Starting Point Ministries: A Biblical Perspective

God's Promises are Irrevocable. What God says He will do, what He intends to do, that is what will be done. What was true for Israel when God acted on their behalf in delivering them from Egypt, is likewise true for the sons and daughters of God in Christ. The consistency of God is seen throughout the entire canon of Scripture, and it is on this sure foundation that the saved in Christ can hope.

The third sermon preached from the book of Exodus at the Narrow Way Church by Dr. Kristafal Miller

A brief introduction (reintroduction) of the author/speaker Dr. Kristafal Miller. With a description of what to look forward to in the days/weeks ahead.

Originally, this podcast was started to share some of my writings (kristafalsmusings.blog) with those who prefer to listen, rather than, read. Now it will also be a place where I share some of my thoughts, sermons, and hopefully some meaningful interactions about various topics from a biblical perspective.

If you'd like to interact with me on a more personal level, or if you have questions or comments regarding something I've written or talked about, you may contact me via my church email the.narrow.way@outlook.com. Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy.

This is the second half of my discussion surrounding the meaning of Christ's words in Luke 22:36 & Matthew 26:52. Does Jesus intend His instructions to His disciples in Luke 22:36 to be understood physically (according to the letter) or metaphorically (a spiritual application in light of passages like 2Corinthians 10:4-5)? In this post, I address the counter argument against the claim that Jesus authorized armed self-defense. It is said that "It is enough" (Luke 22:38) is a rebuke from the Lord against His disciples because they were too dumb to understand His meaning. This verse is then piggybacked onto Matthew 26:52 where Jesus rebukes one of His disciples (Peter; cf. John 18.11) for using the sword against the High Priest slave, cutting off his ear. The Lord tell Peter to put the sword back and warns him (and those with them) what happens when a person lives by (takes up) the sword against another, it leads to their destruction. But is that really how we should understand those passages of Scripture? Listen to find out... 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/02/16/purchasing-swords-to-what-end-the-second-half/

This is the first part of a two-part series dealing with two key biblical texts  (Luke 22:36 & Matthew 26:52) of contention regarding self-defense. The first text Luke 22:36 is the focus of this episode. Why did Jesus tell His disciples to purchase swords? Was He merely being metaphorical rather than literal? Was He speaking about spiritual swords for spiritual enemies, or did He mean physical swords for physical enemies? Was the issue about the gospel or about defense? Issues like these (self-defense) are not neutral issues. People have assumptions, biases, or traditions (i.e., presuppositions) that color their interpretation of them. The question centers around Jesus' meaning in instructing His disciples (then and now). 

In the follow-up episode I will deal with the Matthew 26:52 passage. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/02/15/purchasing-swords-to-what-end-an-article-on-self-defense-in-light-of-jesus-instruction-to-his-disciples-part-i/

In this podcast I return to the subject of self-defense and the loss of life. We look at the principle the Lord gives to Noah in Genesis 9:5-6 as a necessary safeguard against the wanton taking of life (i.e., without justification). We revisit the sixth commandment, view a couple case laws that offer qualifications, and then ask questions regarding the role of government (personal and civil) as a precursor to Jesus' teaching on individuals bearing the sword. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/01/28/is-it-lawful-or-appropriate-a-question-of-governance-regarding-self-defense-and-the-loss-of-life/

This episode marks the closing of my three-part talk on the C4 law passed in Canada. Protesting their overreach the Christian is left with a choice as to how they should respond. They can be silent and attempt to insulate themselves from the world at large, or they can be bold for Christ. The former is not only a form of cowardice but sin; whereas the latter is a fulfillment of the commandment given to Christ's people to speak the truth in love. When we consider what Christ Jesus has done for us in light of our sin, our guilt, our depravity, then their really is no other option for us as faithful stewards but to boldly proclaim His saving grace to all; including, those who are deceived by the popular alphabet soup narrative. The only true Hate speech is refusing to speak the truth to a fallen world, regardless of their station in life. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/01/27/a-word-spoken-to-a-world-in-need-and-a-government-needing-repentance-part-iii-a-christians-responsibility-to-respond-in-love/

This is the second part of a three part teaching of protest against the Canadian bill (now law) C4. In this episode I discuss the gravity of the sexual sins that pervade our society, their propagation by the alphabet soup coalition, and who reserves the right to define marriage, sex, identity as a male or female. Christians should not cower in fear of what may be said against us, but should boldly speak the truth to others including our civil government; reminding them who they were created by and for what purpose. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/01/20/a-word-spoken-to-a-world-in-need-and-a-government-needing-repentance-part-ii-the-issue-and-the-appropriate-response-towards-civil-officials/

Part I of a multipart series in protest against Canada's C4 anti-conversion therapy law. This section deals specifically with God's judgment against rebellion in the past via the use of water, fire and sword. Given the aggressive nature in which our culture is attacking the biblical family through a contrived and debased sexual ethic, including the perversion of what it means to be a male or female, it is the duty of the Christian believer to speak loudly against this Canadian law, which is a severe overreach of jurisdictional authority. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/01/17/a-word-to-be-spoken-to-a-world-in-need-and-a-government-needing-repentance-part-i/

Here I speak briefly about the confusion regarding politics and religion, as well as, the underlying pursuit of scientific inquiry--attempting to gain knowledge and wisdom. What is true about empirical science (gaining knowledge and wisdom about our visible world) is also true about theological inquiry (gaining knowledge and wisdom about our Maker and His will). I then discuss the key issue that drives contention over the question of self-defense: the taking of another's life. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/01/14/stepping-along-a-path-of-contention-further-musings-on-self-defense-and-the-key-issue-that-drives-the-debate-the-taking-of-anothers-life/

Self-defense is a hotly debated topic in our culture. The reason for this is simple, it is a religious issue. In this episode, I briefly touch on the original intention of the inalienable rights mentioned in our nation's (United States of America) most treasured documents: the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. However, my main thrust is with a familiar OT passage (1Samuel 17:32-37), with the popular David vs. Goliath historical narrative. I hope you enjoy. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/01/10/when-men-who-act-like-beasts-attack-further-inquiry-into-the-question-of-self-defense/

In this episode, I begin to discuss the controversial subject of self-defense. This episode serves as an introduction to a wider array of material that I plan on posting in the days and weeks to come. Thomas Binger's comments about Kyle Rittenhouse bringing a gun onto the streets of Kenosha and then claiming self-defense are what prompted today's musings. We'll look briefly at what a couple of the founding fathers had to say about citizens and their right to bear arms as stated in the Bill of Rights inserted into the US Constitution. And then, we briefly reflect on the stellar song composed by David, the second king of Israel before I close with some final thoughts.

Hope you enjoy. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2022/01/04/those-things-that-go-bang-when-you-pull-the-trigger-and-the-progressives-that-hate-them-a-question-of-self-defense/

In this episode I spend some time briefly discussing a term that has received much attention in our 24/7 news cycle. With cases like Kyle Rittenhouse, Darrell Brooks, and the Oxford High School shooter a lot of people are crying out for justice. Some are levying their complaint that injustice is being done. But how we talk about and defined justice will, by an large, be determined by our starting worldview assumptions. And so, I look at how the term "justice" was understood nearly two hundred years ago versus today. With that in mind I ask and interact with a pivotal question that ought to plague the minds of many. Rather than assume what justice is and where it comes from, we are responsible to know. 

Hope you enjoy. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://kristafalsmusings.blog/2021/12/15/justice-briefly-stated-and-defined/