God‘s Story Podcast

‘In a world full of suffering and death, humans long for abundant life’. Brent talks with Jeff Brannon, professor of biblical studies and chair of the biblical studies and Christian ministries department at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi in the States. Jeff’s new book from IVP is ‘The Hope of Life After Death: A Biblical Theology of Resurrection’.  (1:20) The importance of Jesus’ resu...

What might the fictional worlds of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia and Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ teach us about the stewardship of creation? Brent talks to Kristen Page, the Ruth Strohschein Distinguished Chair and professor of biology at Wheaton College, Illinois in the USA about her new IVP book ‘The Wonders of Creation: Learning Stewardship from Narnia and Middle-Earth’. Kristen’s work is in numero...

How does the Bible speak of God’s emotions? Brent and Ian talk with David Lamb, the Allan A. MacRae Professor of Old Testament and dean of faculty at Missio Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He previously worked in campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and has taught extensively in various cross cultural contexts. David’s new IVP book is ‘The Emotions of God – Making Sense...

‘Our most loved Bible verses are loved for a reason – John 3:16, Matthew 23:12 and so on.  But do we really understand the passages as God intended us to?’ Speaker, radio producer and author Jay Payleitner sought to resolve that question and found the answer in his new book published by Whitaker House called ‘The Next Verse: What You Never Knew About 60 of Your Favorite Bible Passages’.  Jay is on...

Brent and Ian are back in the gospel of Mark. How do we see growing opposition to Jesus and unbelief in these verses? (0:45) The disciples’ understanding; (1:23) Growing opposition and unbelief; (3:30) What happens at the bottom of the mountain? (4:00) The Teachers of the Law; (8:05) Unbelief in these verses; (11:00) What evil does to people; (18:00) Power comes through service; (18:30) Children;...

Throughout China’s growing cities, a new wave of house churches is growing.  How have they endured despite government pressure and cultural marginalization? Brent talks with Hannah Nation, the managing director of the Center for House Church Theology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the States.  Hannah is a writer and student of missions history and World Christianity and she’s the editor with J. D....

On December 1, 1955 an African-American woman by the name of Rosa Parks refused to give up  her seat to a white person on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.  The rest is history… Brent and Ian talk with Rosa Parks' friend and founder of O Museum in the Mansion in Washington, D.C., H. H. Leonards about her new book published by R.H. Boyd in the States called ‘Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons, an...

How does intercessory prayer transform us and the world? Brent talks with Carolyn Carney, the national director of spiritual formation for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  Carolyn has led prayer groups and intercessory prayer training for more than 30 years. Carolyn’s book from IVP America is ‘The Power of Group Prayer – How Intercession Transforms Us and the World’. (0:50) What intercessory pr...

‘Why are you single? Just because’. However we answer that question, what’s more important than WHY we are single is how we LIVE as singles’. Brent talks with Bridget Gee, the spiritual formation coordinator for InterVarsity’s Study Abroad programmes, where she directs European pilgrimages for students, staff and partners to experience contemplative followings of Jesus.  Bridget is also the host o...

Is Christian teaching narrow and outdated? What is Christian teaching and orthodoxy and how have we strayed from it? Brent talks to Trevin Wax, the author of a new IVP book called ‘The Thrill of Orthodoxy – Rediscovering the Adventure of Christian Faith’ Trevin is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor of theology at Cedarvi...

How do we do mission in the 21st century? Could it be that we can get alongside people and serve as humble alongsiders? Brent talks to Craig Greenfield, the author of a new IVP book called ‘Subversive Mission.  Serving as Outsiders in a World of Need’. Craig is the founder and director of Alongsiders International, a grassroots movement of young Christians reaching the world’s poorest children.  C...

How does the technology we use use us? How do the digital age and its values affect the life of Christians and the church? Brent talks with Jay Kim, the author of a new IVP America book called ‘Analog Christian.  Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age’. Jay is the lead pastor at WestGate Church in the Silicon Valley in the States and is on the leadership team of the ReG...

‘America has lost its way. And America will fall unless…’ Brent and Ian are joined by Os Guinness who talks about his latest IVP book ‘Zero Hour America.  History’s Ultimatum Over Freedom and the Answer We Must Give’. Os is the author or editor of more than 30 books, the founder of the Trinity Forum, a prominent social critic, and a frequent speaker who has addressed audiences worldwide. (1:05) Ha...

How do we ‘do’ church in the 21st century? How do we do church in a new pandemic era? Brent talks to Benjamin Windle, a Millennial/Gen Z specialist pastor from Australia about his new Barna Ideas paper/ebook ‘Digital Church in a Lonely World’. Benjamin is the pastor of Lifeplace Church in Brisbane, Australia.  He has over 20 years of pastoral work experience in the States and Australia and is an a...

Is it wrong to doubt? What part does doubt play in faith? Brent talks with Travis Dickinson, Professor of Philosophy at Dallas Baptist University.  Travis has taught courses in philosophy and Christian apologetics for over 20 years and has done apologetics and evangelism in more than 35 countries! ‘Wandering Toward God – Finding Faith amid Doubts and Big Questions’ is published by IVP America. (0:...

How does the Old Testament Law fit into the Bible’s story and how is it relevant to the church today? Is it relevant to the church today? Brent and Ian talk with Richard Averbeck, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Divinity School in Illinois in the States. Richard’s new book from IVP America is ‘The Old Testament Law for the Life of the Church -Reading the Torah in the Li...

Where do your allegiances lie? Do you put your politics or culture before Jesus? Brent and Ian talk to Patrick Miller, one of the co-hosts of the ‘Truth Over Tribe’ podcast in the States. Patrick and his co-host Keith Simon are pastors and authors.  They’ve written for ‘Christianity Today’ and their new book published by David C Cook is ‘Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, not the D...

‘You’re not good enough. ‘You need to try harder’.   We all have voices in our heads telling us all kinds of things. How do we silence them? And how do we hear the voice of God? Brent and Ian talk with Gem Fadling, a founding partner of Unhurried Living. Inc, a nonprofit that trains people to rest deeper, live fuller and lead better.  Gem is a certified life coach and a trained spiritual director....

Have you ever thought about the connection between jazz music and the Christian gospel? Brent talks with William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics and Coordinator of the Apologetics Department at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in the States about his new IVP book ‘A Supreme Love – The Music of Jazz and the Hope of the Gospel’. (1:00) The connection between jazz and the Christian go...

Brent talks to Steven Collis, the author of a new novel based on a true story called ‘Praying with the Enemy’ published by Shadow Mountain in the States. A captured American soldier during the Korean War attempts a daring escape for freedom.... Steven is a storyteller and a law professor at the University of Texas School of Law and the faculty director of Texas's Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Cent...

What’s the role of suffering in the Christian life? Why do evil and suffering exist in the world? Brent and Ian talk with Bill and Will Kynes, the authors of a new IVP America book called ‘Wrestling with Job: Defiant Faith in the Face of Suffering’. Bill was the senior pastor at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, Virginia. He’s a senior teaching fellow with the C.S. Lewis Institute...

How likely is relapse for those struggling with addiction, mental health issues and suicidal thoughts? Brent talks with George Wood and Brit Eaton about their new book from Whitaker House called ‘The Uncovery: Understanding the Power of Community to Heal Trauma’. George is an ordained minister, pastoral care counselor,  recovery ministry founder and recovery activist.  He’s the founder of the Sobe...

Brent talks with Sarah Cowan Johnson, the author of a new IVP America book called ‘Teach Your Children Well – A Step-by-Step Guide for Family Discipleship’. How do we parent our children in ways that lead to lasting faith? Sarah is a ministry trainer, consultant, and coach who works with church planters, pastors, and ministry leaders across the States.  She leads seminars for parents on family dis...

What is the book of Revelation all about? What if we interpreted the book in the light of God’s mission to redeem the creation? Brent talks with Dean Flemming, Professor of New Testament and Missions at Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas in the States. Dean’s book ‘Foretaste of the Future – Reading Revelation in Light of God’s Mission’ is published by IVP America. (1:00) How Dean wa...

Brent and Ian continue their exploration of Mark’s gospel. Why Jesus' suffering means that we suffer. (1:30) What type of king will Jesus be? (1:50) Why Jesus’ path to glory is through suffering and death; (3:30) Following Jesus; (4:50) Jesus’ suffering entails our suffering; (9:33) When does the Kingdom come? (10:05) The Transfiguration; (12:26) Moses and Elijah; (13:43) The glory cloud and the T...