291: Navigating Different Social-Distancing Convictions
Theology for the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
In this episode, Kenny tackles the reality that there will be various opinions and convictions from different people in our lives and churches as we make attempts to return to some sense of normalcy in the coming weeks and months. This is going to require wisdom and grace. Instead of demands, expectations, social pressures, harshness, judgmental attitudes, or virtue signaling, Christians ought to actually lead the way with kindness, grace, and diplomacy in the midst of this unique season that may have the potential to be filled with some awkward moments. Resources Navigating Different COVID-1 ..read more
Visit website
290: Reacting to COVID-19 on Social Media
Theology for the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
In this episode, Kenny encourages and challenges listeners to be very careful with what they post on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Christians are posting things that seem to be motivated by fear, politics, or conspiracy theories, and these sorts of posts tend to cause us to lose credibility. This behavior misrepresents Jesus and potentially jeopardizes our ability to share the gospel. In this moment in history, people are looking for sources of comfort and encouragement. People are often looking for voices they can trust, and voices that can be the source of wisdom. Let's be ..read more
Visit website
289: These Are Not Uncertain Times! (What About COVID-19?)
Theology for the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
Currently, the world is facing a global pandemic—the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In the midst of the panic, fear, and frustrations there are many different responses. One common phrase used by many is the statement, “These are 'uncertain' times.” However, for the Christian—the genuine believer in Christ—nothing is uncertain. In this episode, Kenny makes clear that the believer never has anything to worry about. No matter what we face, even if we die due to a virus, we are in the hands of Christ! Kenny closes the episodes with a great quote from Francis J. Grimké who was a pastor during the S ..read more
Visit website
288: Are Short-Term Missions a Waste?
Theology for the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
Each year North American evangelicals spend millions of dollars on short-term missions trips. A recent listener of the podcast asked whether or not this is appropriate? Would it be better for us to simply pool our monies and send it overseas? In essence, short-term missions can be very effective, if done right. However, most short-term missions are done wrong. They often have the wrong goals and wrong peoples in mind. This makes much of the short-term missions activity feels very wasteful, inefficient, and even harmful. Short-term missions can be very helpful if we partner with local ministrie ..read more
Visit website
287: How Much Money Should I Be Giving?
Theology for the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
In this episode, Kenny answers the question: “How Much Money Should I Be Giving?” In essence, Kenny makes it clear that there's no precise set amount that we ought to give, but instead we ought to give generously and seek to invest in the things that lead to effective ministry. Christians ought to seek to give cheerfully. There is no need to feel obligated or guilty about giving, but instead we ought to seek to be prayerful and missional. Related Episodes: 41: Why Should Christians Stop Tithing Immediately? 122: Should Christians Give to Charities? Recommended Resources: The Treasure Principle ..read more
Visit website
286: What Does it Mean to be ‘Saved’?
Theology For the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
In this episode, Kenny tackles the word “saved” and how it's utilized by many contemporary evangelicals. He then covers the prominent Christian adage that “we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved ..read more
Visit website
285: Why Did God Allow Sin?
Theology For the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
People often ask, “Why did God allow Adam to sin in the first place?” Many have wondered, if God knew that sin would cause such devastation to humanity, and such eternal consequences, then why did God did allow it happen? Couldn't he have stopped it? Couldn't God had created Adam without the ability to sin? This is the same line of thinking that came from a regular listener by email, and Kenny tackles this topic herein this episode. This is a tough question. It's sobering in a lot of ways. But ultimately, the answer to this type of question reminds us of God's perfect sovereignty. In this epis ..read more
Visit website
284: What Types of Things Should We Pray For?
Theology For the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
This episode is a sequel to the previous episode. In episode 283 Kenny responded to an email that had asked about how Christians ought to pray. Here in this episode, Kenny explains how the Lord's Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:2-4) is a road map and template for how Christians ought to approach God in prayer. “Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ..read more
Visit website
283: Should We Recite Specific Prayers?
Theology For the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
In this episode, Kenny answers an email from a regular listener about prayer. The email asked if Christians ought to recite specific prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer or other prayers modeled for us in the Bible, or whether it is okay to pray for informal prayers. Kenny makes clear that the prayers that we pray to God are less about reciting specific words, and are more about the sentiments of our hearts whenever we are engaging in prayer ..read more
Visit website
282: Did Christianity Copy From Pagan Religions?
Theology for the Rest of Us
by Kenneth Ortiz
2y ago
Some skeptics claim that Christianity stole its fundamental claims from preexisting pagan religions. In this episode, Kenny responds to this claim, making it clear that there is absolutely no scholarly or authentic evidence for any such assertions or conclusions. Kenny outlines some of the examples that some skeptics bring up, showing clearly how we know that such attacks are false. Kenny even makes the point that there are no major contemporary atheistic scholars making any such claims, because they lack any credibility of any kind. These sorts of attacks do not come from respected scholars ..read more
Visit website

Follow Theology for the Rest of Us on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR