This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers “Should Followers of Jesus Get Plastic Surgery?”

A glimpse inside this episode:

There are many the nuances for Christians around plastic surgery, enhancing beauty, the cultural pressures surrounding appearance, and the importance of focusing on inner beauty and heart posture. While cosmetic enhancements are not inherently wrong, they should not become idols that dictate self-worth or decision-making.

• The question of cosmetic surgery is nuanced and complex.
• Enhancing beauty is not inherently wrong; it’s about the heart behind it.
• Cultural pressures can lead to unhealthy decisions regarding appearance.
• The Bible encourages focusing on inner beauty rather than outward adornment.
• Idols related to beauty can lead to poor decision-making.
• Aging is a natural process that should be embraced, not fought against.
• Self-image should be rooted in God’s love, not physical appearance.
• It’s important to ask oneself if beauty and youth are idols.
• The inward person can be renewed even as the outward person deteriorates.
• Heart posture is crucial in making decisions about cosmetic enhancements.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers “Should Christians be concerned about AI?”

A glimpse inside this episode:

In this week’s episode, Pastor J.D. looks at the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) from a Christian perspective. While AI is a tool that can be used for good or bad, the underlying human nature can lead to the amplification of wickedness.

• AI raises questions about human dignity and moral agency.
• Bias and fairness in AI can exacerbate existing societal issues.
• Privacy concerns arise with the increasing use of AI.
• AI can impact employment and economic justice.
• Human enhancement through AI challenges our understanding of being made in God’s image.
• The core of humanity is fallen, which can be magnified by AI.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers “Are Denominations Biblical?”

A glimpse inside this episode:

In this week’s episode, Pastor J.D. explores the biblical basis for denominations while addressing common criticisms. While denominations may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of cooperation in the mission of the church is prevalent. Denominations serve as a practical tool for collaboration in advancing the mission of God.

• Denominations are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible.
• Cooperation among churches is a biblical principle.
• Different levels of cooperation require varying levels of doctrinal conformity.
• Movements and institutions are both necessary in the church.
• A unified authority does not guarantee doctrinal purity.
• Protestantism allows for recognition of valid churches outside its own.
• Denominations can facilitate mission advancement.
• The Bible is the ultimate authority for Christians.
• Historical context is crucial in understanding church authority.
• Denominations are tools for cooperation, not division.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question that has actually been asked by two listeners, Lillian and Jesse: “Is it OK for Christians to do Yoga?”

A glimpse inside this episode:

In this week’s episode, Pastor J.D. explores the historical roots of yoga in Eastern religions and how it contrasts with Christian meditation. He emphasizes the importance of individual conscience in making decisions about practices that may have spiritual implications while also introducing a framework for categorizing theological issues and highlighting the need for unity in the church while allowing for personal convictions.

• Yoga has historical roots in Eastern religions like Hinduism.
• Christian meditation differs from Eastern meditation in purpose.
• Believers should wrestle with their own conscience regarding yoga.
• Not all practices with pagan origins are off-limits for Christians.
• Unity in the church is more important than strict conformity on disputed matters.
• The framework of essential, important, and indifferent matters helps navigate faith issues.
• Personal convictions should guide individual practices like yoga.
• Jesus’ authority supersedes the origins of certain practices.
• Engaging with differing opinions requires patience and understanding.
• Practices should honor Christ and align with biblical principles.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question that asked, “I’m currently married to a man who had an unbiblical divorce. To make it worse, we actually began dating before the divorce was finalized. We recently both got saved, and now are facing the question: are we living in continuous adultery? We’re both sick over how our marriage began, but at the same time, we don’t feel right divorcing. Do you have any guidance?”

A glimpse inside this episode:

This is a really complex question regarding marriage, divorce, and the implications of their past decisions in light of their newfound faith. Pastor J.D. dives into the biblical teachings on divorce, the nature of marriage as a covenant, and the importance of repentance and grace in moving forward. While the circumstances of their marriage may have been sinful, God’s mercy allows for redemption and blessing in their current relationship.

• Jesus’ teachings on divorce emphasize the sanctity of marriage.
• Divorce is allowed in cases of adultery, but not required.
• God’s view of marriage is a covenant of oneness.
• Repentance is key to moving forward in faith.
• Deuteronomy 24 warns against returning to a previous marriage.
• God can redeem even the worst situations.
• Acknowledging past sins is important for healing.
• God’s grace allows for new beginnings in relationships.
• The podcast serves as a resource for vulnerable questions.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Tristan who asked, “As Christians, how can we be honest about an individual’s poor performance (in my case, scoring a poor performer based on their work quality) with grace and love?”

A glimpse inside this episode:

Honest criticism can be done in a loving and graceful manner. It’s so vital to balance feedback with grace, as well as address poor performance. Humility and relational context will play a huge factor in graceful feedback. Ultimately, there is a huge need for specific feedback because that fosters growth and development.

• The goal of salvation is a new kind of righteousness.
• Understanding sin requires both head knowledge and heart transformation.
• Living by faith means choosing what is right despite feelings.
• Growth in grace involves recognizing our ongoing need for grace.
• Sowing seeds of righteousness leads to spiritual growth.
• Habits shape our desires and affections.
• Choosing against fleshly desires is a step of faith.
• Reckoning ourselves dead to sin empowers us to resist temptation.
• Prayer and belief in the gospel are essential for spiritual life.
• Continuous reliance on God’s grace is crucial in the Christian walk.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Tyler who asked, ““I know in my head that my sin is sinful, but I can’t seem to ‘metabolize’ it and get that truth into my heart. How can I do that?”

A glimpse inside this episode:

• The goal of salvation is a new kind of righteousness.
• Understanding sin requires both head knowledge and heart transformation.
• Living by faith means choosing what is right despite feelings.
• Growth in grace involves recognizing our ongoing need for grace.
• Sowing seeds of righteousness leads to spiritual growth.
• Habits shape our desires and affections.
• Choosing against fleshly desires is a step of faith.
• Reckoning ourselves dead to sin empowers us to resist temptation.
• Prayer and belief in the gospel are essential for spiritual life.
• Continuous reliance on God’s grace is crucial in the Christian walk.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Andrew who asked, “Could you attempt to provide some clarity on whether an earthly marriage between Christians means that husband/wife relationship carries into eternity?”

Thank you Andrew for your question!

A glimpse inside this episode:

• Jesus teaches that there is no marriage in heaven.
• Marriage was created to address loneliness on earth.
• In heaven, companionship will be fulfilled in a better way.
• Our joys in heaven will be heightened and transformed.
• C.S. Lewis compares earthly pleasures to heavenly joys.
• Marriage is a temporary picture of our relationship with Christ.
• Single people are full-fledged family members in Christ.
• The episode encourages listeners to submit their questions.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Joseph Backholm. Joseph is a Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council. He combines extensive legal, political, and policy experience with a love for the way biblical truth cultivates human flourishing.

A glimpse inside this episode:

• Politics is the process through which we make decisions.
• Christians should engage in politics as a blessing.
• Avoiding difficult conversations can hinder important discussions.
• Evaluate political choices based on biblical principles.
• Political parties should not overshadow our allegiance to Christ.
• Parents should teach children about the complexities of human nature.
• Election seasons provide unique opportunities for disciple-making.
• Sober-mindedness is crucial in political discourse.
• Confirmation bias can lead to being misled in politics.
• Good politics reflects a love for our neighbors.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Neil Shenvi where they discuss the complexities of critical theory, its implications for society, and how it intersects with Christian beliefs. Neil is another member of the Summit Church with a Ph.D. from Berkeley in Theoretical Chemistry. 

A glimpse inside this episode:

• Race is a social construct, which aligns with a Christian worldview.
• Privilege is context-dependent and cannot be viewed in absolutes.
• Intersectionality complicates discussions of race and gender for Christians.
• Critical theory can lead to false assumptions about disparities in society.
• Christians should advocate for justice based on biblical principles.
• The church’s mission should focus on the gospel above all.
• Addressing systemic injustice requires evidence and context.
• Equity should not be equated with equality of outcome.
• The family unit is crucial for addressing social issues like poverty.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Brooke Medina. Brooke is a member of the Summit Church and serves as Vice President of Communications for the John Locke Foundation. She’s been published in numerous outlets including The Hill, Entrepreneur, Washington Examiner, WORLD, Daily Signal, FEE, and others.

A glimpse inside this episode:

• Economics is fundamentally about human action and dignity.
• Understanding economics through a Christian lens is crucial.
• Private property ownership is essential for a well-ordered society.
• Disagreement among Christians on economic issues is natural and necessary.
• Welfare programs need to be structured to encourage economic mobility.
• Ideas have consequences; bad ideas can harm individuals.
• Christians should engage in political discourse with charity.
• Free speech in the digital age presents new challenges for Christians.
• The church should encourage members to enter all spheres of influence.
• We must be witnesses of truth and grace in the public square.