The Immersion Podcast

The Immersion Podcast models thoughtful evaluation of relevant cultural and theological issues with a goal of helping believers internalize and apply Scripture faithfully.

Cultivating a Young Pastor 12/22/2023

What God Has Done, with Pastor Shannon Scott: Mentoring & Missions Over the Years 12/08/2023

What God Has Done, with Pastor Shannon Scott: Conventions, Associations, & the Gospel 11/15/2023

What God Has Done, with Pastor Shannon Scott: Early Years in Ministry, Part 3 11/01/2023

What God Has Done, with Pastor Shannon Scott: Early Years in Ministry, Part 2 10/24/2023

What God Has Done, with Pastor Shannon Scott: Early Years in Ministry, Part 1 10/18/2023

Biblical Backgrounds: Lot 02/02/2023

On Mission: Ecuador 12/19/2022

Living the Life: Prayer 10/05/2022

Biblical Backgrounds: 1 Peter 09/16/2022

Cultural Conversations: Loving Life, Ending Abortion 08/18/2022

Mission Stories: Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary 05/13/2022

Cultural Conversations: Critical Race Theory 04/28/2022

Cultural Conversations: Critical Race Theory Episode 15. What is Critical Race Theory? Where did it come from, and why is it contrary to biblical teaching? Join Daniel, Joshua Blythe, and Ivan Crissman for this cultural conversation. Where does CRT come from? Critical Theory. 6:33 Offered as a solution to maladies of society 8:49 Four steps historically in the development of critical theory (which led to CRT) 9:46 (1) Hegel: dialectical process (19th century) 12:10 (2) Marx: economics and materialism (later 19th century) 13:50 (3) Gramsci: cultural hegemony (early 20th century) 15:08 (4) The Frankfurt School: structural inequities in society (early-mid 20th century) What is CRT? 17:22 CRT is critical theory applied to race 19:01 Places CRT is showing up today 20:32 Cancel culture Why CRT is not biblical: 21:23 The CRT worldview is based on subjective truth through experience/perception. The biblical worldview is based on objective truth, revealed from God. 23:44 The CRT worldview is based on collectivism and group identity. The biblical worldview is based on individual identity before God. 24:38 The CRT worldview elevates “race” as the primary distinguishing trait between people. In the biblical worldview, ethnic identity is merely a backdrop for God’s storyline of grace and redemption. 26:29 The CRT worldview uses a concept of “distributive justice” to rectify perceived wrongs. The biblical worldview presents justice as based in God’s perfect character as revealed in the truth of Scripture. 28:11 CRT has no clear ends or aims; it is only destructive/negative. The biblical worldview aims toward perfect and ideal ends. 30:27 CRT doesn’t grapple with a person’s sin nature, but attempts to force external compliance. The biblical worldview deals with a person’s sin nature at the heart level, changing a person’s heart through the gospel. 31:08 CRT has no means of forgiveness or justification. In the biblical worldview, forgiveness and justification come through personal repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 34:00 How should Christians respond to CRT? Don’t seek to be divisive; the gospel and God’s Word are sufficient; focus on spiritual ends. 38:53 Ephesians Chapter 2 speaks to these issues exceptionally well. Read and meditate on it. 46:19 Peace to those who were far away, peace to those who were near. /episode/index/show/immersion/id/22944110

Cultural Conversations: The Christian and the Government 04/12/2022

Cultural Conversations: The Christian and the Government Episode 14. How should Christians live as citizens and relate to their governments? What is the Church's role toward civil government? This conversation is not a political statement; rather, we explore much of what God has to say about His people and their relation to the civil authority that He has delegated in this world. Join Daniel, Kevin Moore, and David Ethridge for this cultural conversation. 1:24 God is the supreme authority; God instituted civil government (Genesis 9:5-6) 4:54 Nations' resistance to God's righteous rule (Psalm 2, Jeremiah 10:6-7) 6:10 The Christian's relation to governmental authority (Romans 13:1-7) 9:32 In a fallen world, governments are made up of fallen people (Ephesians 6:12ff; Isaiah 50:20) 11:05 The Church's role toward government (Ephesians 3:8-10; 1 Timothy 3:15) 12:29 The individual Christian's role (Romans 12:18ff; 1 Peter 2:1-3, 12-17; 1 Timothy 2:1-4) 18:50 God has delegated authority to civil government, individuals 19:42 What about when there is conflict? 23:59 Biblical example of conflict with government: read the book of Daniel (Daniel 1-6) 24:29 Key question: What exactly is the government asking/mandating? (Proverbs 18:13, Philippians 4:5) 27:20 Key question: Does compliance involve sinning by necessity? (Acts 4:13-20; 5:25-29; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Daniel 3, 6) 30:23 Spheres of authority (Luke 12:13-14) 31:43 Key question: Would compliance establish a harmful precedent? (Acts 16:35-40) 36:22 Key question: Is there an alternate, non-sinful way that might be suggested? (Daniel 1) 40:54 "Not a defiance to one thing, but an obedience to The Number One Thing" (Acts 4) 42:28 Key question: What is the best expression of love for God and neighbor? (Luke 6:6-10; 13:10-17) 43:00 Key question: What action will be most helpful for my gospel witness? (Matthew 17:24-27) Additional resources: Caesar and the Church by Anthony Forsyth; Politics According to the Bible by Wayne Grudem /episode/index/show/immersion/id/22770368