9.44 - 10 Commandments Countdown: #2 No Idols

One of many, or the the one and only? If there is only one God, and we come to know Him by what He does, then any preconceived notions of who or what a deity is need to be cast aside, along with the notion that there are any other gods. The net might be cast wider than you think. What governs your life? What do you allow to come between you and your obedience or service to the Lord? No other gods. No other governing authority over your life. Tune in to today's episode as the guys dive into Commandment #1 and challenge our understanding of monotheistic exclusivity. Because the best conversations happen After Class!

We have come a long way from carving images and bowing down to them, but is that all idol worship is about? Today, the guys dig into the commandment not to worship idols and provide insight into how we may be prone to drift into idol worship in today's day and age. In fact, you may be worshiping an idol right now! Tune in to today's episode to be challenged, convicted, and encouraged as we seek to worship the one true God on His terms and in His way. Because the best conversations happen After Class!

Heather Gorman, Professor of New Testament at Abilene Christian University and a guest speaker during Restoration Week at Great Lakes Christian College, makes a guest appearance on ACP to talk about unity.  What exactly is Jesus praying for in John 17 when he speaks about us being one, and how do we live out a unity that is rooted in the unity of the father and the son? Are we achieving this or do we sacrifice our unity for political partisanship?  Today's episode promises fresh sarcasm as the guys welcome Heather to share her thoughts and convictions about the body of Christ and our need for unity among congregations and denominations. Who knows more about the New Testament, Ron or Heather?  Tune in to find out, because the best conversations happen After Class!

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!

Do not steal. Simple enough, right? But what if stealing meant feeding your family? Surely that is understandable… But what if you lived in a community where you never had to steal in the first place?  When it comes to theft, God's people are called to a higher standard—not only in how we treat what belongs to others, but also in how we uphold justice in our communities. Tune in to today's episode to hear how the cultural idiom "finders keepers" is at odds with God's kingdom ethic, and how the rich may actually steal more from the poor than Robin Hood would have you think! Because the best conversations happen After Class!

Have you ever asked someone to lie on your behalf? Have you ever lied on behalf of another? Have you ever let the masses dictate how you act, even when you knew  it was wrong? Today, the guys dig into commandment number nine: "Do not bear false witness." Has God called us to a higher standard of truth than we might apply in our day-to-day lives? Tune in to today's episode to hear the guys discuss how deeply the commandment not to bear false witness goes and how to apply it to our lives today. Because the best conversations happen After Class