EFCA Theology Podcast

How should we think about suffering and evil? More specifically, which biblical truths should we plant deep in our hearts before we find ourselves in the midst of suffering? On this episode of the podcast we share a lecture by D.A Carson on this important topic. Rather than giving us pointers on how to endure suffering after it has begun, Dr. Carson provides six foundational pillars that will help...

In 2002, the EFCA Theology Conference sought to examine the biblical and theological issues related to leadership in the local church. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. Steven Roy entitled, "The Pastor as Theologian and Practitioner." In his message, Dr. Roy calls Christian leaders to minister as both theologians who carefully study and apply of God’s w...

Faithful Christian leaders know that their preaching and teaching of God’s Word needs to communicate both the meaning of Scripture in light of the Bible’s big, overarching story of redemption as well as help us understand, in basic categories, what we should believe and how we should live. On this episode of the podcast, we share a conference message by Dr. Graham Cole entitled, “Think Biblically,...

We often think of Revelation 20 merely as the biblical chapter that is devoted to the Millennium. According to D.A. Carson, however, it is a passage that is “primarily about the defeat of Satan, his associates and his followers.” On this episode of the podcast we share a conference message by Dr. Carson on Revelation 20 that will help us better understand both the passage's teaching on the Millenn...

Many people (including some within our EFCA family) are surprised to learn that we allow the practice of both believer’s baptism and infant baptism in our churches. To help us better understand our commitment to unity on this issue, the 2005 EFCA Theology Conference took up the task of examining “Baptism and the EFCA.” On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr....

Do you consider culture to be the friend or enemy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? In 2014, the EFCA Theology Conference wrestled with questions like this as it took up the theme of "Christian Faithfulness in a Changing Culture." On this episode of the podcast, we share a thought-provoking conference message from Leith Anderson titled, “Evangelicals in 21st Century American Culture.” In this message...

“We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that...

Have we let the "how" of ministry replace the "what" and the "why?" Have we lost our sense of urgency for gospel-centered disciplemaking in the local church? On this episode of the podcast, we share a 2015 EFCA One conference message from Dr. Crawford Loritts in which he challenges us to wrestle with these questions and remember the urgency of our calling. Dr. Loritts is the Senior Pastor of Fello...

These are uncertain times. Anyone with eyes to see is aware that we are living in an unstable, rapidly changing culture. On this episode of the podcast, we share a conference message from EFCA President Kevin Kompelien titled, “A Solid Foundation in Uncertain Days.” In this message, Kevin reminds us that the way forward will not be found through a clever strategy or slick plan, but rather in the f...

“We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.” Article 4, E...

Christian Leaders often ask, “What is the mission of the Church?” On this episode of the podcast we share a message from our 2013 EFCA One Conference by Kevin DeYoung titled, “The Ministry of Jesus and the Mission of God.”Kevin is the pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI.

For more than four decades Dr. John Woodbridge has been helping EFCA pastors and church leaders understand and apply the lessons of church history. On today’s episode, we share his conference message from the 2015 EFCA Theology Conference, entitled, “The History of Biblical Authority: Nine Pointers.”Dr. Woodbridge serves as Research Professor of Church History and the History of Christian Thought...

"We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God." -from Article 6, EFCA Statement of FaithThe Bible teaches that anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ is now in “union with Christ.” What does this...

Historically, the EFCA has made an intentional decision not to divide over secondary issues. We often refer to this deeply held value as “the significance of silence.” In 2015, the EFCA Theology Conference wrestled with “the significance of silence” as it relates to our inclusion of Calvinist, Arminian and Lutheran understandings of the doctrine of salvation. On this episode of the podcast, we sha...

In 2013, EFCA Pastor Matt Mitchell wrote a helpful book called Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue . On this episode of the podcast, we share Mark Mellinger’s Gospel Coalition interview with Matt on the book. Matt Mitchell is the Pastor of Lanse Evangelical Free Church in Lanse, Pennsylvania. We want to thank Mark and Matt for graciously giving us permission to share this inter...

Recently Greg Strand, director of Biblical Theology and Credentialing, was invited to give the Founders' Day lecture at Trinity Evangelical Divintiy School. On this episode of the podcast we share his address on the history and heritage of the Evangelical Free Church of America and Trinity International University. You can find more information on the EFCA here and on Trinity International Univers...

In 2015, the EFCA Theology Conference focused on the doctrine of the Scriptures. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from the conference by D.A. Carson entitled, "An Introduction to the Present-Day Discussion." Dr. Carson serves as Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.You can find more resources from our 2015 EFCA Theology Confe...

Most would agree that we find ourselves in the midst of a cultural sea-change in the area of human sexuality. In light of this, our 2013 EFCA Theology Conference focused on this topic. On this episode of the podcast, we share a conference message by Dr. Wesley Hill in which he shares his personal testimony as well as his theological and ecclesial reflections on this important topic. The episode in...

The 2016 EFCA Theology Conference challenged us to think deeply about the doctrine of the church. On this episode we share a conference message by Dr. Bill Kynes titled "Shepherding God's Church: The Privilege of Being a Pastor." Dr. Kynes serves as the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, Virginia. You can find more resources from our 2014 EFCA Theology Conference he...

This year, our EFCA Theology Conference challenged us to think deeply about the doctrine of the church. On this episode of the podcast we share a conference message from Dr. Michael Lawrence called “The Church: A Visible Community.”Dr. Lawrence serves as the Senior Pastor of Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, OR.You can find more resources from our 2016 EFCA Theology Conference here .

Once every two years, our EFCA family gathers for a conference called EFCA One. On this episode of the podcast we share a conference message from our 2015 EFCA One conference called "The Gospel and Transformation" by Dr. Phil Ryken. Dr. Ryken serves as the President of Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL.You can find more from the 2015 EFCA One Conference at experience.efcaone.com .

"In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed." Article 8, EFCA Statement of FaithIn the EFCA, we believe that we have been called to make disciples "among all people." What does this really mean? Where and how does the Bible teach us this vital truth? What does it look like to attempt to live it out in life a...

The 2016 EFCA Theology Conference challenged us to think deeply about the doctrine of the church. On this episode of the podcast we share a conference message from Dr. Greg Waybright called “The Church: A Missional Community.”Dr. Waybright is the pastor of Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, CA and the former President of Trinity International University.

The 2016 EFCA Theology Conference challenged us to think deeply about the doctrine of the church. On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Joseph Hellerman's thought provoking conference message titled The Church: A New Kinship Community. Dr. Hellerman serves as Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, CA.

The 2016 EFCA Theology Conference challenged us to think deeply about the doctrine of the church. In this opening address, Dr. Timothy George opened the topic for us with a message titled What Is a Church? A Biblical and Historical Overview. Dr. George serves as the Dean and Professor of Divinity, History and Doctrine at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala.