Courier Conversations

A wave of headlines brought Mormonism back into the spotlight, so we pressed pause on our usual format and sat down with Travis Kearns to map the LDS system from the ground up. We start where everything begins for Latter-day Saints—authority—noting how the King James Bible sits alongside the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and, crucially, “continuing revelation” from...

A moment of public forgiveness stunned millions and reminded us of something ancient: grace is not cheap, sentimental, or soft on justice. We sat down to unpack why forgiveness sits at the heart of the Christian gospel, how Scripture frames it, and what it demands of us when wounds feel unhealable. From 1 Corinthians 15 to Matthew 18, we trace the Bible’s logic of mercy—penal substitution, the rel...

What does biblical church leadership look like? In this thought-provoking episode of Courier Conversations, host Jeff Robinson sits down with veteran pastors Phil Newton and Rich Shadden to discuss their new book "Mending the Nets: Rethinking Church Leadership" published by Courier Publishing. The conversation dives deep into the biblical foundation for elder plurality in Baptist churche...

Baptist historian Dr. Tom Nettles joins Courier Conversations to share the story behind his newest book, "Baptist History for Kids" – a beautifully illustrated journey through Baptist heritage designed to help children understand their theological roots. Drawing from over four decades of experience teaching at institutions like Southwestern Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Semin...

What does it mean to be Baptist in today's polarized religious landscape? Can strong theological convictions coexist with genuine kindness toward those who disagree? Nate Akin believes they not only can but must go together. In this thought-provoking conversation, Nate unpacks the framework of his book "Convictional, Confessional, Cheerful Baptists," revealing how our theological co...

What makes someone truly Baptist? Is it simply family tradition, or are there deeper theological convictions at play? In this thought-provoking episode, Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns dive into the heart of Baptist identity, challenging the common notion that most people identify as Baptist merely because "that's how I was raised." The conversation explores the foundational Baptist...

What happens when religious faith directly impacts political governance? In our latest deep dive, we examine the surprising rise of Zoran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Democrat who openly identifies as both socialist and communist while now standing as the nominee for mayor of America's financial capital. Our co-host Travis Kearns brings his extensive expertise in world religions to unpack the pro...

The recent passing of John MacArthur, one of evangelical Christianity's most influential voices, has left a profound void in pastoral leadership. Over 50 years of faithful ministry at Grace Community Church in Southern California, MacArthur revolutionized expository preaching for an entire generation of pastors. In this heartfelt conversation, Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns reflect on MacArt...

As Independence Day approaches, Christians face the perennial question: How should we navigate the relationship between our faith and our national identity? In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore the biblical foundations for a Christian's responsibility toward the state, beginning with the nuanced understanding of Romans 13. While Paul instructs believers to submit to governing au...

The written word has shaped Christian formation since the church began, and in this revealing conversation, Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns explore how reading remains essential for spiritual growth today. "Of making many books there is no end," wrote Solomon in Ecclesiastes – not as a criticism of reading itself, but as a caution against making knowledge an idol above God. Even the Apos...

A thought-provoking examination of biblical authority versus cultural accommodation unfolds as we dive into the New Yorker's recent mini-documentary questioning whether the Southern Baptist Convention can survive without women pastors. We analyze how the video juxtaposes compassionate female leadership against supposedly rigid traditionalism while missing the fundamental theological principle...

The selection of Pope Leo XIV has captured global attention, prompting three Southern Baptist leaders to examine what this means for evangelicals in this thoughtful episode of Courier Conversations. Jeff Robinson hosts Dr. Travis Kearns and Dr. Walter Johnson for a candid discussion about the theological implications of papal authority from an evangelical perspective. The conversation centers on a...

Tired of hearing that theology is only for scholars or that doctrine divides people? This illuminating conversation with Dr. Walter Johnson, retired dean of Christian Studies at North Greenville University, makes a compelling case for why theological understanding matters deeply for every believer. Dr. Johnson brilliantly distinguishes between merely knowing about God and truly knowing Him, explai...

Doctrinal avoidance has become a disturbing trend in modern churches, exemplified by an Arizona pastor who proudly declared: "I don't do doctrine or theology, it's too divisive. I just love Jesus and love other people."  This episode tackles this theological aversion head-on with Dr. Walter Johnson, retired dean of Christian Studies at North Greenwood University. He expertly di...

The most devastating wildfires in upstate South Carolina history have ravaged more than 13,500 acres, raising profound questions about divine purpose amid suffering. Where exactly is God when natural disasters strike? Why does a good and all-powerful Creator allow earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires to devastate communities? Host Jeff Robinson shares his experience pastoring in Birmingham durin...

A Supreme Court nominee unable to define "woman" and a President needing to officially declare only two genders exist – how did we arrive at this cultural moment where biological reality became controversial? Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns tackle the increasingly confused topic of gender through a biblical lens, providing much-needed clarity with theological depth and practical insight....

Are big churches necessarily healthy? In our latest episode, we explore the complex relationship between church size and spiritual vitality, challenging the widely-held belief that larger congregations automatically reflect greater health. Join hosts Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns as they engage in thought-provoking discussions about the true markers of a healthy church. We delve deep into the cr...

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are buzzwords that dominate contemporary discourse, yet their implications and origins often remain unexplored. Join us as we host Travis Kearns, trustee at the Baptist Courier, to shed light on DEI through a biblical perspective. Challenging the conventional wisdom of DEI's Marxist roots, we explore how its focus on equal outcomes may diverge from the C...

Ever wonder why certain books of the Bible, like Leviticus and Numbers, seem daunting and irrelevant? Join me, Jeff Robinson, as I unravel this mystery through the lens of Luke 24, exploring how Jesus' resurrection provides a fresh perspective on these challenging texts. This episode promises to illuminate the significance of Christ's resurrection and how it can transform your reading of...

What happens when the thrill of a last-minute touchdown crosses paths with the teachings of faith? Join us in an enlightening discussion featuring Brian Payne, lead pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church and former University of Alabama football player. Together with Travis Kearns and me, Jeff Robinson, we reflect on Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia's recent playoff exits and what they reveal about t...

What happens when a pastor experiences moral failure? Can redemption pave the way for a return to leadership, or is the path to restoration much more complex? Join us as we, along with co-host Travis Kearns, tackle these pressing questions, exploring the delicate balance between accountability and grace within church leadership. Drawing from Jonathan Lehman's insights and our own experiences,...

Explore the transformative legacy of Reformation Day with us and our distinguished guest, Dr. Walter Johnson, a seasoned expert in church history and theology. Discover how the monumental events sparked by Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517 continue to shape modern faith and emphasize the importance of returning to biblical authority. Through engaging discussions, we reflect on the profound re...

Is the current abortion debate in America a reflection of the sexual revolution's consequences? Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns invite you to explore this provocative question as they dive into the ethical and political complexities of abortion from a Christian perspective. Sparking from William McGurn's eye-opening editorial in the Wall Street Journal, we dissect the dramatic shift from...

What if a strong friendship rooted in faith could transform your ministry? Join us on Career Conversations Now as we reveal the vibrant new format with co-hosts Jeff Robinson and Travis Kerns. Celebrating a 25-year friendship that began at Southern Seminary, we kick things off with some friendly football rivalry—Travis, a die-hard Clemson fan, and Jeff, a Georgia Bulldogs enthusiast. But beyond th...

Moving forward, Travis Kerns will join Jeff Robinson to discuss the issues each month. In this inaugural edition , they discuss the work of the SBC’s cooperation committee and the Law Amendment. ------------------ WEBSITES: baptistcourier.com courierpublishing.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebaptistcourier instagram.com/courierpublishing1821 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thebaptistcourier facebook.com/p/...