Biblical Counseling

Pros & Pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence

In episode 6 of Reasonable Talk, we explore how Christians can think about and interact with artificial intelligence (AI). Amanda, Chris, and Jerod move from defining and demystifying AI, to its positive uses, to serious ethical and spiritual pitfalls—especially around relationships, counseling, discipleship, and spiritual formation. They emphasize that AI is a powerful tool rooted in data and algorithms, not a living being, and that Christians must approach it with discernment, remembering our ultimate goal is to become more like Christ, not simply to be more efficient or more affirmed. Resources mentioned in today's episode: Transformed with Dr. Greg Gifford - Biblical Counseling Stories: AI and the Bible, Part 1 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BPoxb1vOCtroAajYNkH2r?si=36a830b7bf9142ae] Sing! Hymnal [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DYKC5QFX?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tcom_0&storeType=ebooks&qid=1776446172&sr=1-3] Ashtown Burials book series [https://ndwilson.com/collections/ashtown-burials] Triumphing Over Sinful Fear [https://www.amazon.com/Triumphing-Sinful-Puritan-Treasures-Today/dp/1601781326] by John Flavel The Toxic War on Masculinity [https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-War-Masculinity-Christianity-Reconciles/dp/0801075734/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oOMFVntHoyf77E0NtnUkf_blWUmpLtDuDttT3eOUYQGgqwKeFPy8mvhz0jFbW3xBAc2A2fcJHWVNXfAzqOb3D8EJcjlURPVDsZiHTuH9pajzTkjEVropE3do4p594N6UmSgRMNn6kXnoA_oY8FU9aSSe8WCdCBBb0_Ua2dN3c5xHqmLWSmOkXlN0G0qLJAsUgr15rHzMQ5raiAwRRLs83Pa0_BHfgGj_pWK4K4FVO_Y.ppirXOM4Zs-LrQ2C_tA9k818xlV3BH_Qp9P-6A35q5o&qid=1776445991&sr=1-1] by Nancy Pearcey A Great Awakening [https://www.agreatawakening.com/] movie Have a question, comment, or idea for our next episode? Email amanda@spokanevbc.org.

Atonement

In this episode of Reasonable Talk, Amanda Jarvis sits down with Pastor Chris Martin, Pastor Caleb Klontz, and Rick King to explore the rich and often debated doctrine of atonement. Today's conversation looks at what “atonement” means—rooted in the Old Testament idea of a sin-covering sacrifice and the restoration of a broken relationship with God—and how Christ’s life and death accomplish that reconciliation. Two big questions are addressed:  * Why did Jesus die? (the nature of the atonement) * For whom did He die? (the extent of the atonement) Along the way, they show how Christians can recognize longstanding differences on this topic, still maintain genuine fellowship, and be driven to examine not just what they believe about the cross, but why. Further Study on Atonement If you’d like to dig deeper into what Scripture says about atonement, here are some key passages: 1. Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11 – The Suffering Servant who bears our griefs, carries our sorrows, and is pierced for our transgressions. 2. Romans 3:21-26 – God’s righteousness revealed in Christ as the one who is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 3. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 – Reconciliation through Christ, who “became sin” for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. 4. Hebrews 9:11-15, 24-28 – Christ as the once‑for‑all high priest whose own blood secures eternal redemption, in contrast to repeated Old Testament sacrifices. 5. 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18 – Christ bearing our sins in his body on the tree and suffering “once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.”

Engaging the News with Biblical Objectivity

In Episode 4 of Reasonable Talk, VBC staff members Amanda Jarvis, Jerod Jarvis, and Pastor Chris Martin talk about how Christians can engage with the news without becoming anxious, angry, or overwhelmed. They explore the difference between news and commentary, why truly “objective” journalism doesn’t exist, and how a Christ-centered worldview helps us sort through headlines with wisdom. They also discuss common responses to the news—news junkies, social media warriors, and avoiders—and offer biblical principles for staying informed while keeping our hearts anchored in God’s sovereignty and peace. Helpful Resources: - 1 Peter 4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204&version=NASB1995] - The World & Everything in It [https://wng.org/podcasts/the-world-and-everything-in-it] - a daily news podcast from a Christian wordview - WORLD Watch [https://app.worldwatch.news/?referral_code=DBgHDaDggBDiBe] - a weekday 10-minute news broadcast for teens - WORLD Magazine [https://wng.org/magazine] - a monthly magazine featuring sound journalism, grounded in facts and biblical truth - God's World News [https://kids.gwnews.com/resources] - a news magazine for elementary-age students

Brian Sayers on Biblical Counseling

On Episode 3 of Reasonable Talk, Amanda Jarvis, along with Jerod Jarvis and Pastor Chris Martin, interviews guest Brian Sayers [https://fbchurch.org/resources/filter/brian-sayers/1], director of Faith Biblical Counseling Center and associate pastor at Faith Bible Church. Brian shares his journey in pastoral ministry and the importance he discovered in Biblical counseling training. Implementing biblical counseling training in churches builds a shared language for addressing life’s challenges, such as anger, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Brian also emphasizes how the counseling approach fosters deeper conversations and support throughout the church community, from small groups to larger gatherings. Resources mentioned in today's episode: ACBC website [https://biblicalcounseling.com/] Spokane Christian Counseling Center [https://fbchurch.org/ministry/spokane-christian-counseling-center] Valley Biblical Counseling Center [https://spokanevbc.org/counseling/] Topics and Timestamps: Guest Introductions and Background (Brian Sayers’ journey, counseling training) – [0:02:24] Theological Foundations: Sufficiency of Scripture, Counseling’s Impact – [0:05:34] Counseling Culture Formation and Program Growth at Faith Bible Church – [0:07:39] Resistance to Counseling Approaches, Shifts in Practice – [0:13:27] How Counseling Ministry Functions at Faith Bible Church – [0:24:55] Formal vs. Informal Counseling, Role of Lay Leaders – [0:30:05] Practical Equipping, “Counseling with the End in View” – [0:33:15] Skills for Group Leaders (noticing and addressing issues) – [0:35:43] Children’s Counseling Ministry at FBC– [0:37:44] Parental Involvement, Transparency in Counseling for Kids – [0:42:09] Church Culture Shift, Generational Change, and Discipleship – [0:44:47] Ongoing Projects, Conferences, and Prayer Requests (Brian Sayers) – [0:47:35] Closing Remarks – [0:49:01]

Biblical Counseling

In Episode 2 of Reasonable Talk, the VBC pastors and ministry directors discuss the recent ACBC Conference in Texas and share their experiences and key takeaways. They also discuss the importance of biblical counseling as pastoral ministry, the need for deep theological understanding among Christians in an anemic culture, and VBC's long-term goal of equipping the entire congregation for effective discipleship and counseling. Resources mentioned in today's episode: - Association of Certified Biblical Counselors [The podcast episode discusses the recent ACBC Conference in Texas, focusing on biblical counseling. The speakers, including pastoral staff and ministry directors, shared their experiences and key takeaways. They highlighted the high quality of the conference, the impactful speakers like Joel Beeke and Stephen Yule, and the historical relevance of the Puritans. Specific sessions recommended for the congregation include Joel Beeke's on the conscience and Sinclair Ferguson's on catechism. The discussion emphasized the importance of biblical counseling as pastoral ministry, the need for deep theological understanding, and the goal of equipping the entire congregation for effective discipleship and counseling.] - Joel Beeke [https://joelbeeke.org/], Stephen Yuille [https://thecbcd.org/dr-stephen-yuille], Sinclair Ferguson [https://learn.ligonier.org/teachers/sinclair-ferguson] - Faith Biblical Counseling Center [https://fbchurch.org/ministry/spokane-christian-counseling-center] - New City Catechism [https://newcitycatechism.com/] - "On the Holy Spirit" [https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/owen/Owen%20Pneumatologia%20-%20Part%201%20-%20John%20Owen.pdf] by John Owen Topics and Timestamps: ACBC Conference Overview [0:00:45 - 0:14:52] Biblical Counseling Philosophy [0:34:15 - 0:41:32] The Puritan Influence on Biblical Counseling and the Church [0:28:54 - 0:32:01] Multigenerational Discipleship Ministry at VBC [0:52:11 - 0:59:17]