Description

What Did He Mean by That?

🎙 Episode Title: Was The Mission Always the Cross?

📅 Release Date: April 10th, 2025

🎧 Host(s):  Dr. Christopher Cali, Pastor Chris Heimerle, Ashley Cali, & Robby McKinney.

Episode Summary:

We kick off a new series exploring Jesus' journey to the cross. They reflect on the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ mission, challenging misconceptions and diving into the theological significance of His death, resurrection, and teaching. Starting in the Gospel of Mark, the conversation highlights the healing of the blind man—not as a limitation of Jesus’ power, but as a narrative setup illustrating how spiritual clarity comes in stages. This connects directly to Peter’s misunderstanding of Jesus’ purpose: not a political revolution, but a spiritual redemption.

Key Discussion Points:

· Mark’s Gospel and narrative structure: How the healing miracle ties into Peter's revelation and rebuke.

· Jesus’ clarity of mission: His journey to the cross was not plan B—it was always the plan.

· Spiritual vs. earthly expectations: Peter (and many of us today) struggle when our desires don’t align with God’s purpose.

· Where do we get our theology?: Encouragement to go back to the original sources—the Bible, church fathers, and trusted commentaries—instead of relying on filtered, second-hand takes.

· Understanding theological agendas: Why knowing the perspective behind a source matters.

· Orthodoxy vs. heresy: What core beliefs define the Christian faith and what should cause us to "run."

· Liberty in non-essentials: Calvinism, gifts of the Spirit, and eschatology—there's room for discussion and unity.

Takeaways:

· Jesus came to deal with sin, not to establish an earthly kingdom—His mission was spiritual renewal.

· Desire can cloud vision: Just like Peter, we often struggle when Jesus doesn't meet our expectations.

· Know your sources: Go back to the Bible, and be aware of the theological agenda behind every resource.

· Not all views are equal: There’s a difference between orthodox perspectives and heretical teachings—learn to discern.

· Essentials vs. Non-Essentials: Unity in the core doctrines, liberty in secondary ones.

· Dig deeper: Don’t settle for secondhand theology. Read Scripture and study trustworthy authors directly.

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·  🗒️ Digital Notes: Notes

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