We're back from summer break with a new study, Authentic Masculinity by Seth Troutt. As some churches attempt to attract men through a questionable theology that stresses headship, unquestioned household control and limited agency for wives and children, Troutt's book advocates a more accurate biblical standard of male conduct and behavior that conforms to neither so-called conservative nor liberal models. Up this week, discussion of the first two of four masculine virtues Troutt identifies: humility and discipline, characteristics you rarely find on lists of admirable or expected male traits.

Find Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God's Design at Amazon.com or order it from your favorite local bookseller.

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Is there a Christian mindset when it comes to spectator sports? Paul used sports analogies in 1 Corinthians, so clearly he had no issue with fandom. But how much awareness should we bring to an industry so deeply soaked with money and so demanding of time and attention? Make no mistake, like most guys we're both rabid sports fans, but there are some things about it that gives us pause. Just in time for college and pro football, not to mention baseball's pennant race, we toss wet blankets all around.

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An recent article in Christianity Today posed this question. Is Ozempic an an answer to prayers or does it represent a easy worldly response to a struggle that belongs only in the spiritual realm? Nonetheless, obesity is a health issue and, like it or not, research shows the world is biased against overweight people. Robert and Steve debate how Christians should approach obesity, medication, diet and health and if Satan really wins every time you grab a donut.

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Robert and Steve talk about AI, Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical and what ethical issues the technology raises for Christians. We debate the degree of value AI offers and whether it too easily can become a crutch that replaces human creativity and effort with "quick and cheap." Robert has fun prompting ChatGPT to create a sermon on Acts 1:6-9 for five different denominations.

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Welcome to our first Back Porch Banter podcast, a spin-off of No Church Answers! We’re going to be a little more informal, a little less structured. We'll spend more time on topical discussions while still maintaining a Christian perspective. First up we visit with No Church Answers' venerable host, Bill Cox, who has just published his new book The Man Up Formula: How Your Church Can Build an Effective Discipleship Group for Men. Bill talks about his experience as a "Sunday School Consumer" and how, when given the chance to launch his own men's group, broke the mold of standard Sunday School set-ups. Bill also talks about why men's church ministries are important and new ways a congregation can serve men in the church--and in turn motivate men to better serve the congregation.

The Man Up Formula Amazon.com link

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When Jesus said the last shall be first and whoever wants to be great must become a servant, he attached no qualifiers or provisos. In our last podcast before summer break, we confront the Bible truth of the upside-down Kingdom, even as some churches today preach that Christianity means national, political and cultural dominance. The Apostles James and John literally thought the Messianic mission meant a seat beside God's throne. Jesus admonished them otherwise. We talk about the Christ's command to witness through servanthood and the danger of looking for loopholes.

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In his second letter, Peter vigorously asserts the inevitable return of Jesus. Instead of debating the question of when, Peter emphasizes the importance of living righteously and in accord with the Lord's teaching during the great Second Advent. From there, we get the concept of "Imitation of Christ." Our good friend Dr. Chris Curran, senior pastor of Southland Baptist Church, San Angelo, Texas, joins us for a discussion on what we, individually and as a Church, should be doing while waiting for the Second Coming. Rather than squabbling in the pews, perhaps we should modeling life in the Kingdom to come and nurturing the spiritual fruits Paul (who gets a shout out here from Peter) lists in Galatians. Perhaps there are expectations to be gleaned in Matthew 24 and 25. What do you want Jesus find you doing when he returns?

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What do we mean by Bible inerrancy? We accept the Bible is essential truth, but is every passage and every story literally true? We talk about the authorship, history and authenticity of scripture, then we delve into our opinions about what's essential truth as opposed to literal and discover we have some different opinions. Did Adam live to be 960? Was there an Exodus? Was Jonah swallowed by a great fish? All this and more.

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