Real Talk Christian Podcast

064: Can Christians Be Political?

Everyone knows that you never bring up two topics at the family dinner table: religion and politics. Thankfully, we aren't most people.
On this episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc and Fuller talk about politics and specifically answer the question, "Can Christians be political?" There are so many Christians that combine their faith with a political platform, and we set out to see if that's a Christian idea or a worldly idea that has crept into the faith. We look at governments in the Old Testament and New Testament, if Christians should vote, can Christians serve as political figures, and how Christians should handle political conversations in every day life.
 
More food for thought:
https://www.bruderhof.com/en/voices-blog/world/christians-dont-fit-into-the-political-system-period-nyt-oped-timothy-keller
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/29/opinion/sunday/christians-politics-belief.html
https://subsplash.com/northpointcommunitychurch/media/ms/+78qhcd8
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/confident-politics/
 
Helpful links:Choose your listening platform: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcastGot Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.orgDwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.ioCross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.comRTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.comRTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
 
Music used on RTC:Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

BONUS: Extraterrestrials and Christianity

IT’S TIME FOR A BONUS EPISODE! 
Just like last year, we’re bringing you a special Halloween episode. Last year, we talked about history of the holiday and how Christians should handle celebrating. This year? Let’s talk about aliens, extraterrestrial activity, and if Christians should just go ahead and storm Area 51. With all this so called, "alien activity" happening in our world, should Christians believe that aliens are real, and if aliens are real, what does this mean for our faith?
Get your candy ready. It’s going to be a fun ride!
 
Last year's Halloween episode:
https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/014-the-halloween-episode/
 
Links mentioned in the episode:
Louie Giglio Sermon, "How Great is Our God"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atUGBua2AzE
Creation Museum
https://creationmuseum.org
 
Interesting (and some funny) articles on this topic:
https://biologos.org/articles/what-would-life-beyond-earth-mean-for-christians
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/november-web-only/love-thy-extraterrestrial-neighbor-aliens-astrobiology.html
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/ufos-and-the-laughter-of-faith
https://www.gospelherald.com/articles/70743/20170531/belief-alien-life-harm-christian-s-faith.htm
 
Music used on RTC:Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
 Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

063: What is Undeserved Grace?

Grace. Grace is a word that is often used in Christian circles, but outside of salvation, many don’t understand how grace plays a role in our everyday lives. In this week’s episode, Marc and Fuller discuss the topic of grace, define the term, and then discuss how to both receive grace and display grace in both times of peace and times of civil unrest.
Helpful links:Choose your listening platform: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcastGot Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.orgDwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.ioCross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.comRTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.comRTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
Music used on RTC:Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

062: Topic Roulette, No Prep Required

Different is good...usually. So, let's try something different! In today's episode of RTC, Marc and Fuller do something different where we asked Janeal, Chris' wife, to put a topic in a sealed envelope for us to answer on the spot, no prep required. This topic is one that you hear everywhere, and if you're breathing, you probably have said this yourself. Let's go!
 
Helpful links:Choose your listening platform: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcastGot Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.orgDwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.ioCross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.comRTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.comRTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
 
Music used on RTC:Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgrenhttps://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

061: Let's Talk About Sin

Sin. If you’ve grown up in church, you’ve heard it used quite a bit. If you’re new to the faith, you know it’s bad…but that’s about it. Have you ever asked, “what is sin?” or “how do I know if I did sin?”
 
In this episode of RTC, Marc and Fuller discuss these questions and more, including why we struggle with sin, how to deal with guilt and shame that comes from sin, should we ever call out other people’s sins, and even the popular phrase, “I love Jesus, but I…” 
 
 
Helpful links:
Choose your listening platform: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
Got Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.com
RTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
RTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
 
 
Music used on RTC:
Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
 
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

060: How Should We Study the Bible?

In the Christian world, believers know and understand the Bible to be God’s Word. Many pastors, theologians, and philosophers have dedicated their entire lives to learning and discovering everything they can about the Bible, yet, they say that there is always more to learn and discover. You may be like many others and think that if they can’t fully understand the Bible, how can you?
 
In this episode of RTC, Marc and Fuller talk about the various ways to study the Bible and even give tips and resources to help you better study the Bible. Let’s be honest, the best way to study the Bible is to sit down and read it, but if you want to dive in deeper, this is the episode for you.
 
Other RTC Episodes mentioned in this episode:
051, Why Should I Pray?: http://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/051-the-importance-of-prayer/
 
003, How do we live in our culture while not conforming to the culture:  http://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/003-how-do-we-live-in-our-culture-while-not-conforming-to-the-culture/
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://factsandtrends.net/2019/07/02/how-many-protestant-churchgoers-actually-read-the-bible-regularly/
 
Helpful links:
Got Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.com
RTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
RTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
RTC Quick links: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
 
Music used on RTC:
Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
 
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg
 

059: Should Christians Live in the Purity Culture?

The Purity Culture started as a movement to teach teens and young adults the purpose of sex, dating, and relationships. Although it has great intentions, the movement ended up hurting many who followed the list of do's and don’ts.
 
A few years ago, Joshua Harris, author of “I Kissed Dating Goodbye,” traveled around the nation, recording people’s testimonies of those who were hurt by this movement. Soon after his travels, he felt the need to rescinding his book and condemn the movement, but does all of this make the Purity Culture movement bad?
 
In this week's episode, Marc and Fuller discuss the Purity Culture – what it is, what it meant to accomplish, and what it means to live in movement. The Bible talks about sex and purity, but what in the purity culture is biblical and what is someone’s opinions? One way to find out!
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/faqs-know-purity-culture/?amp
 
Helpful links:
Got Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.com
RTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
RTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
RTC Quick links: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
 
Music used on RTC:
Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
 
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

058: Can Christians Wrestle with Doubt?

Studies show that over half of all believers wrestle with doubt, specifically regarding if Christianity is the one true religion and if God exists. If those studies are correct, that probably means that if you're reading this, you, at one point or another, have had doubts about your faith. If this is you, you may have wondered, "is this actually okay? Am I losing my faith?"
In this weeks episode of RTC, Marc and Fuller discuss doubt — what we can do when doubts surface, what most people do when doubt arises, where to get answers to your doubt, and most importantly, if doubt is a sign of unbelief. 
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.barna.com/research/two-thirds-christians-face-doubt/https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/blog/talk-about-doubthttps://seanmcdowell.org/blog/can-you-doubt-towards-faithhttps://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/wrestling-with-doubt-and-disbelief/https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/doubt-doubts/
 
 
Helpful links:
Got Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.com
RTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
RTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
RTC Quick links: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
 
Music used on RTC:
Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
 
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

057: UnChristian-ed Celebrities: Do Their Materials Still Matter?

Over the years, Christians have watched many famous Christian personalities and celebrities walk away from the faith that they once preached (e.g., Marty Sampson of Hillsong United, Jon Steingard of Hawk Nelson, Pastor Joshua Harris, author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and performing artist Ray Boltz). As many of these celebrities walk away, those still in the faith are stuck with their books, writings, songs, and resources and wonder "what do we do with all of this now?"
In this conversation of RTC, Marc and Fuller discuss how we handle Christian celebrities who walk away from the faith (or are in the process of deconstructing their faith) and what we should do with the content that they've produced.
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-Another-Christian-worship-leader-loses-his-faith-Jon-Steingard-and-Sean-McDowell
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zslyvZeU-IE
 
Helpful links:
Got Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.com
RTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
RTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
RTC Quick links: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
 
Music used on RTC:
Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
 
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg

056: Are Tattoos Sinful?

There's no question that tattoos are taboo in Christian circles – the more "conservative" a church, the fewer members with tattoos (unless those tattoos were from their past life of course), but it seems that more and more pastors, teachers, and Christians have several tattoos. As Christians, we aren't called to live up to the standard of other people, but we are called to live up to God's standards. What is God's standards on this topic?
On today's episode of RTC, Marc and Fuller discuss look at the Bible to see what it has to say about tattoos, but more than that, they discuss if it's a wise move to get tattoos, no matter your standard or belief.
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/is-it-biblical-for-christians-to-get-tattoos.html
https://newspring.cc/articles/can-christians-get-tattoos
 
Helpful links:
Got Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.org
Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io
Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://crossformedkids.com
RTC Website: https://www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com
RTC Store: https://teespring.com/stores/real-talk-christian-podcast?page=1
RTC Quick links: http://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast
 
Music used on RTC:
Opening Song: "Joy" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VcYVaixPlAS1KDVgYo1Dy?si=TqSXguuVQNudJrkcRDDjIA
 
Closing Song: "Adjust" by Paul Lindgren
https://open.spotify.com/track/16VMY0XxHDo0bLpp6dQpuc?si=a1khJqYTTtWyzeQEbtYGXg