This week, the guys dig in to one of the most famous verses in all of the Bible: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." So, what is this passage saying? Does God NOT have good plans for us? Listen and find out! (Spoiler: Yes, but not perhaps in the ways we think.) Aaron's recommendation: A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture that Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing by Scot McKnight, https://smile.amazon.com/Church-Called-Tov-Goodness-Promotes/dp/1496446003/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+church+called+tov&qid=1621899386&sr=8-1

This week, the guys tackle Psalm 46:10, in which we encounter God in our stillness... or something like that. Join us as we continue to find meaning in these passages of Scripture while keeping them in the right context. Aaron's recommendation: How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman III, https://www.christianbook.com/how-to-read-the-psalms/tremper-longman/9780877849414/pd/49412?product_redirect=1&search_term=tremper%20longman%20how%20to%20read%20the%20psalms&Ntt=49412&item_code=&ps_exit=PRODUCT%7Cnew&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Continuing our series on verses which tend to be taken out of context, we look at Revelation 3, in which Jesus tells us it is better to love him or hate him than to be lukewarm, and that he stands at the door knocking, asking, pleading with us to let him into our hearts and receive salvation. Right? The guys get into this and more as we seek to put the right context around these familiar passages. Tony's recommendation: Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulley, https://smile.amazon.com/Reading-While-Black-American-Interpretation/dp/083085486X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=reading+while+black&qid=1620751439&sr=8-1

We just celebrated the National Day of Prayer, and usually one of the more prominent verses at events like this is 2 Chronicles 7:14. But is it actually used correctly? We look at what it means within the context of the broader passage, and how we can still apply it to our lives (and our country) today. Our recommendations: "2 Chronicles 7:14 Isn't About American Politics" by Russell Moore, https://www.russellmoore.com/2016/01/14/2-chronicles-714-isnt-about-american-politics/ Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel by Russell Moore, https://smile.amazon.com/Onward-Engaging-Culture-without-Losing/dp/1433686171/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=onward+russell+moore&qid=1619742656&sr=8-2

Today we begin an occasional series looking at verses that are typically taken out of their biblical context, and we attempt to put them back into their context. First up, Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Ever popular in the sports world, we talk about what it really means to have Christ strengthen us, and how we can apply it in our everyday lives. Our recommendations: 1) Read the Bible. 2) Become a member at a church. 3) How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart (https://smile.amazon.com/How-Read-Bible-All-Worth/dp/0310517826/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3D4A8BYQ9OB9D&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+read+the+bible+for+all+its+worth&qid=1619740280&sprefix=how+to+read+the+bib%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1). 4) Knowing Scripture by R. C. Sproul (https://smile.amazon.com/Knowing-Scripture-R-C-Sproul/dp/0830844686/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KF8C8KKEUD3H&dchild=1&keywords=knowing+scripture+by+r.c.+sproul&qid=1619740386&sprefix=knowing+scripture%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1).

The fact that high-profile Christian comedians are extremely rare and that Christ, as the “man of sorrows,” appears so dour throughout the gospels suggests that Christianity is incompatible with good humor. But is it? We explore humor in the Bible and a biblical and theological justification for comedy. Hopefully we laugh a bit along the way. Tony's recommendation: Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld, https://smile.amazon.com/This-Anything-Jerry-Seinfeld/dp/1982112697/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OCIBKXPOHVO3&dchild=1&keywords=is+this+anything+jerry+seinfeld&qid=1618942934&sprefix=is+this+anything%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

It’s no secret that many evangelicals consider conservatism of some kind to be the default approach to Christianity. But many others associate the progressive impulse with Jesus Christ himself. Which is it? The guys discuss this over, well, several takes. The article that jump-started our discussion, "Progressive Christians Arise! Hallelujah!" by Nicholas Kristof, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/opinion/sunday/progressive-christians-politics.html?searchResultPosition=4 Aaron's recommendation: The Gospel Coalition, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org

We consider the various books, movies, and other cultural artifacts that have had their availability to be consumed curbed in some way due to potentially offensive content. How should we as Christians understand this phenomenon? What should we do about it? Tony's recommendation: Watch baseball!

The guys consider repentance—what it is, why we need it, and how we actually do it.  Aaron's recommendation: Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton, https://smile.amazon.com/Here-Stand-Life-Martin-Luther/dp/1426754434/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=here+i+stand+bainton&qid=1617122258&sr=8-1

This week, the guys answer some of your questions, and Aaron almost makes it through without a blooper. Maybe next time. Tony's recommendation: Zack Snyder's Justice League, https://www.hbomax.com/feature/urn:hbo:feature:GYDAnZgCFQ8IJpQEAAAAN