It is Near artwork

It is Near

28 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -

For most of its history Christianity has promised blessings for its adherents and curses for those who doubt. 

Now, for the first time in the Church's long reign, questions about the major claims of Christianity are overwhelming the "gospel". 

Is Christianity losing the battle for men's minds? Yes. Is this a tragedy? No. It appears to be the Plan, becoming more clear every day. "It is near" examines the evidence.

Most Christian podcasts seem breathless in their self-defense of "the faith". 
Gotta prove that God exists. Gotta set the record straight. Gotta battle atheism. 
Gotta defend the Bible. Gotta warn people of future wrath.

"It is near" takes a different approach.  First of all, the wrath if almost over. We're living through the "day of his wrath" right now. Just beyond the trouble -- which is aimed at human institutions, especially Christendom, is peace and tranquility that no one dares to hope for. "Even the bad news is good news." Yes, the Bible is true, but events will make that clear soon enough. Yes, there are good reasons to believe there is a God behind all of creation. But he is a much better God than the Church has ever taught its adherents, or explained to the world outside. Much more gracious. With a solution for every human problem, and a refusal to justify the sins of the Church herself. 

The notion of human history that begins in disgrace, is haunted by tragedy, and ends in failure for the masses of mankind, is too outrageous to accept. Time for new messages: for the Christian, we say "Turn away from 'turn or burn.''" For the skeptics, we say, "The half was never told you. Of course there was a screw loose in the Christian "gospel" you heard. Of course the Church burned you and blamed you for leaving a dysfunctional human system. Of course a good God would end human injustice, cure cancer,  protect the planet, and bring people together. And that's exactly what he's about to do." 

The unbelievers' problem has never been with Jesus. He's always been likable enough. It's his Church that stumbles people and makes them look for a non-theocratic explanation of our origins. 

Is it possible that Christians -- those who carry the burden of orthodoxy -- have gotten it partly wrong? Is it possible the Bible's depictions of God and his plans have been misunderstood? Is it possible there is significant "good news" that has been ignored? 

The incredible claim of this podcast is that, in the face of ages of creed wars stacked against us, "when the Bible is more carefully examined, its message is a thousand times more comforting and more sensible than anyone imagined." Our mission is to prove this thesis to be true for non-Christians taught to believe they are responsible for the failures of our "Christian" world; and it is true for sincere Christians who worry about the myriads of people they have been taught will burn in hell -- including, often, their own closest loved ones. 

Could it be that the geopolitical institution we call The Church is itself scheduled for self-destruction? Could it be her followers have been commanded to leave? That Reformation has already been tried and will no longer work? 

Who are the words "Come out of Her, my people" addressed to?  Who is commanded to "Avoid her sins. Escape her judgment"? See Revelation 18.

If you are interested in evidence that God sees, understands, and has good reasons for allowing crazyness to happen in the world he sent his Son to rescue, tune in. 

You may be pleasantly surprised.

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Episodes

Gaza vs Israel

March 07, 2024 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MB

Could the ancient struggles and prophecies of Israel hold the keys to a future where peace reigns supreme? Join us as we traverse the spiritual and geopolitical landscapes that have defined Israel's place in history, and ponder whether current events could be signaling the fulfillment of biblical prophecies. With a compassionate eye, we consider the tribulations faced by both Israelis and Palestinians, and the role of the international community in shaping media narratives. In this episode,...

The Thought Police

September 28, 2023 04:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MB

Thirty-one years ago we took on an emergency family project -- we wrote a point for point rebuttal of a full page newspaper ad placed by Holocaust denier Bradley Smith in the Ohio State Lantern. In this podcast, I read the article we wrote, which was also published at the University of Michigan and other places where Smith had spread his lies.  Objective truth is often the only way to challenge lies -- especially when the lies are bold, outrageous, and dangerous.  After a summer break, this ...

Hell - Man to Man part 2

July 29, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 50.4 MB

Owen Kindig has a man to man conversation on what the Bible says about Hell with J. Murray Murdoch, emeritus professor of History at Cedarville University. Their viewpoints could not be more different, but their respect for the Bible and each other is profound. Enjoy this earnest and honest comparison of viewpoints on the most important themes of the Bible: what is faith, what is the gospel, what is salvation, and what are the genuine, biblical hopes for life and salvation for all people on ...

A City is coming...

July 08, 2023 22:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MB

We all live in a tent city. Temporary, half-baked, unfixable. But the vision of Abraham persists. "A City with foundations". Many long for it. Is it a vain hope? An impossible dream? The end of death; a global resurrection.  Even the findings of physics and astronomy -- that all the heavier atoms that make life possible, literally came from heaven to earth. Supernovas that happened billions of years ago sowed the seeds of human life and flourishing.  How strange, then, that the final vision ...

Abraham's 7 insights

July 06, 2023 02:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MB

Who wants to live in a tent? Millions don't have a choice. But Abraham did and today we'll find out why. Something permanent is coming ... and it is near. This wide-ranging episode looks at migrants, including the recent ship full of them who were lost at sea. We turn to Abraham for seven insights about what is important, and what the future holds.  Then our journey takes us to the subject of the kind of faithfulness that Abraham modeled. The a definition of this elusive way of thinking may ...

Hell: A man to man talk

June 14, 2023 04:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MB

Two Christians have a calm, respectful discussion about a topic they profoundly disagree about. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? And maybe, impossible?  Murray grew up in orthodoxy, Owen grew up as a heretic. But they are good friends and brothers in Christ: and whichever side you are rooting for, you might learn something! It is Near focuses on the alarming and the hopeful; the frightful and the forgotten; the blinding glare of giant problems, and the dark secrets that lurk even more menacingl...

What is "It is Near"?

June 13, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MB

it is Near explores the immediate future -- the next two or three decades from now to 2050.  Is it bad? Way worse than even pessimists think,  Is it good? Way better than any of us can imagine.  I'm hoping you will join me to look with curiosity and without fear at all of the happenings that are right around the corner. My goal is not to preach, or change you. We are exploring the human condition without trying to influence what comes next.  We need to turn down the volume on judging and b...

What is "Near"?

June 13, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MB

it is Near explores the immediate future -- the next two or three decades from now to 2050.  Is it bad? Way worse than even pessimists think,  Is it good? Way better than any of us can imagine.  I'm hoping you will join me to look with curiosity and without fear at all of the happenings that are right around the corner. My goal is not to preach, or change you. We are exploring the human condition without trying to influence what comes next.  We need to turn down the volume on judging and b...

What is Near?

April 05, 2023 17:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MB

Talk about grabbing a tiger by the tail. "It is Near" launches with an overview of challenges we all face and blessings humanity can expect. Touching on Matthew 24 and 2 Peter 3, we glimpse an ocean of mysteries and baffling issues that have most people wondering. This goal-setting podcast is relevant to every thinking person -- the problems we all face, and the beliefs we must put to the test. 

Seven Questions - a Baptismal sermon - Romans 12

September 18, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MB

Are you open to considering outside input about your attitudes? Most people are. Christians are by definition -- willing, even eager to know God's will and guidance regarding all of their thoughts and motivations. That's the defining message of Christian discipleship, as described by Paul in Romans 12:1,2 -- and the focus of this message: how to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind". It is a radical commitment to surrender -- not to any human preacher or sect or group-think, but to t...

Power of the Cross - Part 2 - Queen Elizabeth and Mikhail Gorbachev

September 10, 2022 14:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MB

On her 21st birthday, Queen Elizabeth pledged that her lifelong motto would be "I serve." We pay tribute to her for this noble sentiment, and remember that this character quality is the commandment of all true disciples of Christ, according to Jesus in Matthew 20:25-28. In this episode we will contrast the experience of Jesus' followers with the lessons God has been teaching the human rulers of earth. Picking up where we left off in the preceding episode, we examine Psalm 2, and look at the ...

Power of the Cross - Part 1

September 08, 2022 16:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MB

When describing the Power of the Cross in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul notices that most people are not impressed. Though Christianity seemed to spread to a place of world domination for many centuries, Paul's words have always remained true: the world at large, whether Jew or Gentile, sees the Cross as an evil or a folly. In this episode we look at the way in which the "the basest of men" govern humanity, apparently with no divine oversight. We will learn from Jesus' statement to the disciples in ...

Listening to God

March 31, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 47 MB

When we listen to God we often try to turn up the volume. But it seems the ancient prophets didn't hear it clearly until they turned their faces toward the wilderness.  In this episode we explore the experiences of Samuel, Moses, Balaam, Jonah, Paul, Barnabas, Zecharias, Mary the mother of Jesus, and others. How do we seek God's word, and what do we do when we receive it? The Bible is full of insights.  It is Near focuses on the alarming and the hopeful; the frightful and the forgotten; the...

Will Smith and Joe Biden on the Big Stage

March 29, 2022 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MB

Two actors on the biggest stages of the world go off-script and cause a stir. What can we learn without pointing fingers? A charitable discussion of the limits of human power and the arc of history. The meaning of faith in Hebrews 11, the humbling of one of history's most famous kings in Daniel 4, and a prophecy of the celebration of a planet in Isaiah 14.  With  observations from Russian history and practical thoughts about dealing with our own anger issues. All as part of the series on Str...

Lament for Ukraine

March 24, 2022 18:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MB

The devastation of Ukraine weighs heavy on my heart, and in this episode I turn to the words of David in Psalm 9 and 10 to voice the sadness and yet hope that all people of good will feel at times like this.

Lament for Ukraine

March 24, 2022 18:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MB

The devastation of Ukraine weighs heavy on my heart, and in this episode I turn to the words of David in Psalm 9 and 10 to voice the sadness and yet hope that all people of good will feel at times like this.

God's Signature - 3 Metaphors for how his work of grace changes us

March 15, 2022 18:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MB

Do we reap what we sow? Does deal with us as with sons? Are we like clay in the hands of a potter? All 3 of these metaphors have a Bible basis but don't fully reveal the way God's grace works in our lives. As we work to understand the role of weakness and trials of faith in our lives, we step back to view an overview of what God does in the life of every Christian with this teaching on "God's signature".

Manliness. (Virtue regardless of sex) A sermon that starts with Psalm 15

March 14, 2022 18:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MB

In this more in-depth teaching that launches from Psalm 15, Owen looks at the decisions and deeds of characters of the Bible. 

Weakness. A Bible study about real strength. Part 1

March 14, 2022 18:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MB

Why do good people get run over? This multi-part Bible study starts with the prophecy of Joel 4 and explores the weakness of God's people and part one of understanding the "weakness of God. "

The 5 Rs of Strrrrrength, a study of Psalm 15.

February 24, 2022 18:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MB

Welcome to the first episode of Good Words. Psalm 15 is our topic -- the Five Rs of Strength.  We will reflect on righteousness, resolve or resoluteness, responsibility, resilience and results.

Good Words: Manliness - The 5 Rs of Virtue, based on Psalm 15

February 24, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MB

Welcome to the first episode of Good Words. Psalm 15 is our topic -- the Five Rs of Manliness (not in the sexist sense of that term!). First an overview, then a sermon I gave on this topic over 20 years ago. Please comment whether you like it or not and if you do, please tell a friend. 

ABC's of Salvation 4 - ALL people receive a "feast of fat things"

January 06, 2021 03:00 - 7 minutes - 4.95 MB

All weigh in on the "times of restitution of all things".  All people gain life, joy, peace, justice. Hear the prophets' words: Zechariah, Daniel, Isaiah and more.

"ALL" ... ABC's of Salvation 3 -- the little word with a big meaning.

January 04, 2021 23:00 - 7 minutes - 4.95 MB

"All" is such a persistent word. It just won't let us ignore it or explain it away. And in the context of the Bible verses we read in today's meditation, ALL refers to every human, all mankind. It is not "all kinds of". Not "all the good folks",  "all the believers". No qualification is supplied in the texts. The good tidings is for ALL people. ALL people will be drawn to Jesus, he tells us. It is God's determination that ALL will be saved, and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth. God...

Abraham's Promise is "the Gospel" - ABC's of Salvation 2

January 03, 2021 09:00 - 7 minutes - 4.86 MB

Abraham has already received the fulfillment of his promise -- a great name, and possession of the land of Israel. 55% of the world's population now fulfill the promise made 4000 years ago that this one man and woman would produce children what would be globally recognized.  The promises have been sure.

Saving Grace: "A" - Starting with Abraham

January 02, 2021 18:00 - 7 minutes - 4.98 MB

January feels like a good time to chew on "Saving Grace".  What does the Bible say about who is saved ... and how, when, why and where? It all begins with Abraham, so we'll first spend two sessions on the man and woman to whom almost two-thirds of the planet trace their religious heritage.

Looking forward. You are loved, and you can question God.

January 01, 2021 21:00 - 8 minutes - 6.14 MB

If Job and Jesus could ask God, "Why?!" so can we. We cannot believe we are loved unless we face our situation honestly and have a conversation about it. Job chapter 21.

Looking back on 2020... COVID positives

January 01, 2021 07:00 - 21 minutes - 15.2 MB

What a year. A quiet reflection on what we have lost, and the price paid by our health care workers and public servants this year. And yet there are positives. What we can be grateful for, and a few of the things we have learned.  What a year, surprisingly crowned by the goodness of God -- Psalm 65:11

Launching a different kind of meditation.

December 31, 2020 00:00 - 13 minutes - 9.05 MB

The first episode in a short, unedited, devotional meditation. This one starts with an intro to the concept. Today's  Bible reading is Psalm 145, followed by a paragraph from Hank Lentfer's book, Faith of Cranes. Then there is a prayer.  Many people are using meditation to medicate the stress of today's world. This effort focuses on content that engages with facts, fears, principles, character, history. Meditation that's chewable. I intend to bring a Bible reading to every session, but wit...