Why Youth Groups Are (Still) Not the Answer (Ep. 137)

As with a lot of things that get adopted in the church culture, youth groups started as a way to reach unchurched youth in high school. From there, the practice spread and changed over time until youth groups were viewed as a normative part of American church life.

And while there have been movements within conservative Reformed churches to move away from youth ministry and to emphasize the responsibilities of the parents to train their children,
what we’ve noticed is this: Youth ministry isn’t just the result of the church overstepping its bounds. Sometimes, the parents ask the church for it. Sometimes, it’s a result of the church’s collective fear that they are losing the next generation. And sometimes, it’s a focus on numbers and the growth of the church. But in every case, what we would argue is this: God’s word does not show us a pattern of singling out the youth and separating them from the rest of the flock on a regular basis for special instruction and ministry. Anytime the church adopts practices that cannot be found in God’s word, it is sin. Youth ministry won’t disappear overnight. But we should expect God to continue to mature and cleanse His church. If, as a church, we face the trials our Lord sends our way in the ways He has instructed us, we should expect to see an end to youth groups and youth ministry. Please join us as we discuss this issue.

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2023/09/why-youth-groups-are-still-not-the-answer-ep-137-audio/

Thumbnail image by Richard Masoner under CC BY-SA 2.0

Timecodes
00:00 Intro
11:01 Purpose of Church
20:19 Manufacturing Spiritual Experiences
25:50 Taking the Role of Parents
35:59 Dangers of Gathering Youth
47:26 Thinking Your Children are Saved
52:55 Good Youth Groups

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Why Youth Groups Are (Still) Not the Answer (Ep. 137 Audio)

As with a lot of things that get adopted in the church culture, youth groups started as a way to reach unchurched youth in high school. From there, the practice spread and changed over time until youth groups were viewed as a normative part of American church life.

And while there have been movements withing conservative Reformed churches to move away from youth ministry and to emphasize the responsibilities of the parents to train their children,
what we’ve noticed is this: Youth ministry isn’t just the result of the church overstepping its bounds. Sometimes, the parents ask the church for it. Sometimes, it’s a result of the church’s collective fear that they are losing the next generation. And sometimes, it’s a focus on numbers and the growth of the church. But in every case, what we would argue is this: God’s word does not show us a pattern of singling out the youth and separating them from the rest of the flock on a regular basis for special instruction and ministry. Anytime the church adopts practices that cannot be found in God’s word, it is sin. Youth ministry won’t disappear overnight. But we should expect God to continue to mature and cleanse His church. If, as a church, we face with the trials our Lord sends our way in the ways He has instructed us, we should expect to see and end to youth groups and youth ministry. Please join us as we discuss this issue.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Gossip: When to Speak and When to Be Silent (Ep. 136)

We live in a society filled with gossip, yet the Bible commands to avoid it. We discuss how we can know when we we are speaking gossip, and when we are speaking the truth in love.

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2023/09/gossip-when-to-speak-and-when-to-be-silent-ep-136-audio/

Timecodes
00:00:00 Standards for Gossip
00:07:28 Importance of Words
00:12:00 Use of the Tongue
00:21:08 Speaking Against Heretics
00:29:13 Check Your Intent
00:43:48 Who to Talk To
00:48:54 Words that Tear Down
00:56:11 Gossip as Flattery
01:05:53 Gossip in the Family
01:13:12 Gossip in the Church

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

How Bribery Destroys Nations (Ep. 135)

If you’ve ever visited a third-world country where bribery is rampant, it’s easy to think that the United States doesn’t have a bribery problem. But the church is supposed to understand that sin left unchecked with always grow and that when it is allowed to grow among leaders and those who are exalted, it will grow even faster. And in that sense, America has a horribly bribery problem, and it getting worse every day.

In this episode, we discuss what the Bible says about bribery and why the word it uses for bribes means gift. We talk about bribery in different contexts, in the government, the church the workplace, and how in each case it perverts judgment and tempts men to serve someone other than their true master.

In the end, bribery is a picture of sinful man’s slavery to his desires. All men have an obligation to serve God, but his sinful desires cause him to pervert righteousness. Only those who are free from their sin can serve the Lord of earth faithfully and not be swayed by earthly things.

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2023/09/how-bribery-destroys-nations-ep-135-audio/

Thumbnail image by Marco Verch under CC BY 2.0

Timecodes
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:22 Are All Gifts Bribes?
00:10:51 What the Bible Says
00:21:55 Political Bribes in the USA
00:31:15 A Culiture of Bribery
00:39:14 Can You Pay Bribes?
00:52:32 Bribes in Church
00:59:29 Tiping in the US

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

How Bribery Destroys Nations (Ep. 135 Audio)

If you’ve ever visited a third-world country where bribery is rampant, it’s easy to think that the United States doesn’t have a bribery problem. But the church is supposed to understand that sin left unchecked with always grow and that when it is allowed to grow among leaders and those who are exalted, it will grow even faster. And in that sense, America has a horribly bribery problem, and it getting worse every day.

In this episode, we discuss what the Bible says about bribery and why the word it uses for bribes means gift. We talk about bribery in different contexts, in the government, the church the workplace, and how in each case it perverts judgment and tempts men to serve someone other than their true master.

In the end, bribery is a picture of sinful man’s slavery to his desires. All men have an obligation to serve God, but his sinful desires cause him to pervert righteousness. Only those who are free from their sin can serve the Lord of earth faithfully and not be swayed by earthly things.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

If Total Depravity Is True Why Do Men Do Good Things? (Ep. 134)

Total Depravity is usually thought about as a doctrine related primarily to salvation (and is probably best known for being the ‘T’ in the acronym, TULIP). But in actuality, it is a broad doctrine that explains a great deal about the world and the role of sin in men’s lives. So, here’s our question: How well do you understand the doctrine of total depravity?

Have you ever wondered, “If Total Depravity is true, why don’t unsaved men sin more than they seem to?” Or “What stops an unsaved man who likes alcohol from becoming a drunkard? Or a lustful man from running out and committing adultery?” The answer might surprise you.

So please join us for this discussion. Our goal is to discuss this doctrine in such a way that it helps us to understand the world. And because sin is such a big part of the world we live in and according to scripture most people in the world are slaves to sin, misunderstanding the doctrine of total depravity can make it easy to misunderstand why unsaved people do so many good, kind, and beneficial things. We’ll even talk about how God has ordained the world in such a way, that a man’s pride can cause him stop sinning in a particular way (he’ll still sin, just differently than he would have). Because even in God’s justice, he shows mercy upon sinful man and provides many constraints in the world that keep men from rushing to their own destruction. May we glorify God for his great mercies. As it says in Romans 11, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2023/08/if-total-depravity-is-true-why-do-men-do-good-things-ep-134-audio/

Timecodes
00:00:00 Living for God’s Glory?
00:06:00 What is Total Depravity
00:10:11 What is Sin?
00:16:37 How God Constrains Sin
00:19:50 Weakness of Flesh
00:29:54 Sin Constrains Sin
00:45:39 Helping Unbelievers Constrain Sin
00:51:41 Pride Constrains Sin
00:56:47 Exposing Society’s Sin

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

If Total Depravity Is True Why Do Men Do Good Things? (Ep. 134 Audio)

Total Depravity is usually thought about as a doctrine related primarily to salvation (and is probably best known for being the ‘T’ in the acronym, TULIP). But in actuality, it is a broad doctrine that explains a great deal about the world and the role of sin in men’s lives. So, here’s our question: How well do you understand the doctrine of total depravity?

Have you ever wondered, “If Total Depravity is true, why don’t unsaved men sin more than they seem to?” Or “What stops an unsaved man who likes alcohol from becoming a drunkard? Or a lustful man from running out and committing adultery?” The answer might surprise you.

So please join us for this discussion. Our goal is to discuss this doctrine in such a way that it helps us to understand the world. And because sin is such a big part of the world we live in and according to scripture most people in the world are slaves to sin, misunderstanding the doctrine of total depravity can make it easy to misunderstand why unsaved people do so many good, kind, and beneficial things. We’ll even talk about how God has ordained the world in such a way, that a man’s pride can cause him stop sinning in a particular way (he’ll still sin, just differently than he would have). Because even in God’s justice, he shows mercy upon sinful man and provides many constraints in the world that keep men from rushing to their own destruction. May we glorify God for his great mercies. As it says in Romans 11, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Should Christians Worry About Human Trafficking? (Ep. 133)

Human Trafficking probably isn’t what you think it is. Based on the news and social media, you’ve probably gotten the impression that it is this rapidly increasing phenomeon of children being snatched off the street and from stores, whisked away to some far-off place, and then forced into sexual service. And no one should say that things like that never ever happen. But they are extremely rare. And that’s part of the problem. It’s not that there’s a lack of sin of world. There’s lots and lots of sin. But dealing with sin is incredibly complex. It’s also incredibly messy. The easiest solution, in most cases, is to ignore the sins we don’t want to mess with an focus on something that is most likely to offend the fewest people. And this is what has largely been done with human trafficking.

This was a difficult episode to put together. We should be clear, it’s going to be really easy to misunderstand the point that we are trying to make. Everything about how we’ve been taught to think about very specific types of sin, such as prostitution, drug abuse, why children run away, foster care, etc has been carefully shaped for years to allow the church of Jesus Christ to ignore the reality of sin. Because in almost all cases where human trafficking is going on, the “trafficking” is just a small part of the sin. And unless the church gets serious about the sin in our midst, the sins that we can actually see and touch and speak to, nothing will actually change. The Bible says in I John that Jesus Christ was made manifest that He might destroy the works of the devil. Does the church actually believe this? Please join us as we discuss this vital topic.


Expose of trafficking and fraud from Voice of the Martyrs:
http://persecutingthepersecuted.com/

Articles critiquing Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad:
https://www.vice.com/en/topic/operation-underground-railroad
https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/05/sex-trafficking-raid-operation-underground-railroad.html
https://americancrimejournal.com/category/investigates/operation-underground-railroad/

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2023/08/should-christians-worry-about-human-trafficking-ep-133-audio/

Timecodes
00:00:00 Fearmongering
00:08:15 What is Human Trafficking?
00:21:40 Sex Trafficking
00:31:13 Child Sex Trafficking
00:37:45 Foster Care as Trafficking
00:41:40 Forced Labor
00:47:45 Debt Bondage
00:42:50 Domestic Servitude
00:56:00 Forced Child Labor
01:00:50 Child Soldiers
01:03:45 Sound of Freedom

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Should Christians Worry About Human Trafficking? (Ep. 133 Audio)

Human Trafficking probably isn’t what you think it is. Based on the news and social media, you’ve probably gotten the impression that it is this rapidly increasing phenomeon of children being snatched off the street and from stores, whisked away to some far-off place, and then forced into sexual service. And no one should say that things like that never ever happen. But they are extremely rare. And that’s part of the problem. It’s not that there’s a lack of sin of world. There’s lots and lots of sin. But dealing with sin is incredibly complex. It’s also incredibly messy. The easiest solution, in most cases, is to ignore the sins we don’t want to mess with an focus on something that is most likely to offend the fewest people. And this is what has largely been done with human trafficking.

This was a difficult episode to put together. We should be clear, it’s going to be really easy to misunderstand the point that we are trying to make. Everything about how we’ve been taught to think about very specific types of sin, such as prostitution, drug abuse, why children run away, foster care, etc has been carefully shaped for years to allow the church of Jesus Christ to ignore the reality of sin. Because in almost all cases where human trafficking is going on, the “trafficking” is just a small part of the sin. And unless the church gets serious about the sin in our midst, the sins that we can actually see and touch and speak to, nothing will actually change. The Bible says in I John that Jesus Christ was made manifest that He might destroy the works of the devil. Does the church actually believe this? Please join us as we discuss this vital topic.


Expose of trafficking and fraud from Voice of the Martyrs:
http://persecutingthepersecuted.com/

Articles critiquing Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad:
https://www.vice.com/en/topic/operation-underground-railroad
https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/05/sex-trafficking-raid-operation-underground-railroad.html
https://americancrimejournal.com/category/investigates/operation-underground-railroad/

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson