Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

This discussion dives into the biblical basis of denominations, revealing they aren't explicitly mentioned in scripture. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation among churches to further God's mission. Historical insights highlight how Martin Luther's challenges shaped Protestantism. The conversation balances institutional and grassroots movements, advocating for unity despite doctrinal differences. Denominations can be seen as tools for collaboration rather than division, allowing for recognition of valid churches beyond one's own.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question that has actually been asked by two listeners, Lillian and Jesse: “Is it OK for Christians to do Yoga?” A glimpse inside this episode: In this week’s episode, Pastor J.D. explores the historical roots of yoga in Eastern religions and how it contrasts with Christian meditation. He emphasizes the importance of individual conscience in making decisions about practices that may have spiritual implications while also introducing a framework for categorizing theological issues and highlighting the need for unity in the church while allowing for personal convictions. Yoga has historical roots in Eastern religions like Hinduism. Christian meditation differs from Eastern meditation in purpose. Believers should wrestle with their own conscience regarding yoga. Not all practices with pagan origins are off-limits for Christians. Unity in the church is more important than strict conformity on disputed matters. The framework of essential, important, and indifferent matters helps navigate faith issues. Personal convictions should guide individual practices like yoga. Jesus’ authority supersedes the origins of certain practices. Engaging with differing opinions requires patience and understanding. Practices should honor Christ and align with biblical principles.

A thought-provoking discussion arises about the complexities of marrying after an unbiblical divorce. The importance of understanding marriage as a covenant, not just a contract, is emphasized. Listeners explore Jesus' teachings on divorce while seeking redemption and grace in their current relationships. Repentance is highlighted as a crucial step toward healing. The talk reassures that even the most complicated situations can be transformed with God's mercy, fostering new beginnings and hope for the future.

Discover the art of delivering honest feedback with grace and love. Learn how to balance constructive criticism with positivity to foster growth and preserve relationships. Dive into the importance of humility and context when addressing poor performance. Explore effective feedback models that promote understanding and improvement. Emphasize specific feedback that encourages motivation, while recognizing strengths alongside weaknesses. Ultimately, grasp how faith, prayer, and reliance on grace play vital roles in both personal and spiritual growth.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Tyler who asked, ““I know in my head that my sin is sinful, but I can’t seem to ‘metabolize’ it and get that truth into my heart. How can I do that?” A glimpse inside this episode: The goal of salvation is a new kind of righteousness. Understanding sin requires both head knowledge and heart transformation. Living by faith means choosing what is right despite feelings. Growth in grace involves recognizing our ongoing need for grace. Sowing seeds of righteousness leads to spiritual growth. Habits shape our desires and affections. Choosing against fleshly desires is a step of faith. Reckoning ourselves dead to sin empowers us to resist temptation. Prayer and belief in the gospel are essential for spiritual life. Continuous reliance on God’s grace is crucial in the Christian walk.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Andrew who asked, “Could you attempt to provide some clarity on whether an earthly marriage between Christians means that husband/wife relationship carries into eternity?” Thank you Andrew for your question! A glimpse inside this episode: Jesus teaches that there is no marriage in heaven. Marriage was created to address loneliness on earth. In heaven, companionship will be fulfilled in a better way. Our joys in heaven will be heightened and transformed. C.S. Lewis compares earthly pleasures to heavenly joys. Marriage is a temporary picture of our relationship with Christ. Single people are full-fledged family members in Christ. The episode encourages listeners to submit their questions.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Joseph Backholm. Joseph is a Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council. He combines extensive legal, political, and policy experience with a love for the way biblical truth cultivates human flourishing. A glimpse inside this episode: Politics is the process through which we make decisions. Christians should engage in politics as a blessing. Avoiding difficult conversations can hinder important discussions. Evaluate political choices based on biblical principles. Political parties should not overshadow our allegiance to Christ. Parents should teach children about the complexities of human nature. Election seasons provide unique opportunities for disciple-making. Sober-mindedness is crucial in political discourse. Confirmation bias can lead to being misled in politics. Good politics reflects a love for our neighbors.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Neil Shenvi where they discuss the complexities of critical theory, its implications for society, and how it intersects with Christian beliefs. Neil is another member of the Summit Church with a Ph.D. from Berkeley in Theoretical Chemistry.  A glimpse inside this episode: Race is a social construct, which aligns with a Christian worldview. Privilege is context-dependent and cannot be viewed in absolutes. Intersectionality complicates discussions of race and gender for Christians. Critical theory can lead to false assumptions about disparities in society. Christians should advocate for justice based on biblical principles. The church’s mission should focus on the gospel above all. Addressing systemic injustice requires evidence and context. Equity should not be equated with equality of outcome. The family unit is crucial for addressing social issues like poverty.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Brooke Medina. Brooke is a member of the Summit Church and serves as Vice President of Communications for the John Locke Foundation. She’s been published in numerous outlets including The Hill, Entrepreneur, Washington Examiner, WORLD, Daily Signal, FEE, and others. A glimpse inside this episode: Economics is fundamentally about human action and dignity. Understanding economics through a Christian lens is crucial. Private property ownership is essential for a well-ordered society. Disagreement among Christians on economic issues is natural and necessary. Welfare programs need to be structured to encourage economic mobility. Ideas have consequences; bad ideas can harm individuals. Christians should engage in political discourse with charity. Free speech in the digital age presents new challenges for Christians. The church should encourage members to enter all spheres of influence. We must be witnesses of truth and grace in the public square.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Katie McCoy. Dr. McCoy serves as the director of Women’s Ministry for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. She holds a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of To Be A Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond. A glimpse inside this episode: The cultural moment we are in is a result of decades of ideological shifts. Teen girls are particularly vulnerable to social contagion regarding gender identity. Gender identity is both a biological and a theological reality. The rise of identity politics has led to a reorientation of moral systems. Language is viewed as creating reality rather than reflecting it in today’s society. Christians are called to navigate these issues with grace and conviction. The indoctrination of children through media is a significant concern. There is a strong correlation between gender confusion and past trauma or abuse. Resources are available for Christians to better understand and respond to gender issues.