SNS 025: Does Having Faith Mean That You Stop Thinking?

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In this episode, we consider the questions: Does having faith in Christ mean that you stop thinking? Does my emphasis on God’s love and our love for him mean that I agree with this? The answer is, not so much; to both questions. For to love authentically involves thinking. Thinking involved in learning about God, what he teaches and how those teachings apply to my daily life. If you are not thinking you are not fully loving. I know, right? My name is Charles. Grab yourself some coffee and let’s talk. 

Please tell me what you think about this. You can do this in the comment box here:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/024

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Scripture Passages referenced:

Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31 ~ the greatest commands ever given.

1 John 5:13; 1 Timothy 3: 14,15; John 20:31; and Luke 1:4 ~ these are a few that deal with Scripture having been written so that we know and believe.

1 John 4:1 ~ test the spirits.
2 Corinthians 13:5 ~ examine and test yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 ~ test all things.


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SNS 024: Christianity Isn't Merely a Religion

Christianity isn’t merely a religion. How can I say it isn’t? That is not what I said. I said it is not merely one. For authentic Christianity is a relationship that leads to religious practice. While Christianity works itself out in religious practices, these are not all that is to be found in Christianity. These are not even primary to the Christian faith. For, Christianity is primarily a relationship with Christ. This is what we talk about in this episode.

Please tell me what you think about this. You can do this in the comment box below.

Also, If you like this podcast, please subscribe so that you will never miss a future episode. Thank you.

Scripture Passages referenced:

John 15:9,10 ~ Jesus remains in the Father's love.
John 17:20-23 ~ Jesus and the Father are one and Jesus prays we will be one in them.
Matthew 15:14 ~ The Pharisees are the blind leading the blind.
Luke 22:40-44 ~ Jesus not excited at Gethesmane.
James 1:27 ~ What God considers pure and undefiled religion.
James 2:8 ~ The Royal Law is to love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:34-40 ~ Greatest commands and them being the basis for all biblical teaching.
1 Corinthians 13 ~ Lacking love we are obnoxious and worthless.
Matthew 5:20 ~ Our righteousness needs to surpass that of the Pharisees.
Matthew 23:27 ~ Jesus calling them whitewashed tombs.
Matthew 15:14 ~ Jesus calling them the blind leaders of the blind.
John 5:39, 40 ~ They diligently searched Scripture and missed out on Jesus.
1 John 5:1 ~ To believe equated to Loving.
1 John 4:7-21 ~ If we do not love, we do not know God, for God is love.


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SNS 023: the Bible and Its Messed Up Saints

One of the most amazing things I find in the Bible is just how messed up, how ordinarily human, the people in it truly are. Why do I find it amazing and even comforting? The last thing I’d expect in the holy book of any religion is for it to be full of those who, considered to be heroes of the faith, are as flawed as the Bible’s are. No matter where you turn, those, listed as the paragons of faith, are portrayed as fully human as I am; full of faults and fears and missteps. This is what we explore in this episode.

Scripture Passages referenced:

Hebrews 11 ~ known as the Faith Hall of Fame.

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SNS 22: When to Avoid Asking, "Is This a Sin?"

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When is it best to avoid asking the question, “Is ‘this’ a sin?” Did you know that by asking it, you can actually keep you from growing in Christ? Why do I say this and what is a better alternative? Grab your coffee and let’s talk about it. I find the answer to be when it’s taken you as far in growth as it can. Kind of like riding a bicycle; for training wheels can only take you so far. They are useful and needed for a while. But then you outgrow the need for them. And if you don’t get beyond them, you never get the full enjoyment of riding. The same is true with this question.

Please tell me what you think in the comments section below.


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Scripture Passages referenced:

Matthew 22: 34-40 ~ Loving God with entire being and neighbor as self.

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SNS 21: Christianity without Christ?

Can we have Christianity without Christ? Now, before you say, “You have been in quarantine way too long!”  Listen to why I ask. How I find that some Christians seem to love their religion much more than they love Jesus. We discuss how this actually prevents them from experiencing the abundant life Jesus came to give. This is not a criticism of any particular group of Christians, it is a sharing of concern over a trend I see in Christianity today. One to settle for a Christian religion that has been sweetened to our taste rather than one that develops our spiritual palate to enjoy the profound richness found in a French press style of faith. 

Also, If you like this podcast, please subscribe so that you will never miss a future episode. Thank you.

Scripture Passages referenced:
John 5:39 ~ Pharisees intently studied Scriptures and missed out on God.
Matthew 23:23-28 ~ Pharisees doing the religion very well missing out on what God considers important.
Matthew 5:20 ~ Unless you do something more than merely doing religion well (the righteousness of the Pharisees) you are missing out on God.
John 10:10 ~ Jesus came to give life in abundance.
Luke 24:13-32 ~ The disciples and Jesus on the way to Emmaus.
Matthew 6:33 ~ Seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added unto you.


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