The Pact Podcast
143 | The Ten Commandments
May 2, 2024
In this episode we discuss the importance and significance of the Ten Commandments in the Christian faith. We also talk about the history and context of the commandments, including their origins at Sinai and their relationship to the time before Moses. Then we delve into the purpose and intent of the commandments, as well as their relevance for Christians today. Finally we highlight the connection between the commandments and the love for God and love for neighbor emphasized in the New Testament. Overall, this episode serves as an introduction to a series on the Ten Commandments, where each commandment will be examined individually in subsequent episodes.
142 | Christian Liberty and Conscience
April 25, 2024
In this episode of the PACT Podcast, we dive into the topic of Christian liberty and the conscience. We discuss the freedom that we have in Christ and how it affects our daily lives. We explore the gray areas where there are no explicit commands in Scripture and how our conscience plays a role in making decisions. We also touch on the importance of love and how we should treat our brothers and sisters in Christ who may disagree with us on these matters.
141 | Sunday School
April 11, 2024
In this episode we discuss the origins and significance of Sunday school in the church. We explore why Sunday school became a tradition and how it evolved from a means of education for children during the industrial revolution to a means of grace and evangelism. We also talk about the merits of Sunday school, such as providing a space for prayer, fostering closeness and trust within the group, and allowing for care and support among class members. Additionally, we touch on the benefits of having Sunday school on Sunday morning, including the opportunity to welcome visitors and create a sense of community.
140 | When Leaders Fall
April 4, 2024
In this episode of the Pact podcast, we discuss the topic of leaders falling and experiencing failure. We explore two main types of falling: moral character failure and doctrinal failure. We also delve into the expectations we have of our leaders, both biblically and culturally. Our faith should not be shaken by the failures of leaders, but rather grounded in the unchanging truth of Scripture.
139 | The Resurrection of Jesus
March 28, 2024
In this episode we talk about the significance of the resurrection of Jesus, exploring why Jesus' resurrection is different from other examples of resurrection in Scripture. We discuss the nature of Jesus' new life and how it is different from those who were raised from the dead before him. We also touch on the physical aspects of Jesus' resurrected body and speculate on what our own glorified bodies might be like, while also highlighting how it brings new life and victory over sin and death. We hop and pray this encourages you and helps lead to a meaningful and worshipful Resurrection Sunday.
138 | Church Signs
March 14, 2024
In this episode of the PACT Podcast, we take a break from our usual theological discussions and have some fun talking about church signs. We share some funny and sometimes controversial church signs that we've come across. We hope you enjoy this lighthearted episode and have a good laugh with us. Stay tuned for our next episode where we'll dive back into more serious topics.
137 | Restoration: Exploring the Christian Worldview
March 7, 2024
In this episode, we continue our discussion on the Christian worldview. We summarize the main points discussed so far, which include creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Creation refers to how everything came to be and our identity based on God's design. The fall explains why there are problems in the world due to humanity rebelling against God. Redemption focuses on how things are brought back to right through the blood of Christ. And finally, restoration looks forward to the future when Christ calls His church home and we receive our glorified bodies in the new heavens and new earth. We also explore the idea that every worldview is a distortion of the Christian worldview, and how storytelling reflects the longing for restoration. The episode ends with a teaser for a future episode that promises a good laugh. Stay tuned!
136 | Redemption: Exploring the Christian Worldview
February 22, 2024
In this episode of the PACT Podcast, we continue our exploration of the Christian worldview by delving into the concept of redemption. We discuss what redemption means in the context of Christianity and how it is tied to other key elements of the Christian story, such as creation and the fall. We emphasize that redemption is not something that can be achieved through our own efforts or good works, but rather it is a gift that comes through Jesus Christ. We also touch on the significance of Jesus as the only one who could fulfill the role of redeemer due to his holiness and sinless perfection. Throughout the episode, we highlight the glory of God and the love and grace that we experience through redemption. If you're interested in diving deeper into this topic, we recommend studying the book of Hebrews in the Bible, which provides valuable insights into Christ as our redeemer. Join us as we explore the profound and life-changing concept of redemption in the Christian worldview.
135 | Fall: Exploring the Christian Worldview
February 15, 2024
In this episode of the Pact Podcast, we continue our series on the Christian worldview by discussing the concept of the fall. We explore what the fall means and how it is depicted in Scripture. We delve into the implications of the fall, including the introduction of sin into the world and the broken relationship between humanity and God. We also examine the far-reaching effects of sin, both on an individual level and in the broader context of the world. Additionally, we compare this Christian perspective on the fall with a secular view, highlighting the differences in understanding human nature and morality. Throughout the episode, we ask and answer several key questions, such as: What is the fall and what does it encompass? How does sin affect every aspect of our lives? How does the fall relate to the need for a Savior? How does the secular view differ from the Christian view of the fall? We hope that this episode deepens your understanding of the fall and its significance in the Christian worldview.
134 | Creation: Exploring the Christian Worldview
February 1, 2024
On this episode of the PACT podcast, we discuss the Christian worldview and delve into the storyline of Scripture. We explore the four words that are commonly used to explain the Christian story: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. We start by examining the concept of creation and what it tells us about God. We highlight that God is an intelligent creator and designer, as evidenced by the complexity and order of the world. We also discuss the distinctiveness of the biblical creation narrative compared to other explanations for the existence of the world. We emphasize that the biblical story of creation is unique because it reveals God's intentionality and purpose in creating the world. Additionally, we touch on the role of human beings in creation, emphasizing that we are created in the image of God and have been given the responsibility to rule and care for the world. Finally, we allude to the upcoming episode on the fall and the necessity of redemption due to sin. Join us next week as we dive deeper into the fall and continue to explore the themes of redemption and restoration
133 | Depression & Anxiety
January 25, 2024
In this episode of The PACT Podcast we discuss the topic of depression and anxiety and how prevalent these issue are in our culture, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the stigma surrounding mental health in the church and the importance of having open conversations about it. We also explore the difference between anxiety and anxiousness and emphasize the need for a holistic approach to mental health, considering both the physical and spiritual aspects. We share some personal experiences and offer strategies for coping with anxiety and depression, such as relying on the truths of Scripture, taking care of one's physical health, and seeking support from others. The episode concludes with book recommendations for further reading on the topic. Book Recommendations: When Pain is Real and God Seems Silent: Finding Hope in the Psalms – Ligon Duncan Does Grace Grow Best in Winter – Ligon Duncan When the Darkness Will Not Lift – John Piper The Hidden Smile of God – John Piper God’s Grace in Your Suffering – David Powlison Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness – Edward T. Welch Depression, Anxiety, and The Christian Life – Michael S. Lundy and J.I. Packer Bright Days and Dark Nights With Charles Spurgeon – Elizabeth Ruth Skoglund
132 | The Sanctity of Life
January 18, 2024
In this episode of the Pact Podcast we discuss the topic of the sanctity of human life, particularly focusing on the unborn. We ask questions about when life begins according to the Bible, referencing passages from Genesis and other parts of Scripture. We also address potential contradictions raised by those who question the pro-life stance, such as the support for gun rights and capital punishment and whether the government has a role in protecting life, what else needs to be done now that Roe V Wade has been overturned and whether there are any exceptions to the pro-life stance. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging you to support faith-based pregnancy resource centers and engage in loving and persuasive conversations about the value of life.
131 | Entertainment
January 11, 2024
What qualifies as entertainment? Is entertainment just escapism? How conscientious should we be with what entertainment we take in? Does how much entertainment we’re taking in matter? What implications does our entertainment have on our time with The Lord? Why do we desire one type of entertainment more than another?