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The doctrine of sin, as defined in Scripture and the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is clear: sin is lawlessness, a failure to conform to or a transgression of God’s law. Yet many professing Christians today fail to recognize this reality, with surveys showing that nearly half of respondents don’t even view themselves as sinners. This distorted understanding of sin often stems from a lack of systematic theology, resulting in fragmented, man-centered interpretations of the Bible rather than a whole-counsel view. When sin is minimized or redefined, the Incarnation and atonement lose their meaning, and Christianity itself is hollowed out. Modern trends, from antinomian dismissals of God’s law to legalistic distortions, reflect a failure to teach and uphold the biblical theology of sin, which is foundational for a God-centered worldview.

Instead of condemning sin, many within the church have shifted to condemning the law, aligning themselves with cultural definitions of morality rather than God’s standards. This creates confusion, where obedience is reduced to man-made “do’s and don’ts” rather than conformity to God’s will. The root issue goes back to the fall in Eden, where humanity chose autonomy over submission to God. Without understanding sin’s theological nature—its origin, consequences, and remedy—Christians will continue to substitute humanistic definitions of right and wrong for God’s law. The result is cultural decay and personal compromise. The biblical call is to recover a God-centered theology of sin, grounded in the fear of the Lord, which alone brings wisdom, obedience, and victory in Christ.

In this episode of Out of the Question, Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts tackle the increasingly common practice of tattooing—particularly among professing Christians—and explore its cultural, theological, and spiritual implications. Drawing from Leviticus 19:28 and other scriptural texts, they argue that the normalization of tattoos in Christian communities reflects a broader infiltration of pagan, secular, and humanistic ideologies into the Church. They challenge the idea that tattooing is merely a personal or aesthetic choice, instead urging believers to consider whether such practices align with God's commands or stem from a desire for autonomy over submission to His Word.

The hosts discuss the physical consequences of tattoos, including immune system stress and potential long-term health risks, while also pointing to the spiritual dimension—asking whether a deeper force may be influencing the trend. They share anecdotes, medical insights, and biblical parallels to highlight how tattoos may symbolically and literally mark a departure from a theonomic worldview. Ultimately, the episode calls Christians to reflect on their motivations, reexamine God's law in both Old and New Testaments, and consider how their choices reflect or distort the image of God in themselves.

This discussion explores the meaning of zeal, its biblical grounding, and the importance of directing it toward God’s purposes. Zeal, defined as passionate ardor or fervent desire, can be good or bad depending on its object. The conversation highlights how misplaced zeal, such as Paul’s former persecution of the Church, can be destructive, whereas zeal aligned with knowledge and God’s will becomes transformative. Biblical examples—from Jesus cleansing the temple to Phineas confronting sin—show that true zeal requires action, not just emotion. It is characterized by passion rooted in knowledge, devotion to God’s honor, and a readiness to act even under opposition.

The speakers stress that zeal must be sustained and rightly ordered. They contrast genuine zeal with fanaticism, pietistic emotionalism, and counterfeit zeal found in false religions or worldly causes. Perseverance, commitment to God’s commandments, and applying zeal to all areas of life—family, work, church, and culture—are emphasized as marks of faithful zeal. Ultimately, they argue that zeal for the Lord is not optional but vital, shaping a believer’s daily life and long-term mission. It is not about sporadic bursts of passion but a lifelong commitment, producing action and perseverance that glorify God and advance His kingdom.