Is This Actually Biblical? | “God is Love”… But Not What You Think

In this short episode of A Matter of Truth, we explore the profound biblical truth about God’s love — not the sentimental, watered-down version so common today, but the holy, sovereign, and perfect love revealed in Scripture. We tackle the tough questions: Does God love everyone the same? How can a loving God allow suffering? If God loves the world, why doesn’t He save everyone? And how can a God of love also pour out wrath on sinners?

We examine God’s universal common grace (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Romans 2:4) alongside His particular, electing love for those given to the Son — a blood-bought, unbreakable love sealed by Jesus’ sacrifice (John 17; Ephesians 1; Romans 8). You’ll see how God’s perfect hatred for sin and evil magnifies the greatness of His love displayed at the cross (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10).

We also confront easy believism and shallow Christianity by showing that because God’s love is so great, true believers are called to love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind through obedience (Matthew 22:37; 1 John 4:7-10). Jesus perfectly loved and obeyed the Father unto death (John 4:34) — something we as fallen sinners cannot do apart from Him.

This episode magnifies the glory of God’s attributes working together in perfect harmony and calls every listener to repent and believe the gospel today.

Search the Scriptures with us. Cling to Christ. Walk in His love.

Scripture References: 1 John 4:8, Psalm 145:9, Matthew 5:45, Romans 5:8, John 3:16-21, Ephesians 2:1-3, Hebrews 9:27, Matthew 22:37, and more.

#GodsLove #BiblicalTruth #ReformedTheology #SolaScriptura #GospelTruth #JesusChrist #ChristianPodcast #GodIsLove #Sanctification #FaithAlone #amatteroftruth #Gracetoyou #speaklife #speaktruth #Godislove #mytruth #truthforlife

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Ever wondered what we’re really saying when we confess in the Apostles’ Creed, ‘He descended to the dead’? In this episode of A Matter of Truth, Anthony and co-host Alex tackle one of the most misunderstood lines in the Creed from a Reformed Baptist and confessional Lutheran perspective.

We cut through the myths, medieval legends, and modern distortions—Roman Catholic Harrowing of Hell, Eastern dramatic imagery, progressive metaphors, Mormon second chances, and more—and return straight to Scripture. Jesus really died. His soul truly entered the realm of the dead. Yet the atonement was finished on the cross—nothing extra needed. The descent is not more suffering; it is the bold announcement of victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness.

We unpack the hypostatic union, the biblical geography of Sheol/Hades vs. Gehenna, key passages like 1 Peter 3, Acts 2, Ephesians 4, and the real pastoral comfort this brings when facing grief and death. Christ has gone before us, holds the keys, and because He lives, we will live too.

If you’ve ever recited the Creed and wondered what it actually means, or if you’re searching for clear biblical hope in a confusing world, this episode is for you.

Stand firm on the Word. Rest in the finished work of Christ.

Resources:

"He Descended to the Dead": An Evangelical Theology of Holy Saturday

https://www.okbu.edu/directory/matthew-emerson

John MacArthur: DID JESUS VISIT HELL?

https://thebookofconcord.org/introductory-materials/historical-introductions/controversy-over-christs-descent-into-hell/

https://www.gty.org/sermons/80-376/the-truth-about-hell

https://www.lutheranlibrary.org/b22-christs-descent-into-hell/

#ApostlesCreed #HeDescendedToTheDead #ReformedBaptist #ConfessionalLutheran #SolaScriptura #ChristVictory #FinishedWorkOfChrist #BiblicalTheology #ChristianPodcast #GospelHope #TheologyPodcast #ReformedTheology #LutheranTheology #DeathAndResurrection #ChristianHope #heisrisen #easter #goodnews #newstoday

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The Gospel of “Don’t judge me.” It is the ultimate conversation-stopper. In a culture that equates tolerance with affirmation, Matthew 7:1 has been hijacked and weaponized to silence truth and normalize sin. But did Jesus really command us to turn a blind eye to wickedness?

In this episode of A Matter of Truth, we’re stripping away the modern layers of the "Judge Not" narrative to find the heart of Christ’s command. We explore the critical distinction between hypocritical condemnation and righteous discernment, looking at a consistent standard from the Old Testament to the Church Fathers that has often been traded for cultural comfort.

As we open this conversation, we’ll take a high-level look at these themes, not as an exhaustive study, but as a starting point for reclaiming biblical clarity.

Join us as we discuss:

• The Plank and the Speck: Why Christ calls for rigorous self-examination as the necessary foundation for helping others navigate their own struggles.

• The Cost of "Niceness": Examining how a modern emphasis on social pleasantries can unintentionally create a barrier to genuine repentance and growth.

• Spheres of Accountability: Understanding why the Bible holds those within the Church to a different standard of conduct than the world outside.

• The Ministry of Restoration: How speaking truth with a heart of love serves as the highest form of Christian charity and communal care.

It’s time to stop using the Bible as a shield for sin and start using it as a lamp for holiness. Is it "judgmental" to call sin what God calls it? Let’s find out.

#BibleStudy #TheologyMatters #ChristianPodcast #ScriptureAlone #GospelTruth #Apologetics #Discernment #ExpositoryPreaching #BiblicalWorldview #ChurchHistory #SoundDoctrine #Truth #Jesus #Faith #ChristianLiving #JudgeNot #Repentance #AMatterOfTruth

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