Calvary Conversations

For 50 years, most missionaries have been focused on reaching unreached people groups—prioritizing people who have the least access to the gospel. Today, this focus is falling out of favor by critics of the Western missionary enterprise because they feel it reflects “Western” or Enlightenment thinking. Calvary’s Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Dr. Ted Esler, President of Missio Nexus, to discuss this de...

Times have changed. At one time, the Church in America lived in a positive world—a culture that was positive toward the Bible, respected clergy, and considered the Church to be a force for good in the world. But times have changed. We now live in a world that considers the Christian faith to be bigoted, misogynistic, even hateful. So, how can Christians and churches be faithful to Christ in this n...

Do you have questions about God, the Bible or Christianity? Shea Houdmann, as a new graduate of Calvary Seminary in 2001, decided to pose that question to the world. He created gotquestions.org and offered to provide answers from the Bible to any and all questions. As it turns out, lots of people “got questions”! Houdmann recruited a team that has now responded to more than 741,000 questions. The...

“And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end . . . And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.” (Matthew 24:6, 12, NASV). To what extent should we expect to see these end times prophetic events to occur in our day? Join Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds as he and Dr....

Can we really know what is true? How do we know what we think we know? In other words, what is the worldview of Postmodernism and on what is it based? Calvary’s Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Calvary University graduate student, Joshua Barr, to discuss his recent paper exploring this issue of Postmodern Epistemology. ____________________ Join the conversation Calvary University Watch on YouTube

Anyone following the news about concerns over school curriculum, traumatic events at schools, adult agendas being pushed on children and youth in schools and in the community, and the documented mental health crisis being experienced by children and youth know that young people need help today! Dr. Mike Dodds invited Hanna Sims, the founder of NETWorkersTEC, to have a conversation about how to bes...

At one time, the Church in America lived in a positive world—a culture that was positive toward the Bible, respected clergy, and considered the Church to be a force for good in the world. But times have changed. We now live in a world that considers the Christian faith to be bigoted, misogynistic, even hateful. So, how can Christians and churches be faithful to Christ in this negative world? Join...

Since the 1960’s, Americans have seen numerous social norms change or disappear. What is the impact of this? Does it mean freedom from outdated ideas or does it create new problems? Surely some norms need to change, but aren’t some good? And how do we figure out which social norms should not be changed? Join Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds as he leads the Calvary Conversations team in a discus...

Throughout history, people have played games. But today’s “gaming” options are more abundant than any other time in history. This raises questions for many: Are there pitfalls to some games, but not others? Are there “fake” pitfalls to gaming? What about balance of time, community and cost? Should Christians participate in role-playing games? Join the two coolest Calvary Conversations’ hosts, Drs....

For a Christian young person graduating from high school, should a Christian college be the obvious next step? Should Christians go to non-Christian universities—is that ever a good idea? How does the rising cost of college factor into this question? Join Calvary’s Timothy Hange and the Calvary Conversation’s team for a conversation on this important and practical question. ____________________ Jo...

What are the most seductive ideas being embraced by Americans? This question was recently explored by the Arizona Christian University’s Christian Research Center. They then released The American Worldview Inventory 2023: A National Survey of Biblical and Competing Worldviews and The Top 10 Most Prevalent Seductive Unbiblical Ideas That Are Embraced by Americans Today . Some of these ideas may see...

According to the recent Ligonier “State of Theology” study 10% of those who self-identify as “evangelical” disagree with the statement: “Biblical accounts of the physical (bodily) resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate. This event actually occurred.” Does it matter whether the resurrection was literal and physical? And, if it really happened, why does it matter? In other words, would it mat...

Why would the Chairmen of two Christian university departments waste their time on gaming? Shouldn’t they be studying, writing and lecturing? Shouldn’t they be discouraging their students from participating in pointless activities? Or, is it possible there are actually some benefits to gaming? Is it possible that games could conceivably be a tool for something good? Join Calvary University’s Dr. J...

Is there really a God? Is the Bible really His perfect revelation? How can God be good when He allows people to suffer? Especially when we are going through difficult things, it is common to experience doubt. Is that wrong? Is “a double-minded man unstable in all his ways”? Or is it part of a natural progression to a mature faith? Join Calvary’s Tim Hange as he leads a discussion with the Calvary...

How can a loving God allow evil and suffering in the world? This is a sticking point for many who choose not to believe. Christians, however, choose to believe that God has a purpose in what he plans and in what he allows.  There is, however, still tension in our belief and our experience, and it is acutely felt when we encounter difficult pain, or witness the abused or suffering innocent. &n...

Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, has recently been in the news for an on-campus revival. Thousands of people are headed to Wilmore in hopes of seeing a move of God with their own eyes. Dr. Mike Dodds, Dean of the Calvary University Seminary, and a distinguished member of the Calvary Conversations team, was a student at Asbury when a similar event took place in the 1970’s. How should Christi...

What do most people believe the Bible says? What do “evangelical” Christians believe the Bible says? And why are more and more Christians believing things the Bible does not really say—things contrary to the Bible and to what Christians have asserted to be the truth down through the centuries? Join the Calvary Conversations team as they discuss “The State of Theology” survey findings and the impli...

Is time a blessing or a burden? Why has God placed us under a system marked by seasons and years? What does it mean to be good stewards of time? Calvary University’s Shaun LePage, led the Calvary Conversations team in a conversation about this important subject that impacts every human on the planet. The focus is on having a biblical worldview of time so that we can think rightly about it and use...

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions: Why does God allow suffering? Why does He allow cancer, hurricanes, pandemics, heart-break, war, etc.? Why doesn’t He fix His world? The Calvary Conversations team explores these questions and more through the lens of the biblical worldview. What does the Bible teach about suffering? Has God already done something about it? What about the future? Wh...

What is it like to grow up as a missionary kid (MK)? How does it shape the way kids see the world? How does it impact their faith? James Gleaves has some stories to share. Calvary University’s Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Gleaves—a mobilizer with Ethnos 360, a former missionary, and a former MK—to have a conversation about his experience as an MK, and some of the lessons learned that can benefit ever...

The benefits of partnering with indigenous leadership for global missions are enormous. But those benefits can be eclipsed by several and various problems. Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Shawn Haynie, Director of Adelphos USA, to discuss some key questions about partnerships: What are the benefits and potential dangers of partnering with national missionaries? How can we partner with nationals in a way...

With all the great needs around the world, why should anyone consider serving in North America? This is the question posed by Dr. Joshua Paxton to three leaders of North American mission agencies—Jon Hansen, Doug Clark and Dr. Henry Vosburgh. Their conversation not only explores the reasons why North American missions is so necessary, but also the question of need—what are the greatest obstacles f...

Christmas – “the most wonderful time of the year!” And yet it’s become loaded with a lot of unbiblical traditions and expectations. How should Christians respond? Which should we clearly avoid? Which should we engage with caution? And which should we employ with a clear conscience? Join Dr. Mike Dodds as he leads a discussion with the Calvary Conversations team—Tim Hange, Dr. Joshua Paxton and Sha...

How do you know when you’re out of balance—overemphasizing some things while neglecting others? What are the dangers of forcing our priorities on other people? What does it mean to actually be “biblical”? Dr. Joshua Paxton led a conversation with the Calvary Conversations hosts—Dr. Mike Dodds, Tim Hange and Shaun LePage—about this important subject and the importance of finding balance, setting pr...

“How could I ever help anyone with a personal problem? I wouldn’t know what to say or where to turn for finding good advice to share! And if it’s a conflict situation, for sure I would be at a loss!” Every Christian knows this dilemma but also needs to have wisdom for how to help others – we ALL need to know how to do Biblical Counseling and to how to deal with conflict. That’s why Dr. James Clark...