Episode 667 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com  

Episode 586 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com 1. I recently was reading to my children a new children’s book about the bible and the book described sin as loving things more than God. It warned the kids that if they love anything too much, like their parents and friends, then this is the definition of sin. Is that the entirety of what sin is? I understand that we need to love God supremely; however, I don’t necessarily want my children insecure or afraid if they love me or their father too much. Is there a better way to talk to the kids about sin or is this how we really should talk to them?  2. I have always struggled with my faith. I have been through a lot of rough experiences, from being in prison, to drug addiction, to seeing family members die, and I have earnestly and sincerely asked God to speak to me during these situations, lots of other people believe God speaks to them, but I have never ever heard God speak to me. Not once. Does he speak to anybody today? 3. In Matthew 1:18 it says before Joseph and Mary came together she was found to be pregnant and verse 19 says that because Joseph “resolved to divorce her quietly.” And then right after that in verse 20 it says “don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” My question is, was Mary and Joseph married before she was pregnant or after she became pregnant? 4.  I’m having trouble knowing how to feel unified with the body when there is so much bad theology out there. I spent my childhood in a charismatic, prosperity gospel church and it has made me very sensitive to those things. I now feel that teaching should be exegetical and Christ focused, but it seems to be very hard to find people who agree with me. I see churches taking a topical approach to scripture that often avoids the subject of sin and feels more like a self help guide. I’ve been told I’m being too skeptical. I know that many of my friends believe the gospel so I consider them my brother or sister in Christ, but it’s hard for me to feel unified when our beliefs and focal points are so far apart. How can I keep from being too critical of immaturity or a difference of beliefs, while staying sensitive to false teaching? Today’s Offer Christ Devotional: Jesus Christ – Promised Messiah Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God’s Story by Michael Horton The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way by Michael Horton

Episode 406 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Why do so many churches teach that hell is a place of eternal torment when it says in the New Testament that only believers will put on immortality and in the Old Testament it teaches that the wicked will be destroyed and the New testament it teaches that death is the punishment for sin, for example in John 3:16. Johns very clear about the symbolism of the lake of fire being the second death. I don’t understand why so many mainstream churches teach this place of eternal torment. It doesn’t make any sense when people say God is a God of justice. This is very serious to me because it seems like blaspheme against God to say that he is wicked and like Satan and to go against Scripture. 2. I have friends who have struggled to find a church because they did not feel like there was genuine community in most churches. In your opinion what is Biblical community? 3. I’m the only Christian in my family and I’m always getting into arguments because my family thinks I’m crazy and can’t understand why I have “given up on reason and embraced religion.” I would like to be able to tell them that I haven’t abandoned reason but when I try, they ask me to prove the Bible is true. Can you help me out in this area? 4. When was the blessed mother filled with the Holy Spirit? I read in the Bible that when they took Jesus to Jerusalem to celebrate the was 12 years old. They left and thought he was with them and he wasn’t. They went back to find him and when they did, he told her didn’t you know I would be about my father’s business. At this point it seems to me that she wasn’t filled with the Holy Spirit. I believe she was filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 1 where all the apostles and Mary was there also and filled with the Holy Spirit.  Resources Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Why Should I Believe that Jesus Rose from the Dead? by Dr. Michael Horton The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Gregory Koukl Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.