Best JR Vassar Podcasts (2025)

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A Conversation with Torrey Maldonado 48:03

3d ago48:03

48:03

In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Torrey Maldonado '96, an educator and author who served as Vassar's 2025 Commencement speaker. Dixon and Maldonado talked about his most recent novel "Hands" and how the themes of the novel are applicable to teenagers, college graduates, and older adults.…

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Grace and the New Creation | Genesis 8:20–9:17 32:43

6d ago32:43

32:43

Scripture: Genesis 8:20–9:17 Key Takeaways: + God will not let evil prevail + God saves by grace - 1 Peter 3:20–21 + God honors faith - Hebrews 11:7 + God has another Day of Judgment coming - Matthew 24:36–44By JR Vassar

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The Thin String of Hope | Genesis 7:11-8:19 29:24

10d ago29:24

29:24

Scripture: Genesis 7:11-8:19 Key Takeaways: Genesis 1:31 Genesis 3:15 + God’s judgement is severe Genesis 7:11-23 - a. It’s devastating Genesis 7:21-22 - b. All encompassing + God’s character is consistent - a. In His standard Genesis 7:16 - b. In His grace Genesis 8:1 + God’s salvation is sufficient Genesis 7:17 - a. It overcomes death - b. It sus…

1
God’s Grief | Genesis 6-7:5 28:15

19d ago28:15

28:15

Scripture: Genesis 6-7:5 Key Takeaways: Isaiah 46:8-11 Malachi 3:6 Psalm 18:30 + God grieves/regrets = A providential, heartfelt response resulting in a planned course of action + 2 Truths of God’s Grief The Seriousness of Sin · The Justice of God + Big Question – Why is Noah spared?By Scott Berry

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Cain and Abel | Genesis 4:1-16 38:31

26d ago38:31

38:31

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16 Key Takeaways: + The Nature of Worship True Religion vs Transactional Ritual Hebrews 11:4 1 John 3:11-13 + The Nature of Sin + The Nature of God Hebrews 12:24

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Lifted Up to Heaven | Acts 1:1-11 34:08

1M ago34:08

34:08

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11 Key Takeaways: + Lifted up to a Place of Honor John 17:4–5 Philippians 2:5–11 “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity + Lifted up to a Place of Intercession Hebrews 7:22–26 1 John 2:1–2 Luke 22:31–34 + Lifted up to a P…

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A Conversation with Naomi Seligman 48:18

1M ago48:18

48:18

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Naomi Seligman '55, Oracle board member and senior partner at Ostriker von Simson. Wes and Naomi talk about her time at Vassar, the legacy of her mentor, Vassar alum and professor, Grace Hopper '28, and Seligman's own career and experience as a successful entrepreneur in …

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When I Am Lifted Up | John 12:20-33 41:44

2M ago41:44

41:44

Scripture: John 12:20-33 Key Takeaways: + By his death, Jesus opens up heaven to the world. + By his death, Jesus shows us how to truly live. Galatians 6:14 + The world no longer tells me how to live and the world no longer tells me if I’m truly living.

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A Conversation w/ Lloyd Braun 1:13:45

2M ago1:13:45

1:13:45

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Lloyd Braun '80 who served as Chairman of ABC Entertainment Group among other roles. Wes and Lloyd talk about the evolution of the entertainment industry and the role of the internet in shaping the media landscape.By Vassar

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The Ruin and the Restoration | Genesis 3:7-24 39:36

2M ago39:36

39:36

Scripture: Genesis 3:7-24 Key Takeaways: + The Ruin “The effects of sin touch all of creation; no created thing is in principle untouched by the corrosive effects of the fall. Whether we look at societal structures such as the state of the family, or cultural pursuits such as art or technology, or bodily functions such as sexuality or eating, or an…

1
The Fall | Genesis 3:1-7 44:15

2M ago44:15

44:15

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7 Key Takeaways: + The Serpent - Revelation 12:7–9 - Ephesians 6:12 + The Scheme - Ephesians 6:11 - 2 Corinthians 2:10–11 Questions God’s Word Questions God’s Truthfulness Questions God’s Goodness Appeals to our Desires - 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 + The Sin - 2 Corinthians 11:2–3 - John 8:44…

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The Gift of Marriage | Genesis 2:18-25 44:47

2M ago44:47

44:47

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25 Key Takeaways: + Marriage is a good gift from God. + Marriage is designed for companionship and partnership “…not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.” – Matthew Henr…

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The Gift of Work | Genesis 2:4-17 39:56

3M ago39:56

39:56

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-17 Key Takeaways: + Work is a good gift from God. “Let the Church remember this: that every maker and worker is called to serve God in his profession or trade—not outside it. The Apostles complained rightly when they said it was not meet they should leave the word of God and serve tables; their vocation was to preach the word…

1
The Gift of Rest | Genesis 2:1-3 35:03

3M ago35:03

35:03

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3 Key Takeaways: Proverbs 26:15 + SHABBAT = Sabbath Isaiah 40:28 + God created this world and put us in for: - His good pleasure - His glory Exodus 20:8-10 + Sabbath Keeping: Principle vs Rule - As Christ followers are we required to keep the Sabbath as a rule? Mark 2:23-28 Romans 14:1; 5-6 + Summary of work and rest: - Work …

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A Conversation with Michelle Monje 1:02:59

3M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Dr. Michelle Monje '98 who is a 2021 recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” award and the Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Wesley and Dr. Monje discuss the intersections of clinical care and research as it relates…

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The Gift of Gender | Genesis 1:26-31 52:31

3M ago52:31

52:31

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31 Key Takeaways: + God made us male and female to bear his image - Matthew 19:3-6 + Our bodies are a good gift from God and tell us who we are “This is hugely important. If the body is merely a vehicle or a costume for the real you, then it is the equivalent of property. But we know this can’t really be the case. However mu…

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The Gift of Being Human (Part 2) | Genesis 1:26-31 37:25

3M ago37:25

37:25

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31 Key Takeaways: “The historian Tom Holland, a longtime secular progressive, recently wrote that despite his faith in God fading during his teen years, he now realizes his most fundamental instincts about life only makes sense as an inheritance from the Christian story. Holland’s book, Dominion, is a journey through Western…

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A Conversation with Robert Jones Jr. 1:09:16

4M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with author Robert Jones Jr. about his debut novel "The Prophets," which served as the first-year common reading for the students in the Vassar Class of 2028. With "The Prophets" as the backdrop, Wesley and Robert discussed themes of humanizing complex individuals, navigating …

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The Gift of Being Human (Part 1) | Genesis 1:26-31 35:14

4M ago35:14

35:14

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31 Key Takeaways: + Every human being possesses dignity as an image bearer of God “But human rights are just like Heaven, and, like God, it’s just a fictional story that we’ve invented and spread around. It may be a very nice story. It may be a very attractive story. We want to believe it, but it’s just a story. It’s not a r…

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The Gift of Creation | Genesis 1:1-2:3 37:27

4M ago37:27

37:27

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Key Takeaways: “Today as I read Genesis 1–2 my thoughts go to high school biology and physics. How does the biblical depiction of creation relate to the big bang theory and evolution? No doubt, Genesis 1–2 has bearing on our evaluation of these modern scientific accounts of cosmic and human origins. But a moment’s thought…

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In the Beginning God... | Genesis 1:1 39:13

4M ago39:13

39:13

Scripture: Genesis 1:1 Key Takeaways: Psalm 33:6 Nehemiah 9:6 Revelation 4:11 + God Exists as the Eternal and Transcendent God Aseity Hebrews 11:6 + God Exists as the Good and Personal God “There is a philosophical fissure between fundamental impersonalism or fundamental personalism. First of all, there is the difficulty of deriving ethical values …

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A Tune to Follow | Psalm 23 29:13

4M ago29:13

29:13

Scripture: Psalm 23 Key Takeaways: + A Shepherd leads by provision, presence and protection Matthew 16:31-22 + We worship the Lord because He is a divine provider + We worship the Lord because of His divine presence “Dear Jesus, how foolish of me to have called for human help when You are right here.” – Corrie Ten Boom, Hiding Place + We worship th…

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A Conversation with Minerva Tantoco 55:36

4M ago55:36

55:36

In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Minerva Tantoco ’86, who was the keynote speaker at Vassar’s 2025 Sophomore Career Connections program. Minerva has served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for several finance and technology companies and also served as the first CTO for the City of New York. Wes an…

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Dwelling in Unity | Psalm 133 37:57

5M ago37:57

37:57

Scripture: Psalm 133 Key Takeaways: + God is pleased when His people dwell in unity John 17:20-23 + Renewal happens when God’s people dwell in unity Romans 12:16 Romans 13:8 Romans 14:3 Romans 15:7 Romans 15:14 Romans 16:16 1 Corinthians 16:20 2 Corinthians 13:12 1 Peter 5:14 + Jesus is seen when God’s people dwell in unity…

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A Year of Spiritual Renewal | Psalm 80 39:26

5M ago39:26

39:26

Scripture: Psalm 80 Key Takeaways: + The Need for Renewal – Loss of God’s presence – Loss of Joy Psalm 32:3-4 Psalm 31:9-10 – Loss of Spiritual Power + The Prayer for Renewal Acts 3:19-20 Isaiah 30:18By JR Vassar

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Climbing Trees | Luke 19:1-10 1:08:12

5M ago1:08:12

1:08:12

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 Key Takeaways: + Zacchaeus was Hungry ‌Luke 19:2 Luke 19:7‌ “But while nearly everyone would agree that Hitler has earned a spot in hell, the Bible says that Billy Graham has earned a spot in hell, too.” – Brady Tarr ‌Ephesians 2:1–5 Luke 19:3‌ Jeremiah 29:13 + Zacchaeus was Humble Luke 19:4 + Jesus sees us Luke 19:5 ‌+ Jesu…

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The Grace that Secures | Titus 2:11-14 30:21

5M ago30:21

30:21

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14 Key Takeaways: + A Purchased People Mark 10:45 + A Prized People Image of Micky Mantle card $13m 1 Peter 1:18–19 + A Purified People “Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.” – Mark Twain 1 John 1:7 Hebrews 10:22 + A Passionate People

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A Conversation with Jonathan Littman 1:10:48

6M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to independent television producer Jonathan Littman '85, about his extensive career in television; overseeing hit programs including The X-Files, CSI and The Amazing Race; the richness of television as a medium; and more.By Vassar College

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The Grace that Hopes 30:48

6M ago30:48

30:48

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14 Key Takeaways: + Isaiah 9:6-7 + Matthew 1:1 + Matthew 1: 17 + Tangible Hope + Visible Glory + Unimaginable Awe “We don’t hope that we will see Katy again. We have the hope that we KNOW we WILL see Katy again.” – Holly Rost + Hebrews 9:27 + Matthew 24:36-42 “Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king. Let …

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The Grace that Trains | Titus 2:11-14 38:17

6M ago38:17

38:17

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14 Key Takeaways: + Christmas is the inbreaking of the age to come into this present age. + Mark 10:29–30 · Satanic age · Sinful age · Secular age · Sensual age · Selfish age + 2 Timothy 3:1–4 · Secular age + 2 Timothy 4:10 + Through Jesus, God brings us into the age to come and brings the age to come into us. + Galatians 1:3–…

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The Grace that Saves | Titus 2:11-14 38:39

6M ago38:39

38:39

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14 Key Takeaways: + Christmas is the Incarnation of the Son of God + John 1:1-2 + John 1:14 "...the supreme mystery with which the gospel confronts us...lies not in the Good Friday message of atonement, nor in the Easter Sunday message of resurrection, but in the Christmas message of Incarnation. The really staggering Christia…

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Contentment. Not Consumerism | John 6:26-40 35:57

6M ago35:57

35:57

Scripture: John 6:26-40 Key Takeaways: “Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, l…

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A Conversation with Rhiana Gunn-Wright 1:04:35

6M ago1:04:35

1:04:35

On this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon chats with Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a Senior Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute and the policy architect of the Green New Deal. In this conversation, Wes and Rhiana explore the intersections of climate change, sustainability, and capitalism.By Vassar College

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Discipline Not Drift | 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 36:11

7M ago36:11

36:11

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 Key Takeaways: “It was in 1980, that the legendary boxing trainer Cus D’amato discovered the young juvenile delinquent, Mike Tyson. 6 years later as a 20 year old kid, Tyson would destroy Trevor Berbick in 6 minutes to take the crown to initiate the start of his heavyweight reign. For those 6 years, Mike Tyson's dai…

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Peace Not Panic | John 14:25-31 39:52

7M ago39:52

39:52

Scripture: John 14:25-31 Key Takeaways: John 16:33 [Got Milk Slides] + Not the Peace the World Gives Control Circumstances + His peace + The only way you can have the peace of God is to be at peace with God Romans 5:1 John 16:33 Refuse to fear Refuse counterfeit saviors Seek the Felt Experience of the Holy Spirit…

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Unity Not Division | Ephesians 4:1-6 34:47

7M ago34:47

34:47

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 Key Takeaways: + God cares more about The Church than this nation, so order your loves. Acts 17:26 (CSB) + Order our loves according to spiritual principles and spatial proximity. + Our Theology is our relational Glue, so don’t seek unity around anything else. Graphic of Three Circles Graphic of Three Circles expanded. + …

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A Conversation with Jim Kim 41:51

7M ago41:51

41:51

In this special episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, which was recorded live at the launch of the Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts on Friday, October 25, 2024, host Wesley Dixon talks to Dr. Jim Kim, Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity, and the former President of Dartmouth College and the World Bank. Dr. Kim and Wes exp…

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Spirit Not Flesh | Galatians 5:13-26 39:57

7M ago39:57

39:57

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26 Key Takeaways: + Holy Intention 1 Peter 1:15–16 (ESV) Ephesians 1:4 (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) “Repentance means turning from as much as you know of your sin to give as much as you know of yourself to as much as you know of God.” – J.I. Packer, Keeping in Step wi…

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God. Not NOT God | Jeremiah 2:1-13 34:29

7M ago34:29

34:29

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:1-13 Key Takeaways: + The Essence of Idolatry Romans 1:22-25 + The Shock of Idolatry Sin against Love Sin against Logic + The Cost of Idolatry Psalm 16:11 + The Cure for IdolatryBy JR Vassar

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Now to Him Who is Able | Romans 16:25-27 34:56

8M ago34:56

34:56

Scripture: Romans 16:25-27 Key Takeaways: “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. We can never read it or ponder over it too …

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A Conversation with Marie Solis 1:07:57

8M ago1:07:57

1:07:57

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Marie Solis '15, a Style Editor at New York Times. Marie and Wes explore the intersections of responsible journalism, culture, and style.By Vassar College

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Appeal for Unity | Romans 16:17-23 25:39

8M ago25:39

25:39

Scripture: Romans 16:17-23 Key Takeaways: + Unity in the church is worth defending Romans 16:17 + Obedience strengthens our Unity Romans 16:19 + Love for the Church and its mission strengthens our unity Romans 16:3-15 Acts 17:5-9 Acts 20:4 + Gospel unity results in victory Romans 16:20 Genesis 3:15 Ephesians 6:12-15…

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Learning from the Church in Rome | Romans 16:1–16 37:58

8M ago37:58

37:58

Scripture: Romans 16:1-16 Key Takeaways: + The Church was an intimate family in Jesus. 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (ESV) + The Church included and dignified women. “Amidst contemporary denunciations of Christianity as patriarchal and sexist, it is easily forgotten that the early church was especially attractive to women… Christianity was unusually appealing be…

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Prayer and the Mission of God | Romans 15:30–33 40:35

8M ago40:35

40:35

Key Takeaways: + Prayer is the Direct Communication with God. + Prayer Shapes Outcomes. Psalm 34:6 (ESV) “In essence, prayer is rebellion – rebellion against the status quo, the state of the world in its sin and fallenness. It is the absolute and undying refusal to accept as normal what is completely abnormal. It is the rejection of every agenda, e…

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A Conversation w/ Leah Goodridge 1:08:13

9M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum Leah Goodridge '04, a Commissioner on the New York City Planning Commission. Wes and Leah explore the nuances of housing policy in New York City and New York State and talk about the competing forces that shape the housing landscape.…

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Reaching the Unreached | Romans 15:14–29 43:58

9M ago43:58

43:58

Scripture: Romans 15:14–29 Key Takeaways: 1 Timothy 1:12–17 (CSB) + Ministry to the Church + Ministry to the Needy 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 (CSB) 2 Corinthians 8:9 (CSB) + Ministry to the Unreached + The Unreached will be reached Revelation 7:9–12 (CSB) + It will take missionaries with ambition who are willing to go 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 (CSB) + It w…

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A Conversations Recap ('23 - '24) w/ Wes Dixon 10:58

9M ago10:58

10:58

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon recaps and reviews the episodes from last year and gives some quick reflections and behind the scenes insights from each conversation.By Vassar

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What Jesus Shows Us About God | Romans 15:8–13 37:07

9M ago37:07

37:07

Scripture: Romans 15:8-13 Key Takeaways: + God is a Trustworthy God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (CSB) Titus 1:2 (ESV) + God is a Merciful God. Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) + God is a Missionary God. Genesis 12:3 (ESV) Illus: ee-taow. Image of Missionary being carried. Psalm 67:4 (ESV) Matthew 24:14 (ESV) + God is a Hope-Giving God. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (CSB) Titus 2:…

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Personal Conscience and Christian Community | Romans 14:19—15:1-7 40:31

9M ago40:31

40:31

Scripture: Romans 14:19 -15:1–7 Key Takeaways: + Every person has a God-given Conscience. Hebrews 10:22 (ESV) + Our conscience needs to be obeyed. + Christians disagree on matters of conscience. + Nobody has an inerrant conscience. + We must prioritize Christian Unity over our personal freedoms. + “When do you have the freedom to do something?” 1. …

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Love and Christian Freedom | Romans 14:13-23 42:12

9M ago42:12

42:12

Scripture: Romans 14:13-23 Key Takeaways: + Not everything in the Christian Life is Black and White + The Temptation to make gray what is black and white 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (ESV) Galatians 6:1 (ESV) + The Temptation to make black and white what is gray + Love Requires that we Limit our Freedom 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV) + Experiencing the Holy Spirit …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

JR Vassar Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen