EFCA Theology Podcast

In 2016, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the postconference was on the theme, “The Ministry of the Gospel and Gender Dysphoria.” On this episode of the podcast, we share the first message from Mark Yarhouse, “Gender Dysphoria: Foundational Considerations (Key Terms and Biblical Perspectives).” Mark is the Hughes Endowed...

In 2016, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the postconference was on the theme, “The Ministry of the Gospel and Gender Dysphoria.” On this brief episode of the podcast, we share the introduction to this topic from Greg Strand.

On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that preconference by Roy Oksnevad, “Who are the real Muslims?” Roy serves as Director of COMMA Network, a Coalition of Ministries to Muslims in North America, and ReachNational All People Director of Muslim Ministry.

In 2018, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in San Antonio, Texas, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the preconference was on the theme, “Understanding Islam, Loving Our Neighbors.” On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that preconference by Mike Urton entitled, “What do Muslims Believe?” Mike serves as Associate Director of the COMMA Network, a Coalition of...

At the end of the day, we long to hear the words of Jesus: "Well done, good servant!" (Luke 19:17). In light of the topic of this Theology Conference, what does that mean? What guides us to that end? What enables us to live in such a way? Jesus informed us in some of his final words to his disciples on the way to the cross, the time and manner in which the new covenant would be ushered in through...

Are compassion and justice ministries the gospel? Or are they entailments of the gospel? On the one hand are those who make them the gospel who end up denying the biblical gospel, that which is done and accomplished in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is the good news that affirms "it is finished," and is to be proclaimed. Rather than a biblical gospel, they end up with a social gospel ap...

One of the word of the year lists last year consisted of xenophobia, a "fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers." In light of the worldwide migration, and of the fear associated with immigration, it is not surprising. But is it biblical, is it the appropriate response of a believer, of an Evangelical? Interestingly, one of the biblical commands is the opposite of...

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. This often is one of those racial markers over which there are differences of opinion. Likely, many white brothers and sisters have probably not thought much about this anniversary. Conversely, most African American brothers and sisters are quite aware of this anniversary, and not to remember or recognize this in s...

It is one thing to address this issue theoretical or academically. It is another to address this personally and experientially. One is not more or less important than another. Both are necessary, even though the issue is approached from different vantage points. Both provide significant and important insights into the issues we are studying, discussing and living. Join with other EFCA pastors as w...

The church, committed to and compelled by the gospel of Jesus Christ, has engaged in both the proclamation of the gospel and its accompanying social ministries of compassion and justice. This has been reflective of the church from the beginning. Affirming this reality, it is important to address and assess how Evangelicals have historically addressed these matters of race in the 18th-19th centurie...

As Evangelicals more broadly, and as the EFCA more specifically, we are people of the Book. One EFCA motto has been and remains, "where stands it written," which addresses both the biblical truth of a doctrine and also the practical outworking of that truth in life. Join us as Dr. Jarvis Williams, an Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary walks...

Earlier this year, our 2018 EFCA Theology Conference theme explored The Gospel, Compassion and Justice and the EFCA. Recent events in our nation and world have made it clear it is both timely and necessary to address the topics of racial reconciliation and immigration. The gospel is being undermined and tarnished by the lack of reconciliation among believers and the lack of concern for the immigra...

In 2017, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Austin, Texas for EFCA One, our biennial national conference. The focus of the conference was on EFCA’s “foundation stones,” which are the essential values that have guided our movement from the very beginning. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by D.A. Carson. Dr. Carson serves as Research Professor of New T...

Earlier this year, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Austin, Texas for EFCA One, our biennial national conference. The focus of the conference was on EFCA’s “foundation stones,” which are the essential values that have guided our family of churches from the very beginning. On this episode of the podcast, we share a conference message by EFCA President Kevin Kompelien on Abiding in Christ...

2017 marks the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses, a pivotal moment in the rediscovery of the Gospel that took place in the 16th century and still bears fruit today. In light of this, the 2017 EFCA Theology Conference focused on the theology of the Reformation and its ongoing historical legacy. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. Steph...

In 2017, our EFCA Theology Conference explored the theology of the Reformation and its ongoing historical legacy. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. Albert Mohler entitled, “Faith Alone Justifies, Yet the Faith Which Justifies Is Not Alone: Justification and Sanctification.” Dr. Mohler serves as President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in L...

This year, in light of the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses, the EFCA Theology Conference focused on the theology of the Reformation and its ongoing historical legacy. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. Scott Manetsch entitled, “The Extent of the Reformation’s Reform: Word, Church, Ministry and Worship.” Dr. Manetsch serves as Profe...

The 2017 EFCA Theology Conference explored the theology of the Reformation and its ongoing historical legacy. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. Kevin VanHoozer entitled, “The Reformation, Sola Scriptura and Tradition.” Dr. Vanhooser serves as Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. You can find...

Since our earliest days, Christians have affirmed that Jesus is “fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures.” But what do we actually mean by phrases like “one person” or “two natures?” Further, where and how does the Bible teach these things? And perhaps most pressing, how does our belief in Jesus’ full divinity and full humanity shape how serve and live? On this episode of the podcast we...

This year, in light of the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses, the EFCA Theology Conference focused in on the theology of the Reformation and its ongoing historical legacy. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. D.A Carson entitled, “The Heart of the Reformation: Justification.” Dr. Carson serves as Research Professor of New Testament at...

This year marks the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses, a pivotal moment in the rediscovery of the gospel that took place in the 16th century and still bears fruit today. This week, our 2017 EFCA Theology Conference focuses in on the theology of the Reformation and its ongoing historical legacy. On this episode of the podcast (in connection with our conference) we share Greg St...

The 2013 EFCA Theology Conference focused on the topic of human sexuality. On this episode of the podcast, we share a helpful, challenging and thought provoking message from that conference by Dr. Stan Jones entitled “Science, Social Science and Sexual Orientation.” Dr. Jones serves as Professor of Psychology and Core Studies at Wheaton College. You can find more from our 2013 EFCA Theology Confer...

The EFCA is deeply committed to the theological health of our pastors, church leaders and churches. One way we live out this commitment is though our annual theology conferences. On this episode of the podcast we share an interview with Greg Strand, EFCA Director of Biblical Theology and Credentialing, on the 2017 EFCA Theology Conference. Titled Reformation 500: Theology and Legacy – God’s Gospel...

In 2004, Dr. Robert Yarbrough encouraged pastors and church leaders at the EFCA Theology Conference to focus on the cross. On this episode of the podcast we share his conference message, in which he reminds us that Jesus’ death on the cross stands at the very center of the faith we confess, proclaim and live out every day. Dr. Yarbrough taught New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School f...

Have you ever wondered, "what are theologians for?" In this helpful lecture, Dr. Kevin Vanhooser seeks to answer that question by thoughtfully walking us through six metaphors that help us better understand the purpose and significance of theologians. Dr. Vanhooser serves as Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.We want to say a special w...