Creating Space

In this episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey interviews bestselling author Brant Hansen to discuss his book The Men We Need. Together, Scott and Brant explore fatherhood, anger, redemption, and the surprising freedom that comes from finding our identity in Christ rather than success or strength. Brant casts a compelling vision of men who protect instead of dominate, serve instead of demand, and...

On this episode of Creating Space, Scott is joined by Michael J. Gorman, internationally recognized New Testament scholar and Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University. We discuss his latest book, Paul and John in Harmony: A Theological and Historical Exploration , and explore the fascinating relationship between two of Christianity's most infl...

Matthew Levering is an American Roman Catholic theologian and author known for his extensive work in biblical, systematic, and moral theology. He earned degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Boston College, and currently serves as the James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary. He is the author or co-author of more than forty...

In this episode of Creating Space, Scott explores how the book of Romans can be read through the lens of spiritual formation and participation in the larger biblical narrative. Rather than approaching Romans merely as a theological system, a defense of justification by faith, or a roadmap for individual salvation, this episode presents Paul's letter as a pastoral and transformative call to become...

In this episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey sits down with renowned New Testament scholar Dr. Beverly Roberts Gaventa to explore the book of Romans, Paul's vision of salvation, and the ongoing debates surrounding Pauline theology. Drawing from her influential works When in Romans and her recent New Testament Library commentary on Romans, Dr. Gaventa unpacks what it means to read Paul “ap...

Have you experienced trauma? Do you know someone who is dealing with trauma? Chances are, you can answer “yes” to one or both of those questions. Which raises another question: what does the Bible have to say about traumatic experiences? In their newly released book, Traumatized Church, Scot McKnight and Adrienne Gibson explore how the apostle Paul wrestled with his own trauma in 2 Cor...

In this episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey interviews Dr. Teresa Morgan, McDonald Agape Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Yale Divinity School, to discuss her book Trust in Atonement. Dr. Morgan explores the often-overlooked connection between trust and the meaning of Christ's atoning work, drawing on biblical, historical, and theological insights. In our conversation, we e...

What if the cross isn't primarily about Jesus saving us from God, but about God rescuing us from the powers that enslave creation? In this episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey explores why he holds to a Christus Victor view of the atonement and how his understanding of the cross has shifted over time. Did Jesus absorb God's wrath, or did he enter the depths of sin and death to defeat the devil...

In this episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey interviews Professor Joshua McNall - to explore the meaning and significance of the atonement. Dr. McNall shares what first sparked his interest in studying the cross and why the question “Why the atonement?” remains so central to Christian theology. We discuss his “mosaic” approach, which suggests that the various historical...

Are you open to seeing the world differently? What if that new way of seeing could actually set you free? In this bonus episode of Creating Space, I reflect on several transformative moments from Eugene Peterson's memoir, The Pastor. Moments that reshaped how I think about ministry, success, and the role of a pastor. Resources: The Pastor by Eugene Peterson

In this special bonus episode of Creating Space, Scott interviews Sarah Cowan Johnson about her award-winning book, Teach Your Children Well, which won the Christianity Today Book Award in Marriage and Family. Drawing on more than 20 years of ministry experience, Sarah shares what led her to write this guide to family discipleship and how she navigated the concerns that often come with addressing...

In this bonus episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey reflects on how John Ortberg's book Steps has deeply shaped his current spiritual journey. Focusing on the first three steps: 1. I Can't 2. Jesus Can 3. Let Him Scott shares how embracing weakness has become a pathway to freedom rather than frustration. This episode is a candid invitation to surrender, trust, and discover healing in the places...

On this episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey interviews Eugene Polupan, pastor at Anthem Church in the Pacific Northwest, member of the Church Formation team at Practicing the Way, and author with NavPress, to discuss his forthcoming book, Fighting like Jesus: Confronting Fear, Control, and Anger with Peace One Conflict at a Time. In our conversation, we unpack the connection between formation...

In this month's episode of Creating Space, we explore some of the most important questions about church leadership. Are pastors, elders, and deacons truly called by God? We also dive into whether it is Biblically appropriate for congregations to question a leader's decisions and authority. Finally, we unpack the Biblical qualifications for those who serve in leadership roles within the church. Joi...

In the season 3 premiere of Creating Space, Scott Lackey sits down with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes, associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University and author of several books, including Bearing God's Name and Being God's Image, to explore her latest work, Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters. Dr. Imes brings her scholarly expertise and relatable insight to unpack what it means to...

On this episode of Creating Space, we are joined by Michael J. Gorman—an internationally-recognized New Testament scholar who holds the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore and author of major works such as Romans: A Theological and Pastoral Commentary and Cruciformity: Paul's Narrative Spirituality of the Cross. Dr. Gor...

On this month's episode of Creating Space, Scott Lackey is joined by Dr. Mark Thiessen Nation to explore his book Discipleship in a World Full of Nazis. Together, they dive into the life, ministry, and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, examining how his faith and courageous witness continue to challenge and inspire Christians today. This compelling conversation invites listeners to consider what true...

In this episode of Creating Space, we welcome Dr. Rodney Reeves, a seasoned scholar and pastor, to discuss his influential book, Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ. Dr. Reeves holds a PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has taught New Testament studies at institutions such as Northern Seminary, Southwest Baptist University, and Williams Baptist Unive...

In this episode of Creating Space, host Scott Lackey examines the theological implications of the biblical statement, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated," as found in Romans 9:13. Through a detailed survey of Romans 9-11 and other relevant scriptural passages frequently cited in support of Calvinist doctrines of predestination and Reformed theology, Scott articulates a perspective that challenges th...

In this month's episode of Creating Space, we sit down with Dr. Lynn Cohick, Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Director of Houston Theological Seminary at Houston Christian University, to explore her recent research on 1 Peter 3 and its implications for wives today. Dr. Cohick unpacks the cultural and historical context of this often-debated passage. Dr. Cohick hosts The Alabaster Jar P...

In this episode of Creating Space , we welcome Kent Carlson, founding pastor of Oak Hills Church in Folsom, California, and co-author of Renovation of the Church . Kent shares the compelling journey of transitioning Oak Hills from a thriving, attractional model to a spiritually formational community. He candidly discusses the challenges faced, including confronting consumerism and personal ambitio...

Join Scott Lackey on this month's episode of Creating Space as we dive into a compelling conversation about Spiritual Gifts and their relevance in today's Christian faith. Are these divine gifts still active in our modern world? From prophecy to tongues and discernment, we explore the biblical foundations of Spiritual Gifts and their purpose. Please tune in for an engaging discussion that will cha...

In this episode of Creating Space, we sit down with Dr. Ben Blackwell, the principal of Westminster Theological Centre in England and a respected scholar in Pauline studies. Dr. Blackwell offers his nuanced perspective on the concepts of justification and participation in the Apostle Paul's theology. We dive deep into Dr. Blackwell's understanding of justification, exploring it not just as a legal...

In this episode of Creating Space, we dive deep into the New Perspective on Paul with renowned New Testament scholar Scot McKnight. Where did this perspective come from? How does it challenge traditional interpretations of Paul's letters? And should Christians approach it with caution, curiosity, or even enthusiasm? Dr. McKnight, a professor of New Testament for over 40 years and the author of mor...

What is the Gospel? This question is central to the Christian faith. Some believe the Gospel is simply about praying a prayer and memorizing a series of verses. Others define it as "justification by faith." But how does Jesus define the Gospel? How does the Apostle Paul describe it? And how do their definitions challenge some of our modern misunderstandings? The answers may surprise you—but...