Written and Read
Temporada 2
por Robert C Crowder
The word redeemed appears throughout Scripture, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of Written and Read, Dr. Robert C. Crowder and McKenzie Fleming explore one of the most beautiful pictures of salvation found in the Bible. Redemption speaks of a price being paid to secure freedom, and throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God uses this imagery to reveal the saving work of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Israel's deliverance from Egypt and continuing through the laws concerning the kinsman-redeemer, listeners will discover that redemption is woven into the very fabric of God's redemptive story. Every sacrifice, every ransom, and every act of deliverance pointed forward to the One who would come to purchase sinners with His own blood. The New Testament declares that Jesus Christ came "to give his life a ransom for many." His death on the cross was not merely an act of compassion; it was the payment that secured our eternal freedom. Through His blood, believers have forgiveness of sins, release from bondage, and the promise of everlasting life. This episode explains why redemption is much more than forgiveness alone. Christ not only cancels our debt but transfers us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. Understanding redemption fills the believer's heart with gratitude and deepens our worship of the Redeemer who willingly paid the price we could never pay.
Few doctrines have shaped Christian history more profoundly than justification by faith. It answers one of life's greatest questions: How can guilty sinners stand accepted before a perfectly holy God? In this episode of Written and Read, Dr. Robert C. Crowder and McKenzie Fleming examine the biblical doctrine of justification and explain why it stands at the very heart of the Gospel. Beginning with Abraham's faith in Genesis and continuing through Paul's teaching in Romans and Galatians, this episode demonstrates that salvation has always been by God's grace through faith. God does not justify sinners because they earn His favor or perform enough religious works. He justifies them because Jesus Christ fulfilled every requirement of God's holy law and paid the full penalty for sin through His death on the cross. Listeners will discover the difference between being forgiven and being justified. Forgiveness removes guilt, but justification goes even further by declaring the believer righteous before God. Through faith in Christ, believers receive a new standing before God that can never be lost because it rests entirely upon Christ's righteousness rather than human performance. This episode also addresses common misunderstandings about faith, works, legalism, and assurance of salvation, helping believers understand why justification provides both confidence and humility. When we understand justification correctly, our gratitude for God's grace grows, our worship deepens, and our confidence rests securely in Christ alone.
What does it mean to be reconciled to God? Sin did more than make humanity guilty before God. It broke the fellowship mankind was created to enjoy with Him. From Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden to Paul’s description of sinners as alienated and enemies of God, Scripture reveals a relationship that human effort could never repair. In this episode of Written and Read, McKenzie Fleming and Dr. Robert C. Crowder explore the biblical doctrine of reconciliation. Beginning in Genesis and moving through Romans 5, 2 Corinthians 5, Colossians 1, and Ephesians 2, they trace how God took the initiative to restore sinners to Himself through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation shows us another side of the saving work of Christ. Through the blood of His cross, Christ made peace, removed the barrier created by sin, and brought those who were far from God near. The Gospel is not merely about escaping judgment. Through Christ, those who were once enemies are welcomed into fellowship with God. Scripture References:Genesis 3:8–10, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:10–11, Romans 12:18, John 15:4, 2 Corinthians 5:18–21, Ephesians 2:13–18, Colossians 1:20–22
What actually happens within a person when he or she is saved? Jesus answered that question in His conversation with Nicodemus: “Ye must be born again.” The Christian life does not begin with self-improvement, religious effort, or a determination to become a better person. It begins with the supernatural work of God giving spiritual life to someone who was spiritually dead. In this episode of Written and Read, McKenzie Fleming and Dr. Robert C. Crowder examine the biblical doctrine of regeneration. Beginning with Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3, they explore why the new birth is necessary, what it means to be born of the Spirit, and how passages such as Titus 3 and Ephesians 2 help us understand the work of God in making sinners alive in Christ. The conversation also considers what changes when a person is born again, how regeneration differs from the lifelong process of sanctification, and what evidence of new spiritual life looks like in the believer. Regeneration is not the improvement of the old life. It is the beginning of new life in Jesus Christ. Scripture References:John 3:1–7, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:1–10, Ezekiel 36:25–27, John 1:12–13, 2 Corinthians 5:17, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23, Romans 8:14–16, 1 John 5:11–13
If God has given us new life in Christ, why do we still struggle with sin? That question troubles many sincere Christians. We know we have been saved, yet temptation remains. Old habits sometimes return. Spiritual growth can seem painfully slow. Does the continuing struggle mean something went wrong when we were saved? In this episode of Written and Read, McKenzie Fleming and Dr. Robert C. Crowder explore the biblical doctrine of sanctification and the encouraging answer Scripture gives to that question. Beginning with Paul’s declaration, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,” they examine how God continues the work He began when He saved us. Through passages including 1 Thessalonians 4, Romans 12, Galatians 5, and Philippians 1, they consider the believer’s continuing battle with sin, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, the importance of God’s Word, and the believer’s responsibility to yield to God in faith and obedience. Regeneration gives us spiritual life. Sanctification is God developing that life. The Christian life is not instant perfection, but continuing growth as God patiently shapes His children into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Scripture References 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; Romans 12:1–2; John 17:17; Romans 6:11–14; Romans 7:18–25; Romans 8:29; Galatians 5:16–17, 22–25; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:12–13; 2 Corinthians 3:18
When God saved us, He did more than forgive our sins. He welcomed us into His family. The doctrine of adoption answers one of the most personal questions in salvation: What relationship did God give us with Himself when He saved us? Scripture tells us that those who trust Jesus Christ are not left standing at a distance from God. They are given the privilege of becoming His children and calling Him Father. In this episode of Written and Read, McKenzie Fleming and Dr. Robert C. Crowder explore the biblical doctrine of adoption through Romans 8, Galatians 4, and other key passages. They examine what it means to receive “the Spirit of adoption,” why believers can cry, “Abba, Father,” and how Christ’s work of redemption made our entrance into God’s family possible. Adoption gives the believer a new relationship, a place of belonging, the loving care and correction of a heavenly Father, fellowship with God’s family, and the promise of an eternal inheritance. Salvation does more than change our standing before God. Through Jesus Christ, God makes us His children. Scripture References Romans 8:14–18, 23, 29; Galatians 4:4–7; John 1:12–13; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:3–6; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 12:5–11; 1 John 3:1–3; 1 Peter 1:3–5
How can a holy God declare a guilty sinner righteous without ignoring sin or lowering His standard? The biblical doctrine of imputation takes us to the heart of that question and, ultimately, to the heart of the Gospel. In this episode of Written and Read, Dr. Robert Crowder and McKenzie Fleming examine what Scripture means when it speaks of righteousness being “counted,” “reckoned,” or credited to the believer. Beginning with Abraham in Romans 4 and following Paul’s testimony in Philippians 3, they explore the great exchange accomplished through Jesus Christ: our sin placed upon Christ and His righteousness credited to those who believe. Imputation reminds us that our acceptance before God does not rest upon our religious performance, personal goodness, or ability to make ourselves worthy. The believer's confidence rests in Christ and in the righteousness God provides through faith in Him. The result is neither spiritual pride nor carelessness about holiness, but humility, gratitude, confidence, and worship. This is grace applied personally: not our righteousness, but His. Primary Scriptures: Romans 4:3–8, Philippians 3:7–9 Supporting Scriptures: Genesis 15:6, Isaiah 53:4–6, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:21–26, Romans 5:12–19, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:6–9, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Can a Christian really know that he is saved? And when doubts arise, where should the believer look for assurance? In this episode of Written and Read, Dr. Robert Crowder and McKenzie Fleming examine the biblical doctrine of assurance of salvation and an important distinction that Christians sometimes miss: eternal security describes the security of the believer's salvation in Christ, while assurance describes the believer's confidence in that security. Beginning with 1 John 5:11–13 and Jesus’ words in John 10:27–30, they show that God does not leave His children dependent upon changing emotions to determine whether they belong to Him. The believer's assurance rests upon the finished work of Jesus Christ and the promises God has given in His Word. Feelings change. Spiritual struggles come. Christians sometimes fail and require confession, correction, and restoration. Yet none of those things means Christ has abandoned those who belong to Him. Scripture directs the believer away from confidence in his own ability to keep himself saved and toward confidence in the Savior who keeps His own. Primary Scriptures 1 John 5:11–13; John 10:27–30 Secondary/Supporting Scriptures John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:37–40; Romans 6:1–2; Romans 8:1, 31–39; Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 4:30; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:5–11; 1 Peter 1:3–5; 1 John 1:9
The Christian life includes wonderful truths that are already ours in Christ, but Scripture also points believers toward something still to come. We have eternal life now. We belong to God now. Yet we still struggle with sin, suffer, grow weary, and live in mortal bodies. Our present condition is not our final condition. In this episode of Written and Read, Dr. Robert Crowder and McKenzie Fleming examine the biblical doctrine of glorification. Beginning with the promise of 1 John 3 that “when he shall appear, we shall be like him,” they consider what Scripture says about the future transformation of everyone who belongs to Christ. Philippians 3 points to Christ changing our present bodies, while Romans 8 places present suffering alongside the glory God has promised. Glorification is not human self-improvement carried to its highest level. It is God's future work in the believer when Christ comes. The presence of sin will finally be gone, our present mortality will give way to the future God has promised, and we will be fitted for eternal life in His presence. Christian hope therefore looks beyond present weakness and suffering toward Christ Himself and the day when we shall see Him as He is. Primary Scriptures 1 John 3:2–3; Philippians 3:20–21 Secondary/Supporting Scriptures Romans 8:18–30; 1 Corinthians 15:49–53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 21:1–5
The resurrection is the historical, bodily raising of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day, demonstrating His victory over sin and death and guaranteeing the future resurrection and eternal life of all who belong to Him. Episode Aim: To help believers understand that Christianity stands or falls upon the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that because Christ lives, the believer possesses forgiveness, hope, victory over death, and the certainty of future resurrection. Primary Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:12–22, John 11:25–26 Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 28:1–10, Luke 24:36–43, John 20:24–29, Acts 1:1–3, Acts 2:22–36, Acts 17:30–31, Romans 1:4, Romans 4:24–25, Romans 6:4–11, 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, 35–58, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Revelation 1:17–18