We often hear the phrases like "find your own truth", "follow your heart", and "your feelings matter most." More and more we are seeing the "self" being elevated to a level that is to never be questioned. Do we have a culture that values the “self” above all? What degree of importance do we place on someone’s feelings or emotions? In this episode we will discuss the existence of self-deification, how our feelings can deceive, and the need to die to ourselves. All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan

Switching Lenses Podcast

The Silent Identity of Gender Part 2- Worshipping At My Altar

The divide within the "gender" debate is well established and remains a controversial subject to say the least. There are some who are struggling with their own confusion about their gender and others who just aren't sure what to think about the issue. During this series we are going to break this subject down to its core. We are going to build a case to show the what lies behind the mindset of "self-identity" by first, in this first episode, evaluating the human condition. We like to describe people(and ourselves) as "good" people but what does that mean? What kind of evil lies in all of us? What does the Bible say about the condition of humanity? All of this will set up the next episode as we build our case for exposing the silent identity of gender.

The Silent Identity of Gender- Acknowledging The Evil Inside

We conclude our series on forgiveness by looking at our desperate need for forgiveness in these times of tension we find ourselves in. What is the inevitable outcome of the cancel culture? Why do you think so many people today generate so much hostility towards people who think differently? We close out the episode talking about radical forgiveness and the impact it can have on the wrongdoer.    All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

The Profundity of Forgiveness Part 3: Forgiveness Is Our Only Hope

We continue our discussion on how the Bible lays out forgiveness and what it asks of us. We begin my addressing some of the misconceptions of forgiveness. Should we be a "doormat" and let people walk all over us? What about the saying, "Forgive and forget"? Is reconciliation required for forgiveness to take place? We respond to all of these questions and more as we unpack what true, life-bringing forgiveness looks like.   All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Mental Health America (MHA) from Pexels

The Profundity of Forgiveness Part2(Continued): Answering the Challenge of Biblical Forgiveness

Forgiveness doesn’t seem to come naturally to us. It can often seem like a challenge. Much like us, in the Bible Simon Peter thought of himself has a very forgiving person but Jesus was soon to correct him. Jesus proceeded to tell a parable that showed how humans can have a very illogical bitterness when wronged and then showed what true forgiveness looked like. He showed this level of forgiveness with a subtle reference to a little known passage in the Hebrew Bible. But what about "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth"? Why did Moses command this if we are to forgive? In this episode we discuss how Jesus taught us to forgive people, what that would look like, and the challenges associated it with it.     All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels     Episode Outline Matthew 18:21-35 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+18&version=esvPeter seems to be coming off as “extremely forgiving” by asking if he should forgive 7 times. In typical Jesus fashion he challenges our assumptions by saying “not 7 times but 77 times.”The 77 times only appears in one other place in the Bible and that is during a poem from Lamech back in Genesis 4:23Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold,then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold.” Jesus tells the story about a king and his servant After the servant goes after his fellow servant he throws him in jail until he can pay back the debtHow is he going to pay back the debt in jail? Therefore, what is the purpose of putting him in jail? Does this reflect the kind of response we see today when people are wronged? (music break) How should we handle situations where people wrong us?Some would say “What about an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? Jesus shows us in the passage right above this one in verse 15 

The Profundity of Forgiveness Part2: Answering the Challenge of Biblical Forgiveness

Many have been stunned by the findings of the investigation into the sexual assault claims made against Ravi Zacharias. We are left asking so many questions. In this episode we address some of the tough questions people are asking like "Should we read his books or listen to his old sermons?" Can we compare Ravi to David in the Bible and simply view him as just a fallen human? What level of trust can we place on evangelists, pastors, and other ministry leaders?   Find all episodes at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Alex Green from Pexels

Responding to Ravi- Asking the Tough Questions

We begin a new series called "The Profundity of Forgiveness" that flows from our previous series on justice. In this first episode we start by looking at unforgiveness. It might seem natural since forgiveness can seem illogical or irrational if self-preservation is the ultimate ethic. But does living in unforgiveness resolve or restore what was lost? What are the effects of unforgiveness on a person and on a society?  All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Evelyn Chong from Pexels

The Profundity of Forgiveness Part 1: Behind the Door of Unforgiveness

In part 4 of our series of "Defining Justice in a Fragile Society," we continue discussing the applications and conclusions of Biblical justice within the our current circumstances. What role must mercy and forgiveness play in order to justice that is righteous. What should be our attitude towards the marginalized and how do we identify them? All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Maurício Mascaro from Pexels

Defining Justice in a Fragile Society Pt4- "Finding Our Way In This Mess"

In part 3 of our series of "Defining Justice in a Fragile Society," we begin to describe and analyze the problems related to recent events involving claims of injustice. How do we recognize when injustices are taking place and how should we react when they do? How do we approach the system of law of enforcement we have in the US and objectively critique it devoid of any bias.  All episodes can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Kelly Lacy from Pexels

Defining Justice in a Fragile Society Pt3- "Finding Our Way In This Mess"

In the previous episode we established that the natural world is devoid of any justice and if we are looking for justice we are forced to look beyond the natural world and humanity. In this episode we take a look at what the Bible says about justice. The Hebrew word "mishpat" is translated as "justice" in English but it seems to go much further than our English understanding. It demands much more of us.  All episodes can be found at switchinglensespodcast.com Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Sarwer e Kainat Welfare from Pexels

Defining Justice in a Fragile Society Pt2- "The Biblical View Of Justice"

We are starting a brand new series called "Defining Justice in a Fragile Society." It not difficult to look out into the cultural and political landscape and see people making claims of injustice left and right. In this series we want to peel back the surface of these tensions and get to the heart of the matter and define the word "justice." In this first episode we want to take the natural world outside of humanity and see if there are any clues or any guidance that would lead us to defining what justice looks like and how to apply it.   All episodes found at switchinglensespodcast.com Music produced by Brian Buchanan Episode Image by Pixabay

Defining Justice in a Fragile Society Pt1- Justice In The Natural World

In the final episode of the "Avoiding the Significant" series we hold culture under the microscope to observe its part in avoiding conversations and ideas of utmost importance. What kind of movements are we seeing that keep people at a distance from the God who desires them? How can we navigate through life with these kinds of ideas and influences right at our doorstep? You can find all episodes at www.switchinglensespodcast.com   Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels

Avoiding the Significant Part 3- Quiet Down

We continue our series on the curious question of "Why do we tend to avoid conversations of ultimate importance and divert our attention from these significant questions and ideas?" In this episode we want to look at the role that distraction plays in all of this. We are all guilty to some degree of being distracted but how much of our day do we fill with distractions that keep our attention away from what or who is of utmost importance? Timestamps 1:57 Recap of part 1 and intro of part 2 2:54 Types of distractions: Phones 4:47 Types of distractions: Television & Movies 6:40 Types of distractions: Busyness and Careers 8:40 Types of distractions: Pleasures 9:36 Blaise Pascal Quote about about our inability to sit alone quietly 14:02 Breakdown of Luke 14 and how the parable of the host of the great banquet applies to our distracted everyday lives. 21:49 Practical encouragement and advice   Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas from Pexels

Avoiding the Significant Part 2- Willingly Distracted and Indifferent

In part one of this three part series we take a look at a seemingly common mentality of avoiding conversations of ultimate significance. Why is this? We start in this first episode of simply establishing what IS significant or what is of ultimate significance. We finish the episode by helping to personally identify what we value and how much we value it.  All episodes and blog material can be found at www.switchinglensespodcast.com   Music by Brian Buchanan Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels

Avoiding the Significant Part 1- What is Significant?

In this episode we honor the life of Ravi Zacharias and talk about the impact he had in our lives. We tell stories and highlight what made Ravi such a powerful evangelist and wonderful man of God. #ThankyouRavi

Ravi Zacharias Tribute

Switching Lenses addresses relevant and sometimes polarizing issues in today's culture. Josh and Shane dissect the culture's views and assumptions in order to address the underlying motivations behind the ideas. Once unveiled, these issues are placed under a biblical lens from an apologetical and theological perspective.