CCC23, S5: Bryan Wolfmueller - ”How It Ends”

The Christianity & Culture Conference of Spencer, IA

July 7-8, 2023

"Competing Stories: God's v. the World's"

Speaker: The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller

Session 5: How It Ends

Where are things headed? Is there reason for hope? Can things get better, or will the universe eventually die in the heat- death of thermodynamic necessity?

 

Feedback for Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller: [e-mail]

Podcast Feedback (Broken links, suggestions, etc): [e-mail]

 

Summary

• Reset, recap, and direction we’re going now:
• Premise: Everyone is living in a story with four chapters
• Got half-way through “The Fix” (chapter 3) yesterday; will do that, then conclude with chapter 4 today.
• “Where do you come from?” - Often thought of on an individual, local level; not cosmically
• How World thinks about the problems has this typical major answer: Problem is pain/suffering -> leads to Epicureanism & what is says are the two things which cause the most distress (Divine involvement; Eternity & Divine wrath)
• We receive bad days and good days from Christ’s hand with rejoicing because Jesus is Lord
• Satan likes to call God’s freedom slavery and slavery freedom
• Three slaveries (Belly, Despair, Pride) and three freedoms (Contrition of Sin, Faith, Joy of the brothers’ salvation - ?) of the Scriptures
• Seriousness (reverence) and joy belong together
• Happiness obtain not by the pursuit of it; but a symptom of pursuing God - The fix is the Scriptures and comes in 2 phases; The Crucifixion and The Ministry of Reconciliation
• During questions: Thankfulness v. Gratitude
• Starting the fourth chapter; start of next session will be on the character of hope

References

• Scripture: James 1:2; Romans 5:3-10, Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 2:18-25, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Job 1:1-2:9, 19:23-27; John 8:31-34; Romans 6:16; Luke 15:1-32; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: https://https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A2%3B+Romans+5%3A3-10%3B+Matthew+5%3A10-12%3B+1+Peter+2%3A18-25%3B+Isaiah+52%3A13-53%3A12%3B+Job+1%3A1-2%3A9%2C+19%3A23-27%3B+John+8%3A31-34%3B+Romans+6%3A16%3B+Luke+15%3A1- 32%3B+2+Cor+5%3A17-21&version=ESV

 

• Rev. Wolfmueller: “I’m really interested in hearing your thoughts on what we’ve reflected on yesterday and today (about living in the four chapters)” - Here’s how to share your thoughts with Rev. Wolfmueller:
  • wolfmueller.co (“I couldn’t afford the ‘m’”): Contact button that will send an email to him
  • Or email him directly at [e-mail]
  • And, you can sign up for Rev. Wolfmueller’s weekly “What-Not” e- newsletter: https://wolfmueller.co/wednesday-what-not/
  • Or, get free books (e-editions, or you can purchase physical copies): https://wolfmueller.co/books/
  • “Holy Baptism: An Anthology” for free download or to order: https://wolfmueller.co/baptism/
•  On Epicureanism: