“Faith in the Folds” is a podcast for ministry, biblical studies, and general Christian living. We will feature short devotionals, longer video essays, and interviews with friends and colleagues who, in one way or another, have learned "to haste, rise, and do the thing God has said."
These lines from George MacDonald's "Diary of an Old Soul" (entry for February 9) continue to inspire:
I search my heart-I search, and find no faith. Hidden He may be in its many folds- I see him not revealed in all the world Duty's firm shape thins to a misty wraith. No good seems likely. To and fro I am hurled. I have no stay. Only obedience holds:- I haste, I rise, I do the thing he saith.
Paul told Titus to, "Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you." (Titus 2:15 -- ESV) It seems that the preacher has a lot of authority, Paul telling Titus he had ALL authority.
Ño. Even in the most dystopian of AI driven stories, the AI is more relatable than any purpose bred antipathetic sadist from the Stone-Campbell movement. I mean, you are the religion who place the most value on inflicted cruelty, right?
The churches of Christ have been in decline for years now and continue to go that direction. The churches of Christ members were also know for knowing their Bibles which is not true any more. Their children are not remaining in the church and leaving by greater percentages. Churches rely too much on a preacher to tell them what is in their Bible and are unable to guard against divisive hobbies. Most churches grow as a result of sheep moving to another group and not because a church is growing by reaching the lost.
@@trovelemmanuel5627 thanks so much for watching! I’ve got a few minister friends from the Caribbean-but I didn’t know they were dealing with the same stuff. Hopefully this little video can help us all think better about the situation.
@@faithinthefolds2034 I must be meeting all of the ones who do believe this. So does CoC have different “denominations” or sects depending on what they believe? If so, what are they called?
@@gman1550 Since the CoC is congregationally autonomous, each one determines what they believe about a certain topic. The way of interpreting the Bible that led many to condemn instrumental accompaniment in worship was really popular about fifty+ years ago: since they didn’t see express commands to worship with instruments in the NT, they believed it was prohibited. There are MANY problems with that hermeneutic, and although some CoCs still adhere to that there are many still who simply choose not to use instruments because a cappella singing is a historic practice of the church and is quite beautiful.
I found out the churches of Christ are really brazen and belligerent about things they are absolutely sure of, but when it comes to the Book of Revelation and their Amillennial beliefs, which are a direct heritage from their Presbyterian background, which inherited it from the Roman Catholic Church, makes the churches of Christ extremely cautious and very unwilling to let their eschatology and their understanding and interpretation of the Book of Revelation follow anything resembling the CENI rubric. They excommunicated me out of their church in 1983 and it was like a ton of bricks was taken off my shoulders and I spread my wings and flew away from them. Every now and then I will visit a church of Christ, but their appeal to me is completely gone and shall never return as long as I live.
First of all, let me say thank you for watching! I've been in Churches of Christ my entire life and I'm sad to say I know far too many people who have been burned and won't come back. I think you have accurately captured what the problem is with many Churches of Christ, they are certain about things to the point that they are unwilling to give any grace to those who are just unsure about something in Scripture, much less to those who disagree. But because I've been in this church fellowship since birth, I am grateful to know there are many Churches of Christ out there (like the one I currently work for) that are gracious and far from being brazen or belligerent. I actually taught on Revelation at our church a couple of years ago and a man came up to after the first few classes to tell me he had avoided Revelation for years because he had seen people nearly come to blows over it, but he was so glad to hear how we were teaching it graciously at church. Wherever we land, I pray we remain faithful.
@@faithinthefolds2034 OK, l could not say all churches are equally intolerant. I visited Nashville after my disfellowship and truly enjoyed myself. I visited Crieve Hall and sat under the teaching of Tom Holland. I really think the churches need to use CENI to sift through issues of eschatology and get clear of Amillennialism.
Many unqualified elders bow to member's pressure to allow unscriptural pleasantries be allowed in worship. Preachers are faced with supporting heresies or else. Then they resign and move on to more solid congregations.
Great talk! I feel like we could’ve been more heavy on our use of scripture to defend the ideals of Libertarianism. I feel as so the Old Testament could give us plenty of material for such.
Yeah, I think what you've suggested is a great idea for a folllow up episode. I've got another conversation planned with Alex and another podcaster and I think we'll dig into the biblical roots of Libertarianism then. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for watching! I agree God draws us to obedience/faithfulness, but I don't think we can disregard the importance of preaching in that process. God in His wisdom has chosen to use people to spread His kingdom, and that includes ministers of all kinds, right? Preaching plays a huge role in the book of Acts, too.
It's because preachers are soft. There is no more manly preachers out there. You have feminized boy preachers. A k a youth ministers do nothing but taking the Lord's money
Hey, thanks for watching! I've got interviews with Keener and Witherington from a couple of years ago on certain books of the Bible, but it would be fun to visit with them again on something else. Got any topics of theirs you'd like me to cover?
Bring some guitars and tambourines inside the church and you will find some new followers that will stick around. Sunday has become a show and you can't compete.
I am a member of the C of C and there is no such thing in the NT about calling in a negotiating a salary for a man who is given the task of being the church CEO while the so-called elders sit on there hands. Get rid of these "preacher/pastor" "one -man-band" hirelings.
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 ”For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.“
Well stated. YeHoVaH is a jealous GOD. YeHoVaH will show you that you need HIM, trying on your own will bring failure sooner or later. Doing things on your own is prideful and pride will bring the fall…been there and beyond any doubt, I choose to believe and serve YeHoVaH through HIS Son Yeshua ha’Mashiach. Take care and YeHoVaH Bless you and your family in Yeshua ha’Mashiach’s Mighty Name 🙏🏼
If I could endure all things on my own, why would I need God? I found The Lord in the darkest time of my life, when I was crushed and beaten down. He lifted my burden and raised me up when I couldn’t stand on my own. What a beautiful Father we have, his strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Actually the Greek can be interpreted as temptation or trial. πειρασμός, -οῦ, ὁ (< πειράζω), in LXX = πεῖρα, an experiment Diosc.). a trial, of ethical purpose and effect, whether good or evil (see Hort on Jas 1:13)
Do you do everything for your child? Or do you allow him/her to fail? Cause if you do everything for your child, you’re a bad parent. Allowing them to go through difficulties even though you could have the power to stop them, at times you shouldn’t because you know they will gain knowledge and wisdom. But there are times where you and the Heavenly Father do step in.
The situation you've described is not what the Bible presents. Yes, God is all-powerful, but you haven't taken into account He gave humans free will and how we used that free will to rebel against the good and life-giving order he established. Our rebellion was our own choice, but God demonstrates his power when makes the very thing that might crush us-the destructive consequences of our rebellion-into a means of our growth in godliness. I'm happy to talk more if you'd like. faithinthefolds@gmail.com
I think there is a fairly simply answer to the question... people are falling away from truth... the wide gate and broad way can seem very appealing to some people. Strict adherence to the word is becoming increasingly rare. Pay shouldn't have any bearing on the work... we should not go into the ministry for personal reward... our reward awaits us in eternity.
After ten years with a congregation, I was fired by an "Eldership" after showing them Biblically how to distance themselves from a divisive antagonistic "brother". After the person left, the "leadership" held this wolf in their bosom. On a Sunday before I was to preach, an "elder" put his finger in my chest and said I was no longer the minister because I'd "disparaged the leadership". Later they told the congregation that I couldn't "control my wife" and had served the Lord's Supper on a Wednesday at a nursing home five years ago. I was told I was a "poor excuse for a preacher and a Christian." I was then served with an eviction notice violating my contract (they also refused to pay severance dictated by the contract). installed security cameras facing the parsonage, reported on our progress moving and who was helping us. The "elders" also informed the congregation that anyone who disagreed with them was no longer a member. I performed a Baptism for a candidate using another congregation's baptistery. My wife posted it on FB. Word got back to the "elder" who fired me. His response to a midweek class? "I'm gonna call them and tell them about (MY NAME)." BTW - The woman who cleans the building did a dance outside our home singing "You ni%%ers" have to go!" My family and I were completely cut off by our "Christian Family". Also heard another nightmare story where a preacher was fired because he joined a "singing group" This is from the people who claim to be the "True Church". What a joke! Denominations treat their ministers better. The world treats workers better. Why are the churches of Christ losing ministers? Because of ungodly and illegitimate leadership! Because of grudge-holding, malicious and vindictive people. If you claim to be the "Lord's Church" act like it! The COC bashes denominations but we've had a Catholic Dr who visited the congregation give us money and food. It allowed me to talk to her about Mary's next Annunciation. Think about it - If Catholics love Mary they must love God and Jesus too. By the way, the wolf/divisive person is now the preacher. I tuned in for a midweek class online and heard him declare, "In the Old Testament you could work your way to Heaven." The "eldership" had no response. What a joke!
What is the possibility that this doesn't "sound" like Paul because Paul is writing in a different genre than his pastoral epistles? When I think of how the early church referred to John as The Theologians it seems possible that Hebrews is Paul wading into theology as the first century understood that genre of theological writing?
That’s a good question, and one I haven’t considered before. The difference in genre would naturally make for some difference in presentation; I sound different in emails than I do in sermons, for example. I think the early church wrestled with Hebrews also, because they felt it was like Paul’s letters but they placed it after Philemon in the canon; given its length and significance, I think they might have included it after the Corinthian letters if they were convinced it was from Paul. Just a thought … Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
@@faithinthefolds2034 Thanks for taking the time to respond. 👍 I’m not apposed to it being written by someone else. It seems to me, the general reception history of the first centuries said it was Paul. Modern scholarship, I think, too quickly ignores reception history. Immediate testimony seems strong enough to deserve better criticisms than style to rule Paul out. 🤷🏽♂️
Who was the Bible scholar that studied under the Pharisees? Who understood the relationship between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, and referred to that concept in his writings found in other parts of the New Testament? See 2 Cor. 3:6-8, and Galatians 4:24-31. New Covenant Whole Gospel: Who is now the King of Israel in John 1:49? Is the King of Israel now the Head of the Church, and are we His Body? Why did God allow the Romans to destroy the Old Covenant temple and the Old Covenant city, about 40 years after His Son fulfilled the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 in blood at Calvary? What the modern Church needs is a New Covenant Revival (Heb. 9:10) in which members of various denominations are willing to re-examine everything they believe and see if it agrees with the Bible, instead of the traditions of men. We need to be like the Bereans. It will be a battle between our flesh and the Holy Spirit. It will not be easy. If you get mad and upset when someone challenges your man-made Bible doctrines, that is your flesh resisting the truth found in God's Word. Nobody can completely understand the Bible unless they understand the relationship between the Old Covenant given to Moses at Mount Sinai and the New Covenant fulfilled in blood at Calvary. What brings all local churches together into one Body under the blood of Christ? The answer is found below. Let us now share the Old Testament Gospel found below with the whole world. On the road to Emmaus He said the Old Testament is about Him. He is the very Word of God in John 1:1, 14. Awaken Church to this truth. Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by husband unto them, saith the LORD: Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Is the most important genealogy in the Bible found in Matthew 1:1 (Gal. 3:16)? Is God's Son the ultimate fulfillment of Israel (John 1:49)? Why has the modern Church done a pitiful job of sharing the Gospel with modern Orthodox Jews? Why would someone tell them they are God's chosen people and then fail to share the Gospel with them? Who is the seed of the woman promised in Genesis 3:15? What did Paul say about Genesis 12:3 in Galatians 3:8, 3:16? Who is the "son" in Psalm 2? Who is the "suffering servant" of Isaiah 53? Who would fulfill the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34? Who would fulfill the timeline of Daniel chapter 9 before the second temple was destroyed? Why have we not heard this simple Old Testament Gospel preached on Christian television in the United States on a regular basis? Once a person comes to understand the New Covenant promised to Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which is found fulfilled by Christ during the first century in Hebrews 8:6-13, and Hebrews 10:16-18, and specifically applied to the Church in 2 Corinthians 3:6-8, and Hebrews 12:22-24, man-made Bible doctrines fall apart. Let us now learn to preach the whole Gospel until He comes back. The King of Israel is risen from the dead! (John 1:49, Acts 2:36) We are not come to Mount Sinai in Hebrews 12:18. We are come instead to the New Covenant church of Mount Zion and the blood in Hebrews 12:22-24. 1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. The following verses prove the Holy Spirit is the master teacher for those now in the New Covenant. Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Watch the RU-vid videos “The New Covenant” by David Wilkerson, or Bob George, and David H.J. Gay. .
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; To have a Christ church, members must be taught. Unlearned members come and go because they aren't grounded in the word. When grounded in the word they will know they too have a job to do in the kingdom. And not rely on the 'preacher' to do everything. When members are unlearned in the scriptures they mainly go to worship for a feeling. They want to be entertained! God is not in the entertainment business. Once those unlearned member realizes worship services are for God and not them they may stop leaving the church.
Good recommendation! By the way, if you’re on a tight budget, the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible contains a condensed version of a lot of the material in those commentaries. Walton and Keener also served as editors.
Everybody's religious in one way or another. Some people worship God, gods, the government, or themselves. But only one of these will lead to human flourishing.
