Life at the Corner

Today, Pastor Nate talks about the real Puritans—not the gloomy, joy-hating ones that are often portrayed to us—but the faithful, joy-filled Christians that they were. Nate explains their historical context and draws a portrait of what they were really like.   Here are Pastor Nate's book recommendations from this episode: John Owen's  The Death of Death J.I. Packer's A Quest for Godliness: The Pur...

It is the month of May, a time for graduating—for leaving behind an old life and moving into a new one. As such, it is a time also to be encouraged and strengthened for the new things coming, and encouragement and strengthening is what Pastor Nate offers on today's episode.

Today, Pastor Nate speaks on why gossip is so appealing and so easy to fall into. Gossip in a church quickly divides a congregation, and today's episode brings to light the deception of this sin so it can more easily be identified and rejected.

Today, Pastor Nate turns his attention to dating. Drawing on a biblical portrait of the godly man and woman, he offers common sense wisdom for Christians searching for a spouse.  If you found today's podcast helpful, please share with family, friends, and on social media platforms. As always, we love hearing from you. Feel free to contact us at lifeatthecorner@cstonepres.org . 

Today Pastor Nate addresses fasting—a spiritual discipline that gets little publicity. He answers some objections and explores a few biblical examples that show us why we too might fast. One of the resources Nate mentioned was Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney. You can find his book here .

We often encounter situations requiring great care to navigate well, and it is easy to seek worldly wisdom as we work through them. But we are called to seek the wisdom from above. Today, Pastor Nate explores the nature and character of this wisdom.

Today, Pastor Nate welcomes Mr. James Goddard and Miss Anneke Seely on the podcast to talk about the importance of compassion in the work of caring for each other in the body of Christ.  Anneke is a graduate of New College Franklin and has a Master's in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. James is also a graduate of New College Franklin and has a Master's in Counseling fr...

Today, Pastor Nate explores a very interesting comment that Vice President JD Vance recently made about the Trump administration's immigration policy and the ancient Christian teaching of  ordo amoris.  For background on today's podcast, check out the resources below:   See this  Associated Press article See this  Gospel Coalition article by Dr. John Fesko.

Today, Pastor Nate explores the Christian practice of hospitality. Leaning heavily on the biblical revelation and church history, he shows why hospitality is central to the church's gospel witness. With compelling practical advice on how to use your home, organize your schedule, and budget your monies for living out the welcome of God through the Christian practice of hospitality. 

Pastors Nate and Sebastian join again to talk about Neo-Calvinism; they discuss some of its founders, history, distinctives, and practical implications. If you didn't listen to the previous episode, it provides some context going into today's conversation. Here are links to three of Bavinck's books that Sebastian recommended if you want to delve into Neo-Calvinism: Bavinck : A Critical Biography ,...

Today, Pastor Sebastian Bjernegård of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church joins Pastor Nate to talk about Calvinism. They elaborate on the famous 5 points and clarify some common misconceptions and errors surrounding those doctrines. They will return next week to talk about Neo-Calvinism.

Today, Pastor Nate goes to the mailbag and answers a question from a listener. The question concerns how a Christian should think the spiritual realm. Touching on the subject of angels and demons, Pastor Nate offers three foundational points for thinking and responding biblically to the reality of the spiritual realm. 

This is part 2 of Pastor Nate's conversation with Brittain and Nathaniel. They finish talking about covenant theology throughout Scripture and move to some applications: What difference does it make to us that we have a covenantal God? Stay tuned for their answers. Brittain is the associate minister at Reformation Covenant Church in Oregan City, OR. Nathaniel is the associate pastor at First Ortho...

Pastor Nate interviews two pastor friends, Rev. Brittain Brewer and Rev. Nathaniel Vroom, about covenant theology. Today, they give a brief overview of what covenant is, how it works, and how the biblical story is held together by covenant.  Brittain is the associate minister at Reformation Covenant Church in Oregan City, OR. Nathaniel is the associate pastor at First Orthodox Presbyterian Church...

As you enter the new year, you might be thinking about your spiritual disciplines. One of the most important disciplines is Bible reading, but it is no ordinary book and so we should not read it in an ordinary way. Today, Pastor Nate talks about what we should remember and seek after when we read God's Word.

It's the last week of the year, and in this last episode of 2024, Pastor Nate answers a question he has gotten over the recent weeks about how we ought to live in 2025. There are a lot of unknowns, both good and bad, coming all of our ways, so Pastor Nate lays out the "5 'R's"—some principles for preparing for the year and living faithfully through it.

Today, Pastor Nate draws our attention to the meaning of Christmas by going back to primordial clash at the beginning of redemptive history. Reminding us that the peace Christmas promises comes on the other side of a cosmic war. 

Counselors and psychologists tell us depression often peaks during the holiday season. So today, Pastor Nate offers some consolation and practical advice on how to deal with depression during the holidays.

Today, Pastors Nate and Jonathan continue their conversation about church membership, and they address some real-world complexities, like: How many church events should I attend? and How should I handle a disagreement with my pastor when I am a member? Jonathan is an OPC pastor in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He and Nate met during their doctoral studies and became fast friends. Jonathan has authored seve...

Today Pastor Nate brings Rev. Jonathan Cruse on to Life at the Corner to talk about the biblical ground for church membership.   Jonathan is an OPC pastor in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He and Nate met during their doctoral studies and became fast friends. Jonathan has authored several books, including the one that he and Nate talk about today:  Church Membership , which you can find on Amazon . He write...

Pastor Nate meditates on the apostle Paul's admonition to "give thanks in all circumstances" and speaks about how that is possible when a person's life is full of heartbreak.

Today, Pastor Nate talks about one of his favorite Scripture passages and explores the meaning behind one of the boldest requests in the Bible.

Today, Pastor Nate wraps up last week's conversation by giving four principles by which we can identify a type in Scripture, with examples to elaborate on this hermeneutic. He draws extensively on an article by Dr. Currid, entitled: "The Recognition and Use of Typology in Preaching." For other books on reading your Bible typologically, see...

Today Pastor Nate takes a look at hermeneutics and specifically at "types and shadows." A listener asked him to explain what they are and how we can know what things in the Bible are actually types. In part 1, Pastor Nate briefly gives a defense and explanation of reading Scripture through the lens of 'types.'

Today, Pastor Shurden touches on college football, the World Series, fire pits, Reformation Day reading, and why Martin Luther may have nailed his famous 95 theses on All Hallows Eve in 1517.