What truly defines a local church according to Scripture?

In this powerful new series, The Cornerstone Perspective explores one of the most vital questions every congregation must ask: Are we fulfilling the true biblical mission of the local church, or have we become something else—perhaps a well-intentioned faith-based nonprofit?

While faith-based organizations play an invaluable role in the Kingdom of God, the local church stands distinct in its divine calling and mission. In this multi-part series, we uncover the biblical non-negotiables that form the foundation of Christ’s Church—those essential truths and functions that cannot be redefined, diluted, or discarded.

Beginning with Episode One, we examine the first and most foundational non-negotiable:

Preaching the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Through Scripture, we’ll see how Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, Paul’s message to the Corinthians, and the consistent witness of the New Testament reveal that every true local church must be rooted in the pure, bold, Spirit-empowered proclamation of the Gospel. Because in the end, good works alone are not enough—only a people transformed by the living Christ can be His Church.

Join us as we journey through what it means to be THE Church.

In one of life’s hardest questions, we explore why with a loving God, pain, evil, and suffering exists in this world. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture shows us that suffering wasn’t God’s design but the result of humanity’s sin—and yet, God steps into our pain through Jesus Christ. Drawing on the wisdom of Job, the Psalms, Paul’s letters, and the words of Billy Graham, this episode unpacks how free will, love, and God’s greater plan of redemption give us hope in the midst of brokenness. Ultimately, we find assurance that in Christ, suffering is not the end, but the path to victory and eternal life.

1. 1. The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. (Job, Psalms 13, Genesis 1–3, Romans 5, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15, Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 53, Revelation 21).
   2. Augustine, St. The City of God. Translated by Marcus Dods. New York: Modern Library, 1950.
   3. Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica. Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province. New York: Benziger Brothers, 1947.
   4. Lewis, C. S. The Problem of Pain. San Francisco: HarperOne, 2009.
   5. Piper, John. Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006.
   6. Wright, N. T. Evil and the Justice of God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
   7. Carson, D. A. How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006.
   8. Graham, Billy. Answers to Life’s Problems: Guidance, Inspiration, and Hope for Daily Living. Waco: Word Books, 1988.

At some point — whether in seasons of success, moments of despair, or simple quiet reflection — we all ask the same question: Why am I here?

In this episode, we explore the search in life for meaning and fulfillment. From the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes, to modern voices who admit fame and wealth cannot satisfy, we discover a timeless truth: without God, life is empty. But in Christ, we find identity, purpose, and lasting joy.

Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of the Westminster Catechism, and the promise that we are created in God’s image, this episode unpacks how true purpose isn’t found in what we achieve, but in who God created us to be.

If you’ve ever wondered about your significance, your calling, or the meaning behind it all, this conversation will point you to the One who gives life its deepest purpose.

Reference:

1. Westminster Assembly. The Westminster Shorter Catechism. 1647. In The Confession of Faith, The Larger and Shorter Catechisms. Edinburgh: Free Church of Scotland, 1647/2003 edition. (Historical source of the catechism and the famous “chief end of man” conclusion).

2. Augustine. Confessions. Translated by Henry Chadwick. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. (A classic theological autobiography wrestling with purpose and fulfillment, concluding that the human soul is restless until it finds rest in God.

Ever asked yourself, "Is God really real?" You're not alone. That question has echoed through human consciousness since the beginning of time. The good news? Believing in God doesn't require blind faith—evidence exists all around us.

The scientific principle of cause and effect provides a compelling framework for understanding God's existence. Just as you wouldn't assume a cup of coffee materialized from nothing or that a light turned on without someone flipping a switch, we can apply this same logical principle to our universe. Both theology and science agree: our universe had a beginning. And anything that begins must have a cause outside itself—something beyond space, time, and matter.

What makes this evidence particularly striking is the extraordinary fine-tuning of our universe. The fundamental constants of nature—gravity's strength, electron charge, cosmic expansion rate—are calibrated with such precision that even minor variations would make life impossible. The mathematical probability of these precise conditions occurring randomly is effectively zero. This reality has convinced even committed skeptics like Dr. Antony Flew, who after decades defending atheism, concluded that the evidence points toward an intelligent creator.

Thomas Aquinas articulated this concept centuries ago, describing God as the "first mover"—the intelligent source directing all natural things toward their purpose. The Bible doesn't argue for God's existence; it simply declares it as fundamental reality: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." This isn't just poetic language—it's recognizing the cause-and-effect relationship between Creator and creation.

The universe's beauty, order, and capacity for life all point to an eternal, intelligent cause. Faith isn't a leap into darkness but a reasonable response to the evidence surrounding us. God has revealed Himself not just through scripture but through the intricate design of the natural world itself. Listen as we explore how science and faith converge on this most fundamental question of existence. Subscribe now and join the conversation about how faith and reason work together to reveal the God who really is real.

Reference:

Philosophy & Theology (Cause & Effect, First Cause Argument)

•Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica, Part I, Question 2, Article 3: The Five Ways.

Cosmology & The Beginning of the Universe

•Craig, William Lane. The Kalam Cosmological Argument.

Fine-Tuning Argument (Physics & Probability)

•Collins, Robin. “The Teleological Argument: An Exploration of the Fine-Tuning of the Universe.”

Modern Physics & the Big Bang

•Penrose, Roger. The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe.

Atheism to Theism Conversion (Antony Flew)

•Flew, Antony, with Roy Abraham Varghese. There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind.

The Law of Cause & Effect (Philosophical Foundation)

•Aristotle. Physics. The Complete Works of Aristotle

Apologetics & Accessible Defense of God’s Existence

•Strobel, Lee. The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God.

Mathematics & Probability Against Chance Universe

•Hoyle, Fred. “The Universe: Past and Present Reflections.” Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

The Bible as Theological Witness

•The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1).