All Things New

How should Christians think about Israel? Questions about the nation of Israel and its place in the world have resurfaced following the October 2023 attack by Hamas and Israel’s response. These events have precipitated a rise in anti-Semitism and prompted pointed conversations around Zionism. How should Christians relate to the modern state of Israel? In this episode, Bob responds to a listener re...

In Chris’s final episode, we reflect on his journey over the past 11+ years. In this episode, we say goodbye to Pastor Chris Hemmelman as he prepares to move from Bellevue, Nebraska to Woodstock, Georgia. We reflect on his journey from church planting resident to lead pastor at First City Church — and what he’s learned along the way. Chris shares what he’s learned about church planting, leadership...

How do we make sense of the differences within the four Gospels? Readers of the Bible can't help but notice that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John sometimes tell the same stories differently. Was there one angel at the tomb (Matthew), or two (Luke)? Did Jesus cleanse the Temple at the beginning of his ministry (John), or near the end (Matthew)? In this episode, we explore how to make sense of this var...

Why does American life feel so fractured, and what can Christians do about it? American society feels increasingly polarized, anxious, and divided — and many people sense that the problem is deeper than politics. In this episode, we explore the idea that what’s really fraying is solidarity. Drawing on James Davison Hunter’s Democracy and Solidarity and a recent article by Jake Meador, we examine t...

Do evangelicals really lack cultural elites — and if so, does it matter? An essay in First Things argues that evangelicals have failed to cultivate elites in America’s most influential institutions, leaving them underrepresented in culture-shaping domains like media, academia, and politics. In this episode, we examine author Aaron Renn’s claims, question his definition of “elite,” and explore wher...

Are white millennial men becoming a “lost generation”? A widely shared essay in Compact magazine contends that white millennial men have borne an overlooked cost of the DEI era — facing stalled careers, closed doors, and deep vocational disillusionment. In this episode, we examine the article’s claims and reflect on why this story has resonated so strongly. We discuss meritocracy, generational res...

Why is question-asking vital to spiritual growth and formation? Asking questions is an important part of forming good relationships. Yet sometimes we fail to ask questions or ask the wrong kind of questions in an effort to avoid conflict or out of fear. In this episode from 2016, we discuss the art of asking good questions — how it shows love and curiosity, why it’s essential to our spiritual form...

What were some of the highlights of 2025? On the last day of 2025, we spend some time reflecting on the past year. In this episode, we talk about impactful books we read, memorable moments in ministry, insights from Scripture, and longings we have for ourselves and our churches. Chapters: (0:00) Introductions: Chippers? (4:58) Books We Read in 2025 (10:57) Key Ministry Moments (17:03) Engaging wit...

How should a pastor process a calling to leave a church and transition to a new ministry setting? Pastoral transitions can be difficult for churches and leaders to navigate. Sometimes pastors move on for the wrong reasons. But sometimes, the Spirit of God is on the move. How can we discern the difference? In this episode, Chris opens up about a forthcoming transition in his own ministry. We discus...

How should Christians approach contraception and family planning? Unless a Christian couple has taken the time to investigate contraceptive and family planning options, it can be hard to know what exists, what is safe, and what is ethical. In part two of this two-part episode, we continue our conversation about how to honor God in our approach to family planning. We discuss the risks of hormonal b...

How should Christians approach contraception and family planning? Unless a Christian couple has taken the time to investigate contraceptive and family planning options, it can be hard to know what exists, what is safe, and what is ethical. In part one of this two-part episode, we address a listener's question about how to honor God in our approach to family planning. We discuss the predominant cul...

How can we resist the gamification of our economy — and help others do the same? The advent of digital technology has incentivized ease and encouraged isolation. Young people, especially young men, have become socially risk-averse — spending more time alone and cultivating negative habits on their devices. In this episode, we engage a Derek Thompson Substack article that explores the connection be...

How can we submit to and enjoy the slow process of sanctification? It’s not uncommon for Christians to feel discouraged by their progress (or lack thereof) in sanctification. But what if our vision of maturity focused less on the destination and more on slow growth over time? In this episode, we use the Sermon on the Mount to consider Christian discipleship and maturity. We discuss Jesus's image o...

How can we advocate for a people-first economy? Artificial intelligence is disrupting our vocational and social worlds — and as it starts to dominate industries, more people are trying to discern its proper limits and boundaries. Intuitively, we are hesitant about the increasing growth of AI. But why? Is it because we sense that people should do our work? In this episode, Bob weaves together two a...

The Vatican clarified its stance on the virgin Mary—where do Protestants agree & disagree? Last week, the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith released a document clarifying Roman Catholic teaching about Mary the mother of Jesus. Mariology has been a point of contention in Protestant/Catholic relations, but the Mater Populi Fidelis document reveals some promising reforms. It also fail...

Why are so many Christians unwilling to bend on the issue of guns? In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder and other recent instances of gun violence, the debate over gun regulation is raging once again. The right to bear arms is constitutionally protected and deeply ingrained in American culture — but does that mean all guns should be permitted? In this episode, we respond to a listener question abo...

How should the Reformation shape how we worship today? It’s always good to know and understand our heritage when it comes to worship. Why do we structure our worship gatherings the way we do? Why do we sing together as a congregation? Should we take communion every week? In this episode from 2020, we talk about the book ‘Reformation Worship’ and look at what principles and ideas we can take from t...

Technology is threatening our humanity — how do we push back? The digital revolution is forcing the human race toward a civilizational bottleneck, Ross Douthat contends in a recent New York Times article. What survives depends on our deliberate choices. Unless we "fight for a future where human things and human beings survive and flourish," much of what we love will be lost. In this episode, we di...

Bob interviews Trevin Wax about his new book, The Gospel Way Catechism. Trevin Wax is Vice President of Resources and Marketing at the North American Mission Board and a well-known author, speaker, and cultural commentator. He also serves (along with Bob) as a fellow at The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. In this episode, Bob and Trevin talk apologetics. They discuss Trevin’s newest projec...

Bob interviews Trevin Wax about his life, leadership, writing, and formative influences. Trevin Wax is Vice President of Resources and Marketing at the North American Mission Board and a well-known author, speaker, and cultural commentator. He also serves (along with Bob) as a fellow at The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. During Trevin's recent visit to Nebraska for a TGC pastor's quarterl...

What are catechisms and why do we use them? To those unfamiliar with the term, “catechism” can seem like a strange word. Simply put, catechisms are question-and-answer tools that communicate Christian theology in simple ways. In this episode, we respond to a listener question about the origins of catechisms and creeds. We discuss why the Reformation led to a golden age of catechisms, what makes ca...

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, how do we process our emotions, responses, and reactions? On September 10, 2025, conservative political activist and outspoken Christian Charlie Kirk was murdered during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Some people are feeling shock, anger, fear, grief, and lament; others are celebrating or mocking. How do we make sense of what we’re feeling? H...

If you’ve listened to the radio lately, perhaps you’ve noticed that pop music is sounding a lot like worship music. Some of the year's most popular songs use biblical imagery, emotive builds, and vocal choirs—not unlike what you might hear in church. On this week’s episode, we discuss a recent article that traces this trend. We explore why music producers are mimicking worship music and what it su...

Over the past half-century, evangelical Christians have rediscovered spiritual formation. Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and more recently John Mark Comer have helped re-emphasize spiritual practices and the interior life. But why does so much popular writing and teaching on spiritual formation lean on Catholic sources – mystics and monks and Merton? Is there a distinctly Protestant...

In credobaptist traditions, we baptize new Christians upon their profession of faith in Christ. But what happens when, a few years later, a new experience of God's grace makes me question my prior baptism? How can we separate our subjective experiences of God’s promises from the objective nature of those promises? In this episode, we respond to a listener question and discuss how the Reformation t...