Mere Fidelity Mere Fidelity

Taking up a difficult passage of Scripture, Alastair, Andrew, and Matt consider the incident in which Jacob deceives Isaac into giving him the blessing. Multiple respected theologians bring solid principles to bear on the interpretation of this reading, and come to very different conclusions. What is to be done? Is lying always and everywhere wrong? Was Jacob justified in his ruse? And in the process Alastair reveals some striking parallels between this story and that of King David.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Tempus Fugit [0:00]
Misreading the Preposition [2:12]
The Setup [3:34]
The Dispute [7:16]
The Anderson School [14:43]
Davidic Parallels [23:38]
Urgency in Lying [30:09]
“I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” [36:19]
Rogues Gallery or Rogues Mirror? [38:35]

When dealing with delicate, nuanced, disputed, or important issues, should Christians primarily rely on their own judgment or the authority of church leaders in their lives? Derek, Alastair, and Matt bring their own experience to bear, as well as a reliance on Scripture and authority, to answer this listener-submitted question.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
Hot Deal [0:00]
A Better Question Than It Sounds [2:21]
Be Like Alastair [4:14]
Clarification of Roles [8:55]
Avoiding Individualism [13:30]
Submission to Commands [22:24]
Casuistry [26:18]
Rebellion [30:18]
Confessions [35:52]

Andrew, Matt, and Alastair take up the oft-disputed passage from First Timothy that seems to restrict the authority of women in the church. What’s the best way to handle this in the twenty-first century?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Zwingli the Pastor [0:00]
Old Conundrum, New Energy [1:39]
One Weird Question [3:18]
One Further Question [6:35]
Ecclesiastical Evolution [11:22]
vv. 11-15 [16:25]
Load-Bearing Details [22:12]
Autheneo and Didasko [27:27]
Restricting Teaching [29:26]
Saved Through Childbearing [35:00]

Christ is risen indeed, alleluia! The Easter season is upon us, and the regular cast and crew have the Resurrection on their minds. This year Matt, Alastair, and Derek dive into the Gospel of John to discuss what makes this account different than the other gospels, including, but not limited to: why Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to touch him but invited Thomas to touch him, why John waited for Peter before entering the tomb, and what is going on with those 153 fish.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
Which Gospel Is Best? [0:00]
Johannine Distinctives [3:38]
Resurrection All Over [7:13]
Ezekiel [13:04]
Characters [14:52]
The Footrace [18:08]
153 Fish [26:29]
Touch Me, Touch Me Not [31:48]
The Ending [44:57]

As we approach Palm Sunday, Alastair, Matt, and Derek meditate—and ask incisive questions—upon the Cross, the Resurrection, the Triumphal Entry, the Transfiguration, and the true center of our faith.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
All Glory, Laud, and Honor [1:09]
The Bible’s Third Day Problem [2:14]
The Crucial Tension [3:12]
Holy Saturday [6:13]
Resurrection Art [8:42]
Satellite Events [13:59]
Watershed [17:05]
Crossbearing [19:43]
Triumphal Entry [22:08]
Glorious Defeat [28:25]

We can all feel it. Something about social media is just really unhealthy. But what to do about it? That’s the question on the table in this episode of Mere Fidelity. Should we pull the plug entirely? Should we seek balance? Should we embrace it?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
One More Episode [0:00]
Like, Follow, Subscribe, Defend Yourself [1:47]
Types of Social Media [4:14]
The Twitter Shift [6:22]
Gamification of Speech [9:20]
The Attention Dimension [11:23]
Default [14:12]
Signaling and Positioning [18:09]
Digital Benedict Option [21:27]
Regulate [30:27]
Quit Hypocrisy [34:23]
Huge Benefits [45:18]