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In the first of a four-part discussion on discipleship, Alasdair McPherson is joined by Keith Palmer from Granbury, Texas, to consider the biblical foundation for discipleship. What exactly is discipleship, what biblical precedent do we have for it, and what are we seeking to accomplish through it? At its heart, discipleship is about spiritual growth, increasing holiness and maturity, and becoming more like Christ. In this opening conversation, Alasdair and Keith consider why discipleship matters, what its biblical aims should be, and why growing towards spiritual maturity is fundamental to the Christian life. Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:https://facebook.com/UnderstandTheGospelhttps://utg.life/instagramhttps://www.youtube.com/@UnderstandingtheGospel

Christianity is not simply about what we believe, it is about a new life that is to be lived. But what should that Christian life actually look like? Evangelical Christianity emphasises a personal relationship with Christ, nourished through Scripture, prayer, obedience, fellowship and witness. Roman Catholicism understands the Christian life particularly within the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church, centred upon the Mass and shaped by its sacraments, traditions and teaching. Eastern Orthodoxy places particular emphasis upon participation in the life of God, expressed through liturgy, prayer, fasting, repentance and the pursuit of theosis. These traditions therefore offer significantly different understandings of how the Christian is formed and grows spiritually. What place should Scripture, prayer, worship, sacraments, fasting and the Church have in our daily lives? And how do we distinguish practices that have developed through centuries of Christian tradition from those established in the New Testament? In the final episode of our series, Alasdair MacPherson and Ian Jackson consider what discipleship looks like within these different traditions and return to Scripture to ask a very practical question, what should characterise the life of someone who truly follows the Lord Jesus Christ? Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:https://facebook.com/UnderstandTheGospelhttps://utg.life/instagramhttps://www.youtube.com/@UnderstandingtheGospel

What place should Mary, the saints and religious images have in the Christian life? Roman Catholicism makes a careful distinction between the worship due to God alone and the veneration given to Mary and the saints. Catholics ask those in heaven to intercede for them, give Mary a unique place of honour, and use images and statues as part of their devotional life. Eastern Orthodoxy similarly understands the Church as a living communion between believers on earth and those already in heaven, with Mary, the saints and icons occupying a prominent place in its worship and spirituality. But does the New Testament support these practices? Should Christians ask departed saints to intercede for them? What place should Mary occupy in Christian devotion? And does the veneration of images help direct our attention towards Christ, or risk drawing attention away from Him? In Episode 5, Alasdair MacPherson and Ian Jackson examine Mary, the communion of saints, prayer to the departed and the use of icons, and ask whether these practices are consistent with the biblical teaching that Christ alone is the mediator between God and man. Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:https://facebook.com/UnderstandTheGospelhttps://utg.life/instagramhttps://www.youtube.com/@UnderstandingtheGospel

What did the Lord Jesus mean when He said, “I will build my church”? What is the Church, who belongs to it, and who has been given authority to lead it? Roman Catholicism understands the Church as a visible, divinely established institution, governed through bishops in apostolic succession, with the Pope regarded as the successor of Peter and the visible head of the Church on earth. Eastern Orthodoxy also places great importance on apostolic succession and the historic episcopate, but rejects the authority of a single universal Pope, emphasising instead the collective authority of bishops, synods and councils. But does the New Testament present the Church in this way? Is apostolic succession an unbroken succession of office, or is true apostolic continuity found in faithfulness to the teaching of the apostles? And what pattern of leadership did Christ establish for local churches? In Episode 4, Alasdair MacPherson and Ian Jackson consider the nature and leadership of the Church, the claims of the papacy, bishops and apostolic succession, and return to the fundamental question, who is the Head of the Church, and how is His authority expressed among His people? Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:https://facebook.com/UnderstandTheGospelhttps://utg.life/instagramhttps://www.youtube.com/@UnderstandingtheGospel

Welcome to UtG Voices – we’re back after our summer break to pick up the conversation with different contributors, working behind the scenes to bring you the latest UtG content. In this episode, we begin by speaking to Paul McCauley who will be discussing his new series titled “Defending the Indefensible” . A thought-provoking look at the biblical teaching on Hell and eternal conscious punishment. In part 2, Tom Bennett will be speaking about his role as part of the core team at UtG & giving us an overview of some recent content. Join us, as we get a deeper look into the work, the voices, and the content, shaping UtG. Check out:https://understandingthegospel.org/series/defending-the-indefensible/ https://understandingthegospel.org/series/early-christian-creeds/https://understandingthegospel.org/by-women-for-women/jesus-loves-me/https://understandingthegospel.org/gospel-journey Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been practised by Christians since the earliest days of the Church. But what actually happens when we participate in them? Roman Catholicism teaches that the sacraments are means through which grace is communicated, with baptism bringing regeneration and the Eucharist becoming the true body and blood of Christ. Eastern Orthodoxy likewise understands the sacraments, or Mysteries, as real participation in divine grace and life. But is this how the New Testament presents baptism and the Lord’s Supper? Are the bread and cup means by which grace is imparted, or do they point us back to the once for all, finished work of Christ? Does baptism itself bring new life, or is it the testimony of someone who has already received that life through faith in Christ? In Episode 3, Alasdair MacPherson and Ian Jackson examine the sacraments, baptism, the Eucharist and the Mass, and ask a fundamental question, how does God communicate His grace to His people, and what place should physical elements have in Christian worship? Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

How can a sinful person be made right with a holy God? Few questions could be more important, and the answer takes us to the very heart of the Christian gospel. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians and evangelicals all speak of salvation, grace, faith and the work of Christ. Yet behind this shared language lie significant differences in how salvation is understood. Is justification a once for all declaration by God, received through faith in Christ alone, or is justification a process in which we cooperate with God’s grace? What place do good works, the sacraments and the Church have in our salvation? And can a believer know with certainty that they have been accepted by God? In this second episode, Alasdair MacPherson and Ian Jackson examine the different understandings of justification and salvation, and return to the fundamental question, what does the Bible teach about how a sinner is made right with God? Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

There is a growing interest in Christianity among a younger generation, with many asking serious questions about faith, truth and the Church. Increasingly, some are looking to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy for answers, attracted in part by their history, tradition and claims to represent historic Christianity. But age alone does not establish authenticity. The more fundamental question is, where does our authority for Christian belief actually come from? Is Scripture the final and sufficient authority for what Christians believe, or must it be understood through the traditions and teaching authority of the Church? Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians and evangelicals all appeal to the Bible, but they differ significantly over the authority that Scripture possesses and who has the right to interpret it. In the first episode of this new series, Alasdair MacPherson is joined by Ian Jackson to consider Scripture, tradition and the authority of the Church, asking ultimately, where should Christians go to determine what is true? Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Welcome to UtG Voices – the monthly podcast from UtG, where we speak to different contributors, working behind the scenes to bring you the latest UtG content. In this episode, we begin by speaking to Danielle Stewart about some of her recent articles including, those from the “Women of Faith” series. In part 2, we’ll be speaking to Will MacPherson about how he contributes to the project including his work behind the scenes on the podcast. Join us, as we get a deeper look into the work, the voices, and the content, shaping UtG. Check out:https://understandingthegospel.org/by-women-for-women/elisabeth-elliot-do-the-next-thing/https://understandingthegospel.org/by-women-for-women/no-pit-so-deep-corrie-ten-boom-a-legacy-of-forgiveness-and-faith/https://understandingthegospel.org/spiritual-growth/roundtable-discussions/https://understandingthegospel.org/the-utg-podcast/ Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In this session, Alasdair MacPherson examines how endurance and spiritual fruit provide important evidence of genuine conversion long after initial enthusiasm has faded. The episode explores the character, relationships, and service that should mark a believer's life, and considers how steadfast faithfulness through suffering, reproach, and everyday discipleship demonstrates the reality of a transformed heart. Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In this session, Stephen Grant considers how genuine conversion should produce a growing separation from the world that begins in the heart and is reflected in everyday life. The episode explores the believer’s growth in holiness, the vital role of the local church in nurturing new Christians, and what both the church and the believer should expect as spiritual maturity develops. Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In our third session, Paul Coxall leads a discussion on the biblical meaning and necessity of the new birth. We examine what it means to be “born again”, how repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are essential to genuine conversion, and the basis of assurance of salvation in an individuals life. Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In this second roundtable, Ian Proud leads the discussion on whether genuine conversion must be truly centred on Christ Himself or is He just the means to a better life experience. This episode warns of the dangers of building Christianity around personalities, movements, platforms, or emotional experiences rather than around the person of Christ. It also considers the proper place of feelings and personal testimony, asking whether they support — or sometimes distract from — authentic faith in Him. Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In this first roundtable, Graham Stannard leads the panel as they explore why genuine conversion must be grounded in the authority of Scripture and a clear understanding of the gospel message. The episode explores how faith should rest on God’s revealed truth, and discusses the role of personal experience, tradition, and emotion in an individual's conversion. Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Welcome to UtG Voices – the monthly podcast from UtG, where we speak to different contributors, working behind the scenes to bring you the latest UtG content.In this episode, we begin by speaking Jeremy Brown about his role within UtG and how technology is being used to support gospel-centred content. In part 2, we’ll be speaking to Justin Pratt about his latest series on “The Christian Creeds”.Join us, as we get a deeper look into the work, the voices, and the content, shaping UtG. Check out:https://understandingthegospel.org/series/early-christian-creeds/https://understandingthegospel.org/series/the-holy-spirit-in-genesis-and-beyond/https://understandingthegospel.org/series/ready-for-a-king-1-kings-matthew/https://understandingthegospel.org/series/appearings-of-christ-in-the-old-testament/https://understandingthegospel.org/by-women-for-women/why-a-good-god-allows-suffering-and-why-i-am-thankful-for-it/ Explore at: www.understandingthegospel.orgSocials:Facebook | Instagram | YouTube