God‘s Story Podcast

Who was artist and missionary Lilias Trotter? Brent talks with Jennifer Trafton about her new B and H book ‘If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter’. Jennifer has been a regular conference speaker, writer, teacher, editor and illustrator for the Nashville based Rabbit Room creative community for over a decade.  Her nove...

Would the existence of aliens change your beliefs about God? Brent discusses Spielberg’s latest movie ‘Disclosure Day’ with passionate cinephile, Hannah Long. Hannah writes cultural commentary and film criticism for a number of publications including ‘The Despatch’, ‘Angelus News’, ‘The Bulwark’, ‘First Things’ and ‘Christianity Today’. (0:30) Spielberg and aliens; (3:10) A thriller; (4:55) The ca...

In what ways are human beings creatures? Brent talks with Brian Brock about his Baker Books book ‘Joining Creation’s Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness’. Brian holds a personal Chair in Moral and Political Theology.  He joined the University of Aberdeen following postdoctoral studies at the Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nurnberg and a doctorate in Christian Ethics at King’s Co...

‘Do you struggle with doubt in a noisy, uncertain world? You’re not alone and there is a way ahead’. Brent talks with Dr Sean Cortopassi about his new Redemption Press book ‘The Way Ahead: Walking Together in Faith Through the Spiritual Trials of Our Time’. Sean has served more than 16 years in federal service, including leadership roles focused on mission impact and public service.  He’s an ordai...

Have you ever wanted to look over the shoulder of an expert apologist as he has conversations about faith? Brent talks with Louis Markos about his new IVP book ‘My Apologetics Dinner: A Real-Life Socratic Dialogue’. Louis is professor of English and Scholar in Residence at Houston Christian University where he holds the Robert H. Ray chair in humanities.  He’s the author of a lot of books includin...

How can we get through when we feel lonely and confused? How can we live in this broken world? Brent talks with Alan Noble about his new IVP book ‘To Live Well: Practical Wisdom for Moving Through Chaotic Times’. Alan is Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, a fellow of the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, and author of a number of books. Alan has published articles...

What does the wilderness mean to you? What have you learnt from it? Brent talks with Noel Forlini Burt about her new IVP book ‘God in the Desert: A Spiritual Theology of Wilderness in the Old Testament’. Noel explores Old Testament wilderness narratives in conversation with voices from church history. Noel teaches widely in the intersection of biblical studies and spiritual formation. She’s the au...

‘The difference between leaders who thrive and those who burn out isn’t talent or training – it’s rhythm’. Brent talks with Gregory Woodard about his new book ‘Leadership from Within: Navigating the Path Toward Soul-Driven Success’. Gregory has been active in Christian leadership for many years as a spiritual director and a life and friendship coach.  He served 15 years as a navy chaplain, and sev...

‘In an era marked by anxiety, polarization, and spiritual overload, many Christians are struggling to hear the voice of Jesus amid the noise of daily life’. Brent talks with Rick Hamlin about his new book from Church Publishing called ‘Everlasting Jesus: 40 Days of Timeless Wisdom for Modern Living’. Rick brings decades of experience to this work.  He’s a former executive editor at ‘Guideposts’, a...

Am I my body not just my soul? Brent talks with Greg Allison and Joshua Farris about Greg’s article in ‘Christ Over All’ called ‘The Embodied Person: Why I Am My Body, Not Just My Soul’. Dr. Greg Allison serves as Professor of Christian Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He previously taught at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.  He has 18 years of ministry experience as a staf...

How do we help our children experience life at a slower pace? Brent talks with Grace Pouch about her new IVP America book ‘Savoring Childhood: Practical Wisdom for Slowing Down’. Grace is content manager for Renovare where she curates and produces resources for spiritual renewal.  She previously served as a seminary professor and Christian education specialist for elementary school children.   (0:...

What is being ‘born again’? What does it mean In the context of John’s gospel? Brent talks with Dr. Alastair Roberts of the Theopolis Institute in the States.  (0:25) Born again; (2:55) Birth and resurrection; (4:40) A new Exodus; (6:20) Nicodemus; (9:00) Water and the Spirit; (10:55) Flesh and Spirit; (12:30) Numbers; (15:30) John 3:16-21; (18:00) John’s baptism; (21:30) The bridegroom; (24:30) C...

What’s the significance of the third day in John chapter 2? The third day after what? Brent talks with Dr. Alastair Roberts of the Theopolis Institute in the States.  (0:25) The third day; (2:00) Mary’s name; (4:30) The water and purification themes; (5:45) The book of signs; (9:30) Sabbatical themes; (10:30) The six water pots; (12:15) Water into wine; (13:45) The Temple cleansing; (16:20) A jour...

In October 2002 random bullets turned everyday errands into life or death risks across the Washington DC area.  For one Jewish woman the Beltway sniper crisis became the breaking point that led to an unbreakable faith. Brent talks with Cara Shine about her new book ‘The Hallway Miracle: The Prayer That Opened a Jewish Heart to Jesus’. Cara is a retired award winning elementary school teacher with...

Brent talks with Jane Zwart about her new Orison Books collection of poems called ‘Oddest and Oldest and Saddest and Best’. Jane teaches English at Calvin College in the States where she also codirects the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing.  Her poems have appeared in ‘The Southern Review’, ‘Threepenny Review’ and ‘Ploughshares’ as well as other journals and magazines.   (0:50) The start of the...

Do you find the Old Testament difficult? How does the Old Testament point us to Jesus? Brent talks with Ian Vaillancourt about his new IVP book ‘Unfolding Redemption: The Heart of the Gospel in the Story of Old Testament History’. Ian is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Heritage Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario.  He’s the author of a number of books.    (0:45) Redemption and the...

Brent and Hannah Long discuss the 1958 Western ‘The Big Country’ directed by William Wyler and starring Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Jean Simmons and Burl Ives among many others. Hannah is a passionate cinephile.  She writes cultural commentary and film criticism for a number of publications including ‘The Despatch’, ‘Angelus News’, ‘The Bulwark’, ‘First Things’ and ‘Christianity Today’.  (0:50)...

Why are we so afraid of suffering in the modern church? Brent talks with Karen Sjoblom the author of a new book called ‘Holy Disturbance: Reacquainting the Church and Her People with the Gifts of Suffering’. Over a nearly 40 year career Karen has written on healthcare, science, technology, nonprofits and education for myriad clients such as American Express, Blue Cross Blue Shield and many others....

Have you ever wondered what to answer when your children ask you questions about the Bible or your faith? Brent talks with Meredith Miller about her new book from Worthy Books called ‘Wonder: 52 Conversations to Help Kids Fall in Love With Scripture’. Meredith is a pastor and parent whose unique combination of seminary training, 20 plus years’ experience in family ministry, and research expertise...

How did a walk by the sea and ‘a big philosophical think’ lead to one of the great apologists of the early Christian church? Brent talks with Susannah Black Roberts about the great second century church father Justin Martyr and her new article in ‘Plough’ called ‘A Gadfly of God’.   Susannah is a senior editor of ‘Plough’ and has written for publications including ‘First Things’, ‘Mere Orthodoxy’...

Can one devotional lead you through the entire Bible? Brent talks with Benjamin McGreevy about the first volume in a new verse by verse commentary series. Benjamin is a lifelong student of Scripture committed to illuminating all 31, 102 verses of the Bible through a projected 104 volume series of verse by verse reflections.  Benjamin is currently pursuing his graduate studies in Biblical Expositio...

Why is change so hard? Where is God amid these changes? Brent talks with Courtney Ellis about her new IVP book ‘Weathering Change: Seeking Peace Amid Life’s Tough Transitions’. Courtney is a pastor at Presbyterian Church of The Master in Mission Viejo, California.  She’s the author of 6 books and hosts ‘The Thing with Feathers’ Podcast.    (1:00) Why is change so difficult? (1:45) Embracing change...

How do we deal with vocation and marriage? Brent talks with Jennifer Holberg about George Eliot’s classic novel ‘Middlemarch’. Jennifer is professor and chair of the English Department at Calvin University in the States and the director of the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing. She’s also the author of the book ‘Nourishing Narratives’.  (1:10) A novel for grown up people; (3:15) 1832; (6:00) The...

How do we deal with dragons? Brent talks with New Zealand fantasy author Joanne Rolston about her life and her book ‘The Kingdom – Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams’. Joanne began writing in 2015.  She is trained in information technology, gained a diploma in business and starting a family owned IT company with her husband in 2007.  Joanne maintains several blogs and has self-published two books wit...

What is Sabbath? Brent talks with G.P. Wagenfuhr and Amy J. Erickson about their new IVP book ‘Sabbath Gospel: A New Narrative of Time, Rest, and the Work of the Church’. G.P. Wagenfuhr is lead pastor of Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church in Yakima, WA and teaches at the Flourish Institute of Technology. Amy teaches theology and ethics at St. Mark’s National Theological Center in Canberra, Austra...