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Beyond the tinsel and the presents and the turkey and the mistletoe; beyond the wisemen and the Shepherds, the manger and Bethlehem; there lies a richer, deeper, and more mysterious message of Christmas. The Bible does not simply paint a picture of the first Christmas being for people then and now; book for the whole cosmic and natural world .

Incarnation lies as one of the great mysteries and profound truths of scripture. CS Lewis defined it as the, “central miracle” of scripture, while Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck referred to it as the “Central fact” in all revelation.

This week the Curious team go back before the manger, in an attempt to open up the cosmic and eternal reality of the Christmas story. Grappling with the profound nature of Colossians 1:15–20, defining Jesus as “the first born of all creation”, who was “before all things”; to the majestic Philippians 2 of Christ humbling and emptying himself, the team reflect on the cosmic ripple of Christmas

Join them this week as they reflect on the eternal and timeless value of the Christmas story
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Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a couple of articles that compliment this episode….

The Christmas Miracle of the Incarnation of the Omnipresent Word - DesiringGod.org

The Miracle of Christmas - AnneGrahamLotz.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy!

Timothy Keller — Hidden Christmas

Adam Hamilton — Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

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Christian orthodoxy has insisted that it is a monotheistic faith. It believes in one God. And yet it speaks and holds to this one God as being three! If God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, then how can Christians continue to insist He is but one God? Why is it that no other world religion adheres to such an understanding of God—even the traditionally monotheistic religions of Islam and Judaism! Where did this understanding of God come from? After all, we find no where in the Bible where the word “trinity” is mentioned; so how do we know it’s a Bible based truth? Has the church always believed this? What did the early church say about it?

In this weeks episode, the curious team dig in to what is meant by the “threeness” of God. Looking back into the earliest accounts of the church fathers, and the understandings of the various church councils over the centuries, and the Bibles own presentation of God and His salvific purposes; the team seek to define what is meant by a three in one God. Along the way, they touch on historical attempts to define this triune being, (modalism, subordinationism and tritheism) that ultimately proved to be faulty and were collectively rejected. They also explore the concepts of diversity, unity and perichoresis!

Join the team this week as they dig deep into this historically significant bedrock of Christian orthodoxy

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode….

The Holy Trinity - Christianity.com

Can We Explain the Trinity? - DesiringGod.org

Alister McGrath: Thinking About the Trinity - Christinity.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…(including Michael Gaitley’s from within a more Roman Catholic framework)…enjoy!

Robert Letham — The Holy Trinity

Edited by John Thompson — Modern Trinitarian Perspectives

Michael Gaitley — The One Thing Is Three: How the Most Holy Trinity Explains Everything

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Can God really be pleased with me even if I don’t believe? If I live with good intentions, and perform good deeds, will it draw the favour of God to me? Does the Bible infer that one’s behaviour can draw the attention of heaven? What about Cornelius in Acts 10? Wasn’t he brought to God‘s attention through his good works? Is the goodness of God contingent on the level of acceptability he offers to individuals? How do we understand common grace in the broader context of the goodness and justice of God? Think about Matthew 25, the sheep and the goats. Doesn’t it teach us about the power of good actions? Can good works in of themselves create a space in which God reveals himself to people who may not explicitly believe? How does justice and mercy work together?

God’s salvific relations to faith and our good works is a complicated and complex issue that gives rise to multiple questions. This week the curious team examine the difficult and at times contentious place our behaviour and deeds take in the overall salvific purposes of God. Was James in his epistle, truly offering an alternative to Paul or merely addressing a balance? How important is what we do in connection to what we believe? These difficult issues and more, the team dig into. Join us this week in what promises to be a rather interesting conversation.

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode….

How Are Faith and Works Related When it Comes to Salvation? - EPM.org

Faith and Works - TheGospelCoalition.org

Is My Salvation an Event or a Process - DesiringGod.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy!

Thomas H. McCall, Caleb T. Friedeman & Matt T. Friedeman — The Doctrine of Good Works

Thomas R. Schreiner — Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification

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It is fair to say that the person of Jesus has probably sparked more conversation, intrigue and controversy than any other person in history. But where did he come from? Did he have a beginning or, as an ancient writers teach, he simply always was! In this episode, we step back before Bethlehem—before manger, straw, shepherd songs, or even the name Jesus itself—to ask who the Christ truly was before he walked among us. Was his divine identity something he discovered, revealed, or always knew? What does the mystery of the virgin conception tell us, and what misunderstandings does it sweep aside?

Join the Curious team this week as they find themselves in conversation with American writer and theologian Stephen Wellum, around his fascinating book “God the Son Incarnate”. Together they explore the preexistence and uniqueness of Christ, pushing through the adoptionist and Arian detours to glimpse a deeper, older story—one that began long before the world did. Tune in to what promises to be a very thoughtful and enlightening episode

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode….

Before Time Began, Jesus Was - DesiringGod.org

Was Jesus Created? - Christianity.com

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode.
We’ve included two of Stephen’s books which we believe you’ll find wonderfully interesting…enjoy!

Stephen Wellum — God the Son Incarnate
Stephen Wellum — Christ Alone
Tom Wright — Simply Jesus

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

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What did God do before He created anything? It’s a question that invites both wonder and mystery — and in this episode, we dive into how philosophers and theologians have wrestled with it for centuries. Is time something that flows on its own, as Newton imagined, or is it something that exists only in relation to God and creation? We explore whether God is timeless — dwelling in an eternal “now” as Boethius described — or everlasting, moving with time without being limited by it. Along the way, we consider what it means for God to sustain the universe, how divine immutability fits with action in time, and what “zero-time” might mean for a Creator who stands both outside and within His creation.

This week the Curious team dive into this mystery in the company of theologian and philosopher Alan Padgett. Relating to Alan’s book ‘God, Eternity, and the Nature of Time’; Alan and the team explore God’s relationship to time and eternity, and how God can remain changeless in an ever changing world. Join the team this week for a thoughtful and enlightening episode

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode….

How Does God Relate to Time? - TableTalkMagazine

What is God's Relationship to Time? - Christianity.com

God and Time Theories - Reasons.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode.
We’ve included Alan’s book as well as a couple of others we think you’ll find interesting…enjoy!

Alan Padgett — God, Eternity, and the Nature of Time

Paul Helm — Eternal God: A Study of God Without Time

Edited by Gregory E. Ganssle — God and Time: Four Views

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

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C. S. Lewis wrote, “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good….”. Trying very hard to be good is a Christian’s preoccupation, and with that often comes a deep sense of anxiety and fear. Paul captured something of this anxiety autobiographically in Romans 7—“I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate”.

All of us as Christians struggle a great deal with the tension of knowing we’re called to be holy and Christlike, yet equally being painfully aware of our very evident humanness. We toy with such anxieties like will God bless me even though I do so many things wrong? How can I ever hope to meet the demand of holiness given my obvious weaknesses? The dutch theologian Herman Bavinck noted that the Christian’s dilemma lies in the fact that; “He knows that he must be holy, for without holiness no one will see the Lord; but he also knows that on this earth he will never attain to that holiness”, concluding, “His life is therefore a continual battle”.

This week the Curious team take a look at the age old tension between holiness and humanness. How we cope with the discouragement that comes when we feel we can never hit the mark or measure up. That we may forfeit blessing of one kind or another unless we get it together! The team examine what is meant by holiness, and how biblical understanding of holiness is enfolded into our union with Christ.

For all those who have struggled in this tension, this episode is for you! By looking through the practical power of confession, grace, community and sound practices; the team bring hope and strength to this difficult area. Join the team this week for an encouraging diagnosis of the holy/human dilemma!

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode….

Brothers and Sisters, Fight for Holiness! - TheGospelCoalition.org

An Open Letter to Those Frustrated by Their Progress in Sanctification - Crossway.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode. We’ve included 3 great titles below and would strongly recommend all of them!

Jared C Wilson — Imperfect Disciple: Grace for People Who Can't Get Their Act Together

Michael Yaconelli — Messy Spirituality: God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People

Kevin DeYoung — The Hole in Our Holiness

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

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In October 1991, Jerry Sittser and his family were returning from a time away when their minivan was hit head on by a drunk driver. Jerry lost his wife, his mother, and his four-year-old daughter in the collision. Jerry was to spend many years trying to rebuild his life whilst equally looking after his three other surviving children.

How do we cope when our world is ripped apart? Where do we go, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, when all we’ve loved and known is taken from us? How does profound loss and deep tragedy affect our understanding of life, people and family? How do such moments inform our belief in God? How do they shape, or reshape our understanding of a God of love and kindness?

This week the Curious team are in conversation with professor emeritus, theologian and writer Jerry Sittser. With touching honesty Jerry reflects on that dark moment all those years ago, and the journey since, speaking openly of pain, loss and faith. Jerry insists that you don't have to merely cope, but can grow in and through the dark and painful moments of life

For all those who have struggled making sense of their hurt; for those especially trying to come to terms with a God of love in the face of such overwhelmingly painful experiences; Jerry’s words will resonate in a very soulful way. Join the team this week for some very personal and honest dialogue.

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliments this episode….
The Waves of Grief Will Give Way - DesiringGod.org

A Grief Observed - Ligonier.org

God's Purpose in your Pain - Plough.com

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode.
We’ve included below Jerry’s excellent and plain talking book, as well as a couple of other highly recommended ones….

Jerry Sittser — A Grace Disguised: How The Soul Grows Through Loss

C. S. Lewis — A Grief Observed

Tim Challies — Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

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Is the bible opposed to same sex relationships? Don’t the texts (Leviticus 18 and 22, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10), provide all the evidence we need to tell us that the Bible stands against all things LGBTQIA+? What about creation? Adam and Eve? Surely these passages in Scripture tell us all we need to know?

In this intriguing episode the Curious team are joined by minister, theologian and writer Jonathan Tallon reflecting on his book ‘Affirmative’. Together they traverse the thorny and all important scriptural references that are claimed to condemn any same-sex attraction. This episode pulls no punches, it deals with all the difficult passages in detail offering some surprising insights and drawing some interesting conclusions.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what God thinks of same-sex attraction, whether being gay is something that contradicts scripture, and how are we to think and address the LGBTQIA+ community, then this episode is a must listen. Join the team this week for an honest, hard-hitting, straight-talking episode!

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you….please note, we’ve included articles supporting both traditional and progressive perspectives for the sake of balance..…

We recommend you take a good look at Jonathan’s website. Click the link below…
https://www.bibleandhomosexuality.org/about/

Has "homosexual" always been in the Bible? - UMInsight.net

How should Christians Respond to Gay Friends or Family Members? - Biola.edu

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode. For the sake of balance we’ve included those books that reflect both a progressive and traditional understanding of the subject…enjoy;

James V Brownson — Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships

Jonathan Tallon — Affirmative: Why You Can Say Yes to the Bible and Yes to People Who Are LGBTQI+

Danny Brierly — To Inclusion and Beyond: Evangelical and Affirming LGBTQ+ Relationships and Equal Marriage

Robert A. J. Gagnon — The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

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