The PursueGOD Truth Podcast

Should Christians get involved in politics? Aren’t we supposed to keep church and state separate? What does the Bible say about all of this? In our last lesson we talked about the biblical principles upon which America was founded. In this lesson we’ll talk about the overlap between earthly politics and heavenly thinking as we answer the question: What does the Bible say about citizenship? We find the answer when we understand the four types of government in the Bible.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --The Bible presents a comprehensive framework for understanding governance, not merely as a human invention but as divinely instituted. When we think of this word, we usually apply it only to civil governance, but the Bible shows us that there’s so much more to it. Let’s start with a basic definition: Governance is directing the affairs of an individual or group under established principles and laws. The opposite of governance can be described as anarchy or chaos, where there is a lack of structure, direction, or control. Anarchy implies the absence of authority or established principles to guide behavior and decision-making. In a biblical sense, the absence of governance often leads to disorder and the breakdown of societal harmony, as seen in instances like the time of the judges when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25). This highlights the necessity of God-ordained governance – linked to his fixed moral law – for maintaining order and flourishing.At the heart of this framework is the foundational truth that God created humanity to govern the earth under His authority. In Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve to “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 2:15 highlights their role as stewards: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” This divine mandate establishes humanity’s responsibility to exercise wise and faithful governance over creation. That plays out through four distinct types of governance listed in the Bible: self-government, family government, civil government, and church government. Each plays an important role in God’s design for order and flourishing. 1. Self-Government: The Foundation of All GovernanceThe concept of self-government is first introduced in Genesis 3, when God places Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with a clear mandate: to tend the garden and to abstain from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). This command required personal responsibility and moral accountability. When Adam and Eve failed to govern themselves, sin entered the world (Genesis 3:6-7), highlighting the critical role of self-governance in maintaining harmony with God and creation.Self-government is the cornerstone of biblical governance. Proverbs 16:32...

Some modern day religions claim to be Christians...but are they really? Go through this series with a small group or mentor, and let's take a closer look at some religions that may actually be cultish. This week: Jehova's Witnesses.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --In the last episode we talked about what is a cult (how to identify a cult, etc.). If you missed that one, be sure and go and check that out. In today’s episode we will focus our attention on a group that claims to be the real Christians, but as we will show today the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians. The Jehovah’s Witnesses originated in the late 19th century with Charles Taze Russell, an American preacher deeply interested in Bible prophecy. Here’s a concise history of the organization:Part I: The HistoryOrigins and Founder:Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916): Russell was influenced by Adventist teachings, particularly their focus on Christ’s second coming. Disillusioned with mainstream Christianity, he began his own Bible study group in the 1870s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.1870s The group now known as Jehovah’s Witnesses was initially called Bible Students or International Bible Students Association (IBSA) during its early years. This name reflected their focus on studying the Bible and disseminating their teachings.Publication of Zion’s Watch Tower (1879): Russell launched this magazine to spread his interpretations of the Bible, emphasizing end-time prophecies and the imminent return of Christ.Why was it called Watchtower? The name "Watchtower" comes from the Bible, where watchtowers were used as places to keep watch and warn of danger. In ancient times, people would stand in tall towers to look out for enemies or protect their vineyards from animals.Jehovah's Witnesses use the name Watchtower because they believe they are like spiritual watchmen. They think their job is to warn people about the coming of God’s Kingdom and the end of the current world system (what they call Armageddon). They see themselves as sounding the alarm and helping people prepare for what they believe is God’s judgment.The name also reflects their focus on being alert and vigilant about spreading their teachings, which they view as essential for saving others. The magazine The Watchtower became their main way to share these warnings and spread their message worldwide.Formation of the Organization:Incorporation as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1884): Russell formally organized his followers under this name, focusing on mass publication and distribution of literature.Today’s Stats and Organizational Structure8.6 million members today (2023)Governing Body: A centralized leadership that claims exclusive authority in interpreting the Bible.Emphasis on door-to-door evangelism, distribution of "Watchtower" and "Awake!" magazines.Rutherford’s Leadership (1916–1942): After Russell’s death, Rutherford took control....

The U.S. Constitution, finalized in 1787, is a cornerstone of governance and liberty. While it does not explicitly mention God, many of its principles align with biblical truths. These truths emphasize the role of moral law, the divine origin of human rights, and the purpose of government. In this episode we explore three pillars of God and government, enriched with Scripture to reveal how these principles reflect biblical teaching.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --1. There Is a God, and He Has Established a Fixed Moral LawThe Constitution assumes the existence of universal truths—principles that govern justice and fairness. This idea aligns with the Bible’s declaration:“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, NLT)By acknowledging a Creator, the foundation of the Constitution reflects an ordered world governed by divine laws. These moral laws are evident in the Ten Commandments, given to guide human behavior:“You must not steal. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:15-16, NLT)The rule of law, central to the Constitution, echoes biblical justice. In God’s eyes, righteousness and impartiality are essential:“Judges must be impartial. They must hear the case of those who are poor just as they hear the case of those who are rich.” (Deuteronomy 1:17, NLT)The Constitution reflects this concept by establishing a legal system grounded in objective, unchanging principles that mirror God’s moral law, ensuring fairness and accountability.2. God, Not the Government, Gives Rights to Every Human BeingThe Constitution’s protection of inalienable rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—rests on the belief that rights are given by God, not government. Scripture affirms this truth:“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:4-5, NLT)Every human being possesses dignity and worth because they are created in God’s image:“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27, NLT)This foundational truth underscores the Constitution’s emphasis on individual freedoms. By safeguarding these rights, the document reflects God’s design for humanity. Government’s role, then, is to protect these God-given freedoms, not to grant or revoke them.3. Government Exists to Protect Rights and Enforce Moral LawThe Constitution defines government’s purpose as protecting rights and maintaining order. The Bible reinforces this by teaching that government is a servant...

Tithing isn’t mandated by the New Testament, but Christians should be good stewards of their money by giving regularly, proportionately, and sacrificially.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected] Now --Tithing, the practice of giving 10% of your income to God, is a topic that Christians still talk about a lot. In the Old Testament, tithing is part of the Mosaic Law, but in the New Testament, people debate its place. Surprisingly, the word “tithe” (or its variations) only shows up four times in the New Testament. Before we dive into the New Testament, let’s quickly look at tithing in the Old Testament to understand what it tells us about the practice.The Nebulous Nature of the Tithe in the Old TestamentIn the Old Testament, the concept of the tithe is mentioned multiple times, but its exact application and scope were somewhat complex and varied. For example:Levitical Tithe: Numbers 18:21-24 describes a tithe given to the Levites as compensation for their service in the Tabernacle. This tithe was based on agricultural produce and livestock, not monetary income.Festival Tithe: Deuteronomy 14:22-27 outlines a tithe that was set aside for annual festivals. This tithe was consumed by the giver and their household in a celebratory feast before the Lord.Charity Tithe: Deuteronomy 14:28-29 refers to a tithe given every third year to support the poor, including the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow.So, the “tithe” wasn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. It was actually a bunch of different obligations that served different purposes in ancient Israelite society. And guess what? It mostly applied to people who worked in farming, not to everyone who made money or had stuff. This is important to keep in mind when we think about how tithing might work in our modern world.The Four Appearances of the Tithe in the New TestamentNow let’s dive into the four references to the tithe in the New Testament. Surprisingly, we never find Jesus or any New Testament author commanding us to tithe. Instead, the tithe serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting what NOT to do when it’s done with the wrong intentions.1. Matthew 23:23In Matthew 23:23, Jesus says to the Pharisees:"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."Jesus acknowledges the Pharisees’ strict tithing, even of garden herbs, but points out that they neglected more important things like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He doesn’t say tithing is wrong, but he emphasizes the importance of having a pure heart and focusing on the bigger picture of living a godly life.2. Luke 11:42Luke’s Gospel includes a parallel to Matthew 23:23, where Jesus says:"Woe to you Pharisees,...