Burden and Blessing Podcast

Word of the Week: Neighbor

Pastor Nathanael Mayhew digs into the Second Table of the Law and Jesus' Parable of the Good Samaritan to define the term "neighbor" as it is used in Scripture. While our flesh would like to justify our actions by narrowly defining our neighbor as those that we like or love, Jesus points out that our neighbor is anyone and everyone, and even includes our "enemies"! Join us for this practical review!

CPR: Responding to Matt Walsh's view of the Bible and Young Earth Creationism (Part 2)

In Part 2 of our review of Matt Walsh's videos against the Biblical view of a Young Earth Creation, Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew discuss a few additional issues. Why would Matt Walsh single out Ken Ham and not other Young Earth Creationists? First, he is probably the most familiar, and while he doesn't have a scientific PhD, he has many people working with him who do. Leaders in the fields of biology, astronomy, geology and more work side by side with Ken Ham and also accept the historical record of Genesis 1. Matt Walsh is also inconsistent when he says that he is not insisting on his own view, but then says that Ken Ham is wrong. They also dig into Matt Walsh's view that Genesis is metaphorically/theologically, and the theological problems you have if you take it in a metaphorical way. There is only one interpretation of any verse, and that is God's intended interpretation. Join us for a journey through Biblical interpretation and defending the truth of God's inspired Word!
See Matt Walsh's second video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ0AxTx1kZY
See Answers in Genesis' rebuttal here: https://youtu.be/v08w_P9EIaw

Word of the Week: Iniquity

Pastor Nathanael Mayhew takes a look at the word Iniquity this week. The word has the basic meaning of something which is crooked or bent out of shape. God's prophets of the Old Testament would use this as a common description of the rebellion of humanity against God's Law. Not only does it describe our crooked behavior, but it is also used to describe the result of that behavior. We must carry the burden of our iniquity or "guilt." But while God at times allows us to suffer the earthly consequences of our iniquity, He desires our salvation and sent Jesus to bear our iniquities in our place at the cross. Because of the work of our Savior who has come, we are forgiven and set free!

CPR - Responding to Matt Walsh and his errors about Young Earth Creation

Pastor Mark Tiefel joins Nathanael Mayhew to discuss and respond to popular Catholic blogger Matt Walsh and his unscriptural attack on Young Earth Creation, and the account of creation in Genesis 1. Since Matt Walsh is popular in conservative Christian circles, and many of our listeners may have seen his video, we felt it was important to respond an point out the truth as well as the blatant errors of Matt Walsh on this topic. They begin be addressing the topic of how we read and understand the Bible and whether Genesis is literal (historical) or metaphorical. They will discuss the actual Hebrew word for "day" and how God intends it to be understood in Genesis 1. They will discuss the importance of science, and explain the different types of science and what they can and cannot help us know. Finally they will address the reason why this is so important and how such a view as Matt Walsh hold, can lead to dangerous planes and have a very negative impact on the message of Christianity. We hope you find this helpful and instructive.
You can find the Matt Walsh video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG8JihEKrUI

Word of the Week: Excommunication

In our Word of the week, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew define and describes the Biblical practice and purpose of excommunication. This is based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-18, and as was practiced by the Apostle Paul and the Christian Church throughout history. Contrary to what many people think or believe, excommunication is actually a loving action that is intended to lead a person who has separated themselves from Christ to repentance. It is not about the type of sin, but the reaction to sin that is the problem. Excommunication is the most severe preaching of the law of God and has the purpose of leading a sinner to see the error of his or her way and to be saved. Join us today as we study this important and often misunderstood Biblical, Christian, and loving action.

World Religions: Taoism

In our study of world religions this week we consider the Eastern religion of Taoism. At first you might think that there is no reason for you to know about Taoism, after all, the chances of you running into an adherent of Taosim is pretty small. But as you will learn in this podcast, the philosophy behind Taoism is prevalent in our world today. In fact, most people are exposed to the philosophical elements associated with Taoism every day. So tune in to hear Pastor Mark Tiefel as he joins Pastor Nathanael Mayhew to discuss the ancient religion of Taoism and it's effect on our society today!

Word of the Week: Transgression

Learn more about the word "transgression" in our Word of the Week for this week. The word is used to describe the relationship between God and sinners. In order to better understand what this means it is helpful to know that this describes a person violating the trust of another. It is used to describe nations who break treaties with other nations. This is helpful because the word describes something that shouldn't be. A promise was made but then broken, a trust was violated. That is what man has done to God. Mankind and violated the trust of God going back to the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. We have transgressed against God. But God did not want us to die in our transgression, so He sent Jesus. Jesus bore our transgression, and was completely trustworthy where we were not. Because of the actions of Jesus for us, God forgives our transgressions. What grace! God's grace can only be known through the realization of our transgression and what Jesus did for us.

World Religions: The Religious "Nones"

Join Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew for an eye opening look into the fastest growing "religion" in our country - the religious "nones." According to a recent survey by the Pew Forum, nearly a quarter of Americans say that they have no religious affiliation. This number includes those who would consider themselves atheist and agnostic, but this number has doubled in the last decade. While this increase is largest among Millennials, there has been a decrease in religious commitment among every age group. Join us to hear more about who these "nones" are and what they do (and don't) believe, what is behind the growth of this group, and how we can best help them in their search for meaning and for God.  

Word of the Week: Saint

In our Word of the Week today, Pastor Ben Libby defines the word "saint" in Scripture. There are many false views of the word saint. For example the Roman Catholic Church uses this term to describe a person who has lived a "better" life than others. They even have a process called canonization for declaring certain people saints. But the ancient meaning of the word saint and the way that it is used in Scripture itself is different. A saint is a person who, by faith, has been saved from sin through the actions of Jesus Christ. So what does someone need to be a saint? Jesus! The work of God makes sinners saints through the work of faith. Rejoice that you are saints in Christ!

Bible Study: Obadiah

Pastor Nathanael Mayhew joins Pastor Ben Libby to dig into the shortest book of the Old Testament, the book of the prophet Obadiah. Obadiah was likely one of the earliest of the literary prophets, and was unique in that he prophesied against a foreign nation. He was sent to proclaim a message of judgment against the nation of Edom, which was a distant relative of the people of Judah (descendants of Esau). The theme of the Day of the LORD is used here and will continue through many of the following prophets. It point to a day of God's judgment upon a specific people or group, but also points us ahead to the day when the LORD will judge the whole earth on the Last Day. That day will be a day of judgment for some and a day of deliverance for others. Join us to learn more about the book of Obadiah!