Verity by Phylicia Masonheimer

How should Christians approach elections? With so much division surrounding politics, it can be difficult to know how to engage thoughtfully without getting caught up in the anger, fear, and frustration that often come with election season. In this episode of the Verity Podcast, I discuss what the Bible teaches about voting, and our responsibilities as Christians. Looking at Scripture alongside the concerns of America's founders, I consider how we can make informed decisions, think carefully about candidates and policies, and remember where our ultimate allegiance belongs. We will talk about: * What America's founders understood about the dangers of political division * How Christians can approach voting with biblical discernment * Why religious freedom matters when evaluating candidates and policies * How to consider both character and policy when making political decisions * What Romans 13 teaches about government and authority * Why Scripture calls us to pray for our leaders, regardless of political party * How to stay engaged in politics without placing our hope in political outcomes Our citizenship is in heaven, but that doesn't mean we have no responsibility here on earth. Christians can care about the direction of our country while remembering that no election determines the faithfulness of God or the future of His kingdom. Before we argue about policy, we need to be people of prayer. And before we place our hope in a political leader, we need to remember who is ultimately in control. My article on Sinless Conservatism: https://phyliciamasonheimer.substack.com/p/confronting-the-lie-of-sinless-conservatism Find more from Phylicia Masonheimer and Every Woman a Theologian: https://www.everywomanatheologian.com [https://www.everywomanatheologian.com/] Subscribe to the Verity Podcast for more conversations about theology, culture, and living out your faith with biblical conviction. How do you approach voting as a Christian? Share your thoughts in the comments. #VerityPodcast #ChristianPolitics #BiblicalWorldview

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT FERTILITY | BIRTH CONTROL, IVF, MARRIAGE & CHRISTIAN ETHICS What does the Bible say about sexual ethics, fertility, birth control, IVF, and family planning? Should Christians think differently about contraception, sterilization, and the purpose of sex in marriage? In this episode of Thinking Biblically, I am tackling one of my most requested (and controversial!) topics: Christian sexual ethics. After years of studying Scripture and walking through secondary infertility and miscarriage, I share how my understanding of fertility, marriage, and the Christian view of the body has changed. We are talking about hormonal birth control, vasectomies, IVF, surrogacy, and natural family planning. This conversation may challenge what you have always believed, but the goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you a starting point for further formation. In this episode, we discuss: * What Scripture teaches about fertility, marriage, and sex * Why my views on contraception has changed * The ethics of hormonal birth control and sterilization * IVF and surrogacy * How infertility and miscarriage have shaped my perspective * Approaching family planning with biblical wisdom Watch the entire episode to hear my personal story, the research behind my changing views, and the questions I believe Christians should be asking. Email me for the notes from this episode at [email protected]. CONTINUE LEARNING WITH PHYLICIA Visit phyliciamasonheimer.com [http://phyliciamasonheimer.com/] for more biblical teaching, articles, and episodes of Verity Podcast. While you are there, you can also explore Every Woman a Theologian [http://phyliciamasonheimer.com/] for Bible studies, books, and theological resources created to equip Christians to know what they believe and communicate it graciously. In a couple of weeks, we gather in person for our annual theology conference, please join us in Northern Michigan Nov. 6–7. Tickets still available at https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/conference/ MORE FROM VERITY PODCAST Explore the Thinking Biblically series for more conversations about Christian theology, culture, and everyday discipleship. SUBSCRIBE for future episodes, and share this conversation with someone who enjoys digging deeper into Scripture! Join the conversation: What questions are you still working through about Christian fertility and family planning? #PhyliciaMasonheimer #ThinkingBiblically #ChristianFertility #EveryWomanATheologian #IVF

Should Christians read spicy books? How do we choose books that honor God? And how do we actually find time to read when life is busy? In this episode of the Verity Podcast, we discuss thinking biblically about reading habits, Christian discernment, and how the books we choose shape our minds, hearts, and faith. I share my thoughts on the decline of literacy, why Christians should care about what they're reading, and how Philippians 4:8 can guide our book choices. I tackle the growing popularity of sexually explicit fiction, and share my personal journey of breaking free from an addiction to erotic fiction. But this episode isn't just about what NOT to read! I also share my favorite genres, Christian book recommendations, how I read multiple books at once, and the simple reading routine that works for me as a homeschooling mom, author, and ministry founder. In this episode, we're talking about: * Why reading and literacy are declining in our digital world * How to choose books using biblical discernment and Philippians 4:8 * The rise of sexually explicit fiction an the impact of it on our spiritual lives * Book genres worth exploring * How to develop better reading habits and improve your attention span, based on my own experience * Book recommendations and an update on Riverside Bookshop! Whether you are an avid reader, trying to get back into reading, or wondering how to approach popular fiction as a Christian, this conversation will encourage you to think more intentionally about the books on your shelf. RESOURCES & LINKS * Shop Every Woman a Theologian books and Bible studies: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com [https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/] * Explore Every Woman a Theologian and other resources for growing in biblical literacy. * Riverside Bookshop: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594166642407 * Phylicia's Book Recommendations: https://tsfqr.com/phys-fav-books * Have a book recommendation? Email Phylicia at [email protected] JOIN THE CONVERSATION! What are you reading right now? Do you have a favorite fiction or nonfiction book that aligns with Philippians 4:8? Share your recommendations in the comments! We'd also love to hear what books you think we should carry at Riverside Bookshop. Subscribe to the Verity Podcast for more conversations about Christian theology, biblical literacy, spiritual growth, and thinking biblically about everyday life. #PhyliciaMasonheimer #ChristianReading #VerityPodcast #ChristianBooks #BiblicalDiscernment

This week in our Thinking Biblically series, we're talking about another hot topic: the use of AI in Bible study. Whenever there is new technology, especially at this scale and influence, we as Christians are called to be discerning. But how do we determine what to use it for—or not use it for—when it seems Christians at large differ so widely in if, or how, they use it? In this episode we'll talk about: - Why it's important as a Christian to seek discernment about the use of AI - How work, especially creative work, is a partnership with God, and how we image Him when we do our work well -  Why it matters to have a strong theology of the Holy Spirit - Every Woman a Theologian's AI policy - What I don't recommend using AI for - What I do recommend using AI for If you've been told that AI is just a morally neutral tool and aren't quite sure how to think about it with a biblical mindset, this episode is for you! * Where to find our AI Policy https://phyliciamasonheimer.substack.com/p/your-ai-sermon-is-showing * Fall Shop is coming October 8th! Subscribe to our Newsletter to be the first to know when it launches. https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/newsletter/ * Before you reach for AI, seek the answer for yourself. We have resources to help in your study. Start with Bible Study Basics, Interpreting the Bible Correctly, and Glossary of Theological Terms all available in the Every Woman a Theologian shop. https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/bible-study/ Additional resource to watch, Jonathan Pageau: https://youtu.be/yZUuKzDQSsI?is=aQhzt9TZ4l2JRY2n

What is a "village," and how do we cultivate one in our own lives? In this episode, we'll take a look at the traits of a village, reflect on the loneliness epidemic in America, and how the Bible gives us guidance on overcoming that epidemic by providing real instructions for cultivating community. We'll also consider how we often view friendships in a scarcity mindset, but how we can build healthier ones with an abundance mindset. We'll discuss: * Historical traits of a "village" * What's causing the loneliness epidemic and how the Bible guides us to overcome it * Specific Bible verses on cultivating community * Three principles and three red flags to keep in mind when discerning friendships * Practical advice on how to make friends If you've struggled with friendships or feeling like you don't know how to build community, this episode is for you! Loving our Thinking Biblically series? Subscribe to Verity Podcast for a new episode each week: https://apple.co/veritypodcast Join us for Every Woman a Theologian Conference Nov. 6-7. All denominations welcome! https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/confe... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUZZTVljRnFfcTZEaGdCdEtPNl80VUNpUVhnTHxBTl9pYzRlODltWkNVNDJoaFhqck9abnZPSXF0UDFXWWM0QWJRc3kyOEpuZ2gxZ3lLS0h4X2hUZXJ1TkhHcWxtbVJ0S0NLSGNSV2w1NU8wMGJCQmlDVTY3NjU4QnRIVm9Td3hm&q=https%3A%2F%2Fphyliciamasonheimer.com%2Fconference%2F&v=dYyIO1Qf5Sg] Stay tuned for our Fall Shop coming October 8th! Bible studies, homeschool curriculum, autumn candles, mini pumpkins, and more! https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/new-items/ Find your next Bible Study to study on your own or in small groups in our shop! ⦿ Every Woman a Theologian Shop: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/bible-study/ Follow along: Substack: https://phyliciamasonheimer.substack.com [https://phyliciamasonheimer.substack.com/] Instagram:   / phyliciamasonheimer EWAT Instagram:   / everywomanatheologian