Well-Driven Nails

49. The Fifth Crusade

This is our final episode on the numbered crusades. The Fifth Crusade was, as is the norm, a debacle. We bring to your attention Innocent III's Quia Maior, a few canons from the Fourth Lateran Council, and St. Francis of Assisi's courageous work during the Fifth Crusade.Next week's episode will cover Martin Luther's War Against the Turks, in which Luther has a more balanced and Biblical view than today's millenarian political activists. This episode also includes a few jokes we wrote about the Crusades: "How many crusaders does it take to screw in a light bulb?—Find out the answer in the episode.

48. The Children's Crusade

In 1212, about ten years after the inglorious Fourth Crusade, a grass-roots movement led by a couple of young men—Stephen of Cloyes and Nicholas of Cologne—gave crusading a go. Inspired by visions of Jesus, Stephen and Nicholas attempted to convince kingdoms, adults, and children to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The results were, once again, terrible and tragic.

47. The Fourth Crusade

Our series on the Crusades continues. This time, we focus on "The Great Betrayal"—the Crusaders, led by the ambitious Doge Dandolo, sack Constantinople. It's a debacle on many levels.

46. The Third Crusade

We spend much too little time on the history of the third crusade, then discuss penitential warfare.

45. The Second Crusade

Jeremy, Matt, and Andrew continue their exploration of the Crusades. This episode, we focus on the Second Crusade and the influence of Eugene III (pope) and Bernard of Clairvaux (abbot and founder of the Knights Templar) upon it. Then, as with the last episode, we let our thoughts run out as we contemplate the rush by Reformed men to re-make the Crusades into a positive example for today's Christians and Church. 

44. The First Crusade

Everybody's talking about the Crusades (our take is contrary to much of the positive takes we're hearing), so we thought we'd do a few episodes. One crusade at a time. Each episode will be a little history, focusing on the Papacy's edicts and stupendous promises, and some application to modern men and modern times. Mentioned in the show:Philip Schaff on the Crusades

43. A Free-for-all on Thanksgiving

Jeremy, Matt, and Andrew talk about the importance of giving thanks to God, Thanksgiving traditions, their favorite Thanksgiving dishes, and a few other things in this free-flowing conversation.

42. "...go and sell your possessions..." (Matthew 19:21)

Matt. 19:16   And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS; 19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
Matt. 19:23   And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

41. "...fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

Matt. 10:26  “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

40. "Get behind Me, Satan!" (Matthew 16:23)

Matt. 16:21  From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

39. "...and does not hate his own father and mother..." (Luke 14:26)

“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26).

38. "...if you do not forgive others..." (Matthew 6:14-15)

“'For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions'" (Matthew 6:14-15).
Forgiveness is hard work. Is the command to forgive others unilateral? How do we avoid bitterness when we've been sinned against? How is forgiveness weaponized?

37. "...eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs..." (Matthew 19:1-12)

Andrew, Jeremy, and Matt talk about Matthew 19:1-12, zooming in on the Son of God's words in verse 12: "For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”How does this verse apply today? How does it relate to the side B movement in the church? Revoice? Spiritual friendships? Marriage as the solution provided by God for burning?
We'll answer those questions and more in this spicy episode...

36. "...will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:1-8)

Second in our series of posts on the sayings of Jesus.
Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (NASB95)

35. "...few are those who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Matt. 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.