Betting on Jesus: What Does it Mean to Believe in Jesus

In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Cole Phillips kicks off a new season by discussing the importance of deepening one's faith through the lens of the parable of the soils from Matthew 13. He emphasizes that while many hear the word of God, the true measure of faith lies in how deeply it takes root in one's life. Cole reflects on the recent passing of Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, who shared his thoughts on faith and conversion in the face of terminal illness. Through Adams' story, Cole explores the difference between superficial belief and genuine faith, urging listeners to consider the depth of their own spiritual commitment.

Cole gets into the concept of Pascal's Wager, discussing the rationality of believing in God versus the risks of disbelief. He contrasts this with the biblical example of the thief on the cross, who exemplified true faith through his humble acknowledgment of Jesus. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to examine their own faith, encouraging them to move beyond mere belief to a deeper, transformative relationship with Jesus.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the New Season

00:56 The Parable of the Soils

06:09 Understanding True Faith vs. Fake Faith

08:03 Scott Adams' Journey and Final Thoughts

19:09 Pascal's Wager: Risk vs. Reward in Faith

30:31 The Nature of Real Faith and Commitment

faith, parable of the soils, Scott Adams, Connect Podcast, deep faith, transformation, Pascal's Wager, true belief, spiritual commitment