In this episode of the Witnessing Christ Podcast, Mike is joined by seminary evangelist intern Aaron and special guest Dr. Ken Cherney Jr. of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary for a practical conversation about using the book of Jeremiah to share the biblical gospel with Latter-day Saints.
Building on their previous discussion about understanding Jeremiah and Lamentations, the group explores several passages that can open the door to meaningful conversations about God’s grace, human agency, personal revelation, and prophetic authority.
As Latter-day Saints study these books in their Come, Follow Me curriculum, Christians have an opportunity to open Scripture alongside their LDS friends and family members. But rather than beginning with arguments about theological differences, Mike, Aaron, and Dr. Cherney encourage listeners to ask thoughtful questions, understand what their LDS loved ones believe, and let God’s Word speak for itself.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How Jeremiah 31:31–34 reveals a new covenant established entirely through God’s saving action.
- Why God’s promise to write his teaching on human hearts raises important questions about agency and conversion.
- How one seminary intern used Jeremiah 31 to share the gospel during an LDS testimony meeting.
- What Jeremiah 17:9–10 teaches about the human heart and why our feelings cannot always be trusted.
- How Christians can respectfully discuss personal revelation and spiritual experiences with Latter-day Saints.
- Why Jeremiah 1:5 does not necessarily support the LDS teaching of premortal existence.
- How understanding the original context of Scripture helps prevent misinterpretation.
- What Jeremiah 23 teaches about true and false prophets.
- Why a prophet’s message must be evaluated carefully rather than accepted simply because it sounds comforting.
- How God’s Word exposes our sin and points us to our need for a Savior.
- Practical questions Christians can use to begin Scripture-centered conversations with LDS friends and missionaries.
One of the most powerful passages discussed in this episode is Jeremiah 31:31–34, where God promises to establish a new covenant with his people.
Throughout these verses, God repeatedly describes what he will do. He will establish the covenant. He will write his teaching on their hearts. He will be their God. And he will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.
The emphasis isn’t on what sinners must accomplish for God, but on what God promises to accomplish for sinners.
This provides an opportunity to discuss the role of human agency in salvation. While LDS theology emphasizes the importance of choosing God and keeping covenants, Jeremiah directs our attention to God’s gracious initiative.
The conversation also turns to Jeremiah 17:9–10, where Scripture warns that the human heart is deceitful. For Latter-day Saints who place significant importance on spiritual feelings as confirmation of religious truth, this passage raises a valuable question:
If our hearts can deceive us, how can we be certain that what we feel is true?
Christians don’t need to dismiss or deny another person’s spiritual experiences. Instead, we can lovingly point them to something more dependable: the objective promises of God’s Word.
Our salvation does not depend on how strongly we feel God’s love or how confidently we interpret a spiritual experience. It depends on what Jesus Christ has already accomplished through his perfect life, death, and resurrection.
Finally, Jeremiah’s warnings about false prophets remind us that God’s Word does not always tell us what we want to hear. His law exposes our sin, revealing that we cannot make ourselves worthy of his acceptance.
But God does not leave us in despair.
The same Word that exposes our sin also announces the Savior who has taken that sin away.
As you talk with your LDS friends and loved ones, consider opening Jeremiah together. Ask how they understand these passages. Listen carefully to their answers. And when the opportunity comes, share the beautiful comfort of the biblical gospel.
We cannot save ourselves, but Jesus has done everything necessary to save us.
Music used in this episode under license. License code: BSIPX0EWJ87RCGZL
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