Here’s chapter 2 of Jonah and the second message in the series called, “The Jonah Code.”

jonah-beneath_the_waves_01-25-09

Download audio file (jonah-beneath_the_waves_01-25-09.mp3)

Download the program

Yet, Jesus said, if you want to understand me, look to him. 

Welcome to the sermons that inspired me to write a book.

hurled_into_the_sea_01-18-09

Download audio file (hurled_into_the_sea_01-18-09.mp3)

Download the program

Download the program

Download audio file (res0901a.mp3)

Episode Text:

The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is hard to swallow for many folks.  Some believe that is used to be easier to believe – especially for those living in the first century.  But anyone who knows the New Testament – or ancient pagan literature – knows that isn’t true.  People back then found it hard to accept too, and for many of the same reasons we do.

Common sense says it just isn’t possible.  The reanimation of dead matter seems like a Frankenstein fantasy.  Even those ancient people could see that the process of decay begins almost immediately after death.

Further, science has confirmed that death is a necessary part of the natural order.  Death nourishes the life of successive generations.  Without it nature would quickly exhaust the resources needed to sustain life. 

Resurrection seems impossible in such a world.  Not only that – it seems positively dangerous.

That’s it then – open and shut case – nothing more to say, right? 

Well no, I have two things to say. 

First, those who reject the bodily resurrection of Jesus because they think nature as we have known it is all there is, or ever will be, should come clean and admit that they think death will finally swallow everything in the end. 

If they are right the universe will eventually wink out.  Everything will wind down and nothing more than rocks and gas will exist drifting ever farther apart in the cold and dark of an eternal night.

Consequently meaning itself will also die, for in a godless universe meaning can only live on in the minds of those who are alive to see and know and remember. 

You may protest – but that won’t be for ages and ages! 

But what is an age when compared to eternity?  Finite time – whether ten thousand years or ten trillion in length – will disappear in the end.  Whether it is this generation or another, there will be a last generation.   

How about happiness, surely that’s worth something? 

Who is it being added up for?  Whether this is the last generation or another – it matters not at all – for those yet unborn have nothing to lose.

But I haven’t made a positive case for the resurrection, have I?  I’ve just identified the necessary end of the material universe if there is no resurrection. Although it may be unpleasant, that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

Well, the arguments for the resurrection generally don’t fall into the province of philosophy.  They tend to be either religious, in the form of prophesy, or legal, in the form of eye witness accounts. 

Reason can help to work these out but reason isn’t the starting point for either.

What reason can tell us is that our universe cannot explain itself on its own terms. 

For a universe to have an end it must have a beginning – and that is what the scientific evidence asserts.  Unless we concede that the beginning of our universe is an absurdity – something outside the universe is responsible for getting it started.   

If there is something outside this universe that brought it into being – why should we protest to the possibility that this something may recreate it, with different laws that exclude death, and even in the process resurrect the dead? 

Such a being would have to be immensely powerful and intelligent, just the sort of being who could make the universe in which we currently reside. 

While that is not a guarantee that such a being would do such a thing, I, for the life of me, cannot see why he could not do so if he chose to.

Download the program

How much is a righteous man worth?  What’s his market value?

That’s a crude way of putting it, but Genesis 18 does seem to treat the subject in that way.

In the haggle Abraham conducts with the Lord, the Lord states that ten righteous people are worth more to him than a city of sin.  He promises that if only ten righteous people can be found in Sodom, a whole city will be spared.

Well, anyone who believes in imputation sees where this is pointing.  The righteousness of Christ spares all who believe in him from the punishment for sin they rightly deserve.

That’s only one small treasure to be dug out of this field of scripture. I hope you find more.  Enjoy.

Download the program

Ever wonder why so many people are ruined when they hit the lottery?  The reason is blessings are often more trouble than they’re worth.

Those who only know envy and have never known plenty think this is just another scam to keep them poor.  Well, as someone who has know poverty and abundance I know from experience that trouble always follows blessing.

If you refuse to take my word for it, hopefully you’ll listen to Abraham.

In this episode we’re experimenting with “bumper music”.  I’ve always loved the eerie wonder of Saint Saen’s “Aquarium”.  There’s something about it that fits my understanding of the amazing strangeness of grace.  I hope you like it.

Download the program

This show introduces one of the most seminal stories in human history: the story of Abraham.

You may be wondering at the title of this 12 part series — “Abraham the Outsider” — what’s the “outsider” bit all about.

In near eastern studies the term “Hebrew” has puzzled scholars for years.

Etymologically it does not refer to an ethnic group.

We think of it as such because those descended from Abraham are called Hebrews — but why was Abraham called a Hebrew? (Gen 14:13)

It has been conjectured that the name derives from the social designation used in ancient near eastern court documents for “outsiders” — nomads, traders, wanders, and bandits.

Well, even if the term “Hebrew” does not come from that term — the social status of Abraham certianly fits the designation. He was an outsider. He left everything behind for a promise made by an unseen God.

This message is about the beginning of that story.

]]> http://gloryseedradio.com/?feed=rss2&p=374 0 Download audio file (1-the-promise-3-30-08.mp3) Download the program This show introduces one of the most seminal stories in human history: the story of Abraham. You may be wondering at the title of this 12 part series Abraham the Outsider whats the outsider bit all about. In near eastern studies the term Hebrew has puzzled scholars for years. Etymologically it does not refer to an ethnic group. We think of it as such because those descended from Abraham are called Hebrews but why was Abraham called a Hebrew? (Gen 14:13) It has been conjectured that the name derives from the social designation used in ancient near eastern court documents for outsiders nomads, traders, wanders, and bandits. Well, even if the term Hebrew does not come from that term the social status of Abraham certianly fits the designation. He was an outsider. He left everything behind for a promise made by an unseen God. This message is about the beginning of that story. Glory Seed Radio and the preaching ministry of Christopher Wiley features "The Promise", preached at PCM, 3.30.08 http://gloryseedradio.com/?p=343 http://gloryseedradio.com/?p=343#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:13:29 +0000 Morty http://gloryseedradio.com/?p=343 Download audio file (escaping-scientology-with-cr-wiley.mp3)

Download the program

Here’s a bonus show with a personal touch.

Back in October of 2008 I was interviewed by Chris Arnzen of WNYG for his show, Iron Sharpens Iron about my childhood in Scientology.

Chris is a great guy and I’ve been on his show a couple of other times. The show is heard in New York City, Long Island and southwestern Connecticut. Believe it or not I’ve never met Chris in person. We’ve only spoken by phone.

Even though the show is highly personal in nature I’m comfortable talking about my experience. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments box. I’ll answer them if I can.

Download the program

Now here’s the granddaddy of them all, the notorious Parable of the Shrewd Steward from Luke 16:1-13.

More preachers throw up their hands and walk away from this parable than any other. Why? Because a villian is the hero. And it is that turn in the story that reveals the school marmishness of most preaching.

Well, if you can’t take the reversals of grace, then please do stay away from this parable. But, if you love the counter-intuitive nature of grace, then listen up and learn something no school marm could ever teach.

Download the program

Here’s another puzzling parable for your consideration.  This one isn’t difficult to interpret because of what is said.  It is difficult because of what is left unsaid.  And without saying so, it seems that is just the way the Lord Jesus made his point.

This is the parable of The Wise and Foolish Virgins, found in Matthew 25:1-13.

Here several things are missing: a bridegroom, and for five of the virgins, wisdom and oil.  Filling in the blank is the theme of this parable.  How well do you think you can you fill it?

Download the program

Now here’s another puzzler — The Parable of the Wedding Feast, found in Matthew 22:1-14.

In this parable Jesus tells a tale that lets in a ray of light at the very end that shoots through all that has come before.  In that light we see something we don’t expect.  Everything is altered and we see the grace that normally works beyond the range of human sight.

Enjoy!