Faith in the Folds

Today’s episode is part two of my conversation with Alex Bernardo, host of the Protestant Libertarian Podcast. In this episode, I’ve asked Alex about three specific things libertarians believe: 1) Libertarians say things like “Taxation is theft.” How is it theft? Aren’t taxes the price we pay for living in a civilized society? 2) Drugs hurt people, so why do libertarians want drugs to be legal? 3)...

Today on the podcast I interview Alex Bernardo, host of the Protestant Libertarian Podcast. In this first of a two-part conversation, Alex and I talk about how he became a libertarian (it might have something to do with him being a public school teacher), what is libertarianism, and does libertarianism have any biblical basis. We talked candidly and honestly, and I hope you come away from our conv...

Joining me on the podcast is Luke Dockery, Youth In Family Minister for the Cloverdale Church of Christ in Searcy, AR, and John David Alston, Youth Minister for the Kings Crossing Church of Christ in Corpus Christi, TX. Today we talk about some highlights of Harding University's Centennial Lectureship, which lectures we liked the most, and why we love going to lectureship.

Today I sit down with Matthew Bates, professor of Theology at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois to discuss two of his more recent books, Why the Gospel? Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose , and Salvation By Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King . Bates has argued convincingly that “faith” in the New Testament means much more than “belief,” and...

Today I catch up with one of my favorite New Testament scholars, Constantine Campbell. Con has written two books this, an excellent commentary on Ephesians, and a provocative book on the problems facing American evangelicalism. In our interview, we discuss how the spiritual worldview of the #Bible informs both the issues which faced the Ephesians during Paul’s time as well as politically intereste...

Joining me on the podcast today is Joy Vaughan (PhD, Asbury Theological Seminary) Assistant Professor of New Testament at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. I’m excited to talk with Joy about her new book, Phenomenal Phenomena: Biblical and Multicultural Accounts of Spirits and Exorcism. In the wake of the Asbury Outpouring (February-March, 2023), Joy says she has noticed a dramatic interest in und...

Joining me today is Justin Brierley, #Christian author, speaker, and broadcaster. Justin has hosted many of Justin is a longtime radio and podcast host who has interviewed many of Europe’s and North America’s leading intellectuals in conversations about the intersection of #religion, #science, #culture, #society, and #politics. In 2017 he wrote Unbelievable?: Why After Ten Years of Talking with At...

Over the last year various news and ministry outlets have reported on an acute shortage of preachers and ministers in Churches of Christ. It seems social and political angst may be a factor, as well as certain trends among many Churches of Christ. In today's episode I discuss some reasons for this minister shortage and I offer a few tentative suggestions for how we can address this growing problem...

Over the last year various news and ministry outlets have reported on an acute shortage of preachers and ministers in Churches of Christ. It seems social and political angst may be a factor, as well as certain trends among many Churches of Christ. In today's episode I discuss some reasons for this minister shortage and I offer a few tentative suggestions for how we can address this growing problem...

Today's episode is part 2 of 2, and in this episode Thomas Lyons and I dig into what is really happening at the #asburyrevival. Tom has hours and hours of firsthand experience, not to mention a critical (i.e. discerning) eye for revival movements. In the first half of the episode I briefly work through the timetable of what started on February 8, 2023, and I remark on some of the criticisms that h...

On Wednesday February 8, 2023, Asbury University held morning chapel like usual. What was unusual was that chapel service didn't stop. Eyewitnesses say students lingered, the band continued playing, and they haven't stopped a week and a half later. What began as a regular weekly gathering has turned into something garnering international attention and being called a "revival," an "outpouring," or...

Matt Love is one of my favorite young preachers. So, in December 2022 when I saw a certain Facebook post of his going around I knew it would be good. Matt joins us on the podcast today to share his list of five ways churches and #church members can better support those who minister to them. For preachers and any kind of #minister, Matt’s words are comforting and encouraging. Check out Matt’s list...

What is Christian Nationalism, and why is it attractive to so many today? Is it really “Christian,” or a dangerous mixture of politics and religion? Join me and guest Wes McAdams as we discuss #Christian #Nationalism, how it is different from #patriotism, and how Christians today should view the use of political power for creating more just societies. Wes McAdams is the preaching minister for the...

Today on the podcast I’m joined by John Nichols and Matt Collins of the Collegeside Church of Christ in #Cookeville, TN. Both John and Matt grew up in middle Tennessee churches which dedicated specific times and opportunities for training young people to grow their gifts of teaching, preaching, and sharing the gospel. Earlier this year they both sensed a strong need to offer something like this at...

Today I welcome back Ross Harriman, my favorite #Tolkien expert and a budding scholar on resurrection in the New Testament. In this episode which was recorded right before Halloween, we delve into the world of Bible and the worlds of our favorite #fantasy series like Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter to talk about how #magic operates in these worlds, and to see how it d...

Today on the podcast I share an older lecture of mine entitled “The Ghost with the Most: Demon Possession and Holy Spirit Indwelling in Luke-Acts.” In May 2018 I have the privilege to speak at Pepperdine University’s Bible lectureship, and the theme for that year was the Holy Spirit. The #church where I grew up did not hold a restrictive view of the Holy #Spirit, but neither do I remember us talki...

Today I’m joined by two preachers who joined forces with three others from #Nashville to participate in one of the most exciting and beautiful multi #church ventures in a long time. Christopher Jackson of the Jackson Street Church of Christ and Patterson Morgan of the Antioch Church of Christ sit down with me to talk about this momentous experience which, in my opinion, can genuinely be called a m...

In July of 2022 I posed the question on Facebook, "When a #preacher (specifically during the #sermon) makes a point from a #Hebrew or #Greek word, have you found that information helpful and informative, or distracting and unnecessary?" The comments in the video are pulled from that Facebook post, and in this video we cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of using biblical languages in sermons.

Today I sit down with Dr. Candice McQueen, President of Lipscomb University, to discuss the current state of #Christian higher education. With #church membership and religious affiliation falling steadily over the last few decades, I wanted to ask Dr. McQueen how this trend is affecting Christian universities, and how those schools particularly affiliated with Churches of Christ are doing. Despite...

Today I sit down Dr. A. J. Swoboda, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and World Christianity at Bushnell University in Eugene, OR. I was first introduced to Dr. Swoboda through a recommendation for his book, After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith without Losing It. I read through his book and used it for a Wednesday PM Bible study, and loved it. His earnestness in dealing with the issues of...

In May of 2022, Dr. Carson Reed (Siburt Institute for Church Ministry, Abilene Christian University) penned a short but important article highlighting a growing problem facing many churches in America today: the shortage of ministers working in congregational settings. Today I sit down with Carson to ask him how this trend began, what can be done about it at the congregational level, and how can c...

In 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment granted a woman the fundamental right to privacy, which included her right to an abortion. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , stating that the right to an abortion was not inherent to the due process clause. Christian...

Today I sit down with Reverend Dr. Drew Holland, Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the #UniversityOfTennessee Southern. Drew and I first met in 2014 when we began Asbury's doctoral program, and we became fast friends given our mutual support for the same college football team. Given his expertise in the #OldTestament and his time as a minister, I wanted to ask him about the joys an...

Today’s episode is the conclusion of our series on the #NewTestament, and I couldn’t think of a better guest than Dr. Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Gorman has written nearly twenty books on the New Testament, the letters of Paul, and #Revelation. His book Reading Revelation Responsibly is a...

Today I sat down with Dr. Constantine Campbell, Honorary Research Associate of the Sydney College of Divinity. Con has been teaching for almost 15 years and has written extensively on the theology Paul, the letters of #John, and various aspects of Greek grammar. In addition to his scholarly works, Con has several video teaching guides that are perfect for church audiences. We had a great time talk...