It’s another episode of The Pew! Not The View, The Pew! All of the joy, none of the Behar. It’s our view from the church pew on some important issues in evangelicalism. There’s a lot happening out there in the visible church, and we’ve got some interesting stories coming your way today! That’s why we do The Pew, so we can grab some of those headlines we’re seeing – oftentimes UNbiblical headlines – and talk about them biblically.
It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check out our YouTube Channel’s “Livestream” playlist here to watch.
Is a Christian woman who was promiscuous prior to salvation ineligible for marriage to a Christian man? What does the Bible say about those who forbid the marriage of Believers? We’ll tackle this recent social media dumpster fire and share with you the story of one couple who are walking out God’s redemption of their past.
What does it mean for our lifestyle and season of life to “be Holy?” Isn’t that just legalism or self righteousness? Nope. Find out why in this episode on basic, everyday holiness.
Spoiler alert: We haven’t come up with anything fresh or innovative, here. In fact, you’ll probably hear us say a lot of things in this episode that we’ve said before. We’re not breaking any new ground or coming up with any sort of new approach, because, when it comes to basic, everyday holiness, you can’t improve on the perfection that is God’s Word.
The sin of gossip can be really hard to define precisely for every possible situation. Is it gossip anytime two or more people are talking about someone else? Does gossip always include revealing a confidence or spreading a rumor? Is it gossiping to warn against false teachers, implement church discipline, or discuss a widespread, public news story? Join us as we tackle these scenarios and more, and see what Scripture has to say about gossip, slander, rumors and secrets.
For most of us, social media plays at least a small part in our lives. And, just as with every other aspect of our lives, we want to use social media as a tool for glorifying God by what we take in and what we put out there. Let’s look at some ways we can wisely use social media according to biblical principles.
Have you heard of the Seven Mountain Mandate? It is an unbiblical movement within modern churches that has moved from fringe charismatic circles into broader evangelical denominations and non -denominations. At its core, this is a theology of dominion: the belief that the Church is called to take authority over society’s major institutions or spheres of influence in order to establish God’s kingdom on earth in visible, cultural ways before Christ returns.
The Seven Mountain Mandate is one of the Hallmarks of the New Apostolic Reformation. The mandate claims that God wants Christians to take control of 7 areas of influence in our culture: The Economy, Government, Media, Arts/Entertainment, Education, Family, and the Church. Not to be merely an influence, but to control and reclaim those areas by force for Christ, as mentioned earlier. The Seven Mountain Mandate sounds compelling because it promises that your career, your influence, even your position can have eternal impact. It feels ambitious and spiritual, like you’re high up in God’s grand, kingdom-level plan. But here’s the danger: it shifts the church’s focus from surrendering to Christ to human control of an earthly kingdom, from obedience to ambition. Success becomes cultural influence, not faithfulness to the Gospel.
The concept goes back to 1975, when Youth With a Mission or YWAM founder Loren Cunningham and Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) founder Bill Bright (a premillennialist), independently claimed to receive similar, extra-biblical divine revelations about influencing seven cultural spheres for evangelism and discipleship purposes. More recently, pastor Lance Wallnau made the “Seven Mountain Mandate” popular by reframing it as a call for aggressive cultural conquest. Wallnau, along with Bethel Redding church’s Bill Johnson, teamed up in 2013 to co-author the influential book titled, Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate.
We don’t need conquest in any earthly sphere, and Jesus doesn’t promise to come back if we do. Evangelism builds the Church, not the state.
Amy Spreeman recently sat down with our good friend Dave Jenkins on his podcast called Contending for the Word to define the Seven Mountain Mandate in plain terms, clarify why the
distinction between influence and authority matters and show how this teaching can subtly replace gospel proclamation with power-centered strategies. Scripture calls believers to faithfulness, obedience, and disciple-making. It does not authorize the Church to “take the mountains,” occupy cultural systems, or measure success by political and institutional control. What do Christians need to know about this movement seeping into many churches, and how can we contend for the faith?
What You’ll Hear on This Episode
What the Seven Mountain Mandate teaches: the push to “take” seven cultural spheres (government, education, media, business, family, religion, entertainment).
Influence vs. authority: why “influence” language often functions as a softer entry point to a dominion-driven agenda.
Mission drift: how the Seven Mountain Mandate can reshape the Great Commission into cultural conquest rather than gospel proclamation.
Scripture in context: how commonly cited passages are broadened or repurposed to justify a modern strategy Scripture does not teach.
Kingdom now claims: why the New Testament presents the Church as ambassadors and disciple-makers—not rulers in waiting.
It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check out our YouTube Channel’s “Livestream” playlist here to watch.
There’s a growing movement within the charismatic and New Apostolic Reformation camp that we’re hearing more and more about these days: deliverance ministry. If you’ve ever seen a video of someone practicing deliverance, or if you have a friend who’s dabbling in deliverance, you might wonder if it’s biblical, and if it’s OK for Christians to take part in. Our friend, Dawn Hill, joins us to explore what the Bible has to say about deliverance ministry.
What, exactly, are yoga and Reiki? Did you know that many Christians practice “Holy Yoga?” Our friend, former certified yoga instructor and Reiki master healer, Jessica Smith joins us today to give us the details. Find out why Christians should avoid yoga and Reiki, and how they can both be harmful to your physical and spiritual health.
We all experience feelings of guilt, shame, and regret over our past sins – and sometimes even over things that aren’t sinful. But is this biblical? Today, we’re taking a look at the emotions of guilt, shame, and regret, what they are, when they’re biblically appropriate and inappropriate, and how to respond to those feelings in a godly way.
It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes will now air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check out our YouTube Channel’s “Livestream” playlist here to watch.
Last week we talked about a newer movement within the visible Church called Christian Nationalism, and we want to continue our discussion in this episode with some words of warning. What are syncretism and ecumenicalism, and how might we be influenced toward this unbiblical mixing of truth with error through political organizations such as TPUSA?
Have you heard the term, Christian Nationalism? What is it, and what do Christian Nationalists believe? It is a movement that has become more prevalent in the past year or two, and it’s a discussion that a lot of people are having right now. Join us as we give a top-level overview to explain and define this movement and which parts of it are problematic for Christians.
It’s that time again. We’re starting off a new year that’s full of possibilities and potential decisions. Some of our younger listeners might be wondering what kind of career to pursue, where to go to college, or who to marry. As we get older, there are still lots of questions to answer: When and where should I retire? What’s the best way to care for my aging parents? And so on.
Have you ever asked the question, “What is God’s will in this situation?” or “What is God’s will for my life?” Let’s look in the Book and find out!
It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes will now air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check out our YouTube Channel’s “Livestream” playlist here to watch.
Resources:
Jackie Hill-Perry– Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women
Unequally Yoked: When Christians Platform False Teachers (This is the episode in which we talked about secondary separation, not the one I {Michelle} mistakenly mentioned during the live. My article about secondary separation is linked in the show notes of this episode.)
These days there are a lot of snares and tares within the modern church that can easily take our eyes off of what is true about Jesus, His Word, and our Joy in following Him. It’s so important that we, as Christian women, exercise discernment so that we aren’t deceived by false teachers or false doctrine. In this rerun episode, we’ll take a look at four deceptive pop false doctrines that evangelical women are being wooed by right now, and how you can avoid being deceived by them.
We all have those petty little annoyances that make us crazy. In Part 1, Amy and Michelle talked about about some of our pet peeves related to the holidays, and today, we’re reading and discussing holiday pet peeves from our listeners. This episode isn’t a gripe session, but a glory session. We want to talk about what’s wrong and how to make it right, biblically, so we can glorify God even when we’re feeling peevish.
We all have those petty little annoyances that make us crazy. So today, we’re talking about some of our pet peeves related to the holidays: things Christians, churches, ministries – or even family and friends – do that get on our last nerve. This episode isn’t a gripe session, but a glory session. We want to talk about what’s wrong and how to make it right, biblically, so we can glorify God even when we’re feeling peevish.
Resources:
Evangelical Pet Peeves (August 2021) – part 1, part 2
Merry Christmas! We have an early Christmas present for you! Glad You Asked – our Q&A episodes – will now air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check out our YouTube Channel’s “Livestream” playlist here to watch.
Do you have a theology that includes thanksgiving all year long? Even in the worst circumstances or the direst of situations?
God wants His people to be thankful to Him, not just because He deserves our thanks, but because it is good for us to be thankful. It helps us fix our eyes on all He has done for us – from the greatest gift of all, giving His precious Son to save us from our sins.
Michelle and Amy wish you a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and kindness, and pray you enjoy this throwback episode. We are thankful for each and every one of you!
Welcome to part 2 of Beautiful Biblical Boundaries! In part 1, we went over the biblical principles of boundaries in relationships and gave some general principles for why Christians might establish some boundaries in our relationships and how to do that, biblically. And today, in part 2, we’re going to “put some meat on the bones” by answering some of your specific questions about boundaries in your own relationships.
Today, we’re tackling a topic that several listeners have asked us to address: biblical boundaries in our relationships. Do “turning the other cheek” and forgiving others “seventy times seven” mean that Christians must subject ourselves to any and all undesirable behavior from family, friends, co-workers, and others? Let’s see what the Bible says about boundaries.
It’s another episode of The Pew! Not The View, The Pew! All of the joy, none of the Behar. It’s our view from the church pew on some important issues in evangelicalism. There’s a lot happening out there in the visible church, and we’ve got some interesting stories coming your way today! That’s why we do The Pew, so we can grab some of those headlines we’re seeing – oftentimes UNbiblical headlines – and talk about them biblically.
In this episode, we’re covering a rather odd topic that maybe you’ve never heard about before: so-called “Christian” witches. What in the world is this, and is there any stretch of the mind – and of Scripture – by which this might be biblical? Well – spoiler alert, everyone – no, it most definitely is not. But we do see some similarities between “Christian” witchery and the NAR.
The following resources are from unsaved, unrepentant, currently practicing witches. We strenuously warn you NOT to consume these materials if they might, in any way, be a stumbling block or tempt you to doubt Scripture or believe false doctrine. The Scriptures in these materials are twisted and mishandled.
The following resources are from unsaved, unrepentant, currently practicing NAR/deliverance ministry heretics. We strenuously warn you NOT to consume these materials if they might, in any way, be a stumbling block or tempt you to doubt Scripture or believe false doctrine. Some of the Scriptures in these materials are twisted and mishandled.
Welcome to another Potluck episode of A Word Fitly Spoken! On our Potluck episodes, we cover biblical mini-topics that aren’t really long enough for their own, individual episodes, and don’t fit into any of our other features. Today, we’re covering…
Cooking and living within your means
Emotional reactions to tragedy
The “counting method” of child discipline
Progressivism and liberalism
Does a sinful past disqualify women from marriage?
What role does the Bible play in your life, and in mine? Today, we want to zero in on our overall relationship to Scripture. Scripture is our authority in life. We don’t live our lives by our feelings, opinions, or pragmatism. Everything we think, believe, feel, say, and do is to align with Scripture, submit to Scripture, and come under the authority of Scripture.
Welcome to another Talk Back episode of A Word Fitly Spoken! Talk Back is a recurring feature here at AWFS in which we listen to a sermon, podcast, or other audio from a well known pastor or teacher, and break in with our commentary as we compare his or her teaching with the Word of God. The subject of today’s Talk Back is Heidi St. John and her position on the role of women in ministry.
John MacArthur. Charlie Kirk. Voddie Baucham… and so many more. We may not have known them personally, but we feel that a light to the world has been extinguished, and the world is a little bit darker now that we’ve lost them. How do we deal with the grief and mourning we feel even after the loss of people we only knew from afar?
When you have problems in your life that you just can’t seem to navigate, where do you turn? God wants us to turn to His Word, to our pastors, and to godly older “Titus 2” brothers and sisters for wisdom and counsel.
Biblical counseling is an extension of that godly wisdom, counsel, and discipleship in the church, but sometimes Christians turn to secular therapists – or even “Christian counselors” who use those same secular methods. Is this what’s best for Christians? Join us as we discuss the benefits of biblical counseling over secular therapy with our guest Dr. Greg Gifford.
Welcome back to our final episode of How We Spent Our Summer Vacation! In part 3 of this three part series, we’re answering some great questions we received from our listeners over the summer. Maybe one of these is a question you’ve been wondering about yourself. Listen in and find out!
Resources:
That’s (Church) Life! – How to Do Church – Part 1, 2, 3
Welcome back listeners! We’re kicking off our seventh season of A Word Fitly Spoken by sharing with you How We Spent Our Summer Vacation! In part 2 of this three part series, we’re covering the major news and Christian culture stories that took place over the summer. What did you consider to be the most newsworthy story of the summer?
Welcome back listeners! It’s so great to be back home again with you on A Word Fitly Spoken! In part 1 of this three part series, “How We Spent Our Summer Vacation,” we’ll be sharing updates of personal and ministry happenings over the summer, plus an orientation to the podcast for new listeners! How did you spend your summer vacation?
This week, in our last episode before summer hiatus, we’re coming to you “off the cuff”. We’re wrapping up our sixth year of podcasting discussing our favorite episodes from the ’24-’25 season, what we’ve been up to this year, and what we’re looking forward to this summer. Lord willing, we’ll be back in the fall for our seventh season of A Word Fitly Spoken. Until then, have a great summer, listeners!
As Christian women, we want to be godly wives and have marriages that are centered around Christ and His Word, and today we’re going to look at ten steps we can take -before and during marriage- to help make that happen.
And we want to encourage all of our listeners, whether you’re married or not, whether you desire marriage or not, to listen. You might be surprised at how much of what we’re talking about today applies to you!
Have you ever heard the term New Apostolic Reformation or NAR? Over the last 20 years or so, it has become the predominant form of false doctrine in Protestant American evangelicalism, and you’ve probably encountered it in some way, even if you don’t know what it’s called. Today, we’re taking a look at the NAR’s false teachings and unbiblical practices so you can help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your church from this doctrine of demons.
Happy Mother’s Day! Today, we’re talking with our friend, Julie McEntee about being a boy mom.
As a homeschooling mom of five boys, Julie has lots of great wisdom to offer – from outdoors and fresh air, to Dad’s involvement, to how to keep those active boys fed! No matter your age or stage of motherhood, we’ve all got boys and men in our lives, and today’s episode just might help you understand all of them better!
In this episode we shine a light on a movement in the Church that is taking people’s eyes off of Christ – a dangerous theology: Progressive Christianity. This apostate ideology is the hardest in which to reach people with the Truth of the gospel. Progressive Christianity are two opposite words that really don’t belong together – because Progressive Christianity is really no Christianity at all.
Do you ever find it challenging to stand on the truth of Scripture, especially as it relates to sexual purity? From cohabitation to adultery to transexual ideology, this world makes it tough to hold to and even to talk about biblical sexual mores. Sometimes, we can even be tempted to compromise on what the Bible teaches about sexuality. Let’s take a look at what Scripture has to say about standing – unashamed – for the whole gospel of Christ.
We had a wonderful time speaking at the Answers in Genesis Answers for Women conference with some amazing sisters in Christ at the Ark Encounter. While there we had the pleasure of interviewing fellow speaker and new friend Angela Mitchell of Raising Apologists, on culture, discernment, and apologetics issues galore! Listen in!
We had a wonderful time speaking at the Answers in Genesis Answers for Women conference with some amazing sisters in Christ at the Ark Encounter. While there we had the pleasure of interviewing fellow speaker and our friend Doreen Virtue on deliverance ministry and New Age deception. Listen in!
Welcome to part 3 – our final episode in this series on how to “do church”! In parts 1 &2, we discussed and explored lots of aspects of church culture, from how to dress, to how to act, to how talk the talk! Today, we’re hearing from you! You sent in lots of great questions and comments, and we’ll give you our take on them.
Welcome to part 2! In this series, we’re exploring and discussing church culture. Today, we’re talking about about issues of church etiquette and decorum, including…
How to dress for church
Is breastfeeding in church OK?
How to conduct yourself in the worship service and Sunday School so as not to be a distraction.
We’re also tackling “Christianese,” or church slang that can be oh so confusing to new Christians. Join us! (And don’t forget to listen to Part 1)
Today, we’re embarking on a three part series on “doing church,” so to speak. It’s not so much about theology, it’s more about church culture. For those who weren’t raised in church and became Christians as adults, walking into church for the first time can be unfamiliar and daunting. But even if you were raised in church, or you’re moving your membership to a new church, there are still things about “doing church” that we can learn or improve on. In this episode, we cover:
Today we’re going to be looking at a recently released study that sheds some light on the wild and wacky ways people worship and the worldview they hold – especially professing Christians. How would you have answered the questions in this survey, and how should we, as doctrinally sound Christians, respond in light of the results of this survey?
Every now and then, we like to throw caution to the wind and bring you a totally unscripted episode and just chat. Some of the topics in today’s Off the Cuff episode include:
Biblically ordering your priorities in life
Drama on X and valuing real life friendships over online relationships
Today we are taking on a tough topic that has been in the news for the past year and recently came to a very sad conclusion – sexual abuse at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC) – and the devastating results are worse than anyone could have thought. We’ll give you some background on IHOP-KC, its leadership, and its doctrine. We also want to talk about this from a believer’s perspective. How should Christians react to this news, and what can we learn?
Today we’re going to “talk back” to an online event called Gather25, created by IF:Gathering’s own Jennie Allen. Why? To warn you about it so you can warn your church and your loved ones away from it, because it’s coming up very quickly: February 28 – March 1. It’s an event you’ll definitely want to miss.
Why do we often look up to Christian celebrities instead of anonymous servants? And why, when we think about finding a place of service in the local church, do we usually gravitate toward positions that will put us in the spotlight and give us recognition, rather than gravitating toward anonymous, thankless jobs? Today we’re looking at the meaning of servanthood, our manner of servanthood, and our mindset and motives regarding servanthood.
As a homeschooling mom of five boys, Julie has lots of great wisdom to offer – from outdoors and fresh air, to Dad’s involvement, to how to keep those active boys fed! No matter your age or stage of motherhood, we’ve all got boys and men in our lives, and today’s episode just might help you understand all of them better!
