Join us for an interesting take on the first two seasons of this remarkable show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does the Bible really say about Hell? The Old Testament does not contain the word "hell." Instead, there are 63 references to Sheol, a shadowy dwelling place of the dead — both righteous and wicked.  The New Testament mentions Hell 167 times, sometimes describing it as a place of eternal, conscious torment for those who have sinned, other times describing it as total darkness and separation from God, and still other times suggesting it is total and complete death to body, soul and spirit as a consequence for not trusting in Christ. After that, culture and tradition take over, often at the expense of scriptural accuracy. We look at various interpretations, drawing from the prophets, Jesus and Paul to gain insight. Are the images of sulphur, flames and blazing furnaces literal or metaphorical? Is Hell just non-existence, which itself is eternal and apart from God? How do we reconcile Hell with God's grace? And should Evangelicals lead with a better message than believe or suffer hellfire? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Numerous studies show church attendance is declining across the board, a trend that began long before COVID. We speculate at some of the reasons why, but then flip the script and ask if the motives Christians have for attending church are superficial. We believe corporate worship is a spiritual disciple and critically important to faith. Private prayer and meditation alone, and watching a service or mass on TV or YouTube, is no substitute. We look at ways to make worship participation more spiritually meaningful, starting with the idea that it's first and foremost about praising the Lord and connecting with the Holy Spirit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zacchaeus is one of the most colorful and compelling stories in the Bible and remains a children's ministry favorite. We revisit the story from a more adult perspective and examine some of the important points it makes about conversion, repentance and redemption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We conclude our study of Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity by Jeremiah J. Johnston with a look at what Christianity, despite flaws in the Church, has given humanity. Public education, health care and hospitals and abolition of slavery are among among many strides led by believers and churches. While there's a conventional attitude that Jesus only reminded the world of a morality that always existed, the truth is that Christ inaugurated the virtues we take for granted today, starting with the idea that all people--men and women, Jew and gentile, native and foreigner, slave and master--are created in the image of God and all stand equal in his sight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we continue our study of Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity, we look at the rise of atheism and philosophies of moral relativism in the 19th Century and the horrors they led to in the 20th. Yet the idea that there are no absolute truths persists to our time, when a man can be a woman and schools teach that 2+2 can sometimes equal 5. Join us for a controversial discussion about what happens when "love thy neighbor" and "made in the image of God" are demoted from divine commandments to just another guy's opinions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We begin a three-week study of Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity by Jeremiah J. Johnston. We start with the harsh reality of the pre-Christian world, where everyday life was short, brutal and fearful, where 80 to 90 percent of the population lived hand-to-mouth, slavery was normal, and women and children, especially female children, were considered expendable. What kind of impact did the Gospels have on this culture? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is it a sin if your New Year's workout routine incorporates exercises derived from yoga, even when prescribed by a licensed physical therapist? We take a critical look at assertions that claim yoga, meditation, wellness and holistic medicine somehow meet with God's disapproval. Really? Or is it just an American bias for Western medicine, convenient pharmaceuticals and a few centuries of philosophical thought that sees stark division of body, mind and soul? Download this week's podcast and get stretching! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In honor of the Feast of the Epiphany (aka Three Kings Day), we bring back our 2021 Christmas podcast on the Magi and their significance to the Nativity story. What motivated them to pack up and travel a thousand miles to investigate an astrological portent that was only peripheral to their own religious and national background? Along the way we discuss comets, planetary conjunctions and various other astronomical phenomena, and contrast the open-minded curiosity of foreign non-believers with the cynicism and indifference of the ruling religious and political elite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From our vault, our Christmas podcast from 2022, where we discuss the miracle of the incarnation as spelled out by the opening of John's gospel. What we get is the essential message of Christmas: God's entry into history as a finite human being to offer all those who accept him the right to become "children of God." We also talk about the implications of believing the Gospel and ways to make Christ the true center of Christmas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We look at two major Messianic prophesies from Isaiah and the picture they present not just of a divine savior, but of a new Kingdom and Creation that he will inaugurate. Take a breather from the Christmas rush and join us as we explore the significance of Advent and its promises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More family rifts occur during the holidays than any other time of year. Pressures of expectations, traditions, not to mention politics, resentments and old patterns all build. We agree it's not the best environment for growth of spiritual fruit, yet we want to try to at least set a good example--which, of course, only creates more pressure. We set up three hypothetical scenarios: the Opinionated Parent, the Tipsy Aunt and the Handsy Uncle, and discuss addressing each in a way that exhibits Christ yet avoids a destructive break-off. Is it possible? When your no means no, is there a cost of discipleship? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After eight years of podcasting from a Baptist church, the fellows finally take up the topic of baptism. Whether it’s immersion or sprinkling, infant or adult, all denominations treat baptism as a significant event to be respected and celebrated. We talk about baptism’s meaning and tradition, how it connects with growth of one’s faith and whether or not it should be required for church membership. We also discover that there have been four, and maybe even five, baptisms among the three panelists this week. Shall we gather at the river? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The fellows are joined by Melody Slaton, Pastor for Mission and Outreach at Sugar Land Baptist Church, for a discussion of ways church mission programs can engage in both material and spiritual poverty alleviation in ways that foster ongoing faith partnerships and long-term sustainability. God is already working in poor and disenfranchised communities, wherever they are. Informed by the foundational book When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, we talk about ways North American Christians can show the example of Christ whether in short-term field trips or day-to-day ministering to local neighborhoods.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s time for our deep dive into Season 5 of The Chosen. We have the Last Supper told in reverse; apocalyptic visions and prophesies; passive-aggressive political backbiting in high places; not to mention a chaotic temple-clearing. Join us as we dissect the drama, the wit and the poignancy of Dallas Jenkins’ retelling of the first Passion Week from Palm Sunday to Gethsemane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following up on our prophets draft in Podcast 366, we select our favorite disciples of Jesus, drawing from the gospels, Acts and the letters. It's a surprisingly large board generates some surprising picks. Who'd be on your team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do emotional affairs and parasocial online relationships break the Sixth Commandment? Does adultery require a physical betrayal, or are there other intimacy boundaries in Christian marriage that are just as sinful to cross? We go way back in our archive and follow up on Podcasts 110 and 111 on David and Bathsheba, but this we boldly (and anachronistically) reimagine the story to give contemporary overtones David’s fall into temptations of the flesh and spirit. And in true No Church Answers! spirit, Robert, the Professor, promises (at 31:30) a free copy of The Men We Need by Brant Hansen to any listener who claims, with details, to have covered this topic in a Sunday School class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do not confuse emotional response, or lack of one, as a measure of spirituality, advises author Brant Hansen in the final section The Men We Need. We think this is a vital message for men, especially in a time when church services accentuate show biz trappings over spiritual nourishment. Emotion has its place, but self-control is a fruit of the spirit. The fellows talk about better ways to gauge spiritual growth, such as loyalty to God, everyday integrity and a committing to action even when it's hard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whatever your age, the decisions you make now will have impact on you in the future. No one sets out to become a grumpy old man, but too many of us end up there. In The Men We Need, author Brant Hansen says wisdom has much more to do with opening your eyes than following your heart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In The Men We Need, author Brant Hansen addresses the significance of the Christian marriage covenant and why it's more than just "a piece of paper." We discuss the need for new models of marriage that remain Christian yet are relevant in a time when young men and women are encouraged to delay marriage until they establish themselves professionally and financially. We debate whether this is a good idea and if not, should churches provide assistance to young couples who want to marry yet lack financial stability. Is marriage a cornerstone or a capstone? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ambition, when directed correctly, is not a characteristic of toxic masculinity. In The Men We Need, author Brant Hansen states that even a simple man earns respect when he knows his worth, has specific goals for the growth of himself and his family, and puts in the time and effort to achieve them. And these goals should have little to do with wealth, power and prestige and everything to do his passion for the path the Lord has presented him. Yet as social dynamics force changes in household models, we also have an opportunity to apply the wisdom of the Gospel in this era when Moms outearn Dads, when gainful work means a part-time job and a side hustle, and there are lucrative career opportunities for men who choose not to attend college.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guarding safe space for your wife, children and community is a paramount role for men, says author Brant Hanson. We continue our study of Hansen’s The Men We Need, discussing the divine call to defend the weak and take up the cause of the oppressed. We look at the recent Internet hub-bub over “Phillies Karen.” Did the father wimp out or correctly assess the situation in choosing not to fight back? How much responsibility do you have for the safety of your neighborhood? Should you be the one to confront bullying, assault or child abuse in public when no one else will? And should you ever take a gun to church?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us as we dive head on into a discussion of pornography addiction. Hardcore pornography is ubiquitous and has been all but normalized. For men ensnared in it, it is a compulsion driven by a need for dopamine hits, not “lust” or the desire to look at “dirty pictures.” We argue that caring congregations should shift from shaming porn users to offering the same counseling, treatment and caregiving they provide to drug and alcohol abuse: such as identifying underlying triggers that drive men to porn and finding healthy substitutes and outlets. In The Men We Need, author Brant Hansen says Christian men must commit to living a real life in the real world. Porn, as well as less controversial activities such as video games, scam users into embracing a fake world of fake relationships and fake achievements. We talk about breaking free of the temptation to “check out,” as Robert puts it, and finding purpose and self-work in the context of God’s plan for creation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is Christian masculinity? We begin a study of Brent Hansen’s The Men We Need, beginning with his assertion that Adam’s abject passivity in the face of evil was the primary reason for the Fall. What can we learn from Adam’s failure? Hansen says God’s purpose for men is to bring their gifts to bear in taking responsibility for nurturing and protecting their spouses, children and, by extension, their community, and actively fostering both earthly creation and the promised Kingdom of God.  Find The Men We Need: God’s Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up, by Brant Hansen at Amazon or visit your local bookseller.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No Church Answers! panelists Steve and Mike talk with Ken Hanning, executive director of development of the Christian Amoveo Group, about their June mission field trip to Dublin, Ireland. We talk about ministering to marginalized kids, plus methods that create effective, trusting partnerships between churches and faith-based organizations that assist with understaffed, underfunded government agencies. Visit https://amoveogroup.org/ for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Christians, we are taught to turn the other cheek, give to others sacrificially, never return evil for evil, and forgive rather than retaliate. So sometimes saying “no” to someone, or simply asserting our own needs, seems wrong to us. Still, the Kingdom of God is not here yet, and the world is filled with obnoxious, manipulative and outright toxic people. The Bible has no pithy verse that tells us how to deal with a bully or narcissist, but it does contain wisdom that helps us build a framework that allows us to set boundaries in a Christian way. In the last podcast before our summer break, we discuss Christ-affirming ways to stand up to the moocher, the entitled, the complainer, the drama queen, the bully, the narcissist, and the addict and enabler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two synagogues, two outcomes. In Capernaum, Jesus amazes attendees with the authority of his teachings and casts out an impure spirit. Back home in Nazareth, it's a different story. Just like the neighbors were unable to see past Jesus' background a carpenter, do we as Christians sometimes take Jesus for granted, holding onto familiar but unchallenging notions but missing the chance to greater growth in the spirit? John Opiyo, Ben Taub Hospital chaplain, joins us as we discuss ways to keep our faith refreshed and respective to the miraculous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We look at the the raising of the daughter of Jairus, the synagogue official and the healing of the bleeding woman, commenting on the significance of both miracles as well as their presentation as a story-within-a-story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"We must trust Jesus to quell the storms in our life," is the "church answer" to this story. We think this takeaway, while not wrong, is superficial. Like many episodes recounted in Mark, there is deeper significance in the way this miracle is reported, especially for men. To start, when we call on the Lord in a crisis, what exactly are our expectations? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How should Christians push against the modern "throwaway" culture that encourages both overconsumption and waste, be it with our land, material goods or human relationships? We discuss the virtue of simplicity in choosing value over cheapness, in living fruitfully but sustainably, and cultivating Bible-based stewardship in all we care for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The fellows talk about the Second Coming, starting with the question of why there has to be one. Why wasn't God's plan of salvation and restoration accomplished all at once? Was the doctrine of the Second Coming tacked on after it became obvious the lion was not laying down with the lamb? If Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God on Earth, where is it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Despite being a Bible study podcast, we've never taken up the fact of the sheer number of translations available. We remedy that oversight this week with a discussion about the history of Biblical translation, memories of Bibles we grew up with and what our preferences are now. This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NoChurchAnswersAPR and use the discount code NoChurchAnswersAPR for 48% off your first subscription or 20% or your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.