Distinctive Christianity

In this episode, we finish our interview with Dr. David J. Garrow, distinguished historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author of Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference . In this interview, we ask Dr. Garrow about what led him to write the biography of MLK – and what went into his incredible research, including his expertise in FBI documents. We...

In this episode, we begin our interview with Dr. David J. Garrow, distinguished historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author of Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference . In this interview, we ask Dr. Garrow about what led him to write the biography of MLK – and what went into his incredible research, including his expertise in FBI documents. We d...

In this episode, we welcome back Bradley Campbell of God Loves Mormons about his video regarding the origin, history and then elimination of the office of Presiding Patriarch of the LDS Church. Bradley takes us through some of the essential issues, historically – and lands on some of the ironies, theologically, when it comes to LDS interpretation and apologetic use of Ephesians 4.11 in promoting a...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Michael Haykin about his article “Fundamentum et Columnam Fidei Nostrae: Irenaeus on the Perfect and Saving Nature of the Scriptures” . Michael introduces us to Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-195), one of the first great Christian theologians. What was the Christian Faith Irenaeus inherited, articulates and defends - and what were the views and ideas he saw as a threat...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Richard Weikart to discuss his book The Myth of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Is His Theology Evangelical? With expertise in both the intellectual context and primary sources, Richard takes us through many key issues in Bonhoeffer’s thought, such as his view of Scripture – and how they reflect fundamental commitments that diverge from those of conservative evangelicals...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Stephen R. Haynes about his books The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon and The Battle for Bonhoeffer . With as much attention as is given to Dietrich Bonhoeffer – why is there often so little care for the objective historical reality of his life and theology? In this interview, Dr. Haynes takes us through some of both the life and thought of Bonhoeffer in context, as well as...

In this episode, Brendon and Skyler continue setting up the context for the coming series on the Nicene Creed. Today, we take a brief and broad tour of Ancient Israel. What is Israel’s story both as Israel – and also relative to the civilizations around them? What are distinctive Israelite beliefs – and what are the patterns to the problems within Israel, and between Israel and their neighbors? Th...

In this episode, Skyler interviews Dr. Miguel Echevarria about his book The Future Inheritance of Land in the Pauline Epistles . Miguel argues that “the promises of Abraham, though related, are distinct” and that the promise of land inheritance is a rich theme in Paul’s epistles. Miguel will help us think through what the apostle Paul teaches regarding God’s promise of blessing, promise of offspri...

In this episode, we interview Dr. William Dennison about his book Karl Marx . What does Marx actually argue as his system of thought? Bill takes us through Marx’s thought, in its context – and how he views the rise of man, history and eschatology. Bill then shows us how the Fourfold State of Humanity as articulated in the Westminster Confession of Faith is a way to critique Marx from the Christian...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Lydia McGrew to help us understand and respond to the widespread dismissal of the historicity of the Nativity Story. What are the issues often brought up by skeptics and cynics - and what are they missing about the Gospels of Matthew and Luke? On issues such as the Census, the Virgin Birth, and King Herod's Killing of the Innocents - Lydia helps us think th...

In this episode, we interview Dr. John Oswalt about his book The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature?   In this episode, Dr. Oswalt helps us understand the contours and content of mythical thinking, and then contrasts that with the worldview of the Old Testament. What is myth – and what are its central assumptions and features? What is the Bible – and what is its ce...

In this series, we interview Casey Cheney on her story coming out of Mormonism. She is a member of  First Baptist Church of Provo , and has been a hard-working hero behind the scenes making Distinctive Christianity happen! Listen in and hear her story of conversion to Mormonism, and then her re-committing to the Biblical Jesus and the Triune God of Scripture. Message from Casey: Dear faithful, for...

In this series, we interview Casey Cheney on her story coming out of Mormonism. She is a member of  First Baptist Church of Provo , and has been a hard-working hero behind the scenes making Distinctive Christianity happen! Listen in and hear her story of conversion to Mormonism, and then her re-committing to the Biblical Jesus and the Triune God of Scripture. Message from Casey: Dear faithful, for...

In this series, we interview Casey Cheney on her story coming out of Mormonism. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Provo , and has been a hard-working hero behind the scenes making Distinctive Christianity happen! Listen in and hear her story of conversion to Mormonism, and then her re-committing to the Biblical Jesus and the Triune God of Scripture. Message from Casey: Dear faithful, form...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Leonardo de Chirico about his book Engaging with Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach . Leonardo takes us through the context of Thomas, himself – as well as the question of what is “Thomism”. In addition to hearing about the weight Thomas gives to Aristotle in his Theology, we also discuss some of how we should understand his enduring influence and relevance -...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Rachel Kousser on her book Alexander at the End of the World: The Forgotten Final Years of Alexander the Great . Rachel offers both old and new perspectives on Alexander and his conquests, and helps us see into the religious worldview that both surrounded and motivated him. In addition to some thoughts on the understanding and writing of history, itself – she addr...

On today’s episode, Skyler and Pastor Ed Romine are joined by Bradley Campbell of God Loves Mormons to interview Justin Peters of Justin Peters Ministries about some of the theology and practice of the extreme charismatic movement. We ask Justin about topics such as charismatic apostles and their claims of authority – as well as examples and patterns of heresy taught by them. These false teachers...

In this episode, Skyler interviews Dr. Kim Riddlebarger about his commentary First Corinthians . Kim takes us through some of the teachings of Paul in this epistle and how they inform a correct understanding of the Christian Faith. Along the way, we discuss LDS attempts at appropriating their own doctrines and practices from the Epistle - and whether those attempts are, in any way, credible.    Fi...

In this episode, we interview Aaron Shafovaloff of Mormonism Research Ministry about the question: Is God Our Literal Father? This interview involves a deep dive into the diversity of Mormon views on intelligences, spirits, and bodies. This is then compared with the various ways the Bible speaks of God’s Fatherhood, as well as the meaning of mankind being made in/as the “image and likeness” of God...

In this episode, we interview Aaron Shafovaloff of Mormonism Research Ministry about the question: Is God Our Literal Father? This interview involves a deep dive into the diversity of Mormon views on intelligences, spirits, and bodies. This is then compared with the various ways the Bible speaks of God’s Fatherhood, as well as the meaning of mankind being made in/as the “image and likeness” of God...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Joshua Mitchell about his book American Awakening: Identity Politics and Other Afflictions of Our Time . Is our current political climate the result of secularism, or is it actually indicating a deep religiosity – even the merging of religion and politics? Joshua takes us through the distinction between the visible and invisible economy, innocence -signaling (as d...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Richard Weikart about his book Hitler’s Religion: The Twisted Beliefs that Drove the Third Reich . Was Hitler a Christian? Was Hitler an Atheist? Was Hitler a Darwinist? Richard takes us through the answers, in their historical context, as we look at issues of theology, science, and politics - and hear about some of their consequences.    Some books by Dr. Weikart...

In this episode we welcome Iain Wright and Yannick Imbert, the authors of the book Reclaiming the “Dark Ages”: How the Gospel Light Shone from 500 to 1500 . There are many figures in church history in-between Augustine and Luther that are worth understanding, appreciating, and learning from. Iain and Yannick help us approach the complexity of history through often-overlooked figures such as Pope L...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Lydia McGrew on her book The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage . In this interview, Lydia helps us understand the current state of scholarship about the Gospel of John – and what is wrong with the current mainstream approach to the Gospel. Is the Gospel of John a distinct genre from the Synoptics? Does John feel free to invent scenes,...

In this episode, Brendon and Skyler continue setting up the context for the coming series on the Nicene Creed. Today, we take a brief and broad tour of Alexander the Great and the Harvest of Hellenism. What is Hellenization? We take a look at some of its political and cultural context – and then focus on the philosophical schools of Stoicism and Epicureanism. This will be key to accurately underst...