The Immersion Podcast

Episode 15. What is Critical Race Theory? Where did it come from, and why is it contrary to biblical teaching? Join Daniel, Joshua Blythe, and Ivan Crissman for this cultural conversation. Where does CRT come from? Critical Theory. 6:33 Offered as a solution to maladies of society 8:49 Four steps historically in the development of critical theory (which led to CRT) 9:46 (1) Hegel: dialectical process (19th century) 12:10 (2) Marx: economics and materialism (later 19th century) 13:50 (3) Gramsci: cultural hegemony (early 20th century) 15:08 (4) The Frankfurt School: structural inequities in society (early-mid 20th century) What is CRT? 17:22 CRT is critical theory applied to race 19:01 Places CRT is showing up today 20:32 Cancel culture Why CRT is not biblical: 21:23 The CRT worldview is based on subjective truth through experience/perception. The biblical worldview is based on objective truth, revealed from God.  23:44 The CRT worldview is based on collectivism and group identity. The biblical worldview is based on individual identity before God. 24:38 The CRT worldview elevates “race” as the primary distinguishing trait between people. In the biblical worldview, ethnic identity is merely a backdrop for God’s storyline of grace and redemption. 26:29 The CRT worldview uses a concept of “distributive justice” to rectify perceived wrongs. The biblical worldview presents justice as based in God’s perfect character as revealed in the truth of Scripture. 28:11 CRT has no clear ends or aims; it is only destructive/negative. The biblical worldview aims toward perfect and ideal ends. 30:27 CRT doesn’t grapple with a person’s sin nature, but attempts to force external compliance. The biblical worldview deals with a person’s sin nature at the heart level, changing a person’s heart through the gospel. 31:08 CRT has no means of forgiveness or justification. In the biblical worldview, forgiveness and justification come through personal repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.  34:00 How should Christians respond to CRT? Don’t seek to be divisive; the gospel and God’s Word are sufficient; focus on spiritual ends. 38:53 Ephesians Chapter 2 speaks to these issues exceptionally well. Read and meditate on it. 46:19 Peace to those who were far away, peace to those who were near.

Episode 14. How should Christians live as citizens and relate to their governments? What is the Church's role toward civil government? This conversation is not a political statement; rather, we explore much of what God has to say about His people and their relation to the civil authority that He has delegated in this world. Join Daniel, Kevin Moore, and David Ethridge for this cultural conversation. 1:24 God is the supreme authority; God instituted civil government (Genesis 9:5-6) 4:54 Nations' resistance to God's righteous rule (Psalm 2, Jeremiah 10:6-7) 6:10 The Christian's relation to governmental authority (Romans 13:1-7) 9:32 In a fallen world, governments are made up of fallen people (Ephesians 6:12ff; Isaiah 50:20) 11:05 The Church's role toward government (Ephesians 3:8-10; 1 Timothy 3:15) 12:29 The individual Christian's role (Romans 12:18ff; 1 Peter 2:1-3, 12-17; 1 Timothy 2:1-4) 18:50 God has delegated authority to civil government, individuals 19:42 What about when there is conflict? 23:59 Biblical example of conflict with government: read the book of Daniel (Daniel 1-6) 24:29 Key question: What exactly is the government asking/mandating? (Proverbs 18:13, Philippians 4:5) 27:20 Key question: Does compliance involve sinning by necessity? (Acts 4:13-20; 5:25-29; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Daniel 3, 6) 30:23 Spheres of authority (Luke 12:13-14) 31:43 Key question: Would compliance establish a harmful precedent? (Acts 16:35-40) 36:22 Key question: Is there an alternate, non-sinful way that might be suggested? (Daniel 1) 40:54 "Not a defiance to one thing, but an obedience to The Number One Thing" (Acts 4) 42:28 Key question: What is the best expression of love for God and neighbor? (Luke 6:6-10; 13:10-17) 43:00 Key question: What action will be most helpful for my gospel witness? (Matthew 17:24-27) Additional resources: Caesar and the Church by Anthony Forsyth; Politics According to the Bible by Wayne Grudem

Episode 13. In this conversation on depression, we cannot hope to solve this issue in half an hour, but we need to talk about it in the church. We want to point you to what God says about depression and overcoming it. We also want our church to have a kind and gentle response to anyone dealing with depression. Join Daniel, Pastor Shannon, and Crystal for this cultural conversation. 0:58 Depression is an issue, and has always been 3:32 We need to talk about depression in the church 4:28 One Scriptural Example - Elijah (1 Kings 19) 9:10 How we should respond to depression 13:32 God (and God's people) minister to those who are depressed 16:31 Talk to one another rather than being silent 19:47 Keep God's Word in your heart 21:23 Social media: it doesn't help 23:04 Counseling 24:41 Respond in love

Episode 12. Our intention for this "Doctrine Dive" into the biblical teaching that we are created in the image of God is to give you a foundation for understanding who we uniquely are as the crown of God's creation, and what that means for how we view ourselves, others, and every human being. This podcast is foundational for several upcoming cultural conversations we will have this year. 0:54 Intro to the subject 2:30 The Trinity and creation 4:41 "Let us make man in our image..." 7:10 The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 Article III. "Man" See also http://mvbcraleigh.com/our-vision/what-we-believe/ 8:19 What does "image of God" mean? 13:35 Six observations about what the image of God is and isn't (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. pp. 532, 533) 15:49 The image was not lost in the fall of man 26:00 Christ, the image of the invisible God 27:26 How we can apply the image of God in our culture (seeing ourselves, seeing others as image-bearers) 34:29 Conclusion: What is man, that God is mindful of him? Scripture references: Genesis 1; 1:26-27; 9:6-7; Psalm 8; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Mark 1:9-11; Acts 17:28-29; Romans 1:16ff; Colossians 1:15; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9-10  

Episode 11. As we begin our 2022 podcast schedule, we share an introduction to the book of Philippians. We encourage you not only to listen, but to explore the riches of this book of the Bible yourself. This podcast coincides with the new teaching series on Philippians at MVBC. -Paul, the Author (1:48) -Philippi, a Roman Colony in Macedonia, Greece (4:29) -The Founding of the Philippian Church (9:19) -How Paul Got to Rome, the Place He Wrote From (13:20) -The Occasion for Writing (18:18) -Major Themes of the Letter (19:55) -Wrap-Up and Previewing Our Next Podcast (28:50)

Episode 10. Join us for a special episode! When we planned the first season of the Immersion Podcast this fall, we intended to go through the Thrive Series and our "Aspiring to..." podcasts, then return in early 2022 with cultural conversations. With the Mississippi Abortion Law being before the Supreme Court this month, we felt this to be an especially good time to bring this subject before our audience.  We mention several Scripture passages in this podcast which are listed in the notes below. We also wish to include some internet resources for those in need; you'll find these at the bottom of this description. Please also reach out to us at MVBC Raleigh at www.mvbcraleigh.com/contact, by phone (919) 847-0160, or join us on Sundays at 10:30am. Biblically/Morally - What God says about the unborn (2:18)       - Genesis 1:26       - Genesis 25:23       - Psalm 139:13-16       - Isaiah 49:1, 5       - Jeremiah 1:4-5       - Luke 1:13-15       - Luke 1:39-44       - Galatians 1:15 Scientifically - When does human life begin? (9:04) Constitutionally/Legally - The Dobbs Case, Overturning Roe? (19:00) How we can pray (32:20) Internet Resources/Pregnancy Support: https://www.thewomens.clinic/raleigh/ https://www.humancoalition.org/what-we-do/contact-center/ https://www.humancoalition.org/what-we-do/womens-care-clinics/ https://www.humancoalition.org/what-we-do/continuum-of-care/ https://bethany.org/get-help/pregnancy https://www.handofhope.net/our-services  

Episode 9. We continue discussing the fifth of the five challenges revealed to us over the last 18 months, and its matching idea that with God's help we can aspire to. Covenant membership has been a focus of our teaching series at MVBC - "Thrive: A Flourishing Church in a Struggling World." In Part 2 of this podcast (Part 1 was the prior Episode 8), we take a deep dive into covenant, and how church membership is "covenantal." We mention several Scripture passages in this podcast which are listed in the notes below. These passages are a sample but are not a comprehensive list. -God's covenants (1:57)     ...with Noah (Genesis 8:20ff)     ...with Abraham (Genesis 15)     ...with Moses and all Israel (Exodus 19)     ...with David (2 Samuel 7) -Assembly - Genesis 35:11 (3:00) -Passover - Exodus 12:6 (4:42) -Renewals of the Covenant (9:24)     -Deuteronomy 27-28     -Joshua 8:30-35     -Joshua 24     -1 Kings 8     -2 Kings 23     -Nehemiah 8, 9, 10 -The New Covenant (17:44)     -Jeremiah 31:31ff     -Luke 22:14ff     -1 Peter 2     -1 John 5:2-3 -Application: membership is "covenantal" (26:57)

Episode 8. We are discussing the fifth of the five challenges revealed to us over the last 18 months, and its matching idea that with God's help we can aspire to. Covenant membership has been a focus of our teaching series at MVBC - "Thrive: A Flourishing Church in a Struggling World." In part 1 of this podcast, we discuss membership related to the cultural challenge. In part 2, which will be released next week, we'll take a deep dive into "covenant." -Cultural challenge: less commitment (2:14) -Consumerism (7:41) -Implications for the church (9:36) -Two ways the culture can affect our view of church membership - 1 Corinthians 12 (11:40) -Do we really need to have an active church membership? 1 Cor. 12, Ephesians 4 (18:15) -Who are we? Who's in the body? 1 Corinthians 14:40 (25:56) -Fundamental parts of church membership (31:22) -In Part 2 (our next podcast), how church membership is "covenantal" (37:38)

Episode 7. We are discussing the fourth of the five challenges revealed to us over the last 18 months, and its matching idea that with God's help we can aspire to. Eternal perspective has been the focus of the most recent week of our teaching series at MVBC - "Thrive: A Flourishing Church in a Struggling World." -What are we afraid of? (1:10) -Cultural challenge: people are fearful, polarized, uncertain (3:27) -Where do we look for answers? (7:31) -God's eternal perspective - biblical foundations (11:02) -Value of solitude for reflection and meditation (19:12) -Curate where we get our information - recommendation: firstthings.com (21:20) -Eternal perspective - the long view (21:20) -Eternal perspective - the whole puzzle (22:39) -Eternal perspective - have the Spirit, hang on to the Word (26:44)

Episode 6. In the earlier part of 2021, we started asking ourselves the question, "What is it that Covid has revealed to us about the larger culture and about our faith family here at MVBC?" In this episode we discuss the 3rd of the 5 answers we were led to, and its matching idea that with God's help we can aspire to. Biblical engagement has been the focus of the most recent week of our teaching series at MVBC - "Thrive: A Flourishing Church in a Struggling World." -Testimony for Incarnational Community (2:01) -Cultural challenge: media and public figure influence (4:16) -Political polarization (8:15) -Politics and Christianity (10:12) -Do we have the ability to apply God's Word to culture? (17:13) -Getting God's Word in our hearts (19:40) -Final thoughts (22:19)