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Category: Bedard on Discipleship

Andy Stanley, Same-Sex Relationships, and Biblical Christianity

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Andy Stanley, Same-Sex Relationships, and Biblical Christianity
Bedard on Discipleship

How should the church respond to the LGBTQ+ community? Should the church insist on complete change before admittance into the community? Andy Stanley has recently stretched this conversation through the Unconditional Conference that was hosted at his church. You can find an article on this here: ⁠https://churchleaders.com/news/459809-andy-stanley-affirms-traditional-view-of-marriage-following-controversial-unconditional-conference.html⁠ This is the video I mention: ⁠https://youtu.be/Omzxo0ZauQk⁠ Support … Read More “Andy Stanley, Same-Sex Relationships, and Biblical Christianity” »

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What Does the Bible Say About the Antichrist?

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What Does the Bible Say About the Antichrist?
Bedard on Discipleship

There have been plenty of books and movies that have attempted to portray an end-times figure called the antichrist. But what does the Bible actually say about the antichrist? In this video, I go through the relevant passages and share the biblical data.  In the video, I mention something called Docetism. You can find out … Read More “What Does the Bible Say About the Antichrist?” »

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Same-Sex Relationships and the Letters of Paul

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Same-Sex Relationships and the Letters of Paul
Bedard on Discipleship

What does the New Testament say about same-sex relationships? Three of the so-called “clobber passages” are found in Paul. These are 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, and Romans 1:26-27. This is not a full scale study of those passages but rather a reflection of how they have been used to exclude 2SLGBTQIA+ people and … Read More “Same-Sex Relationships and the Letters of Paul” »

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The Ravi Zacharias Controversy Revisited

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The Ravi Zacharias Controversy Revisited
Bedard on Discipleship

It has been a couple of years since the revelations about Ravi Zacharias came to light. Still, there are issues that came up in that controversy that still affect us, especially how organizations protect abusers. In this video, I reflect back on what happened with RZIM in light of more recent events.  Visit me at … Read More “The Ravi Zacharias Controversy Revisited” »

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Leviticus and Same-Sex Relationships

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Leviticus and Same-Sex Relationships
Bedard on Discipleship

One of the so-called “clobber passages” is Leviticus 18:22. It seems to be a fairly clear condemnation of (male) same-sex activity. Is that passage sufficient for seeing all same-sex relationships as wrong for all time? In this video, we look at that passage and try to situate it in how we read the Bible. Support … Read More “Leviticus and Same-Sex Relationships” »

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What Was the Sin of Sodom?

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What Was the Sin of Sodom?
Bedard on Discipleship

Questions about same-sex relationships are at the forefront of conversations within the church. There are numerous passages that are considered relevant and must be looked at carefully. One of those passages is that of Sodom. Is the punishment of Sodom an indication of God’s condemnation of same-sex relationships in general? That is the topic of … Read More “What Was the Sin of Sodom?” »

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Should Churches Participate in Remembrance Day?

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Should Churches Participate in Remembrance Day?
Bedard on Discipleship

What should churches do with Remembrance/Veteran’s/Armistice Day? Should we have something in the service to acknowledge it or just ignore it? Should it be a major part of the service or should be used to critique military activity? I wrestle with this in this video. Consider supporting me through ⁠Patreon⁠.

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Evangelicalism Issues: Homophobia

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Evangelicalism Issues: Homophobia
Bedard on Discipleship

One of the issues that I have with Evangelicalism is the attitudes toward LGBTQ people. It is far more than an assertion that sex is limited to a marriage between a man and a woman. In many corners of Evangelicalism is there is actual hate toward gay people. I address that in this video.  Support … Read More “Evangelicalism Issues: Homophobia” »

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SBC, Church Autonomy, and Sexual Abuse

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SBC, Church Autonomy, and Sexual Abuse
Bedard on Discipleship

The report regarding the sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention has been released. The extent of the coverup and abuse is heartbreaking. One of the “excuses” that has been offered is that Baptist polity, specifically autonomy of the local church limited what SBC leadership could do. Does this aspect of Baptist polity diminish responsibility … Read More “SBC, Church Autonomy, and Sexual Abuse” »

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Bruxy Cavey and a Return to Ministry

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Bruxy Cavey and a Return to Ministry
Bedard on Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Blog

I recently recorded a video about Bruxy Cavey after I noticed that he was producing content again. I was surprised at this because not only was it revealed that Bruxy Cavey had abused [see Note at bottom of this post] someone in his congregation, there are also criminal charges still in play. You can watch … Read More “Bruxy Cavey and a Return to Ministry” »

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What is the Role of Christian Apologetics?

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What is the Role of Christian Apologetics?
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

There has been a huge renaissance in Christian apologetics, ranging from the scholar to the pastor to the layperson. But what is the role of the Christian apologist? What should be their goal? I discuss this in this episode based on a video I recorded. For more on Christian apologetics, visit me here. Please support this … Read More “What is the Role of Christian Apologetics?” »

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Person-First or Identity-First Language?

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Person-First or Identity-First Language?
Bedard on Discipleship, Disability and Faith Blog

When we talk about disabilities, should we use person-first or identity-first language? That is, should we refer to “people with disabilities” or “disabled people”? In this episode, we look at this topic. Visit my website Disability Comes to Church. Please support this podcast through Patreon.

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Should We Talk About Leaders Who Fall?

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Should We Talk About Leaders Who Fall?
Bedard on Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Blog

Mark Driscoll, James MacDonald, Bill Hybels, Ravi Zacharias, Bruxy Cavey. There is no lack of examples of once respected Christian leaders who have now been discredited based on their behaviour. Should we be talking about what happened? Or should we ignore these examples to avoid tarnishing the Church’s reputation? That is what we will look … Read More “Should We Talk About Leaders Who Fall?” »

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Christians and Rock Music

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 1 Comment on Christians and Rock Music
Christians and Rock Music
Bedard on Discipleship

When I started attending church again regularly in my early 20s, the church I attended was very concerned about one particular thing: rock music. Poverty and mental illness were not on their radar but rock music was. I even attended an old fashion record burning event. What should Christians think about rock music? That’s what … Read More “Christians and Rock Music” »

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Is the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Failure Porn?

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Is the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Failure Porn?
Bedard on Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Blog

Many people have been listening to the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. It is popular but should we be listening to it? Some are suggesting that it is “failure porn,” that is enjoyment from other people’s failures. Is there something useful that can be gained from listening to it. I talk about that in this … Read More “Is the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Failure Porn?” »

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Jesus Loves Canaanites – Review

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 3 Comments on Jesus Loves Canaanites – Review
Jesus Loves Canaanites – Review
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

The Bible is an amazing book and it is the foundation for much of western morality, even if many atheists do not want to admit it. Even so, there are parts of the Bible that makes us uncomfortable. The killing of the Canaanites and other groups are a notable example. Randal Rauser looks at these … Read More “Jesus Loves Canaanites – Review” »

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Is Canada Persecuting Churches?

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 1 Comment on Is Canada Persecuting Churches?
Is Canada Persecuting Churches?
Bedard on Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Blog

There has been a lot of talk about the freedom churches have had in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some churches have been fined or closed for non-compliance. Is this a sign of persecution of Christian in Canada? Is the government targeting churches for closure? In this video and podcast, I look at those questions.

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The Real Victims of Ravi Zacharias

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The Real Victims of Ravi Zacharias
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

There has been a lot of talk since the revelations of how bad Ravi Zacharias’s sexual abuse was. Much of the discussion has either been about how leaders can protect themselves of how hard it has been for Christian apologists to lose a hero. In this podcast and video, I argue that the real victims … Read More “The Real Victims of Ravi Zacharias” »

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I Will Give Them an Everlasting Name – Review

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 1 Comment on I Will Give Them an Everlasting Name – Review
I Will Give Them an Everlasting Name – Review
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Blog

It is common to hear about Muslims converting to Christianity. If you search, you will find all sorts of resources for sharing the gospel with Muslims. But what happens when Muslims convert? That is where I Will Give Them an Everlasting Name by Duane Miller comes in. This short book provides guidance for churches and … Read More “I Will Give Them an Everlasting Name – Review” »

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Is Ravi Zacharias Like King David?

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Is Ravi Zacharias Like King David?
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

Since I have been speaking out about Ravi Zacharias, there has been some pushback. One argument is a comparison of Zacharias and other fallen leaders to biblical figures who have sinned. The idea is that there are biblical figures, people like King David, who committed terrible sins. Despite this, we still read their writings and … Read More “Is Ravi Zacharias Like King David?” »

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Should We Still Read Books by Ravi Zacharias, Jean Vanier, Etc.?

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 2 Comments on Should We Still Read Books by Ravi Zacharias, Jean Vanier, Etc.?
Should We Still Read Books by Ravi Zacharias, Jean Vanier, Etc.?
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship, Disability and Faith Blog, Leadership and Ministry Blog

A number of major Christian figures such as Ravi Zacharias, Jean Vanier, Bill Hybels and others have fallen. Some of these were prolific authors that were influential in their area of expertise. Should we still read their books or should we purge our personal libraries? This episode looks at these questions. Please support this podcast … Read More “Should We Still Read Books by Ravi Zacharias, Jean Vanier, Etc.?” »

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Why We Need to Talk About Ravi Zacharias

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Why We Need to Talk About Ravi Zacharias
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

I have received some pushback over some of my posts addressing the allegations against Ravi Zacharias. Some believe that since he is dead, there is no point to talk about it. In this video and podcast episode, I argue for why it is essential that we talk about Ravi Zacharias. It is not to bash … Read More “Why We Need to Talk About Ravi Zacharias” »

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Reflections on Creation and Evolution

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 1 Comment on Reflections on Creation and Evolution
Reflections on Creation and Evolution
Bedard on Discipleship

Some people believe young earth creationism is the only Christian view of human origins. Others believe in an old earth but disagree if God created humanity as it presently is or if we evolved from a common ancestor.  What is the truth? This episode contains my reflections but not the final answer. For more resources, … Read More “Reflections on Creation and Evolution” »

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Was J.R.R. Tolkien a Racist?

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Was J.R.R. Tolkien a Racist?
Bedard on Discipleship, C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog

Every once in a while, there is a claim made that J.R.R. Tolkien was a racist. As far as I know, this is not based on his writings about race, but his portrayals of race in his fictional world of Middle-earth. The basic idea is that orcs (sometimes called goblins) are portrayed as completely evil … Read More “Was J.R.R. Tolkien a Racist?” »

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Autism and the Church

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Autism and the Church
Bedard on Discipleship, Disability and Faith Blog

Is the church welcoming and embracing people of autism? It depends on what congregation and what individual with autism that you ask. This is my second interview with Ron Sandison. Ron, as an individual with autism has great insight into how churches can be more welcoming toward people with disabilities in general and people with … Read More “Autism and the Church” »

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Christian Reflections on COVID-19

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Christian Reflections on COVID-19
Bedard on Discipleship

In the latest episode of my podcast, I share some thoughts on what it means to be the Church during the COVID-19 crisis. I hope you find it helpful. Some related COVID-19 posts: Social Media and Blogging During a Crisis COVID-19 and Autism What Would C.S. Lewis Say About COVID-19? Being the Church During a … Read More “Christian Reflections on COVID-19” »

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At the Intersection of Theology and Disability

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At the Intersection of Theology and Disability
Bedard on Discipleship

Two of biggest interests that I have are theology and disability. Thankfully these two topics do intersect. When I wanted to talk about this, I knew exactly who I wanted to chat with. Keith Dow is the Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life at Christian Horizons. In addition to working on the front lines of … Read More “At the Intersection of Theology and Disability” »

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The Metanarratives of Christianity and Islam

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The Metanarratives of Christianity and Islam
Bedard on Discipleship

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Duane Alexander Miller, author of Two Stories of Everything. This is a book that I really appreciated and you can read my review here. Duane is a scholar and a pastor who really has a heart for Muslims. Our discussion will interest people who are interested in … Read More “The Metanarratives of Christianity and Islam” »

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Bedard on Discipleship

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Bedard on Discipleship
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship, Disability and Faith Blog, Leadership and Ministry Blog

I have been podcasting for quite a few years and I do enjoy it. Although my original podcast has been taken down by me, I am still active in podcasting. I offer a podcast that is partner to my blogging activity at this site. It is called Bedard Discipleship. This podcast was on hiatus for … Read More “Bedard on Discipleship” »

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Interview With Wesley Huff on Faith and Apologetics

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Interview With Wesley Huff on Faith and Apologetics
Bedard on Discipleship

I recently had the opportunity to talk to Wesley Huff, a fellow Canadian apologist, about his faith journey and current ministry. Wes ministers on campus with Power to Change and is also a doctoral student at the University of Toronto. Make sure to check out his blog. Wes has an amazing testimony, including a healing … Read More “Interview With Wesley Huff on Faith and Apologetics” »

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Philosophy: Who Needs It?

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Philosophy: Who Needs It?
Bedard on Discipleship

In this episode, I have a conversation with Jason Crowder. Jason describes himself as “an academic, an author, a Christian Hedonist, a husband, a mentor, a philosopher, a philosophical theologian, and a theologian.” He is the author of Philosophy, Who Needs It? In this interview, we discuss the role of philosophy for the Christian. Despite what some … Read More “Philosophy: Who Needs It?” »

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Positively Powerless: An Interview With L.L. Martin

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Positively Powerless: An Interview With L.L. Martin
Bedard on Discipleship

There is power in positive thinking. Or is there? Is the positive thinking movement harmless or are there some connections to some dangerous ideas? In this episode, I interview L.L. Martin about her new book, Positively Powerless, where she goes into the background of the movement and offers some warnings. Purchase a copy of L.L. Martin’s Positively … Read More “Positively Powerless: An Interview With L.L. Martin” »

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An Interview With Ron Sandison on Autism

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An Interview With Ron Sandison on Autism
Bedard on Discipleship

In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Ron Sandison about the topic of autism. Ron not only has autism himself, he also is an autism advocate. You can find out more about him at his website Spectrum Inclusion. Ron is also the author of A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom. My … Read More “An Interview With Ron Sandison on Autism” »

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Autism Awareness: 3 Areas For Improvement

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Autism Awareness: 3 Areas For Improvement
Bedard on Discipleship

April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism awareness has come a long way in the past few decades. More people than ever before are aware of autism. But there is more to be done. In this episode, I look at these three points: Autism is a spectrum. People with autism have empathy. Don’t judge people with … Read More “Autism Awareness: 3 Areas For Improvement” »

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My Problem With the R-Word

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 1 Comment on My Problem With the R-Word
My Problem With the R-Word
Bedard on Discipleship, Disability and Faith Blog

I was recently watching the Netflix series, Luke Cage. Throughout the series, I was bothered by the generous use of the N-word, even by the residents of Harlem. I have learned to have an uncomfortable reaction when hearing that word. What about when we use the R-word? What is the R-word? It is “retarded” or … Read More “My Problem With the R-Word” »

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When Was the War in Heaven?

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 48 Comments on When Was the War in Heaven?
When Was the War in Heaven?
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

One of the most intriguing passages in Revelation is the war in heaven found in Revelation 12. Here is the passage: Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in … Read More “When Was the War in Heaven?” »

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Interview With Andrew Walsh on Theistic Evolution

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Interview With Andrew Walsh on Theistic Evolution
Bedard on Discipleship

Faithful Christians have a variety of views on the origins of life and the age of the earth. One of these views is theistic evolution. Dr. Andrew Walsh shares with us his understanding of evolution and how that fits with his faith. Recommended Links: Emerging Scholars Blog BioLogos Recommended Books: Quantum Physics and Theology by John … Read More “Interview With Andrew Walsh on Theistic Evolution” »

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An Interview With Dallas Friesen on Christian Leadership

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An Interview With Dallas Friesen on Christian Leadership
Bedard on Discipleship

In this episode of the podcast, I interview Dr. Dallas Friesen, Director of Congregational Development with the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec. Dallas talks to us about his experience in ministry and the developments he has seen, especially within the Canadian context. The book that Dallas recommends in the interview is Gutsy: (Mis)Adventures in Canadian … Read More “An Interview With Dallas Friesen on Christian Leadership” »

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An Interview With Paul Franks on Apologetics and Philosophy

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An Interview With Paul Franks on Apologetics and Philosophy
Bedard on Discipleship

For the last six years, I have been teaching at Tyndale University College as a sessional lecture, mainly in the area of the New Testament. I have really come to appreciate this school. Somewhere in there, I met Dr. Paul Franks. I happened to have been at Tyndale for a week of autism camp with … Read More “An Interview With Paul Franks on Apologetics and Philosophy” »

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An Interview With Darryl Dash on Church Leadership

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An Interview With Darryl Dash on Church Leadership
Bedard on Discipleship

In this episode, I have the opportunity to talk with Darryl Dash. Darryl is the founding pastor of Liberty Grace Church in Toronto. We had a great conversation about what ministry looks like and his passion for church planting. I encourage you to check out Darryl’s website: Dashhouse. The book Darryl recommends is The Imperfect Pastor: … Read More “An Interview With Darryl Dash on Church Leadership” »

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3 Lessons From the Feeding of the 5000

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 2 Comments on 3 Lessons From the Feeding of the 5000
3 Lessons From the Feeding of the 5000
Bedard on Discipleship, Sermons

A sermon based on Luke 9:10-17 preached at Queen Street Baptist Church. Introduction How do we know when someone really means something? Usually they will repeat a statement more than once. Obviously it would be good if we took things seriously the first time. Unfortunately that doesn’t always happen. If I say something to my children … Read More “3 Lessons From the Feeding of the 5000” »

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What is the Difference Between a Speech and a Sermon?

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 4 Comments on What is the Difference Between a Speech and a Sermon?
What is the Difference Between a Speech and a Sermon?
Bedard on Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Blog

I was asked today on Facebook about the difference between a speech and a sermon. I thought that was a good question and so I have decided to look more closely at it. What is a speech? According to one online dictionary, a speech (at least in the relevant context) is: A formal address or … Read More “What is the Difference Between a Speech and a Sermon?” »

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The Church and Mental Health: An Interview With Deane Proctor

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The Church and Mental Health: An Interview With Deane Proctor
Bedard on Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Blog

The church has not always done a good job of supporting people with mental illness. For some, mental health is still an uncomfortable topic. In this episode, I talk to Rev. Deane Proctor, a mental health advocate, who can help us to further the conversation. Please support this podcast through Patreon or by downloading a free audiobook … Read More “The Church and Mental Health: An Interview With Deane Proctor” »

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What is the Difference Between Samuel/Kings and Chronicles?

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 21 Comments on What is the Difference Between Samuel/Kings and Chronicles?
What is the Difference Between Samuel/Kings and Chronicles?
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

Key Differences Between Samuel/Kings and Chronicles Have you ever had the experience of reading through 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings and then being plunged right back into the same stories in 1-2 Chronicles? Why do we even have Chronicles? Isn’t it kind of redundant? How Are Samuel/Kings and Chronicles Similar? The books of Samuel/Kings and … Read More “What is the Difference Between Samuel/Kings and Chronicles?” »

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Is Jesus the Archangel Michael?

Posted on By Stephen Bedard 13 Comments on Is Jesus the Archangel Michael?
Is Jesus the Archangel Michael?
Apologetics and Theology Blog, Bedard on Discipleship

One of the distinctives of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their belief that Jesus is not God but is rather the archangel Michael.  They derive this from the following passage. “For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the … Read More “Is Jesus the Archangel Michael?” »

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