Episode 273 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. I wanted to follow up on a question on politics and religion. I know that there can be different interpretations of the Bible for example immigration in the United States. How do we take an approach to that in a way that makes sure that we ground ourselves in our religion but at the same time at what point do we bring the two together? I know people who separate the two while others who bring both together. I wanted to get your perspective on that.  2. What do you guys think about apostolic succession? How do you understand Mat 16:18? “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” 3.  What does it mean when they say that we are justified by faith? I think I understand what it means to have faith but I’m wondering what it means to be justified.  4. What is the sin that leads to death? Are there degrees of sin that do not lead to death?‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Episode 272 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. My question is about Exodus 17:8-13. Is the imagery here foreshadowing Golgotha and the crucifixion? I would love to hear your thoughts.  2. I’m really struggling in my prayer life. When I pray it feels like God isn’t there or isn’t listening. Can you please tell me what the Bible says about this? 3. If Jesus conquered sin and death, why does God still allow suffering and death to happen? Why do faithful Christians still suffer and die? 4. How do you understand Jesus where he said that he was the way the truth and the life? Based on that, do you think it’s good or proper for churches to build relationships with people of other faiths, like pastors getting to know the local rabbi or Imam? 5. Psalm 103 says, “The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” How do you understand this passage?

Episode 271 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven? 2. What does blasphemy of the Holy Spirit mean or entail? I hear discussions about how all can be saved. What about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? What can a person do? 3. My son was killed. A woman was driving 100 mph, ran a stop sign and t-boned us, taking my son’s life. She was impaired. My question is, and I blame my self, I never had my son baptized. Now, at the funeral service, the priest did the baptismal ritual along with the burial ritual. If there is any information you can pass on to me to help me, my wife, and the rest of my family feel better or just to look in one of the passages of some sort, it would be greatly appreciated? 4. Can we prove that God exists; or that the Bible is true? 5. Did God know Adam and Eve would sin and if so, why did God create them to do so in the first place?

Episode 270 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Does God love some people more than others? 2. What are good reasons for Christian married couples to put off having kids? When does concern about things like finances, time, and energy in regards to having children cross the line from being wise to being unbiblical and not trusting the Lord’s provision or sovereignty over the womb? What if one spouse has a strong desire to have children and the other doesn’t?  3. I’m curious how you guys have worked through doubt in the past. I can read a lot on apologetics and spend time in prayer and Bible study, but it just seems like there are times where doubt starts to creep in and I can’t seem to stop it. I get to these unexplainable moments when it seems like the evidence for Christianity seems too thin to stake one’s entire life on it, especially since this is supposed to be evidence from an Almighty God pointing us in the direction of eternal life with him or eternal damnation away from his presence. There are times I fear I only remain a Christian because of the social pressures against de-converting and not out of a heartfelt faith.

Episode 269 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. I’m trying to do family devotions with my kids before bed time. Our oldest is 4 and our youngest is 2 and a half. Right now, all I can do is read a short passage, a few verses, and then say a short prayer. Should I be trying to do more? Do you have any advice? 2. I believe in God and I believe in Jesus. I don’t feel saved. I know I trust God and Jesus but I’m not able to meet them on their terms. Can you help me? 3. A friend of mine recently asked me this question over coffee: “How do we explain why God commanded the slaughter of people in the Old Testament?” She is Christian and loves the Lord, but she is really struggling to understand this and I don’t know what to say to her. I appreciate any help you can give me. 4. How do you tap into the Holy Spirit’s power? I truly feel a lot of defeat. I know that I’m forgiven but I feel back into sexual sin. Maybe I never renewed the mind. I want to get backed to where I used to be. I’m about to get a divorce. Is it that I don’t devote myself enough, is that why I’m suffering?

Episode 268 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. If God desires to save everyone as the Bible clearly teaches, then why does he allow people to choose hell? 2. What does it mean for Christians to be new creations? What exactly is new about us? 3. How can you tell if God is disciplining or judging a person? Does God judge us for our past sins even after we repent? 4. Where do I find a gospel-centered church? I think the church has gotten too seeker friendly and even in mainstream churches there is a lot of theological error. I look at statements of faith and this has been quite a while and I have given up. Most churches only have a Sunday service and I don’t see much ongoing discipleship or fellowship.

Episode 267 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. I’m at a new church where they recite the Lord’s prayer in the service. I have never been to a church that recited prayers. I would love to hear your thoughts about this. 2.  Lately I’ve really been making the extra effort to control my lust issues. Even to the point of refusing to watch certain TV shows and deleting my Instagram. But all the girls in my youth group at church are super-hot. I’m really trying here but I feel like no matter how hard I try, there’s no escaping it. What do I do? 3. I’m a devoted Christian but I don’t attend church. My husband fell away and I attend church in secret. I’m really struggling with this and want to be faithful and go to church but some people have advised me that if church is going to cause problems in the home then I should be faithful at home and try to be a Christian without going to church. I know that we are not supposed to forsake the fellowship of believers, but I know that I’m also supposed to submit to my husband.  4. What is happening 1 Corinthians 5:5 when Paul tells the church to deliver a man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved?

Episode 266 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. What do you think about praying for the Holy Spirit’s presence? Since the Holy Spirit is given to every Christian does it make sense to pray for the Spirit to come?  2. Is the human heart good or bad? Is it bad before Christ enters us and good after he enters? 3. What did Jesus mean when he said in Matthew 5 that the law will not pass away until it’s fulfilled. Does this mean that we don’t have to keep the ten commandments? 4.  I know that we can’t be saved by the law but what about love? Isn’t love the way that Christians follow the narrow way of Jesus?

Episode 265 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Did God create Jesus as the first born of all creation? I have a friend who is Jehovah’s witness and believes that God created Jesus. 2. I’m confused about the Lord’s Supper. Does the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ? 3. How does a person know when they have been born again, as in John chapter 3? 4. Is it possible to be married in the eyes of God but not be married in the eyes of the state?

Episode 264 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Does it matter if a person is cremated or buried? 2. What do you think is more important for a church good preaching or heartfelt worship? 3. Since Galatians 5:24 says, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires,” does this mean that if a person hasn’t completely killed sin are they are not really a Christian? 4. Is the doctrine of the Trinity biblical? I believe in the Trinity I have just never heard this taught from the Bible. 5. What should we look for in a good Bible translation? How do we know if a translation is accurate since we don’t have the originals?