After Class Podcast

A presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, has brought prostitution into the national spotlight by suggesting that sex work should be legalized. The guys discuss what, if any, response Christians should have to such legislation. But in reality, this episode will function as a gateway to further discussion about sexual ethics in God's Kingdom. 

Our whole discussion of God's Kingdom has been leading to this episode. The guys discuss why God even needed to institute this Kingdom and how it comes about. Check out how the guys wrap up this series.  

As their investigation continues, the guys turn their attention to the "when" of the Kingdom of God. What does it mean for a kingdom to exist in the "now and the not yet"?

With John still laid up from back surgery, the guys bring in a pinch hitter to fill the gap. GLCC's own Kate Blakely joins Ron and Sam to discuss the Kingdom from a more mission-minded, cross cultural perspective. Kate provides important insights to help translate the Kingdom into all cultures. 

Due to some recording complications, we take a break from our discussion of the Kingdom and share a podcast we recorded in December where we interview some graduates of GLCC to hear about their ministries and their memories. This episode features Jordan Kellicut, Adrienne Stratton, and Kelsey Bushong.

In this episode the guys continue to unpack the Kingdom of God, and try to describe it in such a way as to put flesh to a somewhat elusive concept. 

In this episode the guys attempt to explain and unpack the Kingdom of God using Journalism 101 techniques - the 5 Ws. Specifically they focus on the who of the Kingdom (King and subjects) and the what of the Kingdom. 

Having set the stage in past episodes of what God's Mission in the world is, the guys turn their attention to the New Testament to see how that mission continues. Specifically they look at the message of Jesus and what the gospel is and is not. 

In this episode the guys pick up the story of Israel after being established in the land to see how well the people lived out their call to be a blessing to the world. The prophets picture Israel's purpose as being a light to the nations, yet the people regularly contributed to the darkness, eventually leading to exile and unfulfilled expectations. 

In this episode the guys continue telling the story of the Bible as we are introduced to Abraham and Moses--two of the foundational figures in God's efforts to reconcile the world. As the story moves quickly toward the New Testament, they also ponder what it means to be a city on a hill. 

In our final episode of this season and 2018, the guys look back at their highs and lows. They also look forward to the new season and where they plan on going. 

In this episode the guys look at some of the prophecies about Jesus in their original context to show how they shed light on the coming of the Messiah. 

We all know the Christmas story, right? Little baby Jesus asleep in the hay, in a barn, surrounded by animals, shepherds, and 3 wise men. Or does the Bible describe a slightly different scene? And how do we take the "Jesus prophecies" in the Old Testament? We tackle all this and more in our latest episode. 

In this episode the guys continue to work through the Primeval History of the Bible to demonstrate how far humanity has fallen and to set up the lengths to which God will go to restore them. 

This episode might better be entitled, "Of demigods and the deluge or warlords and water?" The guys discuss the flood account, beginning with the much debated interpretation of "sons of God" and "daughters of men" in Genesis 6:1-4, in an effort to see how this story fits into God's story. 

While at a conference in Denver, CO, the guys caught up with some GLCC alumni and found out what has been going on in their lives since they left the school. More importantly, we found out the great things God has been doing in their lives and how they have been use for God's Kingdom.

As the guys continue telling the story of God's interaction with humanity, they turn to Genesis 4 and the story of Cain and Abel followed by the appropriation by Lamech. 

In this episode the guys continue their discussion of God's story by examining Genesis 3, often referred to as "The Fall." The good creation of chapters 1 and 2 collapses, moving the story in a very dark direction, and bringing with it various curses and consequences

If getting to some afterlife existence is not our goal (heaven centered view), and making this world a better place is not our goal (human centered or world centered view), then what is? In order to answer that question we first need to understand the story of the Bible. And so we begin...in the beginning. 

In this episode the guys evaluate 2 other approaches to Christian living. If earning heaven is not the goal, then how should Christians live and approach this world?

In this episode the guys bring their discussion of heaven to a close, locating "heaven" as a restoration of the created world, rather than an eternal existence somewhere else. 

In this episode, the guys interview Jerry Harris--Lead Minister of The Crossing and Publisher of the Christian Standard and the Lookout. He regales us with tales from the Restoration Movement's past and challenges us to seek unity, especially with our African-American Church of Christ brothers and sisters.

In this episode, the guys invite Professor Kate Blakely on to talk about the Restoration Movement--its core values and impact on us as Christians. ***Due to technical difficulties, the sound quality is less than optimal (thus the "unplugged"). Be assured that our sound engineer has been reprimanded and promises to do better. 

In this episode the guys discuss different views that Christians have of heaven and the afterlife, and then compare those views to those found in the New Testament. Are our views biblical or are then informed by something else? 

In this episode, the guys tackle the "heaven centered" view of the gospel by discussing the Old Testament's view of the afterlife. What did heaven mean to the ancient writers? How is it the same or different than our modern understanding?