March 18, 2013 Podcast

Show open: the Craigslist van scam

After the produced intro, Ben opens the live show and tells the story of a Craigslist scam attempt: while trying to sell a green 15-passenger van, he got a generic 'do you still have it?' reply, googled the sender's email, and recognized the classic overpayment/mover-check scam before cutting the scammer off.

Broadcast details and late-night ramblings

Ben explains that the Monday-night internet show runs as long as they want while the Saturday KTIA 99.3 broadcast is one hour, then riffs with Cass Lester and Boova about late-night habits and the paradox of 24-hour fast-food drive-thrus: slow service but piping-hot fries, served by the same guy sprinting between both windows.

Tonight's lineup: Cass Lester and proof 39

Ben introduces in-studio musical guest Cass Lester, back after the Lemmas tour, announces a free download of 'Finally Serene' coming tomorrow and a full album later in the year, and previews the night's segments: rebutting proof 39 ('realize that Jesus was a jerk') from godisimaginary.com and Dear Life from the Path advice.

Cass Lester performs 'Finally Serene'

Cass Lester explains 'Finally Serene' is about reaching a point of peace while still carrying the past, wanting to purge what held him down. After the performance the hosts discuss the song's theme of guilt and self-punishment, the free download on his Facebook/ReverbNation page, his upcoming full-length album versus the EP trend, and joke about album art.

The Bible miniseries on the History Channel

Prompted by chat disappointment over John the Baptist's portrayal, the hosts discuss the miniseries: irritation that the beheading scene omitted Herod's reluctant promise after the dance, debate over John's build given a locust-and-honey diet (with a Winnie the Pooh aside), and approval that the fiery-furnace scene showed a divine presence with Daniel's three friends.

Proof 39, part 1: hypocrisy and broken promises

• Was Jesus a jerk, as proof 39 of godisimaginary.com claims?

The hosts introduce proof 39 from godisimaginary.com — 'realize that Jesus was a jerk' — noting the author implicitly concedes Jesus existed. They read and rebut the first claims: that condemning unbelievers (Mark 16:15-16) contradicts 'love your enemies' (Matthew 5:43), answering that warning an enemy of danger is itself loving, illustrated by a man about to fall into a hole.

Proof 39, part 2: flat earth, bigotry, theft, and amputation

Continuing proof 39, the hosts rebut the claims that Jesus lied about seeing all kingdoms from a mountain (Matthew 4:8 — a supernatural event, and 'all' as figure of speech), that he was a bigot toward the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:22-26 — the author omits the ending where Jesus commends her faith and heals her daughter), that he stole a colt and a herd of pigs (Mark 11; Matthew 8:28 — the pigs destroyed themselves), and that his 'cut off your hand' teaching (Matthew 18) is literal rather than figurative.

Proof 39, part 3: temple, fig tree, 'hate,' and the verdict

The hosts finish proof 39: the temple cleansing (Mark 11) was righteous anger at the defilement of God's house, the fig tree (Mark 11:12) demonstrated Jesus' authority and demands a reevaluation of him, and 'hate' in Luke 14 is a Semitic expression meaning 'love less,' as shown by Genesis 29:30-31 on Leah and Rachel. Ben concludes the author reads Scripture more closely than most Christians but strips context on purpose, warning that a biblically illiterate church is easily swayed — like seed on the road picked off by birds.

Geese, proof 40 preview, and sponsors

Boova recounts being menaced by geese on the walking path behind his workplace, sparking a debate over whose territory the pond is. Ben previews proof 40 ('understand Christian motivations') for next week, then reads sponsor spots: Valley Services, Capana's Coffee and Gelato in Ames, the Eisenhower real-estate team (Bob Eisenlauer), On Purpose Promotions, and KTIA 99.3.

Cass Lester performs 'This Road'

Cass Lester says 'This Road' is about walking with God even when his choices draw judgment from others. After the performance the hosts discuss the tension of Christ-honoring choices that others question, and Ben urges listeners to share good local Christian music on social media since audience size doesn't measure quality.

Pope-style advice: pray before you read

Boova's Pope-style advice: he has started praying before every Bible reading — asking God to open his heart and mind and for the Holy Spirit to interpret — and his reading (currently 1 Corinthians, studied two weeks per book) has become vivid instead of speed-read. The hosts expand on inviting God into ordinary life, the fear of looking like 'that weird Christian,' and Boova's testimony of being afraid to talk about Jesus with his closest friends after being saved, resolved by accepting that shunning is a foretold, lesser form of persecution.

Radio sign-off and chat banter

Ben signs off the 99.3 KTIA radio broadcast while the internet show continues with Dear Life from the Path and a final song, then teases the chat room for being feisty and mean-spirited.

Dear LFTP: Deborah in Ohio — when do parents stop worrying?

• At what age should parents stop worrying about you? Am I wrong to feel this way?

Deborah, 41, asks at what age parents should stop worrying about her; she feels treated like a child and 'not living the life I deserve.' The hosts answer that parents never stop worrying, question whether her decisions invite the concern, and note 'I don't think it's fair' sounds childish. The secular advice: her parents may be clinging not from fear for her, but fear of what happens to them if something happens to her.

Dear LFTP: Brokenhearted in Buffalo — an affair and a pregnancy

• How should a pregnant wife respond when her husband remains attached to his affair partner?

A pregnant listener writes that her husband of eight years had an affair with a married old girlfriend and, nine months on, still emails her, visited her house, and stalks her blocked Facebook profile. The hosts call his behavior pathetic and foolish — sexual sin scrambles the mind — and say he must cut the woman off completely and run to God in repentance; for her, they advise taking him off the pedestal (a sinner, not a non-sinner), forgiving without exposing herself to his sin, confronting him with open communication, and focusing on her child and her relationship with Christ. They reject the secular advice's 'understand why he strayed' framing: the source is him, not her.

Closing: Cass Lester performs 'Faith'

Ben thanks Cass Lester, notes Mike and Dan are both out of town, reminds listeners of the free 'Finally Serene' download, and closes the show with Cass performing 'Faith.'