Description

This week, Paul and Ben begin a new series, "Under Pressure," working from the apostle Paul's letter, 1 Thessalonians. The Thessalonian converts to Christianity found themselves under intense pressure from the culture around them as they gave themselves over to following Jesus faithfully. These pressures took different forms, and while some were likely ostracized for their faith and faithfulness, others suffered severe persecution.

Western Christians are increasingly finding themselves under pressure from the surrounding culture as well. The pressures we are facing take a different form from those the 1st century Thessalonians faced, but we shouldn't be tempted to minimize their affect upon current Christian culture--and individual Christians as well. In this episode, Paul and Ben discuss some of those pressures, as well as some biblical wisdom for walking faithfully amid the pressure as the Thessalonians did.

This Week's Resources:

Matthew Bates' Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Allegiance-Matthew-W-Bates-audiobook/dp/B07Y8PNZ1S/ref=sr_1_4?crid=307K5XK7ME6AF&keywords=Matthew+Bates&qid=1651581462&sprefix=matthew+bates%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-4

Gallup Pole, 2021:

https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx

Newsweek Article Quoting Barna Study:

https://www.newsweek.com/nearly-40-percent-us-gen-zs-30-percent-christians-identify-lgbtq-poll-shows-1641085

Follow-up Reading:

Kingdom Life, by Kelvin Teamer

https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Life-Experiencing-Holiness-Theology/dp/1949921697/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7OWMMI9CLA5O&keywords=kingdom+living+kelvin+teamer&qid=1651537000&sprefix=kingdom+living+kelvin+teamer%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1

Faithfully Different, by Natasha Crain

https://www.amazon.com/Faithfully-Different-Regaining-Biblical-Clarity/dp/0736984291/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NCVK9RN1V7DJ&keywords=faithfully+different+natasha+crain&qid=1651537072&sprefix=faithfully%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1

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