Rooted Disposition: Love, Joy, Peace

In each of these three lessons, we will consider three of the virtues that Paul lists as the fruit of the Spirit, so our first will be love, joy, and peace. There are real connections within these groupings. With our first set of virtues, we will discover the foundation for the ones that follow. Love, …

Continue reading Rooted Disposition: Love, Joy, Peace

Fruitful Marriage

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. …

Continue reading Fruitful Marriage

Pornography & Repentance

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fme87cehrvqNGvI78SaP3?si=89a0dedb32024f24 In our previous study, we began the final section of the catechism, which is called Restoration. As we noted back in Question 2, the premise of this section is to know “how I am to lead a thankful life of holiness and sexual purity in conformity to and union with Christ.” Question 27-30 initiated …

Continue reading Pornography & Repentance

The Fight for Purity

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3d9BqJuD0NlppKi3gAkHWH?si=052c81d636aa40e4 As we begin the fourth and final part of this catechism, we should remind ourselves that Questions 1-2 are the introduction to everything. This catechism is aiming to teach us how we can find the comfort of our new identity in Christ. Now that we have seen the goodness of God’s design (Part 1), …

Continue reading The Fight for Purity

Gospel Freedom & Identity

https://open.spotify.com/episode/53E0BjtQ56dR3P4xB10ZB0?si=l-5ezlVZQs-FBw4uNvHh0A In our previous lesson, we moved through Part 2 of the New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality. Those questions focused upon the effects of humanity’s fall into sin upon our natural desires and the temptations that now arise from within our deceitful hearts. Although their subject matter is far from pleasant, it is essential …

Continue reading Gospel Freedom & Identity

Temptation & Sinful Desires

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ukIS5bYpx1VLyZLqKbTjc?si=xaVScHWSQPCb7zGuvsRYYw Let us begin again by reminding ourselves of the purpose of this catechism, which is expressed in question 1, to point us toward the great comfort that is to be found in our new identity in Jesus Christ. Question 2 gives us the roadmap for walking in that comfort by telling us the four …

Continue reading Temptation & Sinful Desires

Adultery, Divorce, & Same-Sex Marriage

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2JPkDOzgTHsVWIfi0xgHmc?si=xU-pHpQ2RXey3dIF7bk6PQ Moving through the first section of the catechism, we have focused upon God's good design for human sexuality and some of the challenges that our sin-scarred world brings against them. In questions 3-5, we studied the goodness of being made male and female to image God, while questions 6-8 addressed the present-day challenge that …

Continue reading Adultery, Divorce, & Same-Sex Marriage

The Origin and Purpose of Marriage

https://open.spotify.com/episode/51kjrYtWJxgDOGEMuCNRlt?si=Kr1aBVndRASiu-ecUvx6cg We should keep in mind that questions 3-41 of this catechism are explaining to us the things that we must know to live happily in the comfort of our new identity in Christ, and in this first section, we are focusing upon God’s good design for humanity. In questions 3-5, we studied the goodness …

Continue reading The Origin and Purpose of Marriage

Should We Distinguish Between Sex and Gender?

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Hyv3XokOq3LHh3CPN5nvJ?si=vyGwvhnpQBa9Fwz9HLXO_w On August 22, 1965, Ron and Janet Reimer welcomed their twin boys into the world, Bruce and Brian. Six months later, both boys were diagnosed with phimosis, which is when the foreskin of the penis cannot retract and obstructs urination. On April 27, 1966, Bruce underwent circumcision to remove the foreskin. Rather than using …

Continue reading Should We Distinguish Between Sex and Gender?

Imago Dei, Male and Female

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4nJbtU201GtPVGkVZv79gC?si=v9hIBhdbROuL_qbd5Gl2dA Darwin (1809-1882), Freud (1856-1939), and Marx (1818-1883) can quite rightly be called the architects of modernity. During the 1800s, these three men were foundational in providing secularism’s answers to three of life’s most important and unavoidable questions regarding our origins, our guilt, and our hope. Darwin’s theory of natural selection was the key to …

Continue reading Imago Dei, Male and Female