Why Should Christians Vote? Or Not Vote? There is no way to truly know how many Christians actually vote in any given election. You will find Christians that are “die-hard” voters and you will find Christians that think being involved in any political process is “anathema” for any Christian, especially voting. Is there a responsibility one way or the other? Get ready for some great discussion about this topic as we strive Further Every Day! References: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-vote.html https://www.gotquestions.blog/Christians-and-politics.html https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-politics.html https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/10/26/what-the-2020-electorate-looks-like-by-party-race-and-ethnicity-age-education-and-religion/

Join us for some reactions to the internet memes and AITA

What We Can Learn From The Whatever Podcast…. Further. Every. Day. Introduction: Segment 1: What do Christians look like in the culture? Here's a clip from the Whatever podcast where two Christians are debating the behavior of leading a man on in a false engagement and not returning any of the $250,000 gained during the engagement. https://youtu.be/fZYP7zXNDto?t=80 1:20-6:08 What are the biblical safeguards against this? Matthew 18:15-20: 15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." We have an instance of this in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. And we see the desired result later in 2 Corinthians 2:5-7 5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Church discipline is never to harm but rather to hold people like this accountable, and to keep the Church and God's Name Holy. Segment 2: Is it okay to judge others? A common issue among Christians is that we fail to judge sin as sin. What is so wrong with divining right from wrong with our Bible? In this clip we have a young Christian lady who has kept herself pure and is waiting for marriage. However, she can't bring herself to articulate why others should. She's afraid of “judging” others: https://youtu.be/lMC5LDCQxeY?t=557 9:17-14:41 Luke 6:36-38 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Thoughts? This gal may be saved, but it would appear that she was hardly discipled. Segment 3: How should we interpret the Bible? How do we look in the culture? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqnBSbOlDJM 0:00-2:45 This continues with no real resolution other than our pink haired friend calling Andrew mean and cruel and judgemental. Thoughts? 2 Peter 1:19-21 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. So what does this mean for the Christian today? Final Thoughts: One Last Question: favorite TV show?

Key Apologetic Questions for Parents 1. What is apologetics? 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 2. What key arguments are there for (and against) God's existence? Arguments For God's Existence The Cosmological Argument Argument: Everything that begins to exist has a cause; the universe began to exist; therefore, the universe has a cause. The Teleological Argument (Design Argument) Argument: The universe exhibits evidence of design, which implies a designer. The Moral Argument Argument: Objective moral values and duties exist and require a grounding in a moral lawgiver. The Ontological Argument Argument: The very concept of God implies His existence. The Argument from Consciousness Argument: Human consciousness and subjective experiences cannot be fully explained by physical processes alone. The Argument from Religious Experience Argument: Personal experiences of God provide evidence for His existence. The Argument from Miracles Argument: Miraculous events point to divine intervention. The Argument from Reason Argument: Rational thought and the reliability of our cognitive faculties point to a rational source. Arguments Against God's Existence The problem of evil Argument: The existence of evil and suffering in the world is incompatible with an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God. The problem of incoherence Argument: The concept of God is inherently contradictory or incoherent. The argument from non-belief (divine hiddenness) Argument: The lack of evidence or clear signs of God's existence is inconsistent with a God who desires belief and a relationship with humans. The argument from science Argument: Scientific explanations for the universe and life eliminate the need for a God. The argument from Occam's Razor Argument: The principle of Occam's Razor suggests that we should not multiply entities beyond necessity. The Euthyphro Dilemma Argument: Questions the basis of morality if God is its source. The argument from religious pluralism Argument: The diversity of religious beliefs and the conflicting claims among them challenge the notion of one true God. 3. What are the practical implications of an atheistic worldview? Let's define atheism for the purpose of this podcast. Atheism: the belief that a God (or gods) does not exist. Agnosticism: neither believes nor disbelieves that a God (or gods) exists. (Hernandez, Eric. The Lazy Approach to Evangelism: A Simple Guide for Conversing With Nonbelievers (pp. 38-39). GC2 Press. Kindle Edition. ) There are personal implications Removes meaning/purpose from life. Life becomes "survival of the fittest". No need for law enforcement - there is no morality. There are societal implications Secular Governance: In its purest form, atheism eliminates any need for governance or law enforcement. Education: Anything that you teach your children is fine. There is no right/wrong. Science will be worshiped. Social and Cultural Contributions: Society will become much more tribal in nature. Survival of the fittest takes on tremendous importance in a tribal setting. Human creativity is worshiped. Tribes will define key points of life (like what is right/wrong). But fighting will take place when there is disagreement on those key points. There will be an emphasis on social justice, equality, and the well-being of all people, advocating for causes like environmental protection, human rights, and social reform. There are ethical implications Atheists may base their ethical and moral decisions on secular philosophies such as humanism, consequentialism, or virtue ethics. Morality is often seen as a human construct derived from empathy, social cooperation, and rational consideration of the consequences of actions. 4. Why would a good God allow evil to exist? What is evil? Where did morality come from? God gave man free will. If no free will, then no good. If no good, then no evil. If no good and no evil, why are we talking about it? 5. Why would a good God allow suffering to exist? "What's God doing on a cross?" (John Lennox) "God has become part of human suffering." (John Lennox) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1ipY-4OXOM&list=PLsfMesoEDURkzS6EXzZdranYJKLf8WutE&index=87 Death is not the end "God is responsible for the fact of freedom. Humans are responsible for their acts of freedom." (Video: Is God Good?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfd_1UAjeIA&pp=ygULaXMgZ29kIGdvb2Q%3D

Do Human Rights Exist? What Exactly Are Rights? What Do Rights Cost?

Introduction: I was scrolling the internet the other day and this popped up into my feed:

https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1798190155569983964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1798190155569983964%7Ctwgr%5Eea080956f8b2bf96a0d5aed8e2d7dee06da4115a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.groupme.com%2Fchats

Some would say that this man had no right to do it, most rational or sane people would anyway. But there are those who claim that this deviant behavior is within the man's “rights”. So that brings the following questions: What is a Right? Do they correlate to responsibilities? If Rights acknowledge value, from where does that value come? What happens to societies that put that value on a sliding scale? What Responsibilities do Right Bearers have?

What is a right:

Webster's 1828:

5. Just claim; legal title; ownership; the legal power of exclusive possession and enjoyment. In hereditary monarchies, a right to the throne vests in the heir on the decease of the king. A deed vests the right of possession in the purchaser of land. right and possession are very different things. We often have occasion to demand and sue for rights not in possession.

6. Just claim by courtesy, customs, or the principles of civility and decorum. Every man has a right to civil treatment. The magistrate has a right to respect.

7. Just claim by sovereignty; prerogative. God, as the author of all things, has a right to govern and dispose of them at his pleasure.

https://www.youtube&&.com/watch?v=Fst0tesgrlY

Theology: Where does the individual derive their rights? When God set up those rights, can they be taken away? What happens when you violate God's Law? Do you lose your rights or do you receive punishment? (I'd argue the latter in God's economy).

Philosophy: How do rights differ when they are derived from God, vs from the State or a social contract? What are the ramifications of moving from a Theological Origin of Rights to a Social Contract framework of rights?

Culture: Traditionalism has become popular in the modern culture, but what is being yearned for in the non-Christian Culture when non-believers opine for Traditional Values? What doors does this situation open for the Christian?

Politics: Once Rights have been taken out of the God-Given Framework and been transferred to the Social Contract Framework, how do consequences and responsibilities change? When permissions have been given to adults to expose themselves to children, what happens to parents who react justifiably to such interactions?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSnMyGDW15A

Economics: What happens to your family when your Rights are taken?

5:11-8:58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwmiZBeYjaA

Conclusions:

Final Thought: What is the right you hold most dear?