Show Notes
"Jesus wasn't born on December 25th!" Are you mad? Faith shattered? Christmas ruined? May it never be! With the actual birth date of Jesus a mystery, why did Christians gravitate toward December 25th? Did we rob and reface a Roman holiday? Are we coopting the winter solstice? Is it just a borrowed holiday from some other pagan religion? And what about... the tree? Are the critics right? And does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? What are we actually celebrating as Christians at Christmas? Tune in to today's episode as we dig into the reason for the season—and maybe embolden your faith for the holidays. Merry Christmas! 🎄
More from After Class Podcast
Is profanity just about curse words, or is there something more to it? Does an oath taken in the name of the Lord elevate our words or degrade His reputation? Should we avoid using the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) out of reverence, or does the common name "Lord" fail to honor the Creator of the heavens and the earth? In today's episode, the guys examine Commandment #3: "Do not take the Lord's name in vain." They explore its history and application to give us a deeper understanding of what it means. Tune in to today's episode as the guys unpack Commandment #3 and share their hot take on ICE! This is an episode you don't want to miss. Because the best conversations happen After Class!
Take one day off a week to do no work and such… Done! Wait, is the Sabbath just about a day? Does Sabbath rest get in the way of our ability to thrive, or is the practice itself the basis of our thriving? Tune in to today's episode to explore the wider implications of Sabbath rest for our lives, the lives of animals, and all of creation. Ritualistically resting on Sunday may be more in line with the practices of the Pharisees than with what God had in mind. So how does Sabbath apply to Christians today? Join us for today's episode and discover the restorative rest offered in the command to remember the Sabbath. Because the best conversations happen After Class!
When it comes to disciplining a child, there is debate over how effective spanking is. But what about death as a punishment for dishonoring your parents? Today, the guys dig into the command to honor your parents—the first commandment with a promise. How far-reaching is the promise that "it may go well with you," and how severe are the consequences? Tune in to today's episode to find out how we might honor our parents, even more so as adults, because the best conversations happen After Class!
Do not murder! Easy enough. Or is it? The biblical worldview just might stand in contrast to how we view hunting, justice, revenge, self-defense, and more. Today, the guys dig into the distinction between authorized and unauthorized killing and the sanctity of blood. Tune in to today's episode to gain some key insights into the sanctity of life and worship in warfare. How, in Christ, does this commandment apply to our lives today? You just might be surprised. Tune in to find out, because the best conversations happen After Class!
In a culture that embraces a wide expression of sexual ethics, the prohibition against adultery is more than simply a call not to cheat on a spouse. It is a call to a kind of relationship that promotes human flourishing and becomes a source of blessing that reflects God's Kingdom. Breaking this command can open the door to a host of consequences—not only personally, but socially and even societally. There is something about sexual intimacy that goes far beyond carnal pleasure. If marriage is a gift from God, what does Jesus have to say about the command, "Do not commit adultery" and how can we encourage our brothers and sisters to live out their sexual ethics in a way that reflects the Kingdom of God? Tune in to today's episode of the After Class Podcast to find out, because the best conversations happen After Class!