(S5 E29) Family is Your First Ministry

By: Brian Chilton and Curtis Evelo

As we wind down Season 5 with the last few episodes, Brian and Curtis take a look at the most read article of all-time at Bellator Christi, an article entitled “Family is Your First Ministry” written by Brian Chilton. Brian and Curtis talk about the family and why it is a foundation to any culture and society. They also answer a question submitted to Bellator Christi regarding an article that Brian wrote titled “4 New Arguments for the Resurrection” and his quotation of Josephus’s Antiquity of the Jews. We are paying homage to the Christian rock band Petra with our intro music all month. On this episode, we play Petra’s hit song “Dance.”

Q&A on the popularity of the Pharisees according to Josephus’s Antiquities of the Jews.
How popular is the article “Family is Your First Ministry”?
What inspired you to write the article?
Why do you think the article is so popular?
What does 1 Timothy 5:8 tell us about the importance of the family unit?
How does 1 Timothy 3:4-5 argue that caring for one’s family serves as a prerequisite to church ministry?
Jesus taught that the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:5ff was the greatest commandment of all. How does the Shema relate to the ministry of the family in Deut. 6:5-7?
What should we take from these Scriptures and the popularity of the article?

Brian G. Chilton, PhD Cand: Founder of Bellator Christi Ministries, President, Contributor, and Co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast

Brian G. Chilton is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Theology and Apologetics program at Liberty University. He is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast and the founder of Bellator Christi. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and plans to purse philosophical studies in the near future. Brian is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.

Brian has served in pastoral ministry for nearly 20 years and currently serves as a clinical hospice chaplain. Additionally, he serves as an editor for the Eleutheria Journal. At the prompting of the Lord, Brian established Bellator Christi Ministries in 2012. The ministry is aimed to provide readily available resources in theology, apologetics, biblical studies, and philosophy to those who want to know what Christianity teaches and why it should be believed. In 2019, Brian published his first book entitled the Layman’s Manual on Christian Apologetics. After finishing his Ph.D., Brian intends to publish more books. His areas of expertise include early Christology, early NT creeds, near-death experiences, biblical reliability, the blend of divine sovereignty and human freedom, and the need for empathy.

https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104

Curtis Evelo: Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast

Curtis Evelo is a cattle rancher at the E6 Hereford Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. Curtis is the Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast. He often teaches and speaks at his church Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius. Curtis provides a common-sense approach to Christianity as he contemplates the wonders of God’s creation in Big Sky Country. Curtis serves as the Vice-President of Bellator Christi Ministries, a contributor, and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. His research interests include Jewish studies in the New Testament, Old Testament typologies, and studies on free will.