Banned Books

In this episode, we sit with Rev. Dr. James Nestingen's writing on the gospel and repentance. We talk at length not only about law and repentance, but also about the consequences of therapeutic culture for the preaching and reception of calls to repent in the churches. If the law is known by its uses, who is the user?   What is it to have a God? What do you have if you have one? How does it work?...

Let's Stay Together. In this episode, we sit with Werner Elert's study of Eucharist & Church Fellowship in the First Four Centuries. We discuss ecumenism, fellowship, communion, church polity, and what constitutes "koinonia" in the New Testament and the early church. This and much, much more on this week's episode of the podcast. SHOW NOTES:   Werner Elert - Eucharist & Church Fellowship in the Fi...

The Cost of Discipline. In this episode, we sit with St. Athanasius and his writings on the life of St. Antony. How did Christians in the 4th century view spiritual warfare and affliction? What is the relation of discipline to prayer, piety, and resisting temptation? What did 4th century Christians think about virtues and vices, and whether they were (or weren't) related to the Christian life? Is...

Are You More Spiritual Than a Medieval Peasant? In this episode, we sit with The Book of the Craft of Dying to discuss how medieval spiritual warfare was explained in the 1415 text Ars Moriendi . What temptations do Christians experience in the midst of death? How do temptations to desperation, impatience, complacency, and concern about worldly matters seduce Christians? How do we distinguish betw...

All Apologies. In this episode, we respond to another listener question. What does it mean to "sit with a text" and yet be prepared at all times to give an apology for the hope that is in us? How does the Holy Spirit work in and through believers to testify to the truth about Jesus? Does the Spirit work through non-Christians, and if so, how and to what purpose? How has modern Christian evangelism...

Suicide Solution . In this episode, we sit with Martin Luther and C.S. Lewis to discuss the topic of self-murder ("suicide"). We talk about focusing on higher truth, how individualism leads to harmful consequences, and how Christians and churches may discuss this with others. This episode discusses suicide directly. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) — and reach...

As Alive As You Need Me to Be… Again. In this episode, we continue our wandering through church history and doctrine, conversing with Kurt Marquart as he explains justification, sanctification, and theosis. Inside this is a layer of cultural criticism, and beneath that, a layer of pastoral debriefing — and a stained-glass viewing of Scripture, art, music, worship, and much, much more. SHOW NOTES:...

As Alive As You Need Me to Be. In this episode, we sit with Rev. Dr. Kurt Marquardt and listen as he teaches us about theosis, deification, justification, Christology, myth and ethics, materialism and rationalism, sacramentality, vocation, relational versus philosophical exegesis, sanctification, glorification, and much, much more. SHOW NOTES:   Luther and Theosis by Kurt E. Marquart https://www.c...

Ride On… In this episode, we engage a listener question — is Lutheran teaching double predestination within his debate with Erasmus? How are we to understand arguments for the bound will, such as: "Man's will is like a beast standing between two riders. If God rides, it wills and goes where God wills… If Satan rides, it wills and goes where Satan wills. Nor may it choose to which rider it will run...

Talk of the Town In this episode, we discuss Christian conversation — cultural, institutional, and in our encounters with the living God. Our guide is Prof. Robert Kolb, who wrote about the 'Art of Christian Conversation' in his book, "Speaking the Gospel Today." What is Christian conversation, and what is its purpose? On the other side of the table, what is a worldly conversation, and what is its...

Run for the Hills! On this episode, we sit with Eugene Peterson and Jonah, listening to what they have to teach about God's grace, death and resurrection, threshold experiences, believing Jesus is God versus encountering him, and much, much more! What does pastoral ministry look like in Jonah's disobedience and obedience to God's call? What would a "Church of St Jonah" look and sound like? What is...

Featured text: "Prescription against Heretics" — Tertullian The Times They Are A-Changin'. In this episode, we sit with Tertullian's writing on "Prescription against Heretics." What is "the rule of faith"? What constitutes a proper seeking after divine knowledge? What does Tertullian mean by "Heretics Encourage and Perpetuate Thought Independent of Christ's Teaching"? What does he mean by "Restles...

Featured text: "Introduction to A Memoir of Mary Ann" — Flannery O'Connor Pretty Girls Make Graves. In this episode, we sit with Flannery O'Connor's introduction to A Memoir of Mary Ann, a memoir of a little girl who lived for 12 years at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home in Atlanta, Georgia. Written by the nuns at the home, with a substantial introduction by Flannery O'Connor. This is a...

Featured text: "A Shepherd's Letter" — Bo Giertz We're in This Together. In this episode, we sit with Bo Giertz and read his open letter to the churches -- A Shepherd's Letter. As translator, Bror Erickson says of the opening section (we read on the show), Crises and Sources of Strength: crises in the church, sources of strength in Christ, and the living hope that endures every age of the evil wor...

Featured text: "The Value and Role of Creeds and Confessions" — Carl Trueman With Arms Wide Open! In this episode, on the eve of Trinity Sunday, we sit with Carl Trueman's essay, 'The Value and Role of Creeds and Confession.' Is there any usefulness of Creeds and Confessions at present? Are they important as historic documents? Are they authoritative for the churches? What are the biblical origins...

Featured text: "The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible" — Michael Heiser The Mosaic Word. In this episode, we sit with Michael Heiser's book, The Unseen Realm, on reading the Bible. What are the rules of engagement when one reads Scripture? What filters do we apply to the biblical texts, and are they helpful or do they blind us? What, then, are the obstacles that prev...

Featured text: "Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future" — Seraphim Rose UFOs are Rebel Angels. In this episode, we read Father Seraphim Rose's classic text, Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, about the true nature of UFOs and the nefarious origins of modern narratives about extraterrestrials, spaceships, what's out there in the universe, and so on. What do Christians have to say to a cult...

Money, Porn, and Godly Relationships. In this episode, we answer emails from listeners that ask us to discuss the godly use of money and pornography addiction. How should Christians view the usage of money and possessions? What is the godly response to pornography addiction for both the husband and the wife? These and more listener questions answered on this week's episode. SHOW NOTES:   Using You...

Featured text: "Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images" — John of Damascus Every Picture Tells a Story. In this episode, we sit with John of Damascus to listen to him teach us about the veneration of icons — what that means, why it's a subject of dispute, how scripture distinguishes between graven images and god- pleasing icons, and how this all ties into worship and vocation. This and much,...

Featured text: "Luther and the Lion" — Sam Schuldheisz The Lutherans, the Lion, and the gifts of Narnia. In this episode, we talk with Pastor Sam Schuldheisz about his forthcoming book, Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism. We discuss how Lewis (and other Inklings) can help us catechize children and adults, how stories lead us deeper into the biblical narratives, and vice versa. How can great...

Featured text: "In Defense of Christian Ritual" — David Andersen The Power of Ritual! In this episode, we learn from David Andersen about Christian ritual. What's the purpose and goal of ritual? How does Christian ritual differ from other religious rituals? Where do we find ritual and ceremony outside "religious" observances? When we forget or ignore ritual and ceremony, what is the effect on indi...

Featured text: "The Music of Creation" — Malcolm Guite Where do the Children Play? In this episode, we read an Easter message from the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem. Then we read Malcom Guite's Lenten meditation on creation, the embodiment of heavenly music, and why J.R.R. Tolkien expressed a profound, deep truth through not-so-fictional fiction stories. This and much, much mor...

Featured text: "The Presence" — Berthold von Schenk What's Love Got to do With It? In this episode, we read Berthold von Schenk's The Presence, discussing sacrifice, sacrament, human will, anthropology, the cross, Lent, Easter, Love, and the consequences of the crucifixion for worship, faith, and Christian living. Why does our focus determine how we view these things? What is the "telos" of the Lo...

Featured text: "The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church" — Ælfric Went to a Garden Party. In this episode, we read a homily by St. Aelfric of York for Midlent Sunday. Aelfric sermonizes about the earthly and heavenly meaning of Jesus' feeding of the five thousand — its symbolism, historical import, and how loaves and fishes exegete the Old Testament books themselves. This and many, many wilderness...

Featured text: "The Mystery of Christ and Cosmic Restoration" — John Kleinig Cosmic Debris. In this episode, we read Dr. John Kleinig on Christ and cosmic restoration. We then discuss how and why Christians confuse mysteries with secrets, what happened to the mystagogues, and why the mystery of the Christian faith has to do with the hidden presence of Christ with us here on earth and our restorati...