The GoodLion Podcast

People generally want to feel in control. We work, think, and plan to map out where our lives are going. But sometimes, it feels like God comes along and totally changes the plan. This can leave us confused, wondering how our lives got turned upside down, and worst of all, wondering if we ever really heard God in the first place. In this episode, Aaron and Brian talk about their personal experienc...

Today, we're diving deep into something I know a lot of us deal with:  perfectionism . That constant, nagging feeling that no matter what you do, it’s never quite enough. You pour your heart and soul into everything, trying to live up to these impossible standards—whether it's the ones you set for yourself or the ones you feel from the world around you. But here’s the truth: perfectionism is a tra...

Hey everyone, it’s been a while since I've put out new episodes on this show! Life, as it does, has gotten in the way. The busyness of work, family, all the unexpected curveballs that come with being a husband and a dad, and running both an itinerant ministry and a small business. But today, something shifted. I felt this nudge, like God was saying, "It’s time to share again." So her...

Welcome to a Q&A episode of the Good Lion Podcast. Today, we're tackling heartfelt inquiries from our listeners about the spiritual implications of sin and separation from God. Does sin really separate us from God, or is it our perception? Join us as we explore these questions through Scripture and personal reflections.🔍 **In This Episode:** **Sin and Separation:** We discuss the pervasive feelin...

🔥 Exploring Hell: The Big Debate In this Q&A episode of the Good Lion Podcast, we take on one of the most challenging theological topics: hell. With a listener's heartfelt question as our starting point, we delve into how the intense debates around literal vs. metaphorical interpretations affect our faith journey. 🤔 Reconciling God's Love & Justice How do we reconcile the concept...

In a recent episode, Aaron dove into the concept of "hell on earth"—where the destructive forces of sin, death, and selfishness play out in daily life. This episode is a Q&A that answers a listener's profound question: "How can our actions contribute to or alleviate these hellish conditions?" 🔍 Unpacking the Question Our daily choices can either build or tear down. Lie...

In this episode of the GoodLion Podcast, we navigate the delicate intersection between the terrifying specter of hell and the radiant hope found in Christ. In this special "Ask Good Lion" segment, host Pastor Aaron Salvato explores the questions surrounding the fear of hell and how it interacts with divine justice. We first delve into how Christians can confront the concept of hell without succumb...

As we continue this series of talks on sin and Hell, originally delivered by Aaron Salvato at the Good Lion School of Discipleship, we will explore the daunting idea that hell can, in a way, manifest here and now, through our actions and inactions. 😨 How do personal sins contribute not only to our individual downfalls but also to societal injustices that echo the horrors of hell? 🤔 Join us as we...

Today, on the Good Lion Podcast, we explore the mysteries of sin, wrath, and the enigmatic concept of hell, a topic that stirs the soul and challenges the heart. How do we reconcile a God of infinite love with the doctrine of eternal punishment? What is hell? Is it merely a place, or could it be a present reality, as tangible as the air we breathe? In this episode, Aaron shares part of a lecture o...

In this episode (Part 2 in our series on the nature of Sin and Hell), Brian and I do something we rarely do – we disagree. We dive into the question: If the serpent hadn't shown up in Eden, would Adam and Eve have still sinned? It's a thought-provoking debate that not only questions the inevitability of sin but also challenges us to consider the dynamics of temptation and will. But our conversatio...

In this episode, Brian Higgins and I dive into a topic that's foundational yet often elusive – the nature of sin. This isn't just another rundown of wrongdoings; it's a profound theological exploration that invites you to rethink what you know about sin. We attempt at peeling back the layers to reveal sin not as a mere catalogue of missteps, but as a deep, underlying corruption that affects every...

Aaron: In the summer of 2016, I shared a heartfelt sermon at camp that explored the deep meaning in Jesus' final words and the unending invitation to evangelism. This episode revisits that summer camp sermon, focusing intently on the thematic core of evangelism and the personal transformation it calls each of us towards. 🌟 In the latter half of the sermon, I open up about my own journey toward em...

Welcome, theology nerds and seekers! On this season 9 finale, we're diving deep into the world of dispensationalism. Whether you're a seasoned theologian or a fresh-faced learner, we've got something for you! Our guests are Mike Dente, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Paris, France, and Professor Darrell Bock from Dallas Theological Seminary. We discuss everything from the distinctions...

In today's episode, we delve into a profound conversation with my friend, Pastor Johnny Zacchio. 😊 Johnny brings some pertinent pastoral questions about the subject of doubt and deconstruction, which is a significant issue for many within the church today. 👀 His questions focus on how pastors can understand a simple meaning of deconstruction, and how we can better minister and lend support to th...

Hey folks, I am super excited to share with you the full audio of a workshop that Nick Cady and I put together for CGN. In this workshop, we dive deep into the topic of doubt and deconstruction. The goal of this workshop is to help Christians and ministry leaders understand this issue from an informed, compassionate, and measured perspective. The reality is a lot of people are struggling, and we n...

🎙️ Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where our host, Aaron Salvato, digs deep into the heart of servanthood, inspired by the incredible actions of Jesus himself. As a powerful sermon Aaron shared at the Good Lion School of Discipleship, this episode guides us through the transformative power of humility and service.  This is not about grand gestures, but about the beautiful, small, eve...

Aaron is joined by his long-time friend Nick Cady, to dive deep into the fascinating theological topic of eschatology. 😊 Eschatology is a topic that often leaves many Christians feeling confused and overwhelmed. With its complexities and differing perspectives, it's no wonder why this subject can sometimes seem daunting to navigate. 😬 Nick aims to provide clarity and understanding by delving int...

As followers of Jesus, we often begin our journey with a fairly simplistic view of who He is - a divine savior who absolves us of our sins and provides a comforting presence in our lives. But as our faith deepens, we start to realize that there's so much more to Him.  In this episode Aaron and Brian dive into the transformational journey of understanding Jesus beyond the role of Savior and embraci...

In this episode, Brian and Aaron reunite after a long time off from recording together. The two friends help each other rekindle their fervor for Jesus and share their journey with the listeners. Amidst the bustle of their lives, which includes navigating changes in their careers, evolving responsibilities in parenthood, and returning to local ministry work, they delve into the question of how to...

This week we're thrilled to revisit an important conversation with one of our longest-running and most cherished guests, Dr. Gerry Breshears. Gerry, a beloved Seminary Professor and mentor to many, joins us again to wrestle with the difficult but essential topic of God's judgment and wrath. Our listeners know this is a subject close to Aaron and Brian's hearts, and Gerry provides his g...

For this special classic episode, Aaron delves deeply into a provocative claim made on NPR's This American Life. In a conversation with host Ira Glass, Princeton historian Elaine Pagels argues that Jesus's death on the cross was an "utter failure." This piques Aaron's curiosity. He decides to explore the topic further, questioning leading scholars and theologians about whethe...

Join Aaron and Brian as they tackle one of the hardest topics facing Christians and the church today: depression. In this honest and illuminating episode, they sit down with pastor Wesley Towne who has spent years ministering to those struggling with mental illness. This episode was recorded shortly after the tragic loss of Pastor Jared Wilson, bringing the topics of depression and struggle into s...

Welcome to a classic two-part episode of The GoodLion Podcast! It's a marathon not a sprint as Brian and Aaron dive into the complex issue of violence, sex and nudity in media. The popular show Game of Thrones sparked many conversations about how Christians should consume media with sex scenes. These episodes, recorded in 2019, tackle that debate head on with nuance, depth and understanding. B...

Aaron and Brian welcome you to revisit two early episodes from Season 1 that set out to deeply explore the meaning and importance of righteousness. These episodes were part of their initial ‘Righteousness’ mini-series where they sought to understand what righteousness truly means and how it should impact the lives of Jesus followers. In Part 1, Aaron shares his reflections on righteousness and cli...

In the season finale of Season 9 of the GoodLion podcast, we take a moment to appreciate the incredible journey we've been on, and share with you some awesome news. As we dive behind the scenes, we express our heartfelt gratitude to our steadfast listeners, both old and new, for accompanying us on this spiritual path. A Ministry Update: First, a ministry field report: we're thrilled to announce th...