All Episodes - Christianity Clarified
This program is a short, conversational examination of the central tenets of the Christian faith with Pastor Marv Wiseman, a man with over 55 years of ministry teaching to young and old alike. "Christianity Clarified" is presented by The Rock Radio Network, a bilingual Bible teaching network centered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We can be heard on our two live online streams and on WBMJ (AM-1190) San Juan Metro, WIVV (AM-1370) Vieques/VI, and WCGB (AM-1060) Juana Díaz/Ponce.
View Podcast Details40 Episodes
The literal is our primary language
Reverend Marv Wiseman sets out the principle that unless otherwise noted, we should seek the literal meaning of any biblical passage.
A non-literal use of day (2)
Reverend Marv Wiseman continues discussing the difference between literal truth and literal fact.
An early undermining of literality (2)
Pastor Marv Wiseman acknowledges that while all truth in the Bible is literally true, not everything in the Bible is to be taken literally.
A non-literal use of day
Pastor Marv Wiseman addresses some objections to the literal truth of the Bible.
The purpose of figurative language
Why does the Bible use so much figurative language? What is the point of it at all? Reverend Marv Wiseman explains.
Rhetorical questions in the Bible
The Bible uses rhetorical questions, often with devastating truth bomb effects.
Euphemism softens hard truths
The Bible is full of euphemisms that God uses to spare our feelings, if possible, while giving us truth.
Irony in the Bible (2)
The many ironic statements in the Bible will remain a puzzle unless we understand why they were written that way.
Irony in the Bible (1)
We cannot hear the tone in which the Bible was spoken, but we should be able to understand the irony of certain statements by the way they are written.
Zoomorphism in the Bible
The Bible is full of zoomorphic imagery, which uses animal shapes to portray or illustrate important truths.
Prayer does not replace hermaneutics
Pastor Marv Wiseman admonishes us to study the Word intensely so that we can use it properly in our prayers, not the other way around.
A figure of speech called simile (2)
As used in the Bible, a simile takes something literal and concrete and applies it to the spiritual.
A figure of speech called simile (1)
Pastor Marv Wiseman explains the concept of a simile and shows us why the Bible uses so many of them.
The bridge between literal and figurative
Pastor Marv Wiseman shows us how we can understand when the Bible is using figures of speech.
The purpose of figurative language
Pastor Marv Wiseman begins examining some of the uses of figurative language in the Bible and explains why the writers choose to employ it.
The literal is our primary language
Reverend Marv Wiseman makes the case that unless otherwise noted, the Bible should be taken literally.
A non-literal use of day (2)
Reverend Marv Wiseman continues his examination of the word "yom," which means "day" in Hebrew and its many different meanings in the Bible.
A non-literal use of day (1)
If the same word for "day" in Hebrew is used both literally and figuratively, how can we be sure which context to believe when we see it in the Bible?
An early undermining of literality (2)
When we doubt the literal account of the Bible, we call God into question.
An early undermining of literality (1)
Pastor Marv Wiseman examines the law of literality, which is to say that if the Bible does not explicitly say that a text is to be taken figuratively, then it is in fact meant to be taken literally.
The science and art of hermaneutics (2)
Pastor Marv explains the careful process of scientific work that goes into biblical hermaneutics.
The science and art of hermaneutics (1)
Taken from the name of the Greek god Hermes, the messenger of the pagan gods, hermeneutics is the study of how God's message in the Bible is transmitted to us through His Word.
The cycle of communication
Pastor Marv Wiseman discusses the importance of understanding the meaning of communication, and how the very words of the Bible must be understood for them to have any worth or power.
Christ and seeming contradictions (3)
Did Christ contradict Himself when He told His disciples that they would live to see the coming of His kingdom?
Christ and seeming contradictions
Pastor Marv Wiseman begins looking at some of the supposed contradictions about the life of Christ in the Bible and offers a system for studying them in context.
Opponents and detractors of the Bible
Since the very beginning of time, people have rejected the Bible because they dislike its claims of authority.
The artistic contribution of the Bible
In every field of creative endeavor, from art and literature to architecture and deeds of mercy, the Bible is the world's greatest source of inspiration.
Languages and translations of the Bible
The sheer number of languages and translations of the Bible proves that mankind finds it useful and desirable.
The Bible and archaeology
The Bible does not need archaeology or science to defend it, because it has inherent value. However, both do.
The popular appeal of the Bible
No other book on earth approaches the popular appeal and wide readership of the Bible.
Questions to be asked of the Bible
The Bible makes sweeping claims. How can we know they are true?
How to approach the Bible
There are three basic presuppositions we can take when we approach the Bible: That it is true, That it is not true, and Neutrality.
Authority is the issue
Since the beginning of time, mankind's rejection of duly appointed authority has been central to the problems we face.
Biblical authority challenged
We can no longer assume that people automatically accept the authority of the Bible. We must learn to defend it.
First things first
Before engaging in the study of hermaneutics, the first question we must answer is simple: Is this really worth our time?
The biggest question facing all of humanity in all of time
What if the biggest question facing humanity could be boiled down to one word: authority? Pastor Mar shows us how.
Is the Bible outdated?
When people criticize the Bible, they often say it is outdated and outmoded. Are they right?
What is biblical faith?
Much of what is passed off as faith today is not true faith in the biblical sense.
Earth's most precious possession
Did you know that Earth's most priceless possession is not for sale?
Learning from the past (Part 1)
The Bible urges us to let go of the past and move forward into the freedom that God has for us.