tgallant

How the Bible's first chapters provide a firm foundation for how we understand our Creator and how we understand human sexuality — as well as our temptations to reject both.

Frequently we are told that Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. We are intended to infer from this that he supported it, or at least was indifferent toward it. But is this claim actually true? In under 10 minutes, Tim Gallant dismantles this notion. For much more on what is discussed here, be sure to check out Tim's book, "Exchanging the Glory: Idolatry and Homosexuality in Romans 1." This book devotes an appendix to the matter of the supposed silence of Jesus. https://athanasiuspress.org/products/exchanging-the-glory-idolatry-and-homosexuality-in-romans-1 https://www.amazon.com/Exchanging-Glory-Idolatry-Homosexuality-Romans/dp/1957726008

In 1 Timothy 2, Paul tells Timothy that he does not allow a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over a man. Today's evangelical egalitarians say that Paul's injunction is very specific to the local context, and is not a general prohibition. In under 15 minutes, Tim Gallant explains, not only why this modern reading is fundamentally wrong, but also opens up what on earth Paul is talking about when he says that women will be "saved in childbearing."

Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant contrasts the infinite debt which his master forgave him with the debt which he himself would not forgive. We trivialize the parable, however, if we think the servant was being petty. In reality, the parable communicates the profound cost of true discipleship.

n the face of death, believers confess with Paul that to depart this life is "far better" than what we have now. Death is a stepping stone into the presence of Jesus. Yet, contrary to the confused hope of many Christians, the ultimate biblical hope is NOT to be "absent with the body, and present with the Lord." That represents only half of the resolution to the problem of sin and death. The final victory is glorious resurrection, when the final enemy is destroyed forever.

"You cannot see my face and live." Worship is not where God invites us to be buddies. In worship, we encounter the transcendent holy God. We are responding to his invitation to be slain by him in order to be raised to new life.

Male and female are creation categories, a reality given us by our good Creator. If there is actually a sin of "misgendering," it is a subset of the sin of lying: saying that what is untrue is true. Kindness to others does not mean participating in their rebellion against God and his creation; it means speaking the truth in love.

We're frequently told that Christians and churches ought to be "gospel centered" rather than worrying about or getting engaged in the "culture war." This, however, misunderstands a host of things, including: * The gospel, which is not simply a narrow message of forgiveness of sins, but the announcement that the risen Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. * Culture, which is the lived expression of human belief, in every area of life, such as the arts, politics, business, social structures, and so on. * The actual source of the culture war. It is God who formalized it in the Garden, when he told the serpent, "I will place enmity between you and the woman, and between her seed and your seed." While the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly (as Paul says), we are in a conflict to which Jesus calls us, and if we are not on the side of his Lordship, we have allied ourselves with the serpent.

Some people drift from church to church at their own whim, claiming that church membership is not biblical. While in the first century membership records no doubt were not kept in the way they are today, the substance of church membership clearly is biblical. From the beginning, elders and overseers were given responsibility for specific people under their care.

Many times, churches focus upon "grace" but don't say much about the dangers of sin or the pathway of discipleship. But biblical grace is only appreciated within the context of God's holy hatred of sin, and a message that preaches acceptance without discipleship is a false message. It is cheap grace, not real grace.

What is going on with "speaking in tongues" in the New Testament? In this Five Minute Focus video, Tim Gallant (who himself was raised in an independent Pentecostal context) explains the character and purpose of this gift, based on the records both of Acts and 1 Corinthians.

We don't like to be told that we're sinners and heading for destruction. But God isn't being hateful when he tells us the unpleasant truth. He is calling us to seek the remedy in Jesus. This is what love looks like.

The Lord's Supper often becomes introspective and individualistic, with every head bowed and every eye closed, as communers attempt to imagine the depths of Jesus' suffering. In this video, Tim reminds us of the covenantal, communal and celebratory character of the Lord's Supper as Christ gave it — encouraging a very different approach.

God is a righteous Judge. God's mercy is also deeper and more powerful than you could ever imagine. However long you have lived resisting God, do not give in to despair and tell yourself it's too late. God's grace still calls you to Jesus.

"I baptize with water," John said, "but the One coming after me will baptize with the Holy Spirit!" Many people have taken John's statement to imply that his own baptism was a powerless sign, an empty symbol. It was only the invisible baptism provided by Jesus that would be genuinely meaningful and powerful. In this three minute video, Tim Gallant explains why that interpretation is thoroughly wrong.

In the context of growth and noise made by nationalisms of various sorts, Tim reminds us that the Gospel of Jesus does not countenance playing favorites on behalf of those who "look like us," and that solidarity in the kingdom trumps everything — even familial relationships.

The healings of Jesus are a sign of his power, and his authority to forgive sins. But they are more than that: they are a foretaste of the permanent healing which his kingdom ultimately gives to his people.

Western churches commonly celebrate the Lord's Supper only occasionally. In this brief video, Tim explains the centrality of the Supper and why it ought to be observed weekly.

In this three minute video, Tim reminds us that in our fallen state, we suppress God's truth and are dead in our sins. What can rescue us from such a condition? Only a sovereign God, acting in sovereign grace.

In this three minute video, Tim explains that the Christian hope is not an eternal future floating on a heavenly cloud. We await a new heaven — and a new earth.

"Point to one New Testament text that shows babies ought to be baptized." Sounds like a good high view of Scripture. But then, how about this: "Point to one New Testament text that says females ought to participate in the Lord's Supper." The truth is that in neither case is there one such explicit text. What there is, however, is fully sufficient for both. Tim Gallant explains.

If repentance is necessary for salvation, doesn't that compromise the role of faith and turn salvation into a work? In this three minute video, Tim Gallant outlines the biblical significance of repentance.

Is church really necessary? Can't I worship just as well at home, or in nature? In this three minute video, Tim Gallant explains the connection between Christian worship and the biblical theme of the Day of the Lord, showing that private ways of spiritual edification are not equivalent to gathering with God's people.

In this three minute video, Tim Gallant explains why he doesn't promote "children's church": all church should be children's church.