Peaceable And Kind

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...

What if the gospel is both more strange and more gracious than we’ve dared to imagine? In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland sits down with pastor and author Andrew Arndt to talk about his latest book, A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way We See Everything. From the poetry of R.S. Thomas to the wisdom of Athanasius, Eugene Peterson, and Pope John Pau...

What does it really mean that the Word became flesh? In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland takes us on a deep dive into one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the incarnation. From the opening words of John’s Gospel to the insights of ancient Greek philosophers and church fathers like Athanasius, Derek explores how Jesus is not just a historical figure but the very W...

In this episode of Peaceable & Kind, Derek Vreeland reflects on the prophetic vision of Isaiah 2:1–5 and what it means for Christians to “play war no more.” Through scripture, personal reflection, and current events, Derek explores the way of Jesus as a call to nonviolence, patience, and peacemaking in a world marked by conflict and division. Key Takeaways War is impatience. Fighting often stems f...

The Christmas story is more than a manger scene—it’s the beginning of the gospel itself. In this special episode, host Derek Vreeland shares the heart behind his brand-new Bible study, Incarnation: Eight Lessons on How God Meets Us, the first in his God in the Neighborhood series. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The behind-the-scenes journey of how this book came to life—two years in the making!...

In this rich and eye-opening episode of Peaceable and Kind, host Derek Vreeland sits down with Marty Solomon—president of Impact Campus Ministries, host of the BEMA Discipleship podcast, and author of Asking Better Questions of the Bible. Together, they explore how reading Scripture through its original Jewish context can transform our understanding of Jesus, justice, and the story of redemption....

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, host Derek Vreeland invites you into the practice of reading the Old Testament with fresh eyes—looking for Jesus in every passage. Derek shares his personal journey of nearly a decade of daily Old Testament reading, rooted in the daily office lectionary, and how it has transformed from duty to delight. Drawing from Scripture, church history, and personal stor...

How do we make sense of the violent passages in the Old Testament while following the peace teachings of Jesus? In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland takes on one of the most common and challenging questions he receives as a pastor and author: Why does God seem so violent in the Old Testament compared to Jesus in the New Testament? Derek walks us through: Why Joshua and 1 Samuel 15...

In this thought-provoking episode of Peaceable and Kind, host Derek Vreeland tackles a question many Christians quietly wrestle with: Why do we need the Old Testament? From bloody battles and strange laws to a God who calls His people to peace, the Old Testament can feel confusing—even contradictory to the way of Jesus. But Derek shares why this ancient collection of writings is not only essential...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, host Derek Vreeland is joined by his friend and pastor, Brian Zahnd, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends rock & roll, theology, and personal transformation.    Brian and Derek reflect on their shared history in the Charismatic Movement—and why both eventually felt called to pack their bags and move on. Using Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm” as a guiding me...

In this deeply personal episode of Peaceable and Kind, host Derek Vreeland shares why he took a step back from the popular Charismatic subculture—but not from the Spirit-filled life that first drew him in.  Derek shares his spiritual journey from Southern Baptist roots to charismatic renewal, through Pentecostal seminary training, and ultimately into a more theologically grounded and historically...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland invites you into a personal and theological journey to better understand one of the most mysterious persons of the Trinity: God the Holy Spirit. Derek shares how his view of the Holy Spirit has evolved—from childhood questions in a Southern Baptist church to transformative encounters as a teenager, through charismatic experiences, and into a ma...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland explores the important relationship between the gospel and the Holy Spirit—a continuation of his recent conversation with theologian Matthew Bates on the definition of the gospel in the New Testament. As summer rolls on, Derek reflects on the creative highs and lows of writing and shares a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his process (including a...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland sits down with theologian and author Matthew Bates for a lively and challenging conversation about his newest book, Beyond the Salvation Wars: Why Both Protestants and Catholics Must Reimagine How We Are Saved. Matthew is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, co-host of the OnScript podcast, and an author whose work has deeply influe...

In this episode of Peaceable and Kind, Derek Vreeland wraps up our series on the Nicene Creed with its powerful final lines—covering the Church, baptism, and what Christians hope for in the end: “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.” With hones...