In this episode of Truthspresso Express I chat about Jesus and socialism while driving to work.A coworker recently made the claim to me that Jesus was a socialist. I have certainly heard this claim before, but I figured I would address it.In part 1 I talk about socialism’s dependence on controlling “power structures.”Nothing in Jesus’ teachings or actions show that He was trying to gather a following to overthrow the social order. His teachings on personal virtue are incompatible with the end goals of socialism. His parables are full of references to current institutions and markets to teach spiritual lessons.We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!
Three Reasons Parents Tear Down Their Children
Spring boarding from our series on slander Chelsea and I talk about parenting. As important as how husband and wife treat each other is how they treat their children.We give three reasons parents can find themselves tearing down their own children:Power (abuse of)Impulse (anger)Deception (two parenting extremes that show lack of love)Scriptures Cited:1 TImothy 5:21James 3:17Matthew 18:6Colossians 3:21Ephesians 6:4*** Castle Rock Women’s Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!
200th Episode: Andrew Rappaport on Christian Podcasting
For this 200th episode of Truthspresso Andrew Rappaport joins me to talk about Christian podcasting and the Christian Podcast Community. Truthspresso is a member podcast of the Christian Podcast Community.Andrew Rappaport is the executive director of Striving For Eternity Ministries and the Christian Podcast Community.Andrew grew up in a Jewish home and converted to Christianity at the age of 16. He is a pastor, apologist, and international speaker. He frequently engages in evangelism through street preaching.Learn more about Andrew Rappaport:Andrew Rappaport’s testimonyAndrew Rappaport’s ministries:Striving For Eternity MinistriesThe Christian Podcast CommunityAndrew Rappaport’s podcasts:Andrew Rappaport’s Rapp ReportThe Daily Rapp Report with Andrew RappaportApologetics LiveTheology Throw DownSo, You Want To Be A Podcaster?Andrew Rappaport’s books:What Do They Believe?What Do We Believe?
Six Ways To Build Up Others
Chelsea and I conclude how we treat others with our words.Using the acronym GREATS we present six ways to build up others with our words.Graceful wordsRespectful wordsEncouraging wordsAffirming wordsTruthful wordsSincere wordsScriptures Referenced:Colossians 4:61 Peter 2:17Romans 12:101 Peter 3:151 Thessalonians 5:11Proverbs 25:11Deuteronomy 1:38; 31:6James 4:11Ephesians 4:24-252 Corinthians 1:12*** Castle Rock Women’s Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***
Three Ways We Tear Down Others
Chelsea and I shift gears to how we can find ourselves talking bad about others outside our home: extended family, neighbors, friends, coworkers, or church members.Why do we speak negatively to or about others?Envy, grudges, and competition can all make us slander people who are not the closest in our lives.What are ways we tear down others?Say negative things about or to themGossipBear false witnessScriptures Referenced:Proverbs 18:21Ecclesiastes 4:4Acts 13:45Mark 15:9-10Acts 7:9; 13:50Proverbs 11:121 Timothy 5:13Proverbs 16:28; 6:19; 14:5; 26:18-19*** Castle Rock Women’s Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***
Seven Ways to Build Up Your Spouse
Chelsea and I finish our discussion of slander in marriage by giving positive alternatives to hurtful words.What are ways we can build up our spouse to avoid temptations to slander?Show kindnessAllow for positive silenceDisplay graceUse encouraging wordsExpress a thankful attitudeForgiveIntentionally make time togetherScriptures Referenced:Isaiah 40:31Ephesians 4:32Psalm 46:10Psalm 4:4Philippians 4:6Matthew 6:6Ecclesiastes 9:9aProverbs 17:221 Peter 3:7-10Ephesians 4:21 Thessalonians 5:11Proverbs 22:10Philemon v.71 Thessalonians 5:15-18Philippians 1:31 Thessalonians 1:2Colossians 3:12-15Proverbs 5:18*** Castle Rock Women’s Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***
How We Can Slander Our Spouse Through Negative Silence
We can find ourselves slandering our spouse in different ways: even “silent” ways!Chelsea and I continue our discussion of slander in marriage to finish our answer to the question:What are ways we tear down our spouse?AbsenceNegative SilenceAssuming motives.We fleshed out “Negative Silence” with how it shows up as…Avoidance/”peace at all costs”BitternessBusyness/distractionsPassive aggressionPower/controlSafetyScriptures Referenced:Colossians 3:19James 3:11Proverbs 25:28; 16:32Sources Cited:Todd Foley, “Silent storm: When your spouse won’t talk,” Focus on the Family Canada, Accessed September 11, 2022.*** Castle Rock Women’s Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***
Why and How Slander Happens in Marriage
Slander finds its way into marriages way too easily and often.But slander doesn’t belong in words toward our spouse!Chelsea and I first give an acrostic for S-L-A-N-D-E-R, then how we should E-D-I-F-Y.Then, we answer some questions:Why do we react, respond, or talk negatively about or to our spouse?AngerBitternessChildhood experiencesExpectationsLife eventsLow self-esteemNeed for attentionWhat are ways we tear down our spouse?Critical or belittling commentsPutting downManipulationSarcasmQuick, snappy statementsInsensitivityScriptures Referenced:Matthew 12:34-37Proverbs 4:23-24Proverbs 18:6Sources Cited:Todd Foley, “Words that bruise: Are you emotionally abusive?” Focus on the Family Canada, Accessed September 4, 2022.*** Castle Rock Women’s Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or
Solutions to Giving and Receiving Slander
How can I avoid slandering others?How do I handle when other people slander me?Chelsea and I look at some good verses from the Bible to help us answer these questionsHow do I avoid slandering others?Think before you speak (Jas 1:19; Pro 13:3; 21:23; 29:11)Let your motive for speaking be to edify (Eph 4:29,22-32)How do I handle when other people slander me?Diffuse it with a pleasant response (Pro 15:1a; Rom 12:17-21; 1Pe 2:12)Focus on living right (1Co 4:12-13)Truth God and be patient with the results (Pro 20:22; Psa 109:2-4)*** Castle Rock Women’s Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to move into a new office to serve the community better. Please consider a monthly or
Student Loan Forgiveness is not Biblical Forgiveness
After four months I finally did it! A new episode of Truthspresso Express!While driving to work on Thursday morning I outline some thoughts on President Biden’s announcement of a program to “forgive” some student loan debts.When we clear away the politics and emotions, we see the problems with schemes like this. Particularly, the ideology of so-called student loan “forgiveness” is:FantasyTheftMoral hazardI also address an article I read that tries to claim student loan “forgiveness” is a Christian idea. The article raises Deuteronomy 15, which I argue cannot possibly qualify.Sources consulted:Matt Bernico, “I Paid Off My Loans. As a Christian, I Still Hope Biden Forgives Yours,” Sojourners, May 4, 2022.