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Today, we’re diving into a conversation that seems to surface in every generation: What makes music “Christian enough”? From rock to rap to the genre-bending sounds of artists like Forest Frank, there’s always a new style that challenges what came before. Why does it seem that we discuss the issue of “Christian music” over and over again? Why do believers so often wrestle with the question: Can’t I just enjoy all genres? Does God care about the sound, or is it really just about the heart? This isn’t a new debate — when Christian rock first emerged, it stretched what was comfortable. When Christian hip hop arrived, the conversation sparked again. And now, with artists pushing creative boundaries, we’re asking the same questions once more. Question To Consider: What is music? Where are its origins discussed in the Bible? Why has each generation of younger people “tested the limits” of what’s been previously accepted as ‘Christian music?’ What Actually Makes Music Christian? Is it okay to enjoy music from all genres, as long as it doesn’t pull me away from Christ? Does what the artist intends matter more, or does how the listener uses the music carry more weight? Can’t I just enjoy all genres? Do I have to draw a line? Who (or what) decides where that line is? How can I bring these questions about music and my heart before the Lord? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Beats, Bars, and Boundaries – What Makes Music Christian? appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

When world events feel overwhelming, where should Christians turn? In this episode of Patterns of Truth, we explore what our Biblical response should be to war, political division, and global conflict. Learn how to replace fear with faith, pray with wisdom, avoid speculation, and find lasting peace by trusting God’s promises instead of today’s headlines. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Headlines & Hope: A Christian Response to Geopolitical Conflicts appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

Ever wrestled with a question that felt too big to answer—something that Google couldn’t quite help with, and the Bible app just gave a list of verses that didn’t really land? We live in a world of instant answers, but spiritual wisdom takes more than a search bar. So, how do we actually find answers to hard questions using God’s Word first, not last? Today’s episode is called “Bible First: Finding Real Answers to Questions”, and we’re talking about how to study, search, and investigate hard topics using Scripture, not just shortcuts. And the episode is less about specific questions and more about methods to use when searching for answers.  When you have a question, where do you usually start? Why do you take this approach? Be honest! Here are more questions to consider: Why is our default to Google or search in the Bible app? And is that always bad? What does it look like to actually investigate using Scripture alone? What types of resources can we use when searching for answers? What makes this kind of study so hard for most of us? What fruit comes from doing it “the hard way”—the Bible-first way? What do we really need when we’re studying? TIME and PATIENCE! I hope our listeners know that that Google is not our enemy, but we should still question the root, and the effect, of getting quick answers that we seldom meditate upon. How do you need to slow down, read, reread, and ponder God’s word? This is a challenge for me, as well. We don’t learn everything all at once; growth takes time. We are always learning! We encourage you to keep reading, praying, and talking with the Lord about your questions. Then, speak with mature Christians who have navigated similar questions and know their Bibles well. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! UNEDITED TRANSCRIPTION: 00:00:00 Patricia: Have you ever wrestled with a question that felt too big to answer? Something that Google couldn’t quite help you with? And the Bible app just gave a list of verses that didn’t really land. We live in a world of instant answers, but gaining spiritual wisdom takes more than just searching in a search bar. So today’s podcast is about using the Bible first finding real answers to our questions. Welcome to our Patterns of Truth podcast. I’m Patricia, your host, and today we are talking about how to study, search and investigate hard topics using the scriptures and not just shortcuts. Shortcuts are not a bad thing. We’ll talk about that. Um, but we want to kind of reexamine the practices that we engage in when we’re searching for answers. So this episode is about is not really about specific questions, specific hard questions that we seek to answer, but more about the methods that we can use when searching for those answers. So hello to everyone on the podcast today. Hello, Peter. Hello, Roy. Hello, Bethel. How are you all doing today? 00:01:05 Peter: Hello, hello. 00:01:07 Roy: Hey, great. Rainy and cold in Oregon. Oh it’s raining. Yeah. Rainy. 00:01:15 Bethel: Not humid here. 00:01:17 Patricia: Yeah. 00:01:17 Peter: Whereas here Bethel. 00:01:19 Bethel: Right now it’s Jersey. 00:01:21 Patricia: Yeah. 00:01:22 Bethel: It’s not Philly. It’s Jersey today. 00:01:24 Patricia: Jersey. Welcome back. All right. So um I’ll start with a panel question for all of us. So when any of us have a question, something popped into your mind. Somebody talks about something. Where do you usually start to find the answer? It can be any resource. It could be Google, it could be another. Right. So where do you start and why do you take this approach? 00:01:52 Bethel: I’m a Googler. 00:01:54 Patricia: All right. Yeah. 00:01:55 Bethel: Everybody and everybody makes fun of me that I even use Google because everybody just uses AI. Like everybody’s just like, just ask ChatGPT. Just ask ChatGPT. Um, so even googling is like outdated at this point, but depending on how deep I might text my dad. 00:02:11 Patricia: Oh, nice. All right. Cool. Roy? Peter. 00:02:17 Roy: Um, I asked my wife. 00:02:19 Patricia: Okay. 00:02:21 Roy: Um, good place to start. That’s good intuition. Um, my daughter, um, who also has very good insight. Um, and then it depends on what kind of a question. And I appreciate the Google answer. Um, in fact, I did, I used Google just the other day when I wanted to know the initial, um, area that was assigned to the tribe of Dan and I got a pretty good answer. So if the question is specific enough, um, then I think, um, Google is fine or I don’t know about chat, I haven’t used chat GP so I don’t know how that works, but I know Google uses AI underneath. So Google basically a, a front end to an AI program. Yeah. But it has to be specific. It depends on the type of question. 00:03:18 Patricia: Yeah, I like that you mentioned that because sometimes you could do like a broad question and then who knows what you’re going to get just just how Google works. Right. Sorry, Peter. 00:03:28 Peter: Yeah. I, I would say I try to find the shortest article I find, usually from kind of the same circle of church community. Amen. Um, um, and uh, definitely Google. Like sometimes it’s like a specific website that I go to other than, uh, I find got questions sometimes is a website that would help a lot in like general questions. Uh, if it’s something specific, more doctrine, I go back to the like some brief, uh, article and then control F to find. Yeah, the article. So, uh, yeah, I do that. 00:04:12 Patricia: Yeah. All right. That’s practical, I like it. I tend to start with the Bible app for some reason, right? There’s just, I don’t know, it’s, uh, it’s easy and I don’t know, there’s something I like Google, but I feel like So I really slow down and I think about like, what I feel when I Google something, I usually feel fear because I think that there are questions that I may have that when I Google it, there are harmful or anti-God, anti-Christian things that seem to pop up at the top. And I honestly just don’t want to see that when I’m searching out something. I don’t know what it is, but it just really disturbs me. Um, I know some people can see it and just discard it, but for me, it just, it really unsettles me. So I tend to like not want to go to Google for some reason. So maybe the Bible app, I’m trying to protect myself in some way. I’m not sure. But, um, our first question really is about like, why do we think that, um, a more popular default for searching for any question will be Google or a search in the Bible app? Why is that something that we tend to do these days? And is that always a bad thing? 00:05:21 Peter: Well, convenience. 00:05:24 Patricia: Um. 00:05:25 Roy: It depends a lot on the question. 00:05:28 Patricia: Do you ever feel like. Or maybe I should ask it this way? Is there a scenario where you find something on Google or a different tool, and it makes you immediately stop searching? Like you don’t go back to your Bible? Or does the opposite happen? You find what you need and then you say, oh, I want to go deeper. What does that look like? 00:05:50 Roy: Really depends upon the subject matter and the question. Okay. Um, I think, you know. 00:05:56 Peter: Yeah. I mean, for, for Patricia’s point, um, that’s a good point because I think when I Google things, it does stop me from digging more into scripture because I found the solution or at least part of an answer, and then I’m satisfied with it. Um, so that’s a, that’s a good point. I mean, we’re definitely not against technology. We should use technology. Um, if it’s your favorite AI search, LLM or Google, uh, it can be useful. Um, but, um, I think studying scripture as we can talk soon about is and, uh, like changing your heart through studying scripture is more just knowledge. Um, and I think you reach just knowledge if you like, get the answer quickly. 00:06:55 Roy: Yes. That’s very important point. Uh, and I want to emphasize that we are talking about having a specific question or a question about something. We get an answer, but that should lead us to dig deeper. And that should even that even specific studies should not keep us from regular Bible reading. Um, and that’s where we gain a general knowledge of God’s character. Um, you know, there’s a, a rule, there’s apps and whatnot that lead you through the Bible? Genesis to revelation in a year? Well, you may or may not want to use one of those apps, but the point is you have to be generally familiar with your Bible. I found questions that are, quite surprisingly in books like Ecclesiastes or Proverbs or Chronicles, and that seem to have nothing to do with the subject matter, but they. But they’re put in a way that for trigger thinking about things in a different way. So general Bible reading needs to always be done on a regular basis. 00:08:03 Patricia: Yeah. So leading into that, um, or coming out of that point, I should say, uh, if we had no technology, right. I couldn’t use my phone. Google’s down. It does happen from time to time, right? We can’t get to the website that we want. Um, I’m thinking about that AWS blackout from a few weeks ago where people were panicking. They couldn’t find anything. So if we only had our Bible in front of us, the actual physical volume, what does it look like to investigate using Scripture alone? Where does it start? 00:08:38 Roy: Need to know the books of the Bible and where they are. 00:08:41 Patricia: Mhm. Mhm. 00:08:44 Speaker 6: And I think maybe a general gist of what’s happening in each one. 00:08:48 Patricia: Yeah. 00:08:49 Roy: Definitely the difference between the Old and New Testament. Mhm. Um, and it also helps to have a, a mental map like Bethel was saying of what

Faith, Doubt, Leaving the Faith A few years ago, I followed a well-known Christian influencer whose faith journey was encouraging many, including me. But recently, he announced he was stepping away from Christianity, citing years of wrestling with doubts about the fundamentals of the faith. He said his doubt was too overwhelming to maintain his Christian life. Hearing this was both difficult and confusing. I don’t know his heart or what God is doing in this man’s life, but I pray for him and trust him to the Lord’s care. His story made me pause and ask: Is he the only one? How many of us have quietly struggled with similar doubts? How much doubt can we carry before it becomes paralyzing or makes us question where we stand with God? Today, we’ll ask: What does it mean to doubt as a believer? How does God respond to our questions? Is there space for some doubt that isn’t disruptive? And, ultimately, how do we move forward—growing in confidence and resembling Him more, even when we’re not sure we have all the answers? Our goal is NOT to spread doubts and “infect” others, so to speak. However, we can acknowledge them without giving them too much power. What type of doubts have you experienced?  Doubting the existence of God Struggling with doubts during challenges in life (wondering if there’s a point in all of this – seeing God’s hand) I hope our listeners know that they are not the only ones who may struggle with similar questions and wonder: how much doubt should I be having? We encourage you to keep reading, praying, and talking with the Lord about your doubts. Then, speak with mature Christians who have navigated these challenges. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! UNEDITED TRANSCRIPTION: 00:00:00 Patricia: Welcome to another Patterns of Truth podcast. A few years ago, I followed a well-known Christian Christian influencer whose faith journey was encouraging many, including me. But recently he announced that he was stepping away from Christianity, citing years of wrestling with doubts about the fundamentals of the faith. He said his doubt was too overwhelming to maintain his Christian life. Hearing this was both difficult and confusing. I don’t know his heart or what God is doing in this man’s life, but I pray for him and I trust in the Lord’s care. But his story made me pause and ask, is he the only one? How many of us have quietly struggled with similar doubts? How much doubt can we carry before it becomes paralyzing or makes us question where we stand with God? I’m Patricia, your host for today’s Patterns of Truth podcast. And today we will ask the question, what does it mean to doubt as a believer? How does God respond to our questions and our doubts? And is there space for some doubt that isn’t disruptive? Ultimately, how do we move forward, growing in confidence and resembling the Lord even more, even when we do not have all the answers? Our goal for today’s podcast and conversation is not to spread doubt and infect others with disbelief, so to speak, but we want to acknowledge that we all experience doubt from time to time without giving that doubt too much power. So hey everyone, we have Peter, Roy, and Bethel. How are you guys doing today? 00:01:31 Bethel: Good. How’s it going? Oh. 00:01:34 Patricia: Good. All right. So I want to launch right into our first question. Um and it doesn’t matter who answers, but what type of doubts have you experienced in your Christian life? 00:01:51 Bethel: I think even in my limited amount of life, as I go through different seasons, different phases, there’s always some point that I’m kind of like, Is God who he says he is in terms of, is God as good as he says he is? Is God um, always with me as he says he is? Which I mean, an utmost respect. I don’t mean that in any irreverent way, but I think that that’s normal, that we all kind of go through a point where we’re like, um, God, really with me. Is God really carrying me? Is God really sticking with me? 00:02:26 Patricia: MM. Yeah. Anybody else? What type of doubts have you experienced? 00:02:32 Peter: Like many of us who are new believers, I, uh, at the beginning of my salvation, uh, did doubt being saved. I remember praying multiple times. Um, and every time there was a salvation message, I was always worried, oh, no, if there’s another message. Um, until I reached a point where I prayed, Lord, you know, I don’t know what’s going on. And, um, I remember that I saw a difference in my life. And, uh, that was a shooting to me that, you know, the Lord worked in my heart. People didn’t know. They didn’t see the difference. But I knew the difference. I know that I started, you know, desiring to read scripture more. Um, my attitude towards life changed. Um, when I was I mean, still like a young, maybe thirteen years old. So that’s one of the doubts, um, that I had. Um. 00:03:39 Patricia: Okay. Right. 00:03:42 Roy: I, um, no doubt it’s been a long time. Uh, I’m the old guy on the podcast and I, uh, I don’t remember having doubts like Peter described, but I’m almost certain that I must have, uh, they’re long gone out of my memory, in any case, but, uh, for sure, uh, doubts about, um, details of life. Should I go this road or that road? Uh, what does this scripture mean? Why does, uh, somebody who’s wiser than I am think it means something different than I? Different than I believe it. So those are the kind of doubts that I’ve had mostly. Okay. Uh, and there’s been specific incidences when I’ve had to do something that had no knowledge that it would be the right thing or the wrong thing, but a decision had to be made. And it turns out, uh, years later, it was obvious that, um, that that was the right thing to do. So I think that’s an interesting experience. And I have to say, I was encouraged by a book, uh, by Elsie Cole. And I don’t remember the title of it right at the moment. Um, I’m, this is off the top of my head right now, but she was a missionary to China for many years and expressed the same sort of experience. So I was encouraged by that. Uh, we, we have to sometimes go ahead in our practical life, uh, on faith, uh, believing God is good and that he’s going to make everything work out and not worry about whether I’m doing exactly the right thing or not. Uh, because he’s sovereign and he’s good. And I think those two principles really have to guide us. Yeah. 00:05:39 Patricia: So I want to back up a little bit. Can we define doubt? What is it? Because I think we’re talking about like how it’s functioned in our lives. But, um, what actually is doubt? 00:05:56 Peter: I mean, my simple thought process, uh, um, like in simplicity, I would think is what I believe in is true or not. 00:06:06 Patricia: Mhm. 00:06:07 Peter: Um, what I feel confident about what I put my faith in. Is that true? Or is that just, uh, you know, Another imaginary thing or something that I, I made up. 00:06:24 Patricia: Oh yeah. It’s like a competing idea in your mind. Like, maybe I’m wrong about this whole thing. Yeah. So then thinking along those lines, can we have a little clarity? Are doubts a sign of weak faith, or can they be part of a normal Christian journey? 00:06:49 Bethel: I think we have to doubt at some point everybody’s gonna doubt. I think what differs is maybe what you will have doubts about. But I think that it’s normal that if you care about anything, you are inquisitive about it and you want to see it and you want to experience it. And so to doubt something means that you’re, I believe, spending time in it and that you are invested in it. So I think the same for your faith. If you want to see God’s hand. And maybe sometimes you don’t see it in the way you want to see it. You might doubt if you want to be saved. And so you hear a gospel message and you doubt. Each time it’s because you want. You want to be saved. You want to be sure that you’ve done it right. So I think that that can definitely be normal. Oh. 00:07:38 Roy: Doubt can be the means by which we expand our understanding. Um, I think I, I’m struck by what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians thirteen, verse twelve, I think, where we see through a dim window and I think it’s part of our human experience. Um, our limitations. And thankfully that’s going to be done away. Uh, in the new, uh, the new era, the new creation. Um, when we fully realize, um, two things. Uh, I think that’s in the same passage actually. First Corinthians thirteen that, which is, uh, partial will be put away. So, um, doubt prompts us to investigate. It should now it can be debilitating. And that’s where it becomes bad and a real hindrance when we come maybe obsessed with our doubt, but that that actually is a result of not really believing God is good. Because if we really believe that he’s good. Um, and I think scripture from page one enforces that on us. Um, even if we go back to the Garden of Eden and I think so much depends on the Garden of Eden or as revealed there, what happened? Uh, our first parents failed miserably and it was catastrophic. The, the failure. It’s affected every human being that’s ever lived. And yet what has come out of that? Um. The Lord, speaking to his disciples in John twelve said, except the corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone, but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. Well, that is such a profound verse, and it explains why God allowed the fall and what he’s done about it. We could not really be inheritors with Christ if Christ had not come into this life to save us. As a man, he is now risen man and we’re going to be like him. All of that’s made possible by the fall. If you think about it. So here are the most catastrophic failure result in the most catastrophic injustice

We’re diving into one of life’s most powerful questions: Who am I? It’s a question we’ve all wrestled with at some point, and for believers, it carries a deeper weight. As life changes, we may question our identities completely. Am I still a sinner, or am I something new? Does my past define me? What does it mean to have an identity in Christ? For those who are not saved, we challenge you to consider your identity: a sinner, on your way to a Christless eternity. More specifically, what that means is eternal suffering and separation from God in a conscious state for eternity. This is not what the Lord intended – listen to the call of the Gospel. Good news that the Son of God was born as a baby, grew into a Man, fully man, fully God, and died on the Cross to pay a price you could not pay. Your Sin was condemned, and your sins were paid for; accept the free gift of salvation and have a new identity today: new creation in Christ.  In this episode, we’re going to unpack what the Bible says about who you really are — not who the world says you are, not who your mistakes say you are — but who God says you are. If you had to introduce yourself to someone, how would you identify yourself?  What happens when I have an unstable identity?Being saved – are you saved?!How does it impact my life when I don’t know who I am or when I let my identity shift based on circumstances or opinions?”What does it mean to be “born again?”“Ye must be born again” – the words of the Lord Jesus2 Corinthians 5:7, 17Ephesians 2:10What or Who ultimately defines my identity? My actions or God? Or is it a little bit of both?2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”How do I see myself: as a sinner, a saint, or something else?When I sin, is it ok for me to admit: “I’m a sinner?”Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”Ephesians 1:6 – “…He made us accepted in the Beloved.”Is there a difference between repentance and confession?Do sinners repent? Do saints confess?Do I need to keep repenting to stay saved?Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”Hebrews 10:14 – “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”Is salvation still active in my present life?Does that mean I can lose my salvation?2 Corinthians 4:16 – “…the inward man is being renewed day by day.”Colossians 3: 1 – 17 (focus on verse 10). – Man’s responsibility Philippians 2:12-13 – “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you…” Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! UNEDITED TRANSCRIPTION: Welcome to the Patterns of Truth podcast, the place for casual discussion of biblical principles and difficult questions that face the Christian believer. We believe that the Bible can speak to today’s issues, giving us the wisdom and the courage we need for our lives. We are so glad that you are joining us, and you can always find us at patterns of thought. Welcome to the Patterns of Truth podcast. This is the show where we explore the foundations of our faith and what it really means to live in the truth of the gospel. I’m your host for today’s conversation, Patricia. And today we’re diving into one of life’s most powerful questions who am I? It’s a question we’ve all wrestled with at some point, whether we’re in different stages of life or just growing and figuring ourselves out. But as Christians, as believers, this question carries a deeper weight Await as life changes, we may question our identities completely. Like I said before, we may ask ourselves based on my action, am I still a sinner or am I something new, a saint? Does my past define me? What does it mean to have identity in Christ? But first, I have to always mention we can’t assume that all of our listeners are Christians are saved. So we challenge those who may not be saved. Maybe you’re curious about the Bible, about Jesus Christ, about Christians. Whatever we talk about, we challenge you to consider your identity. In the Scripture. There are only two. You either belong to the Lord or you don’t. A sinner means that you are on your way to a christless eternity. And that term may sound unfamiliar, but specifically, that term means that eternal suffering and separation from God happens in a conscious state for all of eternity. You do not accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. This is not what the Lord intended for human beings, his creation. Please listen to the call of the gospel. That’s a word that means good news. And this good news is that the Son of God was born as a baby. His name is Jesus Christ. He grew up into a man. He was fully man and fully God. He is fully man and fully God. And he died on the cross to pay a price that you could not pay. Your sin was condemned and your sins were paid for. Please accept the free gift of salvation and have a new identity today. This is a new creation in Christ. So with that, we are going to unpack what the Bible says about who we really are post salvation right after we confess and we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And this podcast is not really about who the world says we are, like what society says we are not our mistakes or any of those things, any of those things, but what the Lord says. So let’s get into it. Today, I’m joined by Bethel and Roy, I hope you all are doing well. Hey. Hello. Hello. All right. So we’re going to start very, very basic. If you had to introduce yourself to someone based on where you are in your life right now, how would you identify yourself? Roy? Well, I generally say I’m retired. That’s really nice. I like it. But in Christian circles, of course. Um, I’m, uh, born again. Usually the term that I would use. Okay. And I think that gets to the chase. That gets to the bottom line of what we’re talking about. Yeah, I did look up center. We were talking about sinners or saints. And I found it interesting that there’s if you do a search, there’s forty one references to sinners in the New Testament. And one of them, only one of them refers to a possible believer. And that’s in James five twenty two talks about bringing a sinner back from the error of his ways. So the word centre really refers to the way a person is behaving, and the presumption and all the other verses is that they are unsaved. And I think we’ll talk a little bit more about what that means. MM. All right. What about you? If you had to introduce yourself to someone today based on where you are in your life, how would you identify yourself? A child of the Most High God. No. I’m kidding. Um, it should be, but, uh, I just got out of, like, interview season. And so you practice so much of like, oh, how do you present yourself? How do you, like, tell me about who you are. And I feel like I would always go for like, well, I live in new Jersey and I am the daughter of an Egyptian and Iraqi family. And just like, go about like my, my story. And I’m like, oh, and I’m a student and I am this and I am that and I’ve done this and that. all vein things that are fragile and frail and could pass away in an instant. I mean, I feel like identity is like most of what we say can be categorized in two, like two areas. Like what you’ve been given, like your parents, like your background where you grew up. Like they made those decisions, right? And then like the things that you’ve done. So congratulations, Roy, on retiring, right? But even that, like you had to tell someone, I am retiring now like you to send out paperwork and all that, like you had to officially stamp it. Like, this is who I am now. I am no longer a working American. Leave me alone. I will usually add I retired from Intel and that niches me as a geek. Okay, tech starts some kind of conversation, right? But you know, it’s funny because we usually do use these like identity, like touch points as a way to like, get to know other people and relate or just to have conversation, which is cool too. So but I feel like there’s so many layers, like Bethel just said, like about what our identity is. So let’s start with our first official question on the podcast. What happens when I like as a Christian or even anybody, right? Thinking about ourselves spiritually, what happens when I have an unstable identity? Not like many facets, but like I can’t decide who I am or I feel unsettled with who I am. HMM. I think it would be very discouraging. Um, and you certainly would not have a consistent testimony. And I use the term just generally. I mean, even an unbeliever has a testimony. I mean, what you what you present to other people, you’d have a very unstable, um, character, I think because I think character comes, uh, at least in some part from what you think you are. So in my case, you know, I’m like I said, I worked for Intel for many years. So that defines somewhat the way I behave and the way I talk and the verbs, the, excuse me, the language that I use, um, in talking about things and that reflects, that comes to reflect, uh, your language as a Christian, you’ll have certain, um, views about what’s going on in the world and that will come out in any real discussion. So it is important to have a stable self-conception. If you don’t, then you’ll be saying different things to different people and you’ll feel differently even about yourself and your relationship to other people from day to day. And that’s doesn’t sound to me like it’s a good thing. Why is it a big deal If you say different things to different people. I mean, about your identity, like Bethel was saying, you’re an intervie

Welcome back to the Patterns of Truth podcast — we’re diving into one of life’s most powerful questions: Who am I? It’s a question we’ve all wrestled with at some point, and for believers, it carries a deeper weight. As life changes, we may question our identities completely. Am I still a sinner, or am I something new? Does my past define me? What does it mean to have an identity in Christ? For those who are not saved, we challenge you to consider your identity: a sinner, on your way to a Christless eternity. More specifically, what that means is eternal suffering and separation from God in a conscious state for eternity. This is not what the Lord intended – listen to the call of the Gospel. Good news that the Son of God was born as a baby, grew into a Man, fully man, fully God, and died on the Cross to pay a price you could not pay. Your Sin was condemned, and your sins were paid for; accept the free gift of salvation and have a new identity today: new creation in Christ.  In this episode, we’re going to unpack what the Bible says about who you really are — not who the world says you are, not who your mistakes say you are — but who God says you are. So whether you’ve just started your faith journey or you’ve been walking with Jesus for years, this conversation is for you. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Are You Trying Too Hard? How to Balance Discipline and Dependence in the Christian Life appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

Episode Summary This episode comes as a lecture from one of our regular contributors. Aaron (the speaker in this lecture) takes up the question, Is truth captured or held in creeds and traditions? We think this is a very important question because we are seeing more return to traditions and rituals in our Christian circles. Aaron does something interesting. Instead of answering the question, he starts by looking at the scripture and what it tells us or reveals about God, and God the Son. Along the way, he compares historic creeds like the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed with the “whole counsel of God” found in the Bible. Are these man-made statements helpful, or do they risk missing the fullness of God’s revelation? Aaron emphasizes that while creeds can summarize aspects of truth, only Scripture itself is living, active, and able to transform hearts. This episode challenges us to seek truth not in human constructions but in the Word of God, which remains forever. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post The Whole Counsel Of God appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

Welcome to another episode of Patterns of Truth — a podcast where we explore challenging questions through the lens of Scripture. We’ve got a big topic on the table: Calvinism. In today’s episode, we’ll be unpacking the major ideas behind the five points of Calvinism — commonly remembered by the acronym TULIP. But what do those points actually mean? And what does Scripture have to say about them? We recently published an article on this topic: A brief review of Calvinism: TULIP, or not TULIP?, but we thought it would be helpful to bring the authors Roy and Aaron and expand on it further and address some questions our audience might have. Before we dive in, a quick disclaimer: our guests today aren’t professional theologians or scholars — we’re simply believers aiming to examine this topic carefully and biblically. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or fully on board, we’re really glad you’re here. Check out the article that sparked the discussion: A brief review of Calvinism: TULIP, or not TULIP? The post TULIP or no TULIP appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

“Covenant Theology” is a term that more and more Christians are encountering in the mainstream on various platforms. What should we think of it? Is Covenant Theology new? Is it old? And what exactly is it? The same questions can be applied to “Dispensations.” Are covenants at odds with dispensations? Maybe you’re thinking: why does this even matter? Isn’t this topic for theological students and shouldn’t “regular Christians” just stick to the point? Understanding Covenant Theology and Dispensations directly impacts how we read the Bible, understand our places as Christians, and, even, how we address God in prayer. Each one of us must study and know what’s in God’s word.  In today’s episode, join host Patricia and guests Roy, Peter, Nate, and Daniel as they discuss what Covenant Theology is, what it isn’t, what Dispensational Truth is, and what it isn’t; tackling the challenges and misconceptions surrounding these theological frameworks along the way. This podcast will not be an exhaustive conversation of each detail and the ins and outs of both Covenant Theology and Dispensational Truth.   Remember that understanding these theological frameworks is crucial for accurately interpreting Scripture. In a world filled with diverse ideas and influences, it’s vital to cut through the noise and uncover what the Bible truly says. Our primary focus should always be on understanding God’s Word in its proper context, remembering that His ways are not our ways. Keep studying and searching the Scriptures! We’d love to hear from you! If you have additional questions about this topic, visit us at patternsoftruth.org and click on the Q&A button to “Ask a Question.” The post Covenant Theology vs. Dispensationalism: Navigating Theological Perspectives in Christianity appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

Episode Summary Fear—irrational, circumstantial, or deeply rooted—is something we all face. In this episode of the Patterns of Truth podcast, Patricia is joined by Roy, Bethel, and Peter for a heartfelt and faith-filled conversation about the top three fears they’re currently facing, how those fears have changed over time, and what the Bible has to say about anxiety, trust, and spiritual peace. From fears of failure, loneliness, and death, to anxiety about health, flying, or FOMO, this discussion cover personal stories and Biblical truth. Together, the hosts explore whether anxiety is sinful, how to distinguish between emotional and spiritual fear, and how believers can biblically process overwhelming emotions while trusting in God’s promises. Whether you’re battling fear in silence or just curious about how faith intersects with emotional well-being, this episode is a relatable, encouraging, and a timely listen. Resources & References “Is Anxiety or Depression a Sin?” – Read the blog post Philippians 4:6–8, Psalm 23, Mark 4:35–41, Psalm 105 Book mentioned: Out of the Blues (on Christian perspectives on depression) Call to Action Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Lean into God’s promises, open up to trusted community, and don’t be afraid to seek help. Whether you’re facing emotional, circumstantial, or spiritual fears, peace is possible through Christ. Want more encouragement on difficult topics? Visit PatternsOfTruth.org to explore thoughtful, biblical answers to real-life questions. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with a friend who needs biblical encouragement! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Top Three Things We’re Scared Of appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

There’s conversion but then there’s the training ground… …how do we live? Today we’re going to talk about embracing opportunities for discipleship in our Christian lives. What is it and how does it happen? Discipleship is not just a concept; it should be an integral part of our lives as believers and it requires vulnerability, accountability, and intentional sacrifice. Most importantly, discipleship requires us to have our eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Some questions we’ll be looking at today: What is a disciple?  How do we participate in discipleship alongside other believers? Why is it so difficult for us to disciple/be disciples if it’s supposed to be “the norm” for us? How d we seek out discipleship when things are good? When things are bad? How does “disciple-making” happen? How can I mentor someone spiritually? How is sharing the Gospel part of discipleship? Let’s remember that discipleship isn’t just a program or a checklist; it’s an opportunity to walk alongside other Christians, to get, and to give help as we grow closer to the Lord in every way.  Make the effort to be open and to be real. Discipleship isn’t about putting on a facade – it’s about being vulnerable and allowing others to walk alongside you. Don’t worry if you feel nervous – that’s perfectly normal! Look around at mature Believers in your vicinity and examine their lives. Don’t hesitate to ask the Lord to connect you with the right people who can guide and support you on your journey. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Embrace Opportunities for Discipleship in Your Christian Life appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

In the “Politics…It’s Complicated” episode of the Patterns of Truth Podcast, host Patricia, along with panelists Roy, Peter, and Bethel, delve into the complexities of politics from a Christian perspective post the 2024 US election and 2025 inauguration. The discussion isn’t about promoting or critiquing any politician but exploring how believers should approach politics. They define government, both from a secular and biblical viewpoint, referencing scriptures like Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2, and acknowledge the variety of government systems Christians might encounter worldwide, from democracy to theocracy. The panel discusses the idea of political neutrality, the Christian’s relationship with power, and how to handle fear in a politically charged environment. They explore whether it’s permissible for Christians to engage in politics for personal or communal benefit, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a heavenly perspective amidst earthly matters. The conversation also touches on God’s sovereignty over rulers, and government. They conclude by addressing how to cope with the varied impacts of political decisions and encourage listeners to pray for political wisdom and for those under oppressive regimes. For more reflections, visit patternsoftruth.org. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Politics…It’s Complicated appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

Welcome to another episode of the Patterns of Truth Podcast! Krista, Roy, and Peter join our host Patricia to have a conversation about growing pains. Often, we think of literal growing pains in adolescence or metaphorical “growing pains” as we figure ourselves out in our 20s. You might think growing pains are something we leave behind in our teenage years. But the reality is that, as adults, we often face new and unexpected challenges that test our faith, relationships, emotions, and careers.  Does spiritual growth ever peak? How do relationships with those around us affect our growing pains? Can someone give me some practical tips for navigating my growing pains? Through the insights, experiences, and, most importantly, Scripture shared by those who joined us today, we can be encouraged to know that no matter our age, we are not alone in our growing pains. We’re all in this process of constantly striving for understanding and clarity in God’s word.  Remember, spiritual growth never ends. Even when we face doubts, questions, and moments of spiritual dryness, God’s Word reminds us that we are continually being shaped and matured in our faith. We hope this conversation has made you think, stirred your curiosity, and will encourage you to open up this discussion with others. Our goal at Patterns of Truth is simple: to inspire meaningful conversations and foster growth in our relationship with the Lord.  If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share it with friends, and leave us a review. Until next time, keep growing, stay faithful, and remember that every growing pain is an opportunity to bring forth new fruit in your life. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post How To Make Growth And Growing Pains More Rewarding appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

When you think of good Christian fun, several things might come to mind: youth group, mini golf, bowling, ping pong, and Bananagrams. There’s nothing wrong with any of those things. Still, today’s episode is about the wide diversity of hobbies, leisure, and adventurous activities that real Christians engage in to keep life interesting. At the same time, we look for the Lord’s return and balance work, faith, and family life. Questions we ask: What do you enjoy? What are your hobbies? What are the common barriers Christians face when it comes to having fun? Is it wrong? Do non-Christians like this activity too much? Does that automatically mean I shouldn’t do it? This world is a wilderness – does that mean we can’t enjoy anything while we are here? How do we reconcile the idea of being pilgrims in this world with the enjoyment of earthly blessings? In what sense are we pilgrims? Context matters. How does Colossians 2:21 shape our understanding of fun as Christians? What does this verse tell us about the balance between enjoying life and maintaining our faith? How do issues like being overly busy or feeling guilty impact our ability to prioritize enjoyment?Guilt – “Redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:16) – If you have spare time, how should it be spent? Is it wise to spend it on entertainment? Or something else?Guilt – “The pride of life” – Am I investing too much into entertainment and the things of this life? Conclusion: One takeaway I have from this conversation is that everything we do in this life should not be centered around work, career, or advancement. Yes, we have to live, but our relationship with the Lord, fellowship with others, and what we do during “downtime” are so important. As always, we must use biblical principles to navigate our Christian walk. Be happy – enjoy your life! When considering an activity or hobby you’re unsure about, ask the Lord to help you evaluate it! Thanks again for joining us at the Patterns of Truth podcast! Our goal is simple: to inspire meaningful dialogue and foster spiritual growth in our relationship with the Lord. Tell others about the podcast and submit your questions! Recent Podcast Releases Beats, Bars, and Boundaries – What Makes Music Christian? Headlines & Hope: A Christian Response to Geopolitical Conflicts Using God’s Word to Answer Hard Questions Shadow of a Doubt: Can Your Faith Survive It? Who Am I – Understanding Your Identity in Christ Are You Trying Too Hard? How to Balance Discipline and Dependence in the Christian Life The Whole Counsel Of God TULIP or no TULIP Covenant Theology vs. Dispensationalism: Navigating Theological Perspectives in Christianity Top Three Things We’re Scared Of Embrace Opportunities for Discipleship in Your Christian Life Politics…It’s Complicated How To Make Growth And Growing Pains More Rewarding Popular Myth: Christians Have No Fun in Life Why Was Satan Allowed in the Garden? How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome As A Christian Biblical Encouragement And Comfort For Christians Grieving Miscarriage And Baby Loss Christians & Flex Culture?! Millennials, GenZ, and Social Media…Again?! Does the salvation story makes sense? Praying In God’s Will? Live From The Bahamas! The Sacred Name Movement What’s Something In 2022 Reynolds’ Wrap: Foiling The Devil In Eastern Europe Lessons In The Jungle With Aunt Peg Art for God’s Sake? Desperate For The Right Person What’s All This Talk About Multiverses? Be a Witness: Reaching the STEM Audience Your Argument Stinks! What’s a Good Argument? What We’re Reading Be A Witness: Church Hurt How To Be A Faithful Christian Lost In Translation Be A Witness: Homosexuality & Sexual Abuse Around the World with Eugene Vedder Help, My Church Doesn’t Talk About Sex Enough! Pray Without Ceasing Let’s Talk About Camp 3 Questions about Christianese – What Is It And How To Use It Buy The Truth And Refuse To Sell Is Video Conferencing Dangerous For The Church? Christian Persecution & the Christian Right What Does It Take To Find Truth? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Popular Myth: Christians Have No Fun in Life appeared first on Patterns of Truth.

Question: Why was Satan allowed in the garden? Answer: Satan Allowed The description of the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 2 is followed immediately by the appearance of Satan at the very beginning of chapter 3. Verse 8 of chapter 3 gives the further impression that God was accustomed to visiting Adam and Eve in the evening. Putting this together gives the distinct impression that the appearance of Satan was very soon, if not immediately after Adam and Eve were placed in the garden. This brings to mind the account of Satan coming before God in the book of Job (Job 2:1-2). There it was God Himself who brought Job to Satan’s attention, which led to Job’s trial.  In contrast, the story of Elisha mocking the prophets of Baal, “he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27), is humorous because we know that the true God is never “asleep” (Ps. 121:3-4) or inattentive to the events in His creation. So, we must realize that it was in God’s sovereign wisdom and will that Satan tempted Adam and Eve. He knew what would happen. In fact, as we will see, Eden was not God’s purpose for Adam and Eve. They were actually better off after the Fall. Just as Job had a necessary lesson to learn, God had a far higher purpose for mankind than to dwell in Eden. (1 Corinthians 2:9) God’s Purpose God’s purpose in creation can be seen by considering 1 Corinthians 15:46 with Acts 2:23 and John 12:24. In these verses we read,  “But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.” To provide the basis for this “new creation” we read “ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” and “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” So we see from this that God’s purpose from the beginning, even before creation, was the redemption of mankind, not sustaining them in a perfect garden on this Earth. This purpose finds its resolution in the New Jerusalem and the New Heaven and Earth.  The garden was certainly “pleasant” as the name “Eden” means. In Eden, everything considered desirable for life was provided: food, a place to live, companionship, fellowship with God, purpose, and useful work in an idyllic environment.  For Adam and Eve, it was a witness of God’s goodness and thus exaggerates the lie of Satan that God was withholding something good from them. Their disobedience showed the weakness of their condition. Their failure represented the general failure of mankind. But, it provided the opportunity for God to reveal the redemption plan that was to be the basis of a permanent relationship with God. It is very important to realize that Adam and Eve were actually better off after the fall than being in the garden. In the garden, their relationship to God was based on a legal principle; whereas after the fall, God provides the promise of redemption, and their subsequent relationship with God is based on grace accepted by faith. In addition, the world they were thrust into was the perfect training ground for them as sinners. As Paul learned, he needed the thorn. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10) Rather it was for them to trust his grace So, it is not surprising that the record shows that Satan was allowed to immediately enter the garden to tempt Adam and Eve. Certainly, God could have prevented this but it was not his plan to keep Adam and Eve sequestered in a protected garden. Rather it was for them to trust his grace, living a life in a world that was contrary to their old nature, and learn the goodness of God in the face of trial. This provided the necessary discipline to instruct them in the ways of God’s grace and learn dependence in the face of their own frailty. It is important to recall here that it is the glory of the Lord Jesus, as Son of Man, to walk in the creature’s place. This would have an immeasurable reward.  We thank Thee, Lord, for weary days When desert springs were dry, And first we knew what depth of need Thy love could satisfy. Days when beneath the desert sun, Along the toilsome road, O'er roughest ways we walked with One, That One the Son of God. We thank Thee for that rest in Thee The weary only know, That perfect wondrous sympathy We only learn below. The sweet companionship of One Who once the desert trod: The glorious fellowship with One Upon the throne of God. We know Thee as we could not know Through heaven's golden years; We there shall see Thy glorious face --- Here understand Thy tears! And here in peace, with Thee we go Where Thou, our Shepherd, trod, Still, learning through our need below Depths of the heart of God. Anonymous (Spiritual Songs #329) You might be interested in: What was the purpose of creating the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? What Is Meant by Scriptural Inerrancy? Did God Plan for Samson to Sin? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! The post Why Was Satan Allowed in the Garden? appeared first on Patterns of Truth.