In a world that has become so preoccupied with progress, have we lost what it means to be human?

We are so pumped to have Dr Andy Steiger join us to talk about how we can find what it truly means to be human within God’s restorative plan in Jesus.

Andy Steiger is the founder and president of Apologetics Canada Ministries (AC). He passionately engages in pressing issues related to our humanity from a Christian perspective. He has presented at various venues such as Cambridge University on philosophical issues related to Artificial Intelligence, provided ethical guidelines on robotics for the United Nations, and addressed legal concerns over rights of conscience at the World Congress in Philosophy of Law.

Andy has published widely from children’s books to the Supreme Court Law Review. His most recent book, Reclaimed: How Jesus Restores Our Humanity in a Dehumanized World was awarded runner-up to evangelistic resource of the year. Andy is known for making complex theological and philosophical ideas understandable through the art of storytelling as seen in AC’s video resources. The Human Project video series debuted at film festivals around the world and won a number of awards including Best Short Film and People's Choice. Recently released is BRANDED: A Series on Identity which is now available on RightNow Media. Between his 20 years of pastoral experience and a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Andy brings both experience and research to his work.

Andy currently lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, with his wife, Nancy, and their two sons. Most weekends you’ll find the Steigers in the mountains or lakes of BC.

What is the self? What does it mean to be human? These are some of the major questions being asked in our cultural moment. The good news is that we can find creditable answers for them in the words of Jesus.

In this episode, Bryan & Bonnie Pue discuss what Jesus is talking about in Luke 9 where He says, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”

We cover the topics of:

• The biblical view of the self compared to the secular psychological view.

• The human identity in creation, redemption and glorification

• Humanity being made in the image of God.

• The integration of body, soul and spirit.

• Gnosticism and modern gender theory

• The hope of redemption we have in Jesus

The topic of same-sex attraction and homosexuality can be difficult for some of us to discuss. With so many voices on the topic, terms like side A or B, mixed with changing definitions of words, make you wonder, have we lost touch with holiness?

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Yuan joins us as we seek to understand what it really means to live in holy sexuality from a Biblical perspective. He shares his powerful testimony of how he came to Christ and experienced a radical transformation.

We talk about:

• The Gospel’s effect on our sexuality

• The proper process for Biblical interpretation

• Biblical anthropology and homosexuality

• Jesus never mentioned homosexuality…right?

• …and more!

Dr. Christopher Yuan is a highly sought-after expert whose book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, was named 2020 book of the year for social issues by Outreach Magazine. Dr. Yuan casts a compelling vision of not identifying with our sexuality, but embracing Christ and living out Holy Sexuality, which shatters the secular paradigms of gay and straight. 

Dr. Yuan graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s degree in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. He taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for 12 years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. 

Christopher has also produced The Holy Sexuality Project video series for parents and their teens. It is a first-of-its-kind resource to help parents and grandparents to empower their teens to understand, embrace, and celebrate biblical sexuality.

For more from Dr. Yuan:

Dr. Yuans Books

Holy Sexuality Teen Curriculum

What happens when words that have meant something for thousands of years, now mean something completely different? What happens when they are words like “man” and “woman”? Whats happens when there are criminal charges applied to those who dont think “correctly"? …In many ways, we are about to find out.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Dr. Iain Provan to discuss the current challenges that face the church regarding gender identity and free speech. Dr. Provan even uses analogies connected to the book, you probably read in high school. 1984 written by George Orwell. The similiarites to our cultural moment are shocking.

Dr. Provan was born and educated in the UK, ultimately completing a PhD at the University of Cambridge. His academic teaching career began in the university world of the UK, prior to his family’s emigration to Canada in 1997. He is the author of many books, essays, and articles, with a particular focus in the last decade on the intersection of Christian Scripture and theology and contemporary culture. He is a Life Member of Clare Hall, Cambridge and the recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship in Germany. He is also a qualified Provincial B Licence soccer coach and a keen fly fisherman.

For more from Dr. Provan visit-https://iainprovan.ca

There is so much power available when we bring our pain and shame into the light of God’s love. Whether it be heterosexual, homosexual or transexual sin, God isn’t intimidated by our brokenness. When we are willing to let Him into the mix, healing begins. This is Stephen Thomas’s story and Bryan recently sat down with him as he shared so vulnerably about the reality of his emotional brokenness that was fueling a same-sex attracted lifestyle.

Stephen Thomas is a husband and father who has had sobriety from porn for over 13 years. In his personal battle, he has overcome same-sex attraction, low self-esteem, anxiety & a broken marriage. He's passionate about seeing men who feel hopelessly buried by their addictions come alive and realize the strength God has placed in them. Stephen is a Certified Husband Material Coach, Certified Inner Child Recovery Coach and recently launched his own business so he can focus his efforts on helping men overcome unwanted sexual behaviours & helping couples repair their marriages.

StephenThomasConsulting.com

Facebook.com/stephenthomasconsulting.com

IG-@wstephenthomas

In this episode, Bryan & Bonnie continue on in the theme of identity and the complexities of the current discussion around gender.

In this episode we cover:

• Seeing the topic of gender confusion, with a Biblical and historical lens. Seeing that this topic is not really new.

• Recognizing that rigid, cultural stereotypes aren’t placed there by God. There are differences between men and women, and there are unique assignments entrusted to men and women, but there is so much space for individual expression within those assignments.

• Knowing the love of God for the “eunuch” , the one who has had surgical alteration to their body in order to resist their biological gender, and that God has a place of belonging prepared for those who would surrender these decisions to Him.

• For those who are wrestling - God is coming to you. Just like the account of Jacob in the Book of Genesis, God came looking for a lost confused young man who longed to be blessed in who he was.

Many people today feel a huge disconnect from who they are as people and their body. It can feel overwhelming and hopeless. Today we want you to know that there is hope and His name is Jesus.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Carissa Shockley as she shares her story of how God met her on the road of gender dysphoria and LGBTQ lifestyle , and led her to a place of healing and identity in Him.

Carissa is a songwriter, worship leader, communicator and passionate follower of Jesus, who has a powerful message of hope for all who are caught in the confusion of identity and past shame.

For more from Carissa:

https://www.carissashockley.com/

IG & TikTok: @cls1727

Transformed Life Podcast

Youtube Channel

The landscape around gender and identity has changed significantly in the last 20 years. And with this change, new language has developed to express it. But, it leaves many feel like they are falling behind or that they are at risk of being cancelled if they say something wrong.

If you feel like you’re falling behind, you’re certainly not alone. (And the idea of just doing a broad Google search seems like an exercise in futility.) When I recently picked up the book written by Dr. Mark Yarhouse and Dr. Julia Sadusky, I realized that they had compiled so much of the information we are needing today, while maintaining both a compassionate and logical tone.

We are so glad to be able to bring this conversation with Dr. Sadusky to you today. We talked about:

⁃ Why it is so imperative for church leaders to learn about and approach the topic for the sake of people who are looking for guidance and support

⁃ Some key terms and definitions (like even the difference between gender dysphasia and transgenderism)

⁃ key theories about WHY there has been such a steep incline in the number of young people who are identifying themselves in non-binary terms

⁃ the damaging affect of rigid gender stereotypes that have not originated from God, but from culture

I hope you take the opportunity to learn with us today, for your sake, but also for the sake of growing as a compassionate, truthful witness for Christ in your place to influence.

As you listen, we encourage you to share the episode with anyone that is looking for some answers today on these complex issues.

————————————

Dr. Julia Sadusky is the co-author of “Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth” along with Dr. Mark Yarhouse.

Dr. Sadusky is currently a research fellow of the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute in Wheaton, IL. and an advisor to the Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender. She is a licensed psychologist based in Colorado, where she offers individual, family, couples, and group therapy in addition to consultations for individuals and families around sexuality and gender.

It’s been said that “one’s identity will determine their destiny”. So true right!

We believe that this is one of the main reasons why the Biblical authors are very purposeful to remind us of who we are in Jesus and what He has done, on our behalf, because we are called to model who He is. This understanding will empower us to live free, holy, and whole, while also being set to communicate it to others around us.

In this episode, Bryan and Bonnie share from their hearts on the importance of identity, holiness, and what to do with brokenness.

Porn, pills, food, money, alcohol, social media, body image, status, sex, anxiety. Whatever you're struggling with, John Elmore knows what it's like to be stuck and how to get free. In 2005, he put a loaded shotgun to his head and later had three doctors tell him he was going to die of alcoholism. More than fifteen sober years later, he leads the world's largest weekly recovery gathering, re:generation, where people journey toward healing in Christ. In his latest book, “Freedom Starts Today” he unpacks timeless biblical truth that will help anyone who is stuck in socially acceptable or unacceptable sins find long lasting freedom in Christ.

John is the senior director of pastoral care and director of recovery at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas.

He and his wife, Laura, have not had REM sleep since 2013, after having three kids in three years. They survive on coffee, takeout, and lots of prayer.

You can follow him

@john_a_elmore and www.freedomstartstoday.org