Christ, Culture, & Coffee

The New Year is right around the corner and many people are thinking about the resolutions that they want to make for 2019. What are you hoping to change in the New Year? On this episode we give some tips on resting in the Lord and remembering all that He has done in our lives. We hope that you have a Happy New Year. Check out this blog that Robby wrote about resolutions: https://www.dscchurch.com/apologetics-blog-feed/2017/1/17/resolve-to-reflect-reckon-and-rest If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at christculturecoffee@gmail.com

Isaiah 7 has a well known verse in it that speaks about the virgin birth of Immanuel. However, is this verse only a prophecy about Jesus or was there another virgin birth during the time of Isaiah? That's what this episode will investigate as we approach this Christmas season. Check out this great article by Dr. Paul Wegner on Isaiah 7:14: https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/54/54-3/JETS_54-3_467-484_Wegner.pdf If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at christculturecoffee@gmail.com

The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David. Some argue that Jesus does not fulfill this prophesy based on who is listed in his genealogy as recorded in Matthew. Does Jesus actually fulfill being from the line of David? We discuss this issue on our 35th episode. Check out the Great Isaiah Scroll: http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/isaiah If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

Micah 5:2 states that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah. When was this prophecy made? How do we know that it actually predates Christ's birth? Was this self fulfilling prophecy? In this episode we dive into the evidence that Jesus actually fulfilled prophecy in his birth in Bethlehem. Here is the link to the Micah 5:2 scroll that was four among the Dead Sea Scrolls: https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/explore-the-archive/image/B-314652 If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

The Christian life is not safe. Jesus has called us to obedience, not to safety or comfort. John Allen Chau was recently killed trying to reach a remote tribe on North Sentinel Island. What does Scripture have to say about this recent event, and what can we learn from John Allen Chau's martyrdom? Check out the full story about John Allen Chau: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/november/missionary-killed-north-sentinel-isolated-island-tribe-chau.html Try this experiment of listening to different soundbites to enhance the flavor of coffee: https://www.mandatory.com/culture/948143-music-can-affect-taste-coffee-try-experiment If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

Does the current Mormon Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, speak for God? The LDS church believes that he does. What has he recently prophesied and how did he rise to the position of Prophet in the LDS church? Why does the LDS church believe they are the restored church on earth, the only true church? This weeks episode features Eric Johnson from Mormonism Research Ministry to help us answer these questions. You can check out the great work of Mormonism Research Ministry at: http://www.mrm.org Eric is the author of the following books that we highly recommend: Sharing the Good News with Mormons https://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Good-News-Mormons-Conversation/dp/0736974067/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541656944&sr=8-1&keywords=eric+johnson+sean+mcdowell Mormonism 101 http://www.mrm.org/product/mormonism-101 Answering Mormons' Questions http://www.mrm.org/product/answering-mormons-questions If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robb

Many doctors and medical schools have documented the health benefits of practicing gratitude. Why is gratitude good for us? Can gratitude be directed toward things? Is there a person that our gratitude needs to be directed toward? With Thanksgiving coming up this week, we wanted to discuss the importance of gratitude and how the existence of gratitude is an apologetic for God's existence. Check out this blog post I wrote on this topic: https://www.dscchurch.com/apologetics-blog-feed/2016/11/22/the-benefits-of-gratitude Here is the Harvard Medical article: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier Check out Dr. Robert Emmons: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/Robert_Emmons If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

Where do Mormons get the idea that drinking coffee is wrong? What is it about coffee that is so bad? Did Mormons always refrain from drinking coffee? We have a very special guest help us to understand this issue of coffee and the LDS. Eric Johnson works with a wonderful organization Mormonism Research Ministry http://www.mrm.org MRM is a wonderful ministry that will help equip you to share the true Gospel with those who are caught up in the lies of the LDS church. Eric is the author of the following books that we highly recommend: Sharing the Good News with Mormons https://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Good-News-Mormons-Conversation/dp/0736974067/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541656944&sr=8-1&keywords=eric+johnson+sean+mcdowell Mormonism 101 http://www.mrm.org/product/mormonism-101 Answering Mormons' Questions http://www.mrm.org/product/answering-mormons-questions If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

What is God's name? How does He reveal Himself in Scripture? Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God's name is Jehovah, but is that true? In this episode we take an in depth look at what Scripture says, and you might be surprised by what we uncover. If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com Here is a good article on the name Jehovah https://www.alwaysbeready.com/jehovahs-witnesses?id=120

When it comes to celebrating Halloween, Christians have many different opinions. Is it right or wrong for Christians to celebrate Halloween? What does Scripture say, what freedom do we have in Christ, and how can we be wise in our decision making? We hope that this episode will help you think through what Scriptures says and make an informed decision on what you should do. If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

When Jehovah's Witnesses come knocking at your door, are you prepared to give a defense for your belief that Jesus is God? This week's podcast should help. We will discuss how you can use the New World Translation (the JW translation of the Bible) to show your Jehovah's Witness friends that Jesus is God. As you listen to this podcast, take notes and place them in your Bible, so you are prepared for when Jehovah's Witnesses come to your door. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

What evidence do we have for the existence of God? Actually, we have plenty of evidence for this. In this episode we will discuss one of the arguments for God's existence called The Cosmological Argument. This argument will equip you to talk with your skeptical friends and family about the science and philosophy that points to God's existence. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

Are the stories from the Bible about Jesus merely copycat stories of ancient pagan mythology? What are the similarities between the stories of Jesus, Mithras, Osiris, and Horus? What evidence is there for these pagan myths? In this episode we will answer these questions and how to respond when someone objects to Christianity on the basis of pagan myths. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

Within our culture, a common objection to Christianity is the following statement: All religions are basically the same. While many of the worlds religions do have similarities, shouldn't we look at the differences? It seems that the differences are what truly matter, not the similarities. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip or ask us a question about apologetics, theology or culture, please contact us at Robby@dscchurch.com

Where is God when natural disasters strike? Why do hurricanes, forest fires, tsunamis and earthquakes occur? In this episode we explain what natural evil is and where it originated. We also give some practical tips on how to respond to people who accuse God of evil when natural disasters occur. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip, send it to Robby@dscchurch.com

Are there contradictions in the Bible? Many people make this claim in order to invalidate the Christian message. In this episode we share a few different apologetic arguments that will help you to answer this objection and help skeptics engage with the truth. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip, send it to Robby@dscchurch.com

"If God is real, why won't he show himself to me?" This is a common objection against Christianity, yet, there is actually a reason that God doesn't show himself to each and every person. This episode shows how God's hiddenness is actually a good and loving act. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip, send it to Robby@dscchurch.com

Do human beings have free will? What type of free will do we have? How does free will work with God's sovereignty? In this, our twentieth episode, we look into different views on free will and which of them works with Scripture and with the world we encounter. We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com If you would like to submit a coffee tip, send it to Robby@dscchurch.com

We answer a listener's questions about why people go to Hell and God's fairness in regard to those who have never heard about Jesus. Does God give everyone an opportunity to trust in Jesus? If not, is God unfair? Check out this weeks podcast and the answers we propose for these tough questions. If you would like to submit a coffee tip, send it to Robby@dscchurch.com We would love for you to attend the Deep Faith Apologetics Conference on October 20th. Check out our site for more details: http://deepfaithapologetics.com

Jesus commands that His followers are to go into all the world and make disciples. This week, we interview Wade Cooperrider, who is obeying Jesus' command as a missionary in the country of Nicaragua. The Lord is doing amazing things through Wade and his wife Shannon, and this episode will encourage you to fulfill Jesus' command wherever He has sent you to make disciples. If you would like to follow Wade and Shannon's adventures in Nicaragua, check out their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cooperriders2Nicaragua/ If you would like to support Wade and Shannon or even take a trip to join them in ministry, visit: http://bbfimissions.com/bbfi-missionaries/ and search for Wade Cooperrider.