"Man-Up Spiritual Oasis for Men"

Bill Cox

"Not Pastors..but Regular Guys". Engaging, deep and often humorous looks at faith in today's world by our panel. Man Up is the Adult Bible Fellowship for Men at Sugar Land Baptist Church in Sugar Land, Tex., encouraging Christian spiritual growth through scripture study. Contact us on Facebook under "Man-Up."

  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Podcast 349 -- There's Something About Mary Luke 1:27-56

    For our fifth annual Christmas podcast, we look at the Virgin Mary. Beneath the trappings of tradition and legend, we find a Biblical narrative of an ordinary young woman responding to extraordinary circumstances. We look at the arc of Mary's faith, from her skeptical question "How can this be?" to her courageous affirmation of God's promise of salvation and her resolve to move forward as mother of Christ. The fellows are joined by Ruth Opiyo, a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently a Christian marriage and family counselor.

    17 December 2024, 5:24 pm
  • 48 minutes 51 seconds
    Podcast 348 -- True Gratitude vs. False Positivity Psalm 31:9-18, 21-22

    Scripture exhorts us to be grateful. But can well-meaning Christians apply the message of gratitude the wrong way or in the wrong situations? We discuss the idea of "dark gratitude," which instead of providing support, steers us away from confronting problems, difficulties and outright hardship we need to face. Hat tip to Elizabeth Bernstein, whose article "The Case for Being Ungrateful" in the Nov. 24 Wall Street Journal sparked this week's discussion.

    10 December 2024, 9:10 am
  • 58 minutes 29 seconds
    Podcast 347 -- Dignity and Diversity 1 John 4:19-21, Galatians 3:26-29
    Woke culture has made diversity a dirty word. Christians can reclaim it by rooting human diversity in the context of God's creation, not racial, ethic or sexual identity. Every human is made in the image of God, which alone confers dignity and value to every human life. Diversity follows, as Paul notes, but we remain united--and equal--by the claim God makes on us. Join us as we discuss another paradox: organizations, including churches, that set "diversity" as an end goal invariably fail at it. So, how do Christians allow diversity to bloom organically?

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    3 December 2024, 9:00 am
  • 53 minutes 14 seconds
    Podcast 346 -- The Promise of an Abundant Life Jeremiah 29:2-14, John 10:7-10
    What is the Christian idea of a flourishing, abundant life? Can the Bible's metaphorical green pastures measure up to a 10.000-acre Texas ranch? And can people flourish in exile, as Jeremiah urges? Download and listen before you buy that next graduation card!

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    19 November 2024, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Podcast 345 -- "Hey Google, Write My Sunday Sermon" Genesis 11:1-9
    We wrap up our study of Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option debating the author's contentious view of the Internet, social media and the accompanying cultural message to envelope oneself in a virtual world to escape the real one. We add a discussion of AI, which has exploded since Dreher published, and what ethical questions it raises for Christians. And is "Transhumanism," Raymond Kurzweil's vision of combining humanity with AI, an attainable goal or a false idol? Can we use technology to create a better human being or is it doomed to be a post-modern Tower of Babel?

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    12 November 2024, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Podcast 344 -- Christians vs. Sex 1 Corinthians 7:1-7, Song of Songs 1:2-4

    "To reduce Christian teaching about sex and sexuality to bare, boring, thou-shalt-not moralism is a failure of imagination," Rod Dreher writes in the The Benedict Option. Instead, Churches should strongly proclaim the stability Christian sexual ethics offer men and women who seek true intimacy, romance and fulfilling partnerships in their love relationships. Even as the media and elites attempt to glamorize hook-up culture, pornography and single parenthood, there is growing pushback from many young people, religious or not, who see something terribly wrong with these messages. Christians, in reaching out to those seeking deep and committed love, can provide the vocabulary they need to validate their countercultural decisions. Join us as we discuss the Bible's ringing endorsement of God's gift of human sexuality and physical intimacy.


    Past podcasts to check out: "Six Battles Every Man Must Win" (46 and 48), David and Bathsheba (110 and 111), "Does Adultery Still Matter" (212).


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 November 2024, 9:00 am
  • 56 minutes 55 seconds
    Podcast 343 -- Modern Witchcraft Deuteronomy 18:10-14, Ephesians 5:11
    It's Halloween, so the fellows discuss what Bible authors might have meant when they condemned witchcraft and sorcery. Rather than supernatural black magic, were they pointing to talented manipulators whom today we would call narcissists and psychopaths--persons who know there is no greater human flaw than the ability to fool oneself? Jeffrey Epstein and the Sacker Family were welcomed within commanding heights of politics, business and culture while doing little to hide their heinous crimes. Upon their downfall, the excuse in these heady corridors of power was a 21st Century version of "He hath bewitched me!" Are Christians vulnerable to modern "spells" that use the psychology of gaslighting, rationalization and distorted facts to convince others that they don't see what's obvious? Or worse, make destructive choices of their own? If so, how do we fight for truth?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 October 2024, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Podcast 342 -- When the Gender Reveal Party Is For Your 23-Year-Old Co-Worker Colossians 3:23-24
    Trigger warning! The fellows discuss the challenges of the new woke workplace, and whether Christians should react to corporate pronoun policies with principled resistance, silent acknowledgement or suppressed laughter when any of these three could lead to termination. Join us for an oft-times politically incorrect podcast as we discuss the important differences between working for the Lord and working for the Man.

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    22 October 2024, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Podcast 341 – Education as Christian Formation Proverbs 22:6

    As we continue our look at Rod Dreher’s The Benedict Option, we generally agree American culture lost something valuable when colleges and universities abandoned classical education models, study of the humanities and their respect for the history of Western Civilization. But are Dreher’s suggestions realistic? We debate his call for Christians to forsake public schools for private schools and home schooling. And how should churches restructure their own Christian education programs to teach ideas of objective morality, truth and beauty that modern academia denies exist? Dreher sees both the appreciation and acknowledgement of God’s Christianity as entwined in all learning. Do you agree? Listen and comment.


    This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NCA and use the discount code NCA20 for 48% off on a new subscription or 20% off on your first one-time purchase.  



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 October 2024, 8:00 am
  • 47 minutes 17 seconds
    Podcast 340 -- The Christian Village 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

    As we continue our discussion on The Benedict Option, we reflect how we, as Christians, should desire to be seen by the world. Amidst the chaotic collapse of the Roman Empire, Benedict created active faith communities that drew men and women looking for an alternative to the moral disorder around them. Author Rod Dreher says that today’s Christians must make deliberate choices as to inward discipline and outward character to make their churches—and way of life—a desirable option to those weary of the hedonism and nihilism permeating Western culture. How far do we go?


    This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NCA and use the discount code NCA20 for 48% off on a new subscription or 20% off on your first one-time purchase.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 October 2024, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Podcast 339 -- A Church For All Seasons Ephesians 2:14-22

    Has Christian influence in the culture waned? Most definitely. Are Christians wasting time and effort trying to restore the cultural climate of the 1950s? Most definitely. Author Rob Dreher wants Christian churches to focus their efforts on what he believes are more important goals. As we continue our study of The Benedict Option, we debate Liberalism vs. Progressivism, whether Evangelicals derived any new benefit from the Trump administration and to what extent, if any, Christians should seek the Kingdom of God at the ballot box.


    This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NCA and use the discount code NCA20 for 48% off on a new subscription or 20% off on your first one-time purchase.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 September 2024, 8:00 am
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