Peaceable And Kind

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland returns to Middle Earth to reflect on one of the most overlooked characters in The Lord of the Rings: Samwise Gamgee. While the story is filled with kings, warriors, and wizards, Derek makes the case that the true hero of Tolkien’s epic is not Gandalf, Aragorn, or even Frodo, but a humble gardener from the Shire. Sam is not a typical powerful o...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland invites listeners on a journey into the world of The Lord of the Rings. Not as an expert, but as a fellow traveler, Derek reflects on his first deep reading of Tolkien’s epic and the way Middle Earth reshapes how we think about power, mercy, and hope. Tolkien built a world with its own languages, history, and moral imagination. And unlike fast-...

In this Easter episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and reflects on why Easter stands at the very center of the Christian faith. While many churches may not follow the traditional rhythms of the Christian calendar, nearly all Christians celebrate Easter, and for good reason. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then the entire Christian story collapses...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland sits down with Mark DeYmaz, the founder of Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas and a leading voice in the multiethnic church movement. They talk about Mark’s newest book, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace. Drawing from the Prayer of St. Francis, Mark offers a vision for becoming more like Jesus in a divided world. Mark shares his spiritual jour...

In this Holy Week episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland concludes the Lenten journey through Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion. This episode reflects on the meaning of the cross through the final biblical motif Rutledge explores: recapitulation. Derek also offers his final thoughts on Rutledge’s book. Recapitulation is the idea that Jesus “sums up” the human story and lives it again the r...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland continues the Lenten journey through Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion, focusing on substitution. While Rutledge explores eight major biblical images of the atonement, substitution receives the most pages and perhaps the most theological weight.  Rutledge has suggested that all the biblical metaphors of atonement can be gathered under two head...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland continues the Lenten journey through Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion, focusing on two powerful chapters: the Christus Victor image of the cross and Jesus’ descent into hell.  Christus Victor is the great battle metaphor of the atonement. At the cross, Jesus defeats the enslaving powers of Sin, Death, and the devil. These are not abstract ide...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland continues the Lenten journey through Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion, exploring four major biblical images for understanding the death of Jesus: Passover and Exodus, blood sacrifice, ransom and redemption, and final judgment. Derek insists that we do not begin with atonement theories or later theological debates. Rather we begin with the Old...

In this deeply theological episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland continues the Lenten journey through Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion by working through two chapters that bring Rutledge’s long introduction to a close. These chapters cover her reconsideration of Anselm and satisfaction theory and her exploration of the gravity of Sin. They both lay crucial groundwork for everything that...

Lent is underway, and in this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek continues the Lenten journey through Fleming Rutledge’s monumental book, The Crucifixion. This episode takes a deep dive into chapters 2 and 3, confronting the ugliness of the cross and rethinking the meaning of the wrath of God. Before the cross became a polished religious symbol, it was an instrument of terror, shame, and public...

With Ash Wednesday approaching, Derek begins a special seven-week journey focused on the cross by introducing what he considers the most important contemporary book written on the death of Jesus: The Crucifixion by Fleming Rutledge.  In a religious culture often drawn toward inspiration, self-help, or relevance at all costs, Rutledge refuses to soften the offense of the gospel. She insists that Ch...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland continues the ongoing conversation about hypocrisy by turning toward a path of recovery. Rather than offering quick fixes or moralistic pressure, Derek invites listeners into a deeper vision of formation, one that reaches back into the ancient world for wisdom that still speaks today.  Drawing on Aristotle’s vision of ethics and virtue, and lat...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek reflects on the devastating news surrounding Philip Yancey and what it reveals about the persistent problem of hypocrisy within the Christian life. Yancey’s writing shaped the faith of generations, helping many of us trust that grace is greater than sin. When news broke of his long-hidden moral failure, the response was not anger or judgment, but grief,...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland invites listeners on a journey from ancient Athens to Jerusalem, exploring how Greek philosophy, especially Aristotle, has helped clarify Christian faith without ever replacing divine revelation. While reason must always remain subordinate to revelation, the wisdom of Athens can still serve the truth revealed in Christ.  Derek is joined by Loui...

In this episode, Derek reflects on habits, formation, and why returning to the practice of reading fiction has renewed his imagination, faith, and understanding of the gospel. Two weeks into the new year, Derek offers a word of grace for those who may already feel discouraged by abandoned New Year’s resolutions. God’s mercy is deeper than our resolve—and lasting change is formed through habits, no...

In this episode, Derek reflects on the Christian season of Epiphany, a season centered on revelation, light, and clarity. Epiphany always falls on January 6, twelve days after Christmas, and reveals that Jesus is not only the Messiah of Israel, but the King of the nations, the Savior of the world.  Derek also acknowledges the painful weight January 6 carries in the United States, recalling the 202...

In this New Year’s Day episode, Derek kicks off 2026 by reflecting on the power of habits over resolutions. He describes a spiritual habit that has shaped his life for years: praying one psalm a day. This ancient practice formed Israel, Jesus, and the early church, and continues to form Christians today.  Derek shares how he first learned to pray the Psalms during a season of frustration as a youn...

In this special Christmas episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland celebrates the joy of the season and welcomes back the very first return guest in the podcast’s history: author, pastor, and Bible teacher Tim Wildsmith. Tim joins the podcast to talk about his brand-new book, Daily Scripture Guidebook: A 52-Week Journey Through the Bible.  Derek begins by reminding listeners that Christmas is...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland invites listeners to recover the awe, imagination, and wonder of Christmas by stepping through the wardrobe into the world of Narnia. As we approach the fourth Sunday of Advent and draw near to Christmas, Derek reflects on how C. S. Lewis helps us see the Christmas story with fresh eyes, through imagination, metaphor, and childlike faith.  Draw...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland steps away from his usual deep dives into Scripture, theology, and cultural reflection to share something a little different and very close to his heart: books. Derek counts reading and writing among his deepest joys, and today he offers his top five favorite books he read in 2025. Some are newly published, some are older classics, but all have...

Episode 79: The Transformative Power of the Christian Calendar In this rich and reflective episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland explores how the Christian calendar offers a sacred rhythm that forms our lives around Jesus. As we enter the first week of Advent, Derek invites listeners to recover ancient practices that slow us down, reorient our attention, and root us in the ongoing story of...

Episode 78: Waiting for Jesus: A Conversation with Rich Villodas In this special Advent episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland welcomes pastor and author Rich Villodas for a conversation about his new devotional book, Waiting for Jesus. As we enter the season of Advent, Derek and Rich reflect on the countercultural practice of waiting, learning to slow down, be still, and become more attent...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland explores gratitude not as a fleeting emotion or polite social gesture, but as a way of being in the world that opens us to the presence and goodness of God. As Thanksgiving approaches, Derek invites listeners to move beyond a once-a-year holiday mindset and cultivate an ongoing “attitude of gratitude.” Drawing from Scripture, church history, an...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland reflects on one of the most beloved phrases from The Message by Eugene Peterson: “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Derek shares how Eugene Peterson, whom he affectionately calls “Eugene the Wise,” has profoundly shaped his identity as both pastor and writer. Drawing from Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer and The Message transla...

In this powerful and sobering episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland reflects on the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and explores how the ideologies of Christian nationalism and the prosperity gospel distort the way of Jesus. While rejecting all forms of political violence, Derek uses this moment to examine the growing fusion of political power and religious langu...