Monthly Archives: May 2017

Theology Gals | Episode 16 | False Teachers & Christian Discernment



On this episode of Theology Gals Coleen and Ashley discuss what Scripture says about how we should respond to false teachers, those teaching things contrary to foundational doctrines of the Christian faith.

New Intro includes:  Michael Horton Why is is important to know what you believe?, Matt Chandler The Bible is not about us, Daniel Hyde Once Lost, Now Found: How Reformed Theology Assures Us, Rod Rosenbladt The Gospel For Those Broken By The Church,  Michael Horton What is the Gospel? James Montgomery Boice A Call From Confessing Evangelicals For A Modern Reformation and  The Evangelical Church Today….Still
Episode Resources:
Distinguishing gossip and slander from discernment
Gossip

Bible Dictionary

Gossip- The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it.

Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways. What is being shared and why it's being shared.

Webster's dictionary

gossip- casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

Slander

Bible dictionary -properly, a slanderer; a false accuser; unjustly criticizing (malign) and condemn to sever a relationship in secular Greek means “backbiter ,” i.e. an accuser, calumniator (slanderer). 1228 (diábolos) is literally someone who “casts through,” i.e. making charges that bring down (destroy)

Webster’s dictionary – the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

Verses on Gossip and Slander

Proverbs 20:12&13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babble. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Proverbs 10:18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool Proverbs 16:28
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends

Proverbs 11:13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered

Discussing the teachings of false teachers is not the same thing as gossip or slander.
False Teachers and False Doctrine
Does calling out false teachers and doctrine cause division?

Paul makes it clear that it's the ones teaching false doctrine who cause division.

Romans 16:17&18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive
We're called to be discerning
Discernment definition
1. the ability to judge well. 2. (in Christian contexts) perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding.

Bible Dictionary- It may simply mean “observe” ,expressing close and distinct acquaintance with or a critical knowledge of things

Philippians 1:9&10 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, sand so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

The Bereans are praised for their discernment

Acts 17:11 received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Called to judge those within the church

1 Corinthians 5:12&13 For what have I to do with judging outsiders?


Theology Gals | Episode 15 | Suffering



On this episode of Theology Gals Ashley and Coleen discuss suffering. They talk about what Scripture says about the reasons why we may suffer, how we should respond to our suffering and how we can encourage others who are suffering.

(We had a couple technical difficulties during this episode. A hail storm hit Coleen's home in Colorado towards the end of the episode and can be heard.)
Episode notes:
There are many kinds of suffering. We face short term trials, and we can may experience very difficult and long term suffering.
While the Lord may discipline us for our good, suffering is not always the result of sin or discipline:
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:7-11

In Hebrews 12 we see that even when the Lord disciplines us, He does so for our good, because He loves us, in the same way parents discipline their.

But we also know from Job and other places in Scripture that our suffering is not always the result of discipline.

It's easy to assume that our suffering is a result of our sin, in John 9 the disciples assumed that very thing:

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him John 9:1-3

This is an excerpt from an article by RC Sproul on this passage:

“However, the disciples made the mistake of particularizing the general relationship between sin and suffering. They assumed there was a direct correspondence between the blind man’s sin and his affliction. Had they not read the book of Job, which deals with a man who was innocent and yet was severely afflicted by God? The disciples erred in reducing the options to two when there was another alternative. They posed their question to Jesus in an either/or fashion, committing the logical fallacy of the false dilemma, assuming that the sin of the man or the sin of the man’s parents was the cause of his blindness.

“The disciples also seem to have assumed that anyone who has an affliction suffers in direct proportion to the sin that has been committed. Again, the book of Job dashes that conclusion, for the degree of suffering Job was called to bear was astronomical compared with the suffering and afflictions of others far more guilty than he was.

“We must never jump to the conclusion that a particular incidence of suffering is a direct response or in direct correspondence to a person’s particular sin. The story of the man born blind makes this point.”

There's also teaching in some circles that suffering is due to a lack of faith.  Some believe in regards to healing for instance, that the Lord withholds it because the sufferer has a lack of faith, but that is not Biblical. They also may believe that God promises us healing and wealth which also is not consistent with Scripture.
Reasons for Suffering:

Our suffering tests and prepares us & teaches us to rely on God

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor …


Theology Gals | Episode 14 | Mother’s Day Special



This is Theology Gals first Mother's Day special. Coleen and Ashley are joined by Ashley Bacon and Rebekah Womble to discuss Motherhood. The gals talk about the joys and challenges of mothering in the various seasons of child rearing. They also discuss raising children in the Lord and training them in the faith.

Special guest appearance by five year old, Aubrie Bacon.

Check out Rebekah’s blog, Wise in His Eyes
Resources on Infertility & miscarriage:
Infertility by Marlo Schalesky

My Own Dance Upon Barren Land: A Story of Infertility by Lesli A. Westfall

Miscarriage This is a great list of resources from Pastor David Murray, for those who have suffered a miscarriage.
Book Recommendations:
Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Comforting Hearts Teaching Minds:Family Devotions Based on the Heidelberg Catechism by Starr Meade
Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade
My First Book of Questions and Answers by Carine MacKenzie

Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt

Susan Hunt has several great books for children including Big Truths for Little Kids, My ABC Bible Verses, My ABC Bible Verses From the Psalms, Discovering Jesus in Genesis, Discovering Jesus in Exodus. Several of her children's books incorporate the children's catechism.
Mentioned on this episode:
Singing the Psalms: Sisters Let's Sing the Psalms Part 1 and Part 2

The Kids Catechism: An Introduction to the Shorter Catechism (Westminster)

A Catechism for Girls and Boys (Baptist)

Children’s Catechism Resources – This a great resource for those working through the children's catechism with your little ones or if you're interested in learning more about catechizing your children.

Episode Music from Castle Pines

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Theology Gals | Episode 13 | Christ & Culture with Ryan Haskins



On this week's episode of Theology Gals, Coleen and Ashley talk with Ryan Haskins about Christ and Culture. Ryan is Pastor of Student Ministries at Community Bible Church in Nashville, Tennessee. You can also hear him on the Theocast podcast.

 

For further study:

Theocast – Christ and Culture Part 1 and Part 2

Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms: A Study in the Development of Reformed Social Thought (Emory University Studies in Law and Religion) by David VanDrunen

Living in God's Two Kingdoms by David VanDrunen

Christ and Culture Revisited by D. A. Carson

Pilgrim Theology: Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples by Michael Horton

 

Click here for all Theology Gals podcasts and blogs.

Women can join our Facebook Group Theology Gals-Ladies Theology Discussion and Encouragement

Follow us:

On Facebook
On Twitter @TheologyGals
On Instagram theologygals
Email us at theologygals@gmail.com

If you'd like to ask Theology Gals a question which may be answered on a future episode, you can text or leave us a voicemail at 951-364-0221. You may also send an email.

Consider supporting Theology Gals with just a few dollars a month.


Theology Gals | Episode 12 | Question & Answer Episode



On this week's episode of Theology Gals, Ashley and Coleen answer your questions. They discuss struggles with the doctrine of election, unbelieving family, resources on church history, women working outside the home and more. 

Things mentioned on this episode:

James White vs INC debate

Westminster Confession IV

Westminster Confession III

TULIP and Reformed Theology: Unconditional Election

A Survey of Church History – Robert Godfrey

Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries

Church History: A Crash Course for the Curious

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You can text or leave a voicemail with comments or question 951-364-0221

Women can join our Facebook Group Theology Gals- Reformed Ladies Discussion and Encouragement

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