Why did God give us free will? If He’s all-powerful and all-knowing, is the future already set in stone? In this episode, the team wrestles with some of the biggest questions: God’s sovereignty versus man’s will, the purpose of free will, and whether predestination leaves any room for choice. We ask if sin was created by God – or simply allowed – and explore the idea that a real relationship with God had to involve the possibility of rejecting Him. From predestination to the promise that God wills all to be saved, we’re putting it all On the Table as we talk candidly about free will.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:03 Sneak peek
0:01:10 Intro
0:01:31 Welcome and prologue
0:03:16 God’s sovereignty vs. man’s will
0:08:06 Why did God allow free will?
0:17:39 Is the future set because God knows it?
0:21:21 Predestination
0:23:24 Choice creates reality
0:25:37 Wheeler’s Delayed-Choice Theory
0:30:14 God’s will is that all would be saved
0:32:29 God won’t blot you out based on your works
0:34:06 Sin had to be an option for us to have free will
0:42:39 God is just and merciful
0:45:48 God is loving and sacrificial
0:47:21 Choose God!
0:52:31 Good works don’t save you
0:55:04 Did God create sin?
0:57:17 Free will in Heaven
1:03:48 Outro

What are your God-given sub-missions? The word submission has carried some serious baggage in Christian culture – often weaponized against women and misused in marriages. But what if Biblical submission has nothing to do with hierarchy and everything to do with love? In this episode of On the Table, the team unpacks the real meaning of submission through the lens of Jesus, who didn’t dominate, but served. We revisit the Garden, challenge selective readings of Paul, and explore how the curse was broken in Christ. This isn’t about control – it’s about mission, mutual support, and daily acts of Spirit-led sacrificial gifts that uplift others. Let’s talk about what it truly means to submit in a Kingdom where there is neither male nor female, but unity in Christ.

Is your faith life just one big cosmic to-do list? In this episode of On the Table, the crew tackles the age-old tension between law and Spirit – Old Testament rules vs. New Testament relationship. We’re talking about moving beyond the “don’t steal your neighbor’s stuff” kind of goodness and into something deeper: being free in the Spirit and actually loving people. Jesus came to make freedom of living and loving in the Spirit the new norm. So why are we still trying to earn spiritual brownie points? The team unpacks why living by the Spirit means trusting God, breaking free from our rule-loving comfort zones, and letting love – not duty – lead the way. It’s not about sinning less; it’s about loving more. Buckle up for a grace-filled, boundary-breaking conversation that just might make you rethink your understanding of what it means to be free in Christ.

Have you ever poured your heart out in prayer and felt like heaven was silent? In this episode of On the Table, the team wrestles with the tension between faith and prayer. What does it mean to truly have faith? Is it fair to say unanswered prayers are the result of “not enough faith”? And does God still perform miracles today? Laurel shares her personal testimony of being healed from scoliosis, sparking a deeper discussion: How does God choose to respond to our prayers – and why does it feel like the answer is no to some, but yes to others? Join us as we ask the hard questions, explore the mystery of divine timing, and lean into the truth that God hears us – even when the answers don’t come the way we expect.

If you grew up in the 90's and early 2000's you may have heard about Purity Culture. This fad of doctrine emphasized setting rules and boundaries for yourself to keep yourself from having sex, being a temptation to others, and becoming pregnant out of wedlock. While those who conceived this Christian cultural dogma were well-intentioned, the ideas of strict legalistic adherence to the given rules created a group of confused, fearful, and shame-filled Christian youth and young adults. The team discusses the purity principle, its shortcomings, and what a grace-focused approach to dating can look like. This week, Purity Culture is On the Table.

Earth has many characteristics that make it unique to support life. From its slight tilt to the properties of water and its location in the solar system to the moon's importance, the earth was created specifically for plants, animals, and humans to have and enjoy life. We are not scientists, but we sure appreciate the scientific evidence of God's creation. Have you been wondering about the laws of thermodynamics, the fundamental constants, or how a teenager's room is proof of entropy? Join us this week as we put the Anthropic Principle On the Table.

In this episode of On the Table, the group asks many questions about the human spirit and soul. Are our souls and spirits eternal? Is your spirit from God? What happens to the spirit and soul if people don't believe in Jesus as their Savior? Is Annihilation Theory biblical? Join this lively, honest, and occasionally wild discussion where no question is too big and no answer is guaranteed. We are not experts, but we come armed with curiosity and a sincere desire to explore the big stuff together.

Whether it was playing in sports or band as a kid, or being a pastor or programmer as an adult, Phillip has worn many hats. But his love for Jesus and his desire to encourage the discouraged have always defined who he is, no matter what hat he wears. In this episode of On the Table, Phillip shares his story with you. Let his journey inspire you to live life unencumbered by the bonds of legalism, to dig into the Bible and discover the grace Jesus offers, and to refuse to let the world dictate what you do or believe. Phillip's passion for sharing and teaching the Word of God, and for loving people, paints the perfect portrait of this preacher, programmer, and PopPop to his three precious princess granddaughters.