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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.

The episode features Andrea Schwartz interviewing Nathan Pierce of Family Protection Ministries (FPM) about California legislation FPM tracks to defend families, especially homeschoolers. Pierce explains that charter schools—originally conceived as locally controlled alternatives—have been steadily constrained; AB-84 is the latest step, tightening oversight of funds and effectively requiring charter-paid instructors to be certified teachers, which he argues serves teachers’ unions by weakening non-union, lower-cost vendors and nudging families back toward traditional public schools. He and Schwartz frame this within broader concerns about the state’s education system, its ideological direction, and the practical trade-offs for Christian families between public funding (with religious restrictions) and private options (with greater autonomy and data privacy).

They then discuss AB-495, which expands who can self-authorize guardianship-like powers over a child via a simple form—potentially including distant relatives or non-relatives in undefined “mentorship” roles—raising fears about enrollment, medical decisions, and parental rights. After a large protest, the bill moved to a “suspense file” pending appropriations decisions; Pierce expects court challenges if it passes, citing likely constitutional issues. He urges parents to stay engaged, contact senators, track bills (via the state site and FPM’s bill tracker), and avoid dependency on public-money “carrots” that constrain Christian education. Pierce also outlines FPM’s youth training, internships, and government class aimed at cultivating long-term advocates.

This episode of the Out of the Question podcast explores the cultural shift in explaining destructive behavior through the lens of psychology and psychiatry rather than Scripture. Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts begin by recounting disturbing local incidents labeled as “mental health crises” by authorities and the media. They question why society defaults to diagnoses and pharmaceuticals instead of confronting sin, responsibility, and spiritual realities, noting that modern psychology begins with humanistic assumptions rather than the truths found in Genesis. This, they argue, leads to superficial solutions that ignore the moral and spiritual dimensions of human problems.

The discussion contrasts biblical categories of sin, illness, and demonic influence with the modern psychiatric framework. Scripture, they point out, distinguishes between physical ailments, spiritual oppression, and demonic possession, each with different attributes and remedies. Yet modern culture collapses these distinctions into psychiatric diagnoses, often excusing sinful behavior. The hosts emphasize that without grounding knowledge in God’s Word, people suppress the truth and seek explanations in chemical imbalances or psychological theories, leaving personal responsibility and obedience to God unaddressed.

Finally, they stress that sanctification, community, and obedience to Scripture are the true remedies for what society calls “mental illness.” While acknowledging that some conditions have physical causes, they insist that most human problems are spiritual at their root. The conversation warns against easy believism and reliance on professionals at the expense of biblical counsel and accountability. Instead, Christians are called to bear one another’s burdens, discern spiritual realities, and apply God’s law faithfully. The episode closes with recommended resources, urging believers to equip themselves to help others through a biblical worldview rather than outsourcing care to secular systems.

In this episode of Out of the Question Podcast, host Andrea Schwartz speaks with attorney and former domestic violence victim, Sally Owen, to uncover the hidden biases in today’s legal system. While domestic abuse is a serious issue, Owen highlights how the court system often presumes men guilty without evidence, issuing life-altering protection orders based solely on accusations. Drawing from her own experiences of abuse and her legal career, Sally explains how these civil proceedings strip men of rights, careers, and reputations—without the due process guaranteed in criminal trials.

The conversation dives into hard but necessary questions: Is the domestic violence court system truly about justice, or is it driven by politics, bias, and fear of public backlash? Together, Andrea and Sally explore how laws intended to protect women have instead created deep injustices for men, why perjury often goes unpunished, and how a biblical worldview of equal justice for all offers a better foundation. This timely episode challenges cultural assumptions, sparks discussion on abuse and fairness, and calls listeners to rethink justice through the lens of truth and accountability.

In this episode of Out of the Question, host Andrea Schwartz speaks with Pamela Letting about a life-changing event that shifted her from the role of wife to widow. Pamela shares the story of her 31-year marriage to her husband John, their mutual journey to faith in Christ, and the sudden, tragic accident that took John’s life during the height of COVID restrictions. She reflects on the shock, the deep grief, and the strange coexistence of sorrow with a Spirit-given peace that came from knowing God’s sovereignty over life and death. Pamela’s experience highlights that while widowhood brings profound loss, the foundation of faith can hold fast even in life’s most shattering moments.

The conversation also explores what widowhood looks like beyond the initial loss — the decisions, the adjustments, and the ongoing walk with Christ. Pamela speaks candidly about the comfort she found in people talking about her late husband, the importance of reaching out to those grieving, and how her own compassion deepened through suffering. She emphasizes the biblical calling to love and support widows, the sufficiency of Christ as the true anchor in both marriage and widowhood, and how such experiences can open doors to minister to others, even those outside the faith. Her story is a testimony that while life changes forever, it most certainly isn’t over, because our ultimate purpose remains: to glorify Christ in every season.

This discussion centers on questioning long-standing church traditions and examining whether they are genuinely rooted in Scripture or simply maintained out of habit. The conversation explores how many Christian practices—such as formalized worship structures, hierarchical offices, and rigid rules—might reflect human control rather than the Spirit-led model Jesus exemplified. Joseph Foreman, drawing from his extensive theological background and practical ministry experience, argues that the early church’s gatherings, like the upper room, were dynamic and relational rather than rigidly structured. He contends that the Gospel calls believers to embrace personal responsibility, self-governance, and Spirit-led unity, rather than relying on enforced order or a professional clergy class to keep people in line.

Foreman emphasizes that true church government should reflect the nature of the Trinity: harmonious, non-coercive, and centered on serving others. Instead of top-down authority or traditions treated as sacred, leadership should arise organically from giftedness and mutual accountability. He warns against conflating spiritual gifts with formal offices, arguing that authority rooted in coercion mirrors fallen structures rather than God’s kingdom design. Ultimately, the conversation challenges listeners to envision a model of worship and governance where believers engage voluntarily, driven by the Holy Spirit, and where church life prioritizes authentic discipleship and love over institutional control.