Defend and Confirm Podcast

Episode 24: Good and Bad Ways to Think About the Mission of the Church

Much of the current buzz about social justice centers on what the church should be doing in the world. But what is the mission of the church? As we discuss in this episode, the mission of the church is far more specific than many evangelicals believe it to be. When we we add to that mission, even with good works, we risk drifting from what God has called the church to do. Even worse, we might eventually lose the gospel itself. 

This episode's "books you should read": What Is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission

Episode 23: Defining "Church"

Continuing our discussion of social justice, we begin to hammer out some fundamental terms. In this episode, we define the word "church." If you want to think rightly about social justice, you have to understand the mission of the church. If you want to understand the mission of the church, you have to correctly define what and who the church is. 

Episode 22: The Language of Social Justice

In this episode, we continue to build the foundation for discussing social justice. We talk about the way the English language changes over time, how people intuit the meanings of important terms like “justice", and discuss the importance of looking for the Aristotelian mean during these types of controversies.

This episode's "books you should read": What Is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission

Episode 21: Talking About Social Justice

In this episode, we wade carefully into the waters of "social justice." We begin by outlining some of the difficulties that arise when talking about this issue, including the importance of defining our terms carefully.

This episode's "books you should read": https://www.amazon.com/What-Mission-Church-Justice-Commission/dp/1433526905

Episode 20: Should We Protest Outside of Abortion Clinics?

In this episode, Sean and Russell discuss protesting outside of abortion clinics. Should christians do it? Are there right and wrong ways to approach this ministry? 

This episode's "books you should read" is an article by Sean: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/does-carrying-signs-really-save-babies

Episode 19: What Can Christians do to Fight Abortion?

Abortion claims the lives of approximately 3000 babies each day. What can we do to fight against this atrocity? Can anti-abortion ministry become unhealthy? Sean and Russell discuss these questions and list some simple ways that any christian can contribute to this battle.

Episode 18: Every Pro-Abortion Argument Refuted, Part 2

Russell and Sean continue to take apart pro-abortion arguments, one at a time. We demonstrate how each of these arguments is intellectually, morally, and scientifically bankrupt, and give advice to christians on how to interact with pro-abortion rhetoric. If you missed part 1 of this discussion, check out episode 15!

Episode 17: Every Pro-Abortion Argument Refuted, Part 1

In this episode, we talk about abortion. Abortion is a horrendous evil, and yet the pro-abortion rhetoric is stronger than ever. Sean and Russell work through some of the most common arguments in favor of legal abortion, and show how they are all intellectually, morally, and scientifically bankrupt. 

This episode's "books you should read":

https://www.amazon.com/Case-Life-Equipping-Christians-Culture/dp/1433503204

Episode 16: Slavery, Genocide, and Rape: Is the Bible Immoral?, Part 2

"The bible can't be from God because it condones immorality!" 

In part 2 of this series, Russell and Sean show how the presuppositions behind this criticism actually undermine the critic's own argument. In order for the Bible to condone immorality, moral truth has to exist. We all know it does, but an atheistic view of reality can't account for moral truth. We show how the atheist's attempts to reconcile this contradiction lead to hypocrisy and absurdity. Ultimately, the critic complaining about the morality of God's word is borrowing capital from the christian's worldview in order to argue against it. He's also showing that what the Bible says about him is true: He already knows God exists. 

This episode's "book you should read" is actually a movie you should watch: https://www.amazon.com/Collision-Christopher-Hitchens-Amazon-com-Exclusive/dp/B002Q8400K?keywords=collision+darren&qid=1540663384&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1

Episode 15: Slavery, Genocide, and Rape: Is the Bible Immoral?, Part 1

"The bible can't be from God because it condones immorality!" 

In this episode, Russell and Sean address this common criticism, and highlight the common errors in reasoning that lead to this conclusion. We cover the topics of slavery in ancient Israel, the "genocide" of Canaanites commanded by God, and the justice of laws regarding rape in the Mosaic covenant. 

This episode's "book you should read": https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Doctrine-Holiness-Building-Churches/dp/1433535890/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540320324&sr=8-1&keywords=sound+doctrine+9+marks