Gary Wilkerson Podcast

The Bible is not a simple book. It describes God who is, in many ways, a being far beyond our ability to understand. It contains dense eyewitness narratives about earth-shaking events during Jesus’ lifetime. All of this can lead some people to believe that there are contradictions in scripture. In this week’s episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how to make sense of some of these seeming contradictions in the Bible. They also explore what paradoxes exist in scripture that Christians must make peace with through their faith. To mature as a believe, we must learn how to wrestle with these portions of the Bible. View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp242c

Simply being sincere in our belief in God is not enough if we don’t actually know what the Bible says and who God is. This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how important it is for believers to know the whole counsel of scripture. If we know who the God of the Bible really is, our faith and spiritual discernment will be strengthened. It’s hard work to grow in our knowledge of scripture and God, but there is nothing more worthwhile in our lives.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp241c

The Bible was created in several literary types of writing. So even while taking scripture literally, believers should understand the modes through which God is communicated his will and commands. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss which literary types are included in scripture and how readers should approach them in order to best understand what God is saying.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp240c

What would a biblical stance on the end times look like? Where does Israel fit into our ideas of God’s people? In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West explore answers to these questions and how believers should approach apocalyptic portions of scripture. Dispensationalism is a popular American view of the Bible, and it offers a very particular interpretation of Israel’s place among God’s people and how to interpret verses about Christ’s second coming. Some dispensationalist viewpoints are less biblical than others, however, and Gary and Joshua are here to define and explore this particular lens on the Bible. View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp239c

Who do we say that Jesus is? What do we believe about God’s character and commands? Our most honest answers will reveal a great deal about us and our view of the Lord. This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how our experiences and willingness to study scripture will create a particular lens through which we understand God’s law and nature. As sinful people, we will have incorrect ideas about the Bible and the Lord, but part of our calling to spiritually mature is to identify the assumptions we make when we think about God and challenge them against scripture. View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp238c

Believers can choose several different methods to use while they study scripture. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss four different ways to learn more about God’s person and commands in his great letter to humanity. Each of these methods have benefits for understanding the Bible better but also potential pitfalls if they are misused or misunderstood, which Gary and Joshua explore in this discussion.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp237c

We’ve probably all heard a person claim that the Bible says something that it clearly doesn’t. How does this happen? In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss the difference between exegesis and eisegesis. Exegesis is searching for the Bible’s meaning, regardless of what we wish it would say instead. Eisegesis is imposing our thoughts and desires onto our interpretation of the Bible. Reading scripture correctly requires great humility because we must allow God to correct our thoughts about him and his commands. View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp236c

Simply being sincere in our belief in God is not enough if we don’t actually know what the Bible says and who God is. This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how important it is for believers to know the whole counsel of scripture. If we know who the God of the Bible really is, our faith and spiritual discernment will be strengthened. It’s hard work to grow in our knowledge of scripture and God, but there is nothing more worthwhile in our lives. View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp235c

When we hear the word ‘hermeneutics,’ we may be tempted to dismiss it as a term for Bible professors or pastors, but it’s important for all believers. In this week’s episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss what exactly hermeneutics are and how every Christian should know how to use this biblical discipline. As we continue to study scripture and see how it reveals God’s nature, we will find the Bible an increasingly deep and beautiful text.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp234c

Studying the Bible is a key part of believers’ walk with God. How do we read scripture with the most clarity, though, and tune into what God wants as we do so? This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss how Christians should approach God’s Word and the tools or methods available to help illuminate scripture. The Bible is the main way that Christians can know God and understand his nature, so it is critical that we develop reliable study habits.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp233c

The Fascinating, Life-Altering Word of God - Part 1The Bible is the most important book in all of human history. It is God’s letter to humanity, and yet we so often struggle to read it or fail to place much importance on it. This week, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss the nature of scripture. The Bible is perfectly reliable, entirely unified and the most important portrait that we will ever receive of God. It is the means through which an unapproachable, unknowable God chose to approach humanity and made himself known.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp232c

On Instagram, the hashtag “loveyourself” has been used around 42 million times. In modern culture, however, this idea is usually attached to a ‘me’ mentality. But is there such a thing as biblical self-love? Can Christians unselfishly practice self-care? Yes! Learning to love ourselves in a biblical, God-centered way is the best thing we can do for our relationships. Once we care for ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually, then we are better able to love others in a godly way.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp231c

A lot of people say that they’re a perfectionist. Being hyper-critical of our situation, our friends, our work and ourselves is encouraged by our culture. Many would say this is what drives us to do better. But what if it mostly just drives people to exhaustion, anxiety and depression? Perfectionism, never feeling like anything is good enough, always feeling like you need to do better and accomplish more, is like running on an endless treadmill. Worst of all, it’s motivated by fear. What if we were motivated by love rather than the fear of being less than perfect?View show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp230c

It is clear in scripture that Jesus does not value the mere appearance of righteousness. He is looking for people with evidence of real spiritual fruit. Claude Houde joins the Gary Wilkerson Podcast to discuss ways Christians can continually focus their lives on God and bear supernatural fruitView the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp229c

While modern churches tend to be very dependent on physical buildings, it hasn't always been that way. Much like early Christians, the modern church needs to find new ways to reach people exactly where they are. This week, Times Square Church Pastor Tim Dilena joins Gary Wilkerson to discuss the way that God is bringing the church full circle.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp228c

Do we truly grasp what it means that we are all completely sinful, no matter how good our life looks on the surface? In this episode, Joshua West is joined again by Evan Wilkerson and A. J. Nicandro to discuss how to discuss sin in sermons or evangelism. Most people want a little credit for their good deeds or morally upstanding life. However, the Bible bluntly states that we are all fallen and utterly without virtue apart from God. That’s an offensive truth to nominal believers and unbelievers alike, and yet it’s pivotal to understanding the gospel correctly.View show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp227c

How do we reach the younger generation with the gospel? In this episode, Evan Wilkerson and A. J. Nicandro join Joshua West to discuss their own testimonies and the obstacles that this next generation faces with coming to know God then growing in their faith. No generation is harder to reach spiritually than any other, but the young people of today face unique challenges in the arena of Christian faith. View show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp226c

The gospels tell us that the kingdom of heaven is a hidden treasure which is worth everything we have. Many people think of this on an individual level, but it's actually more of a communal concept. While Christianity is deeply personal, it is not a private faith. This week, Jordan Thomas joins the Gary Wilkerson podcast again to discuss how community is a key component in encouraging believers to continue seeking God. We are invited into a kingdom of people where we worship and pursue Christ together.View podcast show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp225c

What does it mean to 'fix your eyes on Jesus' for individual believers and the church as a whole? This week, Jordan Thomas joins the Gary Wilkerson Podcast to discuss how individual Christians can only experience the full blessings of this command to fix our attention on our Savior when we are within a community. Cultural norms make this an unpopular idea, but we will not mature and grow more like Christ unless we are living with like-minded believers.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp224c

Why can evangelism seem so overwhelming and difficult, especially if we're not a particularly extroverted person? In this episode, Barry Meguiar joins Gary Wilkerson to talk about how evangelism will always be a little intimidating, and yet there are very practical ways that we can make it easier.View podcast show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp223c