Pastor Rico Suave

Show open and Boova's return

The final show of 2023 opens from the Pathway Studios in Johnston. Boova, back after time away in Pittsburgh, teases the others about an old intro that lists only three of them and demands billing credit. Ben runs the docket: five reasons nondenominational churches are growing, ten heretical views regarding Jesus, and a Rico Suave film story.

Docket: Rico Suave film franchise and Lecrae on Lil Nas X

Ben notes that the singer of "Rico Suave" became a pastor and is launching a film franchise, which one host mistakes for Marvel's Celestials. Discussion turns to Lecrae's call for grace toward Lil Nas X after the rapper announced a Christian era; Ben argues Lil Nas X is mocking God and the church, not merely being overreacted-to for his sexuality, while Boova notes the angels celebrate when a sinner actually repents.

Five reasons nondenominational churches are growing

• Why are nondenominational churches growing faster than denominational ones?

Ben reads through an article listing five reasons nondenominational churches are growing: they are more evangelistic, invest more of their budgets locally, avoid divisive-issue conflicts, carry no denominational name baggage, and tend to be newer churches. The room debates the 13% statistic, whether newer really means recent, and whether most 'nondenominational' churches still have denominational roots. Dan notes he is constantly mistaken for a Baptist.

Ten heretical views of Jesus, part one: Arianism, Docetism, Gnosticism

• What are the ten heretical views regarding Jesus?

Ben reads the first three entries of a list of ten heretical views regarding Jesus. Arianism (Jesus created, not coeternal) draws a Jehovah's Witnesses comparison; Docetism (Jesus' body an illusion) prompts a 'hologram Jesus' riff; Gnosticism (secret knowledge, material world evil) leads Boova to ask whether Paul's flesh-vs-spirit language in Romans echoes it, and Ben answers that Paul sees the physical as corrupted but reclaimable rather than permanently vile.

Heresies part two: Nestorianism through Adoptionism

• Should we extend grace to people wrestling with heretical ideas about Jesus?

Ben continues the list through Nestorianism, Monophysitism (which Boova is asked about and denies), Marcionism (rejecting the Old Testament God), and Adoptionism. He voices sympathy for people trying to reconcile hard doctrines like the Trinity, suggesting grace for honest wrestling while drawing the line at certainty that gets proselytized with arrogance.

Heresies part three: Apollinarianism, Ebionism, modalism

• Should we extend grace to people wrestling with heretical ideas about Jesus?

Ben finishes the list with Apollinarianism ('the puppet option'), Ebionism (Jesus as mere human prophet, like Islam's view), and Patripassianism/modalism (Father, Son, Spirit as modes, linked to Oneness Pentecostalism). The room distinguishes people trying to understand an incomprehensible Godhead from those corrupting the church with certainty, landing on the rule that mysteries like the Trinity need not be solved to be lived.

Marcionism deep dive and Gnosticism's modern echo

The room singles out Marcionism as the dangerous heresy because it accuses the God of the Old Testament of being a different, inferior god, which Boova calls flat-out wrong and Ben calls blasphemy. Ben argues the New Testament is only beautiful in light of the Old, and warns that dismissing earthly life as a 'waiting room' for heaven is a modern Gnostic trap that denies the resurrection as physical.

What will our bodies be like in the new creation?

• What will our bodies be like in the new creation?

Boova asks whether he will still be 'a big fella' in the new creation if his weight is manifested sin, joking he might become 'a perfectly fit Troy.' Dan shares that his sister died at six and wonders what age she will be when he meets her. The hosts conclude Scripture does not say, but redeemed bodies without the Fall's degradation is the right way to think about it, plus a running gag about an appointment at the Lord's buffet.

Hypocrite jokes and Dan's Branson story

Ben tells a round of jokes from ChristiansUnite.com at Boova's request, including the millionaire's dollar and the ugly-baby monkey joke, plus an American-basketball-player-in-Belfast joke they all agree is terrible. Dan then tells a story about driving to Branson, Missouri for Sight & Sound's production of the story of Esther and deciding he needs a white suit.

Quiz: famous prayers of the New Testament

The hosts take a twelve-question quiz on famous New Testament prayers, scoring 9 of 12 and beating the site's 72% average. They cover the Lord's Prayer, Gethsemane, John 17, Matthias, Stephen, Dorcas in Joppa, Cornelius, James on Elijah, the shaken room in Acts 4, the seven deacons, Simon of Samaria, and Paul's farewell at Ephesus. Boova guesses four for the deacons; Ben dubs the quiz site's author a hero.

Dear LFTP: the paramedic's overtime fight

• How do I address my wife pushing me to work more overtime while spending her own vacation without me, without starting a fight?

A paramedic writes that his wife pushes him to pick up twelve-hour shifts while taking none herself, citing housework, and spends her vacation at theme parks without him. Ben argues the real issue is the scorekeeping of an egalitarian fifty-fifty marriage and advises surfacing the underlying resentment rather than festering. The Secular answer says a fight may be what clears the air and warns against exhausted paramedics.

Dear LFTP: mom's annoying friend

• How do I make my mom's annoying friend go away?

A listener hates their mom's friend, who calls nonstop even at dinner, and tried blocking her number on mom's phone. The hosts call that incredibly aggressive: it is mom's friend, so the conversation is with mom, not a unilateral block. They add that the listener should follow a decent father's lead and not inject themselves into their parents' marriage. The Secular answer agrees only mom can set calling hours.

Dear LFTP: wife's self-neglect and possible depression

• Is it normal to be disgusted by my wife's lack of concern about her appearance and belongings, and how do I start helping her?

A husband writes that his wife no longer showers, lets the house and car fill with mess, gains weight, and has retreated into political meme-forwarding; he suspects a chemical imbalance and asks how to start. Dan suggests separation to get her attention. Ben urges starting from grace and possible depression rather than willful neglect, recommending 'we' language and marriage counseling over ultimatums. The Secular answer recommends a doctor's evaluation and an ultimatum, which Ben rejects as adversarial.

Outro: back catalog, telethon plan, complaint line

Ben closes the final show of 2023, noting he is releasing the back catalog with a goal of finishing 2018 by year's end and plugging a funny 'Egypt Jane' episode. The hosts plan a Live From The Path telethon in 2024 to raise money for a good cause, give the complaint line number (515) 517-0085, and sign off with the standing benediction.