The Berean Post Podcast

The Berean Post Podcast

by Dwaine Senechal
ChristianityReligion
Season 1

Unpacking the Biblical Definition of a Saint: What It Means to Be Called a Saint Col 1:2

The apostle Paul begins his letter to the brothers and sisters at the church in Colossae by calling them saints. According to the biblical definition of a saint, Paul’s greeting should not come as a surprise. However, the biblical definition of a saint may not be immediately clear to the modern reader, as the word has gained different definitions over the years. Thus, when Paul begins his letter to the Colossians by addressing the church members as saints, it may leave some wondering about the definition of this term according to the Bible. Let’s explore this together.
S1 · E2
Mar 3, 2023
8:29

73. Head coverings 1 Cor 11: 3-16

We would have agreed with many who believe a woman’s natural hair is her covering in times past. But after considering the text once again, can we argue this is Paul's intended meaning? And would it also mean that the man should be bald to be consistent with the text? Here are some reasons we no longer adhere to such a view.
E73
Mar 29, 2024
18:52

66. Bridging Old and New Testaments -1 Co 10:1–5 Part 2

Seeing Jesus in it all The concept of being "under the cloud" refers to the divine presence that guided the Israelites during their desert journey. In a Christian context, Jesus identifies himself with the divine presence, symbolizing guidance, protection, and a continuous relationship with God. The scenario of passing through the sea, specifically the Red Sea, symbolizes liberation from bondage and a transformative journey. In Christian theology, Jesus is seen as the liberator and the pathway to salvation. The sea represents the challenges and obstacles of life, and Jesus is the means through which believers navigate and overcome these challenges. In the context of the Israelites receiving manna in the wilderness, Jesus is often identified as the ultimate spiritual nourishment. He refers to himself as the "bread of life" in the New Testament, symbolizing sustenance for believers. The manna serves as a foreshadowing of the spiritual sustenance that Jesus provides through his teachings and sacrificial death. The rock struck by Moses in the wilderness, bringing forth water, is seen as a symbol of God's provision. In the New Testament, Paul draws on this imagery, identifying Christ as the spiritual Rock. Jesus, in this context, represents the source of living water and the foundation of faith. The striking of the rock becomes a metaphor for Christ's sacrificial act, providing life and sustenance for believers.
Jan 1, 2024
12:44

54. Living in the Last Hour - 1 Co 7:31

In these passages, John cautions the first readers of his writings about misleading influences and stresses the need to stay vigilant. He subtly points towards the anticipation of significant events tied to Jesus Christ's return. When he mentions, "it is the last hour," it implies that the early Christian community believed they were in the final times before Christ's return.
Oct 16, 2023
10:39

48. The Sanctity of Marriage: Paul's Teachings on Divorce 1 Co 7:10–16

“Most recently, research conducted at Harvard University’s School of Public Health reveals that regularly attending church services together reduces a couple’s risk of divorce by a remarkable 47 per cent. Many studies, they report, have similar results ranging from 30 to 50 per cent reduction in divorce risk. Happily, this holds largely true for white, black, Asian and Latino couples.”
Sep 14, 2023
13:02

43. Inheritance of the Kingdom 1 Corinthians 6:7–11

We find it interesting that Paul uses the phrase “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” It does not say “will not go to heaven,” yet this is how we have read this text before. However, we would argue that the concept of "heaven," as understood in modern Western Christian culture, is not always directly equivalent to how it was understood in the ancient biblical and Jewish context. The kingdom of God is a broader concept that encompasses God's rule and reign over all creation, and the idea of inheriting it reflects a deeper connection to God's plan for humanity. The phrase "inherit the kingdom of God" carries a broader theological emphasis on the overall state of righteousness and relationship with God rather than just a physical destination. It encompasses the idea that those who are unrighteous, practicing ungodly behaviors, and not living by God's principles will not experience His kingdom's fullness, including God's blessings and presence, regardless of whether that is understood as heaven or a new state of existence.
Aug 16, 2023
10:18

41. Letting the Word of Christ Dwell Richly Within: An Exploration of Colossians 3:16 -Part 5

Paul urges the Colossians to understand Christ's teachings rather than simply memorizing scripture deeply. The expense of books and widespread illiteracy in biblical times suggest that Paul was not referring to memorization, as it would not have been practical for most people. Instead, Paul likely encouraged the Colossians to internalize and apply Christ's teachings in their daily lives, allowing them to live in a way that reflects the wisdom and reasoning of Christ. In other words, he told the Colossians to think like Jesus, as our thinking governs our actions. Paul's understanding of this concept developed over time, becoming more crystallized by the time he wrote to the Roman church, where he beseeched them to present their bodies as a living sacrifice and be transformed by renewing their minds through the indwelling words of Christ.
Apr 22, 2023
11:31

34. Dying to Self, rising in Christ: Understanding Baptism - Col 2:20–3:7 Part 3

It's remarkable how nearly everything we encounter in the Bible about a believer's new life is directly related to the symbolic act of baptism. In particular, Paul uses the phrase "you have died," which we previously discussed as symbolized by entering the waters of baptism. However, the most significant aspect of water baptism is revealed when we come up out of the water. This act represents the spiritual reality that we have been made new in Christ; we are entirely new people. When we symbolically went down into the waters of regeneration, the person who went down stayed down – we died. The person who emerged from the water is now a new creation, a new thing hidden in Christ and united with Him. It's essential to note that this isn't merely my opinion; it's a vital understanding of one of the primary biblical truths of the new covenant.
Apr 15, 2023
8:21

30. Red Flags in Doctrine: Is Anything Drawing Attention Away from Jesus? (Col 2:16–19) Part 3

One thing that drastically transformed my understanding of the Bible was realizing that Jesus Christ is the central focus of the entire Bible. This can be seen even in the statement made to the first woman in the garden about her seed crushing the serpent's head. This proposition sets the stage for the whole story of the Bible, where God created man and man broke with God, leading to the need for redemption and restoration.This concept is so fundamental that even the apostle John claims in a passage found in Revelation the text that “Christ was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.” This underscores the fact that the redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ is at the very center of human history and its whole purpose.So, how does this relate to the text we are discussing today? Paul believed that the Jewish law, or at least the things that were representatives of the law, such as festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths, were merely shadows or illustrations that pointed to the reality of the person of Jesus. This is not just the writer's opinion but can be seen in many passages in the New Testament.The Bible is full of prophecies and symbols that point to Jesus Christ as the Savior of humanity. Paul, in Romans 3:21-22, affirms that the plan of God for redemption through Jesus Christ was spoken of in the prophets. Although the prophets did not fully understand God's plan for redemption, they all pointed to Jesus Christ. Similarly, Hebrews 10:1 expresses the same idea, stating that the law of Moses with its festivals, rules, and regulations, was just a shadow of the good things to come in Christ.
Apr 11, 2023
8:06

28. Listening in on Paul's One-Sided Conversations: Insights into Early Christianity (Col. 2:16-19) Part 1

“So let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. (Col 2:16–19)”Have you ever experienced listening to one side of a phone conversation while being in the same room as the person talking? Although you can't hear the other person's words, you can still gather a general idea of the discussion's topic and direction by hearing only half of the exchange.When reading the letters of Paul (or any apostle), it becomes evident that they often respond to specific information or letters that have been sent to them. This aspect makes reading the letters similar to listening to a one-sided telephone conversation, where you can only hear half of the exchange.For example, Paul's letters to the Romans and Corinthians address particular issues that were raised by members of those churches. In Romans, he writes about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, the role of the law in salvation, and the importance of Christian unity. In Corinthians, Paul tackles topics such as the proper use of spiritual gifts, the role of women in the church, and the consumption of meat sacrificed to idols. In both cases, Paul's responses demonstrate that he is directly addressing the questions or concerns that were brought to his attention.The same pattern is observable in the letter to the Colossians, where Paul provides solutions to presumed questions based on the prevalent religious and philosophical ideas and practices of the time of writing. By understanding the historical context, we gain better insight into Paul's concerns and the guidance he provides to his audience.The Holy Spirit certainly inspires the letters of Paul (and other apostles) and has much to teach us about the Christian faith, but it is important to remember that they were written in specific historical and cultural contexts and that they are often part of ongoing conversations between the apostles and the early Christian communities to whom they were writing. What does Paul mean let no one Judge you concerning meat and drink?The Judaizers were a group of Jewish Christians who believed that Gentile converts to Christianity must also follow Jewish customs, particularly the requirement of circumcision. Paul addressed this issue in his letter to the Galatians, where he vehemently opposed the idea of imposing Jewish customs on Gentile converts. Paul argued that justification before God comes by faith in Jesus Christ and not by observing the Jewish law. Despite Paul's teachings, the Judaizers followed him and tried to undermine his work by preaching their own version of the Gospel. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul called them "dogs," calling them out for their insistence on circumcision and the observance of Jewish customs as a requirement for salvation.The New Testament records multiple instances where there were attempts on Paul's life by those who opposed his teachings. For example, in Acts 9:23-25, after Paul's conversion to Christianity, the Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him. In Acts 14:19, Paul was stoned and left for dead in Lystra. In Acts 20:3, we learn that there was a plot to kill Paul in Greece. And in 2 Corinthians 11:32-33, Paul refers to a plot against him in Damascus, where he had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the wall to escape. These are just a few examples of the dangers that Paul faced as he preached the Gospel and opposed those who sought to undermine his work.
Apr 6, 2023
9:56
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