Episodes

  • To Judge or Not to Judge? What Matthew 7 Tells Us about Judging Jesus’ Way

    To Judge or Not to Judge? What Matthew 7 Tells Us about Judging Jesus’ Way
    Jun 17 2024
    Is it okay for Christians to judge other people? In some Bible passages, it seems like there is a place for judgment; in other parts of Scripture, not so much. Dr. Groothuis emphasizes the importance of evaluating oneself against the standard of Scripture before passing judgment on others. The key principle highlighted is to first reflect on one's actions, attitudes, and beliefs in order to cultivate humility and ensure that judgments are made with love and grace. Drawing from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, the speaker instructs followers to address their own faults before pointing out those of others. This analogy stresses the need for self-awareness and self-correction before engaging in judgment. By acknowledging personal shortcomings, individuals can approach others with empathy, understanding, and humility. Judging Jesus’ Way: Matthew 7:1-5"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." I. Who Are Christians in the World? How do we represent God and the gospel today? How are we judged by the watching world? Judicious or censorious? Measured in judgment or reactive? Wise or foolish? II. Some Judgments Against Christians A. They are too judgmentalB. They are legalisticC. They are high and mightyD. They are holier than thouE. Specifics: they are homophobic, transphobic, heteronormative, colonialist, and more F. This is sometimes correct—but we must judge, just as those who have judged usG. They may mean: “Shut up, so we can sin in peace.” H. Jesus shows us how to judge with his master principle for judgment: judge yourself according to the right standard; then judge others in love III. The Logic of Judgment A. A judgment is a personal evaluation of a state of affairs—moral or non-moral B. A judgment is always made according to a standard—implicit or explicit C. We must judge 1. “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV) 2. Judgments about moral worth of the unborn, for example; judgments about sexual ethics and identity IV. Judging Jesus’ Way A. The standard is the Bible rightly interpreted and applied B. Jesus gave many judgments, some quite harsh: one of seven “woes” or condemning judgment against teachers of the law and Pharisees 1. Condemnation (Matthew 23:15). 2. Gentle rebuke (Matthew 6:30) C. Jesus had a perfect character, so all his judgments were correct and given in the right spirit; it is harder for us. V. Do Not JudgeVs. 1-2: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.1. The Greek for judge (krino) means condemnation or being judgmental or censoriousBill Mounce: “to assume censorial power over, to call to account, Mt. 7:1.”2. Warning: the judgment comes back on you, like a boomerang; you think you are on the bench as a judge, but you are also in the dock as the accused (John Stott)VI. Two White Hot Questions from Jesus3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?1. Kind of question with an assumed answer: You should not do this.2. Why do you look without and not look within? Speck in another, log in your own? Initial judgment.3. Why do you want to remove the speck and not remove the plank in your own eye? Action based on the judgment, spoken or unspoken.Avoid being a moral busybody (2 Peter 4:15).VII. Avoiding Hypocrisy; Making a Sound Judgment A. V. 5: You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.B. Jesus makes (1) accusation, (2) command, and (3) promise1. Accusation: Hypocrite: play actor; imposter, phony, charlatan. Used four times in Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)a. Not that you fail to live up to your standard of God’s standard. We all do that—except Jesus Christ, who was sinless and morally perfect. Jesus was merciful to sinners who knew they were sinnersb. Hypocrite: you pretend that you live up to your standard when you do not. You ignore your own sin, spot it in others; and want to remove it in others. You are a play ...
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    25 mins
  • Pascal's Compelling Case for the Christian Faith

    Pascal's Compelling Case for the Christian Faith
    Jun 10 2024
    Blaise Pascal’s Case for Christianity I. The Genius of Blaise Pascal A. Amazing life of Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) B. Pascal as an apologist; not a fideist (unlike Soren Kierkegaard) C. Nature of apologetics. Defend the Christian worldview as objectively true, compellingly rational, and pertinent to all of life (1 Peter 3:15) II. Pascal’s Case for Christianity A. His apologetic be reconstructed. Order. Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is. Worthy of reverence because it really understands human nature. Attractive because it promises true good. B. We consider only two elements: the wager and the deposed royalty argument; there are more. See Douglas Groothuis, Beyond the Wager: the Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity Academic, 2024). III. The Wager: Risks, Rewards, Options A. We should bet on God being rule instead of betting on God’s unreality in light of the possible consequences. I should be much more afraid of being mistaken and then finding out that Christianity is true than of being mistaken in believing it to be true. B. Theoretical reason: Is P true? How can I know this? C. Prudential reason: What do I gain or lose by believing P? What actions should I pursue on this matter? D. The outcomes and belief states 1. Believer, if Christian God exists:Gain: eternal life; avoid hell. Infinite gainLoss: worldly pleasures. Finite loss 2. Believer, if Christian God does not exist:Gain: pleasures of religion. Finite gain Loss: worldly pleasures and truth. Finite loss 3. Unbeliever (atheist or agnostic or member of other religion), if Christian God exists:Gain: worldly pleasures. Finite gainLoss: eternal life; gain hell, infinite loss 4. Unbeliever, if Christian God does not exist:Gain: worldly pleasures. Finite gainLoss: nothing. E. Given the stakes, we should investigate the claims of Christianity with an open mind and open heart and not be indifferent. There are only three sorts of people: those who have found God and serve him; those who are busy seeking him and have not found him; those who live without either seeking or finding him. The first are reasonable and happy, the last are foolish and unhappy, those in the middle are unhappy and reasonable. IV. The Human Problem and Puzzle A. What sort of freak then is man! How novel, how monstrous, how chaotic, how paradoxical, how prodigious! Judge of all things, feeble earthworm, repository of truth, sink of doubt and error, the glory and refuse of the universe! (131/434). B. How to live with the human burden in light of reality; “deposed royalty” who can be restored through Jesus Christ C. What are the options? We will look at two “live hypotheses” V. A True, Rational, and Significant Explanation. A. True explanation of the human condition: one that agrees with objective reality; factual; realism. B. Rational explanation: one that explains who we are in accordance with the evidence and sound reasoning. C. Significant explanation: one that gives us value, meaning, and realistic hope for being human in the world. Philosophical anthropology is a very important part of any worldview. D. Manner of explanation: abduction (inference to best explanation) VI. Views of Being Human: The New Age Worldview A. New Age or spiritual worldview: Ken Wilber, Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra 1. Background belief on humanity a. Pantheism: everything is divine. b. Monism: all is one (or nondualism) c. Morality is not absolute, but good and evil dissolve into a universal and impersonal oneness. 2. New Age view on humanity a. Human nature is really a divine nature: we are one with an impersonal deity. b. Human problem: we have forgotten our true identity as divine, one with all things, and unlimited. c. Human solution: Find the divine within through meditation, yoga, self-realization seminars. 3. Questioning New Age philosophy a. Human beings are limited in power and goodness; this is evident and not a delusion or matter of ignorance. b. There are moral realities that reveal a moral dualism: good and evil; right and wrong; virtue and vice. Rape is always wrong; kindness is better than wanton cruelty. VII. Christianity: Deposed Royality A. Background belief: personal theism—God as Creator, Lord, Judge B. Pascal’s point can be strengthened by natural theology: arguments for God’s existence from nature and in accord with reason. C. Human nature: created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:27) 1. Uniqueness of humanity: ethics, culture, language, religion 2. Human greatness:...
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Overcoming Spiritual Opposition: Lessons from Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13

    Overcoming Spiritual Opposition: Lessons from Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13
    Jun 3 2024
    FINDING POWER OVER ERRORACTS 13:1-12 I. The Desperate Need: Power in Gospel Outreach A. Truth decay and the reality of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18) B. Handling opposition in evangelism and apologetics C. Finding spiritual power for the proclamation and defense of the gospel II. The Spreading Flame: The Acts of the Holy Spirit A. The birth of the church through the work of Jesus Christ, Lord of all. B. Jesus: “You will receive power from the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:8; John 14:16-17) C. Beginning of great gospel adventures—and conflicts (Acts 14:22) III. Preparation for Ministry (Acts 13:1-3) A. Prophets and teachers: Spirit-empowered ministry positions B. Multi-ethnic ministry (Galatians 3:26-28) C. Fasting and prayer before God and with the church (Acts 2:42; 3:1; 4:24; 6:4; 10:31; 14:23; 28:8) D. Prayer and fasting in the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2; 6:16-18; 9:5) E. God’s corporate call for mission (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:45-49: Acts 1:8) F. Paul’s individual call to mission (Acts 9:1-19; Galatians 1:11-24) His first excursion to the Gentiles G. Power principle #1: We need a God-ward orientation to discern God’s call to mission and to receive God’s power over error. H. Power principle #2: We need the wisdom of the church to discern God’s call to mission and to receive God’s power over error. IV. Beginning the Mission (Acts 13:4-5) A. The importance of Paul’s first mission; door opened to the Gentiles B. Sent out by the Holy Spirit (second reference to the Holy Spirit) C. Proclaimed the Word of God by the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12) D. John was their helper (Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28) E. Power principle #3: We need to proclaim God’s word to find power over error. F. Power principle #4: Behind the scenes helpers are vital for powerful ministry. V. The Power of Error: Enter the Sorcerer (Acts 13:6-8) A. Team traveled a long distance for the gospel; sacrifice (Matthew 10:37-38) B. Bar-Jesus: Jewish sorcerer and false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:9-14, 20; Acts 8:9-11; Revelation 22:15) C. Sergius Paulus: intelligent Roman political leader. Wanted to hear the Word of God. This is an open door for the gospel. Considering Sergius Paulus’s authority, the mission team probably could not have refused his offer; that adds extra pressure. D. Elymas wants to shut the open door for the gospel. Conflict and controversy ensue. E. Power principle #5: The power of error opposes the truth of the gospel. VI. Power Over Error: Enter Paul (Acts 13:9-11) A. Saul, called Paul (Roman version of the Semitic Saul) B. “Filled with the Holy Spirit” (third reference to the Holy Spirit) C. Stared him down with condemning truth. He is a: 1. Child of the devil (John 8:44) 2. Enemy of everything right (Matthew 13:39) 3. Full of deceit and trickery (Matthew 13:19) 4. Paul’s question…not answered by the sorcerer. 5. Blinded, for a time (Isaiah 44:25-26) D. Power principle #6: A Spirit-filled and biblical-informed Christian challenges error courageously. VII. Power Over Error in Evangelism (Acts 13:12) A. Sergius Paulus was amazed at God’s truth and power; he believed B. Miracles and teaching work together through the Holy Spirit, all backed by prayer and holy living. C. Power principle #7: God’s work in God’s way finds power over error, but this does not eliminate hardships and setbacks in our mission (Acts 14:22). VIII. Finding Power Over Error Today A. Spirit-led and biblically informed mission generates opposition to its mandate. B. Prepare for spiritual opposition as you explain, proclaim, and defend the gospel. C. Applying these seven power principles today 1. Find godly fellowship (Acts 2:42) 2. Seek God in prayer and fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) 3. Study and share God’s Word (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:15-17) 4. Expect opposition and controversy (Matthew 10:34-39) 5. Find humble helpers—and be a humble helper 6. Expose error courageously in God’s timing (Joshua 1:6-9) 7. Expect God to vindicate God’s truth, but not without hardships. Recommended reading: 1. Sharon Beekman, Silencing Satan (Wipf and Stock, 2012). Major academic study by one who understands the demonic world by experience and through study as a Christian. 2. Mark Bubeck, Overcoming the Adversary (Moody Press, 1984). On spiritual warfare. An updated version is called Warfare Prayer.3. Ajith Fernando. The NIV Application Commentary: Acts (Zondervan, 1998). Excellent and practical commentary. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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    43 mins
  • Witnessing to the Truth: The Role of the Holy Spirit

    Witnessing to the Truth: The Role of the Holy Spirit
    May 27 2024

    Exploring the theme of "Power for True Witness," Dr. Groothuis delivers a sermon at Littleton Christian Church, diving into Acts 1-8 and John 14, 16-17 to discuss the biblical concept of truth, Jesus as the way, truth, and life, and the empowerment to share this truth through the Holy Spirit. The episode highlights Dr. Groothuis' extensive experience in philosophy and academia, celebrating his 31-year tenure at Denver Seminary and his upcoming role at Cornerstone University in Michigan.

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    41 mins
  • 4 Questions Students Must Ask to Avoid Writing Fluff

    4 Questions Students Must Ask to Avoid Writing Fluff
    May 20 2024
    What is Fluff? Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, NIV). Harry Frankfurt in On BS: The BS-er…is neither on the side of the true nor on the side of the false. His eye is not on the facts at all, as the eyes of the honest man and of the liar are, except insofar as they may be pertinent to his interest in getting away with what he says. He does not care whether the things he says describe reality correctly. He just picks them out, or makes them up, to suit his purpose.[1] Fluff is whatever is extraneous, superfluous, or unseemly. Fluff is the opposite of the substantial or the fundamental. Physical fluff is never desired and easily floats away. No one wants it, unless it is in a pillow, perhaps. Some students pad their papers in order to meet word requirements. Such padding is always fluff and may involve going down rabbit trails unrelated to the thesis of the writing. Much fluff today is autobiographical, and there are far too many memoirs.[2] Entire books may be autobiographical fluff, such as the egregious Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller and myriad others.[3] Contemporary writers often cannot resist talking about themselves even when it is irrelevant to the point they should be making. One of the great principles of the classic writing guide, Elements of Style, is to keep yourself in the background. This is what Strunk and White write: Write in a way that draws the reader’s attention to the sense and substance of the writing, rather than to the mood and temper of the author. If the writing is solid and good, the mood and temper of the writer will eventually be revealed and not at the expense of the work. Therefore, the first piece of advice is this: to achieve style, begin by affecting none—that is, place yourself in the background.[4] Exhibitionism is one of the great sins and blind spots of our age. Consider Victor Frankl’s comments about why he reluctantly decided not to anonymously publish his classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning: "I had intended to write this book anonymously, using my prison number only. But when the manuscript was completed, I saw that as an anonymous publication, it would lose half its value and that I must have the courage to state my convictions openly. I therefore refrained from deleting any of the passages, in spite of an intense dislike of exhibitionism."[5] Fluff may also be unseemly, which may or may not include gratuitous personal references. The unseemly is what is inappropriate—the lude, crude, or rude. What Paul applies to speech should be applied to writing. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). To tighten it up: Fluff is what is unnecessary in a piece of writing, either due to BS, redundancy, exhibitionism, or literary boorishness. Fluff can be avoided by removing unnecessary content, by keeping yourself in the background, and by being polite. To avoid fluff, ask yourself these questions: Am I aiming at objective truth?Have I written more than is needed?Have I said too much about myself?Have I been off-putting or offensive to my reader? [1] Frankfurt, Harry G. On Bullshit (p. 56). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition. [2] I wrote a memoir, which I attempted to justify in the first chapter. Douglas Groothuis, “Introduction,” Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—A Philosopher’s Lament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2017). [3] Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz (New York: Harper Horizon, 2003). The first paragraph of page 103 is the most absurd and egregious collection of falsehoods I have encountered. [4] Strunk JR., William; White, E.B. The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition. Pandora's Box. Kindle Edition. [5] Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning (pp. 6-7). Beacon Press. Kindle Edition. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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    11 mins
  • The Atonement of Christ: 5 Essential Elements Every Believer Should Understand

    The Atonement of Christ: 5 Essential Elements Every Believer Should Understand
    May 13 2024

    In today's special episode, we delve into the profound topic of Christ's atoning work on the cross, a cornerstone of Christian theology. I had the privilege of sharing a sermon I recently delivered at the Reformed Baptist Church of Northern Colorado, where we explored the essential elements of atonement through a theological lens.

    During the sermon, I discussed the multifaceted aspects of atonement, including propitiation, expiation, redemption, justification, and the victory over evil forces, all of which underscore the comprehensive nature of Christ's sacrifice. This discussion was enriched with scriptural references and theological insights, aiming to deepen our understanding of these doctrines and their implications for our faith and daily lives.

    Moreover, I addressed several common objections to the doctrine of atonement, providing thoughtful rebuttals to ensure that we, as believers, are equipped to defend our faith effectively. The sermon also emphasized the importance of evangelism and the assurance of salvation, encouraging us to live out our faith boldly and share the transformative power of the Gospel with others.

    This episode is not just a reflection on theological concepts but a call to action to embrace the full implications of Christ's work on the cross, ensuring it resonates deeply in our personal and communal spiritual lives. Join us as we explore these truths and their enduring impact on our journey of faith.

    For those interested in a deeper exploration of Christian apologetics and the atonement, I recommend checking out my book, "Christian Apologetics," where I delve further into these topics.

    Thank you for tuning in to Truth Tribe. If you found this episode enlightening, please consider sharing it with others and joining us again as we continue to seek and celebrate the truth about the things that matter most.

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    48 mins
  • 30 Simple Steps You Can Take Today to Be a Better Public Speaker

    30 Simple Steps You Can Take Today to Be a Better Public Speaker
    May 6 2024

    Stepping into the world of public speaking can be daunting. Whether you're a newbie feeling the jitters or a seasoned pro looking to fine-tune your skills, we've got thirty simple tips you can do today to immediately level up your public speaking game. From taming those butterflies in your stomach to perfecting your delivery style, these strategies are your secret to becoming a confident and charismatic speaker. Let's get ready to unleash your inner orator!

    1. Pray before speaking. I pray something like this, “Lord, help me to speak the truth in love with wisdom such that knowledge is imparted that sticks to the soul spreads through the world for your glory.” See Ephesians 4:15; Titus 2:7-8.

    2. Say something worth saying. Time is short, Psalm 90:12; Ephesians 5:16.

    3. Study adequately. It is better to over-study (if there is such a thing) than understudy, especially in preaching. See James 3:1-2.

    4. Never rely on your charisma. Rely on God and the knowledge you have to offer people.

    5. Learn how to speak grammatically and with the best version of your voice you can offer. You may want to talk with a speech coach.

    6. Have water with you on the podium, but don't take large gulps, but small sips. The water should be warm, not cold. Cold water constricts your throat and hurts your voice.

    Want to know the rest? Listen to today's episode of Truth Tribe to unlock these great tips!

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    9 mins
  • Blaise Pascal’s Critique of Culture and Politics

    Blaise Pascal’s Critique of Culture and Politics
    Apr 29 2024

    The great scientist and philosopher, Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), understood humans as disposed royalty—royal by virtue of creation in God image, but ruined through the fall. However, there is hope in the ruins because of the achievements of Jesus Christ on our behalf. I have written extensively of Pascal’s apologetic elsewhere, but we focus on his critique of society, which is as profound and pertinent as any aspect of his wide-ranging and brilliant work.

    What follows is an excerpt from Douglas Groothuis, Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024).

    Living as deposed royalty in a fallen world means observing the corruption of culture and politics by vanity and concupiscence, to use two of Pascal’s categories. Ever the astute student of human nature, Pascal trained his gimlet eye on the pretenses, postures, dissimulations, and hidden absurdities of everyday life. His concern and critique were both universal and particular to his day. Humans east of Eden are, when studied soberly and carefully, ineluctably odd and inexplicable creatures—that is, until they are deciphered by the divinely revealed categories of creation and the fall. Human culture, which proceeds from the greatness and wretchedness of humanity, likewise generates odd patterns of custom, habit, fashion, and more; it, too, needs to be deciphered according to a higher wisdom. Can the madness of the world be brought to heel through criticism? “Men are so inevitably mad that not to be mad would be to give a mad twist to madness.”

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    20 mins