Back to the Bible Canada with Dr. John Neufeld

When someone we love suffers, what do we say — and what should we never say? Drawing from the story of Job and Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, Dr. John offers a deeply personal and practical message on how to comfort those who are hurting. Along the way, he shares honestly from his own experience of grief — and points to the one source of comfort that never runs dry. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

When life gets hard, complaining comes naturally — but gratitude is what God calls us to. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and the repeated failures of Israel in the wilderness, Dr. John Neufeld examines the danger of a grumbling spirit and what it means to give thanks in all circumstances — not just the good ones. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Suffering is never random — it has a purpose. In this message from 1 Peter 4:1, Dr. John Neufeld explores how God uses suffering to sanctify His people, burning away what is false and producing a faith that is genuine, tested, and eternal. Drawing from 1 Peter and the doctrine of union with Christ, Dr. John shows why trials are not only allowed by God, but appointed by Him — and how, in the hands of a loving Father, even our deepest pain becomes the means of our greatest growth. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

When we're suffering, it's tempting to question God's wisdom — or tell Him how He should act. In this message from Romans 11:33–36, Dr. John Neufeld examines what it means to truly submit to God's wisdom, exploring why His ways so often confound our expectations, and why trusting Him is always the wisest response. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

People say it all the time — "that was heaven" or "that was hell." But what if they're more right than they realize? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores the idea that our most glorious and most devastating experiences on earth are foretastes of what is to come. From the beauty of creation to the brutality of suffering, God has purposes in both — and understanding that changes the way we face whatever season we're in. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

If God is truly sovereign, what do we do with the evil that people inflict on us? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld tackles one of the most challenging tensions in the Christian faith — human free will and the sovereignty of God. Drawing from Lamentations, the story of Joseph, and the crucifixion itself, Dr. John makes the case that nothing happens outside of God's control, and that even our darkest experiences are held in the hands of a God whose mercies never come to an end. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Have you ever cried out to God and heard nothing back? You're not alone — and you're in good company. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores one of the most honest and uncomfortable realities of the Christian life: the silence of God. The experience is real, it's biblical, and it doesn't mean God has abandoned you. Dr. John helps us understand why God sometimes seems distant — and what to do when heaven feels quiet. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

When suffering hits, everyone has an explanation. But are the most common answers actually helpful — or do they miss the point entirely? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld takes a closer look at John 9 and the question Jesus' disciples brought to him about a man born blind. What Jesus says in response challenges some of our deepest assumptions about pain, and points us toward a definition of good and evil that changes everything. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Suffering is real — and pretending otherwise doesn't make us stronger. In this opening episode of a new series on trusting God in suffering, Dr. John Neufeld tackles one of the most honest questions a believer can ask: where is God when life falls apart? Drawing from Scripture, literature, and his own personal loss, Dr. John makes the case that authentic faith doesn't shy away from the reality of pain — it faces it head on. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pain. In this 10 message series, Dr. John will explore God’s teaching on pain. It will not answer every question, but it will help us in the midst of our struggles.

Giving is never just about money — it's a declaration of trust. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 26, the closing chapter of Moses' second sermon, exploring two ancient acts of worship tied to giving: the firstfruits offering and the third-year tithe for the poor. With characteristic honesty about why money sermons make people uncomfortable, Dr. John unpacks what faithful generosity looks like — and why it flows not from obligation, but from remembering all that God has given. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

The family isn't just a social unit — it's the foundation God built society upon. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 25:5–19, examining four laws designed to protect family life in ancient Israel: caring for widows through levirate marriage, safeguarding future generations, ensuring honest dealings in business, and remembering the ruthless attack of Amalek on Israel's most vulnerable. Ancient laws with a timeless message about why family still matters. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

God had a lot to say about how a society treats its most vulnerable. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 24:5–25:4, unpacking a sweeping set of ancient laws that speak directly to the issues of our day: protecting marriage and family, defending the poor from exploitation, safeguarding public health, extending justice to foreigners, and ensuring punishment never crosses into cruelty. A challenging and timely word for the church today. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

Marriage was never meant to be disposable. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 24:1–5, tackling one of Scripture's most debated passages on divorce — and letting Jesus have the final word. With pastoral honesty and personal reflection, Dr. John explores what God's law truly permits, what it never intended, and why the sanctity of marriage remains one of the most important battles the church must fight today. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

Rituals are easy — it's the heart that's hard to clean. In this episode, Dr. John walks through Deuteronomy 23, exploring how ancient Israel's laws of ritual purity speak to four timeless areas of Christian integrity: worship, personal hygiene, money, and care for others. Drawing on Jesus' warning about cleaning "the outside of the cup," Dr. John challenges listeners to move beyond outward religious observance and pursue genuine inward holiness — where what we appear to be on the outside matches who we truly are on the inside. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

The 7th commandment — you shall not commit adultery — is one of the most countercultural truths in all of Scripture. In this message from Deuteronomy 22:13–30, Dr. John works through six civil laws in ancient Israel that flow from this command, addressing everything from virginity at marriage to sexual violence, and makes a compelling case for why God's standard of sexual faithfulness is not primitive or outdated — but a reflection of just how seriously he takes the gift he created. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

What do lost livestock, building codes, and bird nests have in common? In this message from Deuteronomy 22:1–12, Dr. John works through six seemingly incidental laws given to Israel and uncovers the thread running through all of them — a call to live not for yourself, but for the good of others. A surprisingly practical and convicting episode rooted in one simple question: if everyone lived the way you live, would the world be better or worse? The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

What does God's law have to say about family? In this message from Deuteronomy 21:15–23, Dr. John works through three of the harder family laws in Scripture, covering polygamy and inheritance rights, the rebellious son, and the burial of the executed — and shows how each one points us toward a God who cares deeply about justice, order, and ultimately, grace. This episode ends in a place you might not expect: at the foot of the cross. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

Ministry gets messy — and so does life. In this message from Deuteronomy 21:1–14, Dr. John works through two of the messier laws in Israel's legal code: what to do when a murder goes unsolved, and how to treat a woman captured in war. Far from brushing past the difficulty of these passages, he unpacks what they reveal about a God who takes sin seriously, values every human life, and meets us not in our righteousness — but in the complicated mess our sin has created. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

What are the limits of a just war? In this message from Deuteronomy 20:10–20, Dr. John tackles some of the most difficult passages in all of Scripture, addressing the laws governing Israel's warfare with surrounding nations, the command to completely destroy the inhabitants of Canaan, and what all of it reveals about the character of a righteous God who will not be trifled with. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

Is there such a thing as a just war? In this message from Deuteronomy 20:1–9, Dr. John explores what the laws of Israel reveal about warfare — not from the perspective of military strategy, but from the perspective of justice for the soldiers themselves. From the priest's blessing before battle to the surprising list of exemptions that allowed men to go home before the fight, this episode uncovers a God who is deeply compassionate, even in the midst of an evil and broken world. The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.