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In this second episode of the imago dei series, we now begin to explore some of the more particulars of IVF. We do our best to handle this issue with care, yet with candor. This episode is meant to be a general episode that covers the topic succinctly. In future episodes, we do plan on breaking down these issues in a little more detail. There are some links we refer to in this episode. I'll leave them here. Birth Control, Infertility, Reproductive Technology and Adoption - Think Biblically - Biola University 2013-09-15.pdf (waynegrudem.com) Responding to Dr. Wayne Grudem on In Vitro Fertilization (mereorthodoxy.com) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Adoption is one of the most beautiful pictures we see in Scripture. It is also a testimony of God's living grace when we see it portrayed on this side of immortality. We have seen this up close again and again. But what exactly is embryonic adoption? It almost seems like a science fiction novel come to life. Yet for Christians who profess belief that life begins at conception, embryos are just human beings at an earlier stage of development. Listen and explore this topic as Dr. Cheng dives into not only his expertise on the issue, but also his heart. Here are some relevant links referred to in this episode. The Littlest of Lives - Our Embryonic Adoption Updates | Facebook Foreknown and Created --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

We recently lived through a period where the sufficiency and clarity of Scripture was attacked. Perhaps not doctrinally, but subtly and perniciously. Lived experiences were treated as infallible and Scripture was thrown by the wayside. We were taught to always use Scripture as our guiding light, but the times proved difficult.  I invite you to remember again why these doctrines are crucial. I add historical theology to help remind today's deceptions are just old heresies. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Recently, Jordan Peterson came out and said something very explosive. He stated in no uncertain terms that the Bible was the precondition for the manifestation for truth and that it was "way more true than just true." What he did not realize is that he paraphrased a position within the apologetics realm called presuppositionalism.  In this episode, we explore various other philosophical arguments for God, but will take more time dissecting this particular position. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

You're invited to listen in on one son's emotional journey through the untimely death of his father and how God worked to bring about so much good. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Are Christians allowed to inquire into the validity of the NT documents or is such inquiry antagonistic to our faith? Does Christianity fall apart when put under the microscope of textual criticism? This episode explores not only the evidence corroborating the NT, but also why our faith is perfectly compatible with such an investigation. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Is there a biblical compatibility between faith and reason? Man, in his quest to free himself from God has in the past employed reason autonomous from God and it has ended in disaster. However, does that mean all Christians should completely abandon this faculty? In this episode, we will explore some case studies in Scripture to show how faith and reason are not only compatible, but they are intertwined and should indeed be used for the glory of God. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Charles Spurgeon once stated: "OUR first thought is that no mere man would have said this concerning himself unless he had been altogether eaten up with vanity; for Solomon was among the Jews the very ideal of greatness and wisdom. It would be an instance of the utmost self-conceit if any mere man were to say of himself— “A greater than Solomon is here.” Any person who was really greater and wiser than Solomon would be the last man to claim such pre-eminence. A wise man would never think it; a prudent man would never say it. The Lord Jesus Christ, if we regard him as a mere man, would never have uttered such an expression, for a more modest, self-forgetting man was never found in all our race. View it on the supposition that the Christ of Nazareth was a mere man, and I say that his whole conduct was totally different from the spirit which would have suggested an utterance like this — “A greater than Solomon is here.” For men to compare themselves with one another is not wise, and Christ was wise; it is not humble, and Christ was humble. He would not have thus spoken if there had not been cause and reason in his infinitely glorious nature. It was because the divinity within him must speak out." I have always been fascinated with this passage and it is for these reasons, I had to podcast about this passage. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

In every major city in this country, you'll find a Planned Parenthood. Much controversy surrounds this institution, but what were its origins? In this episode, I dive into the founder Margaret Sanger and quote to you her own writings that sheds light on the origins of Planned Parenthood. I also juxtapose her with Mildred Jefferson who stands in stark contrast to everything Margaret Sanger stood and worked for. Oh, and Margaret Sanger was white while Mildred Jefferson was black.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

This episode is specific to Berean Community Church as the entirety of the side note deals with instructions for those attending the retreat. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Here's a link to the article I reference: RUBIO: Cuba Protests Are About Freedom, Not COVID | The Daily Wire --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

In what is a relatively common occurrence today, I unpack a personal episode that caused me to apply propositional truth to the actual reality of life and death. For the many people that have experienced this same event or will in the future, I'm hoping this will bring some comfort. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Deconstruction. What in the world is it? Is it biblical? And is it just about asking questions? In this episode, I invite Pastor Peter Kim and Pastor Mark Lim to flesh out this term to investigate to see if this is benign or if this is something as Christians we should be wary of. Interestingly enough, this was the first episode that was requested by a viewer. Shoutout to John Yang for the idea. I refer to a couple blog posts in the beginning of the episode. Those links are here: Author of Christian relationship guide says he has lost his faith | Christianity | The Guardian DC Talk’s Kevin Max says he’s an ‘exvangelical’: 'Deconstructing' and 'progressing' | Entertainment News | The Christian Post --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

In this episode, I do a book review of Thaddeus William's book "Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth" I was fortunate enough to be a part of the launch team. Here's my Amazon review of the book: I have to say that this book far exceeded my expectations. Professor Williams states in the preface that it took him 4 years to write the book and I could see why. This book is not only well written, but easily digestible, heartfelt, charitable, without skipping on intellectual rigor. The other exceedingly high compliment I would give it is that I came out of reading this book thinking that the author completed this gargantuan task in the thoroughness of covering this subject. I find that no less than remarkable. With a host of contributors, you're not only getting one perspective. You're getting a wide spectrum of people speaking to this issue that spares neither truth nor love. In every era, there are important books and then there are top tier important books. This is what you call a top tier important book. This book is NOT Democrat or Republican apologetics. It is not mere information. It's a quest to lift the mist of confusion and hatred when confusion and hatred abounds. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

What is it exactly about mankind that sets us apart from animals? Is it our intellect? Our ability to reason? The passions that we share? What if an advanced alien race descended to Earth? Would that event shake your faith? I submit to you that what sets us apart is that we are all made in the image of God. If an advanced species with far greater intellect made themselves known to us, we would still have a higher distinction. Not because of anything we have done, but rather, because of what God has done for us. Does this understanding transfer over to the realm of social media? What could be the consequences if not taken seriously and left unchecked? How do we treat strangers we don't know on social media? How much of what we perceive reality to be comes from social media? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

A side note regarding inconspicuous servants. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

When a church is tiny, the retelling of the history of the church happens organically and easily permeates throughout the entire church. However, as a church grows, that kind of organic retelling becomes lost by virtue of the size of the church. At the same time, the need to remember God's grace does not go away. To that end and given that the church's anniversary is coming up along with the purchase of a new building, I thought it might be appropriate to go over some of our church's history. For those who are listening that do not go to Berean Community Church, that does not preclude you from joining in on listening to how kind God has been to us. Warning though: this is a long form podcast episode.  To Him be the glory! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

In this bonus episode, I go through Voddie Baucham's latest book. Here's my Amazon review of this book: Slowly, more and more faithful material is coming out and demystifying the darkness surrounding Critical Race Theory. However, as far as I know, there haven’t been any books that have dealt with it faithfully from a perspective that spells out who is saying what while backing up why we should be cautious. Voddie Baucham has done a massive service in writing this book as he charitably and clearly spells out the parties. Already, the statements coming out from various seminary professors who’d like to hide behind the mist are condemning the book. If you are interested in this subject and curious as to why so called celebrity pastors would fall on such opposite ends of the issue, this book is a must read. It is not inherently unChristlike to name names. Prophets named names. So did apostle Paul. When done in the right way as Voddie does in this book, it is altogether God-glorifying. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

As we continue on with Marxism, let me ask you a question. Did Karl Marx ever intend to embed his ideology within Christianity? If so, where’s the proof? Moreover, it’s well noted that Karl Marx and Charles Spurgeon occupied the same London around roughly the same time. Did Charles Spurgeon have any thoughts on this ideology? Is there any empirical evidence that Communism has shown to be destructive and even murderous? Any other notable thinkers that saw Communism as dangerous or is the pointing out of Communism much ado about nothing? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message

Democratic Socialism. Socialism. Karl Marx. Marxism. Communism. You've heard these words a ton recently and will continue to do so. However, what do they exactly mean? Where did these theories originate? Are they confined solely to economics? Do they tread upon reality and by extension morality? What is an objectively fair way to view these ideas?  Also, I allude to the 1963 Communist Goals so I've included a link to them here: Communist Goals Congressional Record (1963) | Hankering for History --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thesurpassingvalue/message