Bottom Line Christianity, Part 2

The light of the sun can be blinding, but there is a light that is even brighter, and it knocked Paul off his feet on the road to Damascus.  This week on No Falling Word,  we're continuing our study of Acts Chapter 26, as Paul is brought before King Agrippa, and that bright shining light will be a topic of their conversation.

Greater than the Eye Can See

The crew is stoked that Daniel Hyde has agreed to take them on dawn patrol to teach them some rad surf moves. After multiple failed attempts to simply keep the bennys on deck, they take a break to talk about Danny’s favorite hair gel and his book, In Living Color: Images of Christ and the Means of Grace, a timeless take on the Second Commandment.How has the Second Commandment been applied historically and in what ways can it be violated? Why does it all matter? Pastor Danny uses the Heidelberg Catechism to address the heart issue, but--above all--he emphasizes the positive aspect of the visible elements that Christ has given us. So, grab your board and join our party wave.Show NotesMeet pastor Danny and Oceanside United Reformed ChurchSurfing terms and slangsHeidelberg Catechism Q. 98Belgic Confession Article 33We’re pleased to be giving away few copies of In Living Color. Please sign up for the opportunity to win one!The books are a generous gift from our friends at Reformed Fellowship.

Bottom Line Christianity - Part 1

The Apostle Paul was a man with a plan.  He had a goal and everything he did was aimed at that purpose.  But what happens when your best-laid plans run amuck?  Today on No Falling Word, Liam Goligher will be looking at Acts Chapters 26.   Paul’s plans are sidelined by prison as he waits on the Roman government to decide his fate.  Join us as we discover that even down time has its purpose.

Let Them Worship!

Our topic du jour is considered from both the housewife and the pastors’ perspectives.The trend of dividing congregations by age groups and removing children from corporate worship started a few decades ago, and it has shaped the practice of many churches to this day. But is this trend a biblical model? What are the benefits of having our children present in the corporate worship?The crew tell us what their churches are doing to engage little ones during the service, and offer some tips for helping kids get the most out of family worship.Show NotesLinda Finlayson’s books for childrenGod’s Timeline: The Big Book of Church HistorySign up for the opportunity to win a copy of The Nursery of the Holy Spirit by Daniel Hyde which is a generous gift from Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Defender of the Weak

Reports of sexual abuse are now commonplace in the media and those claims originate in diverse places, from Hollywood to the sacred confines of the neighborhood church.Our compassionate crew welcomes Thomas Crumplar. He’s a soft-spoken OPC elder who turns tenacious attorney when defending victims of sexual abuse. Tom has prosecuted and won cases against powerful individuals and institutions, including the Roman Catholic diocese of Wilmington, DE.Crumplar covers the ground of what constitutes sexual abuse and the first steps leaders must take when they receive a report of sexual abuse. He describes the common victim stereotype, feelings of guilt, the legal process, and much more. There is hope to be found amid the suffering and loss.Show NotesThe profession of Thomas CrumplarHistory of Sexual Abuse LitigationDu Pont CaseBy Tom’s recommendation, we are giving away copies of On the Threshold of Hope by Diane Langberg a gift of Tyndale House Publisher. Sign up and you might win one! 

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

The three amigos gather for Carl’s send-off, as he’s about to move west. Before Carl departs, Aimee offers some helpful tips on how to make new friends. In fact, she has recently written Why Can’t We Be Friends? Aimee’s latest opus addresses friendship between the sexes from a biblical worldview.The intrepid trio discusses the Pence Rule, biblical anthropology, sibling relationships in light of eternity, the exercise of discernment, and more. It’s the When Harry Met Sally dilemma: Can men and women really be friends?Show NotesHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieYou can find Aimee’s book on sale at Reformed Resources. But if you want the opportunity to win a free copy, sign up and you might just get one! The free copies are a courtesy of P&R Publishing. 

Insuppressible, Intelligent Design

Insuppressible Intelligent DesignDouglas Axe is invited to the bunker. He’s the author of Undeniable, and the director of the Biologic Institute in Seattle. Alongside Gabe Fluhrer and Derek Thomas, Douglas will speak at Insuppressible: Glory, Gospel, and the Design of Life, a conference of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and the Pensacola Theological Institute happening July 27-29 in Pensacola, FL.Douglas shares a preview of this fascinating conference, and recalls how--as a young believer—he noticed an inappropriate use of the sciences being put in direct opposition to faith. That observation compelled the Cambridge researcher and CalTech PhD to pursue biblical apologetics through science. You don’t want to miss this conversation! Show NotesUndeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life Is DesignedBiologic InstituteInsuppressible ConferencePensacola Theological InstitutePhilosopher Thomas NagelMind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature is Almost Certainly False by Thomas NagelIf you want to be at the Insuppressible conference in Pensacola, FL on July 27 - 29, sign up for the opportunity to win free registrations.

Worshipping with Calvin

Terry Johnson shows up at the Spin's "totally awesome" worship band practice. Terry is the pastor of Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah and has written Worshipping with Calvin: Recovering the Reformed Ministry and Worship of Reformed Protestantism.The crew turns down the instruments, shuts off the spotlights and smoke machine, and listens intently as Terry makes the connection between theology and worship, tracing back to the Reformation period and the solas. He talks about the proper balance of freedom and form, and what the church is supposed to do when gathered on Sundays.Why should you worship with Calvin? Find out, as you join the conversation. Show NotesWorshipping with Calvin by Terry JohnsonServing with Calvin by Terry JohnsonLeading in Worship by Terry JohnsonHughes Oliphant OldSign up for the opportunity to win a free copy of Terry’s book, Worshipping with Calvin. The copies are a generous gift from Evangelical Press.

Paideia of Righteousness

In ancient Greece, paideia was a rich educational experience that compelled students to broader comprehension and deeper discussion. Today, the Paideia Center offers a fresh and informal means of theological discipleship. It’s just been launched by RTS/Orlando, so Michael Allen returns to fill us in.   How does the Center work? Where does it meet? What are the costs? Turn it on, turn it up, and don’t miss how Carl has worked this into his January Disney vacation. It's a small world, after all.  Show Notes:  All you need to know about the Paideia Center.  The Paideia Center is pleased to offer a number of free registrations to their online or local groups across the country. Sign up for the opportunity to participate in one of them!

College: Thrive, or (Merely) Survive

As the school year ends, another graduating class looks to the next step in education. So, the crew turns to Alex Chediak, who teaches engineering and physics at California Baptist University.The multi-talented Alex is also an outstanding writer. He’s the author of Thriving at College, and the team wants to know about his observations—both as a student, and now as a professor—on issues young adults face as they leave home to take on college…and life.How can parents help prepare their children for the new freedoms they’re about to experience? What kind of school is a good fit: Christian or secular? Alex provides satisfying answers for students seeking to glorify God, wherever they’re planted.Show NotesLearn more about Alex Thriving at College: Make Great Friends, Keep Your Faith, and Get Ready for the Real WorldBeating the College Debt TrapPreparing Your Teens for CollegeThanks to Tyndale House Publishers, we’re giving away copies of Alex’s book Thriving at College. Sign up for the opportunity to win one!