FaithCast

Elder Qualifications: Biblical Standards for Church Leadership

In this third installment of our series on biblical eldership, Pastor Eric Noorthoek and guest Joseph Rios dive into the weighty and sobering qualifications laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1–7. What does it mean to be “above reproach”? How do we reconcile the terms “pastor” and “elder” in Scripture? And why must a man’s private character match his public ministry? Join us as we explore the spiritual and moral standards God requires for those who would lead His church. Whether you’re currently serving, aspiring to leadership, or simply desiring to understand the structure of biblical authority, this episode will challenge you to think deeply, examine personally, and worship reverently.

Congregational vs. Elder Rule: What the Bible Actually Says

In this episode, we continue our discussion on church governance, exploring what Scripture says about leadership within the body of Christ. How should a church be led? What is the role of elders and deacons? Is church governance a New Testament concept, or does it have roots in the Old Testament? We unpack biblical ecclesiology, diving into Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3, and Old Testament precedents like Numbers 11 to see how leadership has been structured according to God's design.
Join Pastor Eric Noorthoek and guest Joseph Rios as they break down the responsibilities, accountability, and biblical foundations of church leadership. Whether you're a church member, deacon, or pastor, this discussion will challenge and equip you to think biblically about who leads the church and why it matters.

The Church Is Not a Democracy

The modern church is facing an identity crisis. Have we strayed from God’s design? In this episode, we take a hard look at biblical ecclesiology—what the Bible actually says about the church, its leadership, its mission, and its authority. Are we building according to God's blueprint, or have we traded biblical convictions for cultural trends?
Join Pastor Eric Noorthoek, along with Joseph Rios, as they tackle the hard truths about the church—dispelling common myths, addressing where many churches go wrong, and calling believers back to a Christ-centered, biblically faithful ecclesiology. Whether you’re a pastor, church member, or just wrestling with what the church is supposed to be, this episode is for you.

Breaking the Chains of Blackness: A Story of True Liberation in Christ

In Part 2 of "The Religion of Blackness" series, Pastor Eric Noorthoek continues his candid conversation with Donald Taylor, exploring the transformative power of the Gospel to shatter false identities and rebuild a new creation in Christ. Donald shares his deeply personal journey of leaving behind the "kingdom of blackness," a system of indoctrination that shaped his worldview, and finding true freedom in Christ.
Together, they discuss the cost of following Christ, the devastation of losing worldly identities, and the hope found in being remade in the image of Christ. This episode dives into the dangers of intersectionality, the persistence of woke ideologies in culture and church, and the importance of a biblical anthropology that transcends constructs like race.
If you've ever wrestled with issues of identity, race, or how to navigate these conversations biblically, this episode will challenge and encourage you to cling to the hope and freedom found in the Gospel.

The Religion of Blackness: Why It’s a Bigger Threat Than You Think

In this episode, Pastor Eric Noorthoek sits down with special guest Donald Taylor for a thought-provoking and candid conversation about race, theology, and the Gospel. Donald shares his journey from being deeply entrenched in the ideology of blackness and wokeness to finding true liberation in Christ. Together, they discuss the indoctrination of "blackness" as a worldview, the rise of black liberation theology, and how these ideologies have infiltrated the church and society.
With honesty and biblical clarity, they explore questions like: What happens when race becomes a lens for interpreting the Gospel? How has the doctrine of blackness shaped cultural and theological discourse? And most importantly, how does the hope of the Gospel transform our understanding of identity, freedom, and salvation? This is the first part of a two-part series that challenges cultural assumptions and calls believers to stand firm on biblical truth.
If you’ve ever wrestled with these issues or wondered how to think biblically about race and identity, this episode is for you.

Does Proverbs 16:20 Command Us to Belly Laugh?

The podcast discusses the interpretation of Proverbs 16:20, challenging the idea that it prescribes "belly laughing" for joy and well-being. True biblical joy is not about external expressions like laughter but involves deeper engagement with Scripture. The focus is on understanding and practicing God’s word to achieve genuine peace and contentment.

Does John 4:10 Teach Us to Drink More Water?

Pastor Eric evaluates a so-called biblical prescription for drinking more water in order to be healthier based on John 4:10. He shows how this is a mishandling of the Scripture and why it is such a horrible thing to twist the Scripture this way.

Does Psalm 19 Offer Nature as a Cure for Depression?

In this episode Pastor Eric refutes a claim that Psalm19:1 is Scripture about going outside to find a cure for depression and anxiety. He will discuss what the passage really means and what is the true cure for depression and anxiety.