Renewing Your Mind Podcast: Episode Summary - "The Honor of God"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Renewing Your Mind
- Host/Author: Ligonier Ministries
- Episode: The Honor of God
- Release Date: May 23, 2025
- Description: Renewing Your Mind is the daily podcast of Ligonier Ministries. Launched by R.C. Sproul, the podcast aims to help Christians deepen their understanding of God's nature by renewing their minds according to His Word. This episode delves into the concept of honoring God, exploring its biblical foundations and practical applications.
1. Introduction to the Episode
The episode begins with Nathan W. Bingham introducing a special edition featuring an in-depth conversation with Pastor Grant Castleberry about his new book, The Honor of God. Nathan sets the stage by highlighting the book's focus on reorienting believers' lives around the biblical concepts of honor and shame.
Notable Quote:
"What do you live for? The world's answer is to live for yourself. But the Bible directs us to a higher pursuit, the honor of God." — Nathan W. Bingham [00:21]
2. Pastor Castleberry's Motivation and Personal Stories
Pastor Grant Castleberry shares his personal journey and the profound experiences that led him to write The Honor of God. He recounts the tragic loss of his father in a plane crash during his childhood, which heightened his awareness of eternity and God's sovereignty. This event, coupled with the impact of the film Chariots of Fire, deeply influenced his understanding of honoring God.
Notable Quote:
"The word honor means, is heaviness, the heaviness of God." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [01:31]
3. Understanding Honor in the Context of the Marine Corps
Drawing from his experiences in the Marine Corps, Pastor Castleberry examines the concept of honor within a military framework. He observes that while values like courage and commitment are well understood, the true essence of honor is often overlooked in modern times. He contrasts contemporary perceptions with historical honor-shame cultures, emphasizing the lasting legacy and respect inherent in military honor.
Notable Quote:
"The Marine Corps has a prestigious legacy of men and women who have laid down their lives in defense of the country. And there's a sense where we need to respect that." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [07:18]
4. The Rule of Honor – Biblical Foundations
Pastor Castleberry elucidates the "rule of honor" by referencing 1 Samuel 2:30, where God declares, "Those who honor me, I will honor." He explains that honoring God is not merely a suggestion but a fundamental principle woven into the fabric of creation. According to him, every human fails to honor God perfectly, highlighting the necessity of Christ, who alone kept this rule flawlessly.
Notable Quote:
"All of us have broken the rule of honor. All of us have fallen short of the glory of God without exception." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [07:23]
5. The Concept of the "Shamed Christ"
Addressing the duality of honor and shame, Pastor Castleberry introduces the term "shamed Christ" to describe how Jesus endured not only the punishment for sin but also profound disgrace. He reflects on the Passion Week, emphasizing the inverse of honor in Christ's suffering and its significance in procuring believers' righteousness.
Notable Quote:
"It was an inverse of honor. It was the shaming of Christ." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [10:54]
6. Honor and the Holiness of God
The discussion shifts to the relationship between God's holiness and His capacity to love. Pastor Castleberry references R.C. Sproul's emphasis on holiness as God's primary attribute, arguing that holiness enables God's love to be of the highest order. He stresses that understanding God's distinct and transcendent nature enhances His other attributes, making His love both pure and profound.
Notable Quote:
"The main attribute of God is His holiness... It makes all of his other attributes perfect." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [13:17]
7. Evangelism in Honor-Shame Cultures
Pastor Castleberry explores the challenges and strategies of evangelism in honor-shame cultures, particularly in Eastern societies. He cautions against limiting the Gospel message to concepts of honor and shame alone. Instead, he advocates for a comprehensive approach that also addresses guilt, righteousness, and the imputation of Christ's righteousness, ensuring the fullness of the Gospel is conveyed.
Notable Quote:
"You got to talk about the law and guilt and then Christ's keeping of the law and righteousness, and then righteousness leads to honor, guilt leads to shame." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [15:10]
8. Honoring God in Corporate Worship
Turning to corporate worship, Pastor Castleberry critiques the often flippant treatment of God within evangelical gatherings. He underscores the necessity of approaching worship with reverence and awe, as exemplified in Hebrews 12:28. By focusing on authentic engagement with Scripture and genuine worship, believers can experience and manifest the honor due to God's holy presence.
Notable Quote:
"The Word of God is read and preached in a way that is true to the scriptures, God will be honored. People will encounter him and sense his weightiness." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [16:31]
9. Ultimate Motivation in Missions
Discussing the Apostle Paul's motivations, Pastor Castleberry clarifies that while a heart for the lost is vital, the ultimate goal of missions is to honor God. He references John 4:23-24, highlighting that true worshipers are sought by the Father to honor Him. This God-centered approach ensures that evangelism culminates in genuine worship and the honoring of God's name.
Notable Quote:
"The end game of all of evangelism is the worshiping and the honoring of God." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [19:21]
10. Practical Ways to Honor God in Daily Life
In concluding the discussion, Pastor Castleberry offers practical steps for Christians to honor God consistently. He emphasizes foundational biblical commands, such as honoring parents (Ephesians 6:1) and governing authorities (Romans 13). Additionally, he encourages regular Bible study, active participation in a Bible-believing church, and fostering fellowship with like-minded believers to sustain a life of honor.
Notable Quote:
"Join a Bible believing church and begin attending. Make worshiping with the saints a priority every Lord's day." — Pastor Grant Castleberry [21:41]
Conclusion
This episode of Renewing Your Mind provides a comprehensive exploration of what it means to honor God, both individually and collectively. Through Pastor Grant Castleberry's insightful discussions and personal anecdotes, listeners are encouraged to deepen their understanding of God's holiness and integrate the principle of honor into every aspect of their lives. Whether through corporate worship, personal conduct, or evangelistic efforts, the call to honor God resonates as a central theme for believers seeking to align their lives with biblical truths.
For those interested in delving deeper into the concepts discussed, Pastor Castleberry's book, The Honor of God, is available for request with a donation at renewingyourmind.org.