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The Historic Faith
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Question 1
The hosts ask, “Can a person be a follower of Christ without following Christ?”—where in your own discipleship have you been tempted to separate “believing in Jesus” from actually obeying Jesus’ commands, and what does that reveal about what you think God is like?
Another way to ask: When have you tried to say you “believe in Jesus” but not actually obey what He says? What does that show about how you think God is?

Direct Answer Based on The Historic Faith’s opening framing, the temptation is to treat Christianity as agreeing with ideas about Jesus while resisting Jesus’ “revolutionary” commands; that reveals we may view God as someone who asks for admiration rather than actual obedience.

Support from Transcript:

  • The episode begins with the tension: “These kingdom values seem upside down to most people.”
  • They pose the diagnostic question directly: “Can a person be a follower of Christ without following Christ?”
  • They emphasize obedience to Jesus’ actual words: “Jesus’ teachings are so revolutionary. What if Jesus really meant every word he said?”
  • Later, when discussing Ignatius, they praise being “adorned by the commandments of Jesus Christ,” tying faithfulness to obedience, not mere profession.
  • They also stress order and accountability as practical obedience: “Stay with your bishop, stay with your elders,” rather than chasing exciting alternatives.
Discussion Follow-ups Where are you most likely to soften Jesus’ commands because they feel “upside down” (comfort, reputation, safety)? What picture of God are you protecting when you do that?

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