During today’s episode on Back Porch Theology, we’re talking about intellectual humility, which could be loosely described as giving away the need to always have the right answer. I spent way too many years afraid that someone would look under the hood of my life and discover everything I was ashamed of. During those years that I was consumed with shame, I used what modest intellect I have as a deflector shield. And posing behind my need to be perceived as always having the right answer robbed so much of my peace as a young Bible teacher. I was scared that making a public mistake regarding the WORD OF GOD would brand me as a fraudulent heretic forever. Here’s the deal y’all, as Christ-followers of course it behooves us to imitate those ancient Bereans from the book of Acts, who received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. However, it also behooves us to remember that when you filter the divinely inspired and inscripturated Word of God through the finite minds of men and women, it’s bound to be distorted at some level. Now please hear me, I’m not at all saying we have a license to be irresponsible – anything but – however, as a sixty-year-old, mistake-prone Bible teacher I’ve learned that intellect without humility equals insufferable arrogance, which is the antithesis of Christoformity – of having a Jesus-shaped life! Speaking of Jesus-shaped living and intellectual humility, if you haven’t already please check out our upcoming Kerygma Summit April 25-27, here in Franklin, TN. It’s a curated, 3-day intensive – basically a Bible study boot camp saturated with belly laughs – where a whole bunch of us from all over gather together and learn from a dream team of seminary professors, theologians, and ministry leaders so that we can better understand, emulate and communicate God’s Word. I don’t have time to tell you everyone who’s on the teaching team for this third Kerygma Summit but y’all it is a veritable Who’s-Who of modern-day theological heroes and heroines, among them they’ve published something like 300 books, Bible studies, and commentaries. Several of them have even served on translation teams – which means they’ve translated the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic into English - for specific versions of the Bible, including the NIV and ESV, isn’t that cool? But the coolest thing about these brilliant saints is that they love putting theological cookies on the lower shelf for people like us so that we can lean more fully into Jesus as a result. Getting to hang out with them, meet new friends from all over the world who are passionate about God and His Word, and be led in worship by Brooke Ligertwood – yep, Brooke’s coming back this year and will be leading worship throughout the event - is going to be like drinking from a firehose of wisdom and grace! Space is limited and over half-full already, so again please check out the details at KerygmaSummit.com and don’t dawdle if you’re thinking about coming because we don’t want it to fill up without you. In the meantime, go ahead and grab a caffeinated beverage and your Bible – unless you’re practicing the hand jive, of course – and come hang out on the porch with Alli, Dr. Howard, and me.
what is the email we can write to?
I'm starting at the beginning of your podcasts because I heard one of your devotionals and fell in love! I feel like if we knew each other personally, we would be besties!!! Can't wait to hear the rest of these!!! :-)
There isn't anyone out there that really will come along and walk through this with me. Only if you have lots of money to pay for someone to care.
This episode has opened a can of worms for me & that's just not good! I have been diagnosed with too many issues, both physical and mental, over the years & now I think I need to gback in therapy but can't afford it. Robin Retzack
“The essence of dignity is choice.” This blew me away. It also makes the whole choice in the garden conversation go away. And then choice must have an outlet—Christ died for our sins. And God provided for redemption before creation. It wasn’t an after thought. Great discussion.
Is there a way to get a transcript of this episode? There's so many good things I want to remember.
when are you guys coming to Texas & where in Texas? I will need to start saving now.
for the last 3-4 months, I have been listening to your podcasts and finally have caught up! I love it! I will now start over because one a week just isn't enough, and there is so much information to gather from each one!
I can't get enough of your podcast! I started listening this year & am catching up, but I'll be going back over each one numerous times just to absorb every morsel & tidbit I can! I don't know if you go back read messages from past podcasts, but I hope to meet Allison Allen in Willow Park, TX soon!
I am learning so much more through your podcast! I have taught your Bible studies and done some at home by myself, but these podcasts have reached deeper into my soul. Now, I know how to respond to my adult granddaughter when she takes offense at something I've said. Prof. Howard's words were perfect!
could the words GOD used to describe woman be spelled? I don't hear well, and I want to share this information, but I can't if I can't use the correct words. I have listened to this podcast for 3 times now! I love it!
Thank you ladies so much for this episode! I've been listening from Day 1 and absolutely love this podcast. This episode sank into my soul and it wasn't until a few days later I realized the name I've been living into is Miserable. Even though the Lord has done great things in my life to remove anger and frustration, there's still been this underlying current of misery for over a decade and a good bit of it stems from family that surrounded me as I grew up. And it's not constantly there, there are periods of happiness but misery still lurks close by. I'm so thankful God helped reveal that to me so I can exchange that for the new name of Joyful. THAT is the legacy I desire to pass on to my kids and others.
I am binge listening to your podcast and it is mind blowing jaw dropping information. You also genuine love for Jesus and continuing to show thar have not yet apprehended - however still on the journey ... refreshing and the me and my prof segment - no words, only meditation. I'm in a place where I know what to do yet my flesh rises and gaze is backward since I never dreamed or saw a future for myself. Not sure what to ask for because O truly want so much and natural disappointment has me bound on the spirit. In writing this, my ask is Jesus, help me to strengthen my spirit, starve my flesh, and dream/speak about my future in the affirmative not in wishful thinking language. All that to say, really liking this podcast and learning A LOT.
I love, love, love this podcast! Warms my soul and challenges my mind. Thank you!
I love this podcast! Not only is it spirituality and mentally stimulating, the "Porch" feeds a hunger for an attainable and applicable understanding of Scripture.
Oh Lisa, we need some of these amazing, witty, sucker punched Truth lines to be put up line TobyMac speak life posts! I soak up every word you say and I wish I could remember some of these. "When I practice intentional gratitude, it takes me from a place of grumpy to grace". Thank you for your life giving messages, I am filled and inspired and rooted because of them.
Us back porches love you both too! thank you for this spicy truth. I love the idea of reading the Bible in its entirety each year. Great idea!
I love your message and Thank you and God for giving you this platform.
Love this!!
💞 Thank you, 😊🤗