Greg Hall recounts the extraordinary story of the 2010 Chilean mining disaster, where 33 miners were trapped 2,300 feet underground for 69 days. Hall, the owner of Perfoi Quipos, a company that supplied the miners' equipment, shares the little-known story of how he and his team worked tirelessly to drill a half-mile hole through solid granite to rescue the miners, facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way. [... more]

The new birth is an instantaneous act of God's sovereign grace, bringing a dead soul to life through the power of the Word of God and the operation of the Holy Spirit. This process is not a gradual one, but rather a sudden and decisive change that occurs in a moment, as seen in the examples of Augustine, the Ethiopian eunuch, and Saul of Tarsus. [... more]

Dr. Steve Pettit continues his study series 'Truth and Love' from the book of 1 John, exploring the nature of God's love and its manifestation in the world through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of loving others as a result of being born again and having God's love dwelling in one's heart. [... more]

Desiring the right things, recognizing the fleeting nature of earthly satisfaction, and delaying our desires for promised things are key to finding true fulfillment in life, according to Rich Powell's message on Ecclesiastes. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will and living a life of contentment, rather than being driven by insatiable desires and wandering appetites. [... more]

We often seek satisfaction in the wrong places, but true rest and contentment come from desiring what God wants and recognizing our insatiable desires can be informed and corralled to find purpose and peace. [... more]

The pursuit of wealth and happiness often leaves us unsatisfied, as our insatiable desires can never be fully met. We crave novelty and permanence, but these are elusive, and our focus on material possessions and knowledge can lead to dissatisfaction and a sense of emptiness. Recognizing our place in the created order and the sovereignty of God is essential to finding true satisfaction and meaning in life. [... more]

The discussion revolves around various Christian theological topics, including the nature of suicide, the teachings of Augustine, the Catholic Church, the Trinity, the Torah, antinomianism, and preterism, with the host, Matt Slick, addressing listener questions and providing biblical insights. [... more]

The life of Augustine, a renowned Christian theologian and bishop, is explored in depth, highlighting his tumultuous past, conversion, and eventual rise to prominence as a leading figure in the early Christian church. His writings, particularly the Confessions, offer a profound insight into his spiritual journey and his unwavering commitment to his faith. Through his story, listeners are reminded of the transformative power of God's word and the importance of living a life of devotion and service to others. [... more]

Martin Luther's understanding of the gospel and the righteousness of God led to a life-changing experience and a new approach to biblical interpretation, which would shape the Protestant Reformation and the doctrine of justification by faith alone. [... more]

Martin Luther's discovery of the righteousness of Christ through faith led to the Protestant Reformation, challenging the Roman Catholic Church's teachings on indulgences and salvation. This pivotal moment in church history was shaped by Luther's personal experience and his understanding of Augustine's writings on Romans. [... more]

The doctrine of sola gratia, or grace alone, is a fundamental concept in the Protestant Reformation, rooted in the teachings of Augustine and opposed by Pelagius. It emphasizes the idea that human beings are born in a state of spiritual death and moral impotence, requiring the gift of God's grace to achieve righteousness. [... more]

The concept of free will is explored in relation to God's sovereignty and human freedom. Jonathan Edwards and Augustine's views on moral ability and natural ability are discussed, highlighting the distinction between being able to make choices and having the inclination towards righteousness. [... more]

God's plan for your life is better than your own, and true wisdom comes from a biblical perspective. It's not about following your dreams or trusting your gut, but about seeking God's guidance and living a life that honors Him. Jesus never said that living a good life will get you to heaven, but rather that faith in Him is the key to salvation. [... more]

The doctrine of total depravity is a central tenet of Reformed theology, describing the fallen nature of humanity as a result of original sin. This concept, rooted in the teachings of Saint Augustine, asserts that human beings are not merely sinners because they sin, but rather that they sin because they are sinners by nature. The idea of radical corruption emphasizes the pervasive and core-level impact of sin on human existence, necessitating renovation and regeneration through the power of the Holy Spirit. [... more]

The relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and salvation is a complex issue, with different views on the role of the church in securing salvation. Historically, the Cyprianic formula 'extra ecclesiam nulla salus' emphasized the importance of visible membership in the church for salvation, but this view was modified by Augustine, who argued that the church is holy because of its unity with Christ and the activity of the Holy Spirit, and that not everyone within the church is holy. The Donatist controversy also played a significant role in shaping Augustine's views on the church and salvation. [... more]

God has a purpose for every season of life, including singleness and dating. Christians should seek to glorify God, edify themselves and others, and share their faith with others. By following God's plan, individuals can find contentment and fulfillment in their relationships and lives. [... more]

The concept of natural theology is explored, revealing that God's existence and character are clearly seen in creation, leaving humanity without excuse for not knowing Him. This understanding is rooted in the Bible, particularly Romans chapter 1, and has been developed by theologians such as St Thomas Aquinas and St Augustine. [... more]

The relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and salvation is a long-standing debate, with different views on the role of the church in securing salvation. Historically, the Cyprianic formula stated that outside the church, there is no salvation, but this view was later modified by Augustine, who emphasized the church's holiness and unity with Christ. The Donatist controversy further highlighted the complexities of church membership and salvation, leading to the Protestant Reformation's emphasis on Scripture and faith alone for salvation. [... more]

St. Thomas Aquinas distinguished between nature and grace, faith and reason, and philosophy and science, but not to separate them, but to show their ultimate unity. He argued for the existence of God through natural theology, using five proofs and the concept of necessary being, which means God's being is ontologically necessary and cannot not be. Aquinas also emphasized the importance of the analogy of being, which highlights the similarity between God and human beings, allowing for meaningful discussion about God. [... more]

Saint Augustine's pioneering intellectual contributions to Christian thinking and philosophy are explored, including his emphasis on the importance of sense perception, the reliability of rational truth, and the concept of creation ex nihilo. His influence on Western philosophy and theology is immeasurable, shaping the development of Christian doctrine and the Protestant Reformation. [... more]

The doctrine of sola gratia is closely tied to the concepts of original sin and election, as seen in the teachings of Augustine and the controversy with Pelagius. Augustine argued that humanity is morally impotent to do the things of God due to the fall, while Pelagius believed that humans retain the moral ability to live a righteous life without God's help. [... more]

The concept of the visible and invisible church is a complex and misunderstood distinction in Christian theology. According to St. Augustine, the invisible church is made up of true believers who are substantially within the visible church, but may not be outwardly apparent due to the presence of unbelievers and hypocrites. The visible church is a mixed body of believers and unbelievers, and the task of the invisible church is to make itself visible through faith and good works. [... more]

The nature of evil is a complex question that has puzzled philosophers and theologians for centuries. Dr. R.C. Sproul explores the concept of evil, discussing its definition and origin, and how it relates to the existence of God. He examines the ideas of Augustine and Aquinas, and how they understood evil as a negation or privation of good. Dr. Sproul also addresses the challenge of the existence of evil in a world created by a good and holy God, and how it is a problem that has been called the Achilles' heel of Christianity. [... more]

A discussion on various Christian topics, including the charismatic gifts, eternal security, baptism, and reformed theology, as well as a conversation about paranormal activity, occultism, and spiritual warfare, and a personal story of a former occult practitioner. [... more]

St. Augustine's pioneering intellectual work in the early Christian centuries had a profound impact on Christian thinking, shaping the doctrines of salvation and the nature of the church. He grappled with the problem of epistemology, questioning the reliability of sense perception and the possibility of achieving certainty. Augustine's search for truth led him to develop a concept of God as the great illuminator, who enables human understanding. He also developed the Christian concept of creation ex nihilo, emphasizing God's free and voluntary work of creation. [... more]

Dr. Steve Pettit explores the concept of divine love as displayed through Jesus Christ's incarnation and propitiation, emphasizing the Father's unique affection for his son and the demonstration of God's love for humanity through Christ's sacrifice. [... more]

The doctrine of election requires us to think biblically, understanding the state of our moral condition apart from saving grace. The concept of predestination is rooted in the abundant references to our sinful nature, and the graciousness of God's salvation is a hundred percent His. [... more]

Historical and theological basis for the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and salvation is explored, with a focus on the Donatist controversy and the development of ecclesiology by Augustine. [... more]

The Bible reveals the character of God as a transcendent and immanent being, whose holiness is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Understanding God's holiness is essential to comprehending His love and mercy, and it is a fundamental aspect of the Christian experience. [... more]

Saint Augustine's views on free will and original sin are central to the debate over moral accountability and the nature of humanity. He argues that after the fall, humans have lost their liberty to choose good, and are instead morally unable to incline towards God. This raises questions about God's justice and the human condition, with implications for Reformed theology and the gospel. [... more]