God‘s Story Podcast

How can we harmonize our Christian faith with the art and craft of film making? Brent talks to Crystal Downing about her new IVP book called ‘The Wages of Cinema: A Christian Aesthetics of Film in Conversation with Dorothy L. Sayers’. Crystal is an award winning author and has published six books.   (1:10) Dorothy L. Sayers and film; (6:50) What Christians often miss in film; (9:00) Some film hist...

The years after college or university can be some of the most uncertain times of life.  How do we best navigate them? Brent is joined by Erica Young Reitz who’s just published a revised and updated version of her IVP book ‘After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationships, and Faith’. Erica is the founder of After College Transition, an organization that helps practitioners equip students to th...

What is the ‘feminization’ of the church? Brent talks with Joshua Farris about his article in ‘American Reformer’ called ‘Feminization and the Church’. Joshua is an ordained priest with the diocese of Kagera and ACMI and a Canon Theologian on Missio Mosaic.  He’s the director and founder of Soul Science Ministries and Spiritually Driven Leadership.  (0:35) How feminism has reshaped our culture in...

How are our children being catechized these days? Brent talks with Joshua Farris about his ‘Missio Mosaic’ article ‘Icons, Childhood Development, and the Liturgical World: Raising Liturgical Beings’. Joshua is an ordained priest with the diocese of Kagera and ACMI and a Canon Theologian on Missio Mosaic.  He’s the director and founder of Soul Science Ministries and Spiritually Driven Leadership.  ...

What is the ‘extremely not secret history of the Council of Nicaea’? Why does Nicaea matter? The 20th of May marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.  Brent is joined by Susannah Black Roberts – a senior editor of ‘Plough’ - to talk about ‘Nicaea Guys.’   (0:35) The Council of Nicaea; (2:20) A secret history? (4:05) The major players; (9:35) Early belief about the Trinity; (14:15) At...

How does the dividing line between consciousness and science continue to blur? Brent talks with Joshua Farris about a new article in ‘Mind Matters’ called ‘Consciousness Blurs the Line Between Philosophy and Science’. Joshua is an ordained priest with the diocese of Kagera and ACMI and a Canon Theologian on Missio Mosaic.  He’s the director and founder of Soul Science Ministries and Spiritually Dr...

Brent is joined by Jennifer Holberg to discuss George Herbert’s classic poem ‘The Collar. Jennifer is professor and chair of the English Department at Calvin University in the States and co-director of the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing.  She’s also the author of the book ‘Nourishing Narratives’.  (0:50) Who is George Herbert? What is metaphysical poetry? (3:30) The poem; (6:30) The Collar as...

‘Modern Christianity is at a testing crossroads.  Many are captivated by Jesus or newly intrigued by him.  They know it’s possible to be a Christian and not be very much like Jesus, and they are rejecting expressions of Christianity that fail that test’. Brent talks with Marc Alan Schelske who’s the author of a new 40 day devotional from Live 210 Media called ‘Walking Otherward: Forty Meditations...

What’s the history of Christianity and Islam? How have the two faiths interrelated through the centuries? Brent talks with Wafik Wahba, the author of a new book from IVP called ‘Global Christianity and Islam: Exploring History, Politics, and Beliefs’. Wafik is professor of Global Christianity at Tyndale University in Toronto, Canada.  He has taught and lectured on global Christianity and Christian...

In a world where answered prayers often feel like statistical anomalies, Dr. Deanna Shrodes poses a radical question ‘What if what usually happens was never meant to be what usually happens’? Brent talks with Deanna Shrodes, the author of a new book from Baker Books called ‘Uncommon Answers: Partnering with the Holy Spirit to Receive Extraordinarily More’. Deanna is the director of PF Women and th...

What are some of the key political ideologies of our time? Why does what we believe about politics matter? Brent talks with David Koyzis about his IVP book ‘Political Visions and Illusions: A Survey and Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies’.  David is affiliated with Global Scholars Canada and is engaged in an international academic ministry of writing, researching, lecturing and conversi...

Is conflict actually a good thing? Brent talks with Richard Parrish about his new book from Richard Parrish Ministries called ‘The Gift of Conflict: The Art of Biblical Reconciliation’. Richard is the director of Richard Parrish Ministries, an outreach of Music Serving the Word.  Richard attends to the soul care of pastors, leaders, and learners.  He devotes his life to assisting others through wr...

Can we actually escape our past? To what extent does our past define us? Brent talks with Hannah Long about the 1947 film noir ‘Out of the Past’ directed by Jacques Tourneur and starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and Kirk Douglas. Hannah is a passionate cinephile.  She writes cultural commentary and film criticism for a number of publications including ‘The Despatch’, ‘Angelus News’, ‘The Bulwark...

How does Zechariah 12 speak of Jesus and the Passion Narrative? Brent talks with Dr. Alastair Roberts of the Theopolis Institute.    (0:25) What does chapter 12 describe? (2:25) Creation and re-creation; (3:35) The cup in v 2; (4:25) A civil war scenario? (5:20) V 3; (6:15) The nations; (6:50) V 4; (7:35) The fiery torch and blazing pot – v 6? (9:15) V 8 – the angel of the Lord; (10:40) A Davidic...

How does Matthew use chapter 11 of Zechariah? Brent talks with Dr. Alastair Roberts of the Theopolis Institute in the States.   (1:00) How Matthew uses chapter 11? (5:30) The Maccabean period or the period before the exile? (6:20) Verses 1-3 – the imagery; (8:15) Zechariah’s commission; (9:35) The slaughter; (9:50) V 5; (10:10) The 2 staffs; (11:15) V 8; (11:55) Jeremiah; (14:00) Verses 12-14 – th...

‘We were made by a Maker to be makers’. Brent talks with artist Bruce Herman about his new IVP America book ‘Makers by Nature: Letters from a Master Painter on Faith, Hope and Art’. In a series of fictional letters, Bruce passes on wisdom to a younger generation.  He explores a wide array of practical, philosophical, and theological issues. Bruce is a painter, writer and speaker.  His art has been...

‘Christians today feel more like cultural outsiders than ever before – yet many still long to help their communities flourish’. Brent is joined by Keith Simon one of the authors with Patrick Miller of a new Zondervan book ‘Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture’. Keith is a lead pastor at ‘The Crossing’ and he co-hosts the podcasts ‘Ten Minute Bible Talks’ and ‘Tru...

How can we pursue our callings while managing our risk for burnout? Brent talks with Arianna Molloy about her new book from IVP called ‘Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work’. Arianna is associate professor of organizational communication at Biola University.  Her research focuses on meaningful work, work as a calling, and the connection between humility and burnout in the workpl...

Brent talks with Britney Higgs, a dedicated advocate, Founder and CEO of HER campaign, a non-profit organization based in Billings, Montana.  She has a deep passion for empowering survivors of human trafficking.  Britney, along with her husband Sammy, established HER campaign in 2016 to provide aftercare programs and support for survivors in their journey from recovery to economic independence.  (...

What is conservatism? What is Christian humanism? Brent continues his discussion with Graham McAleer and Alexander S. Rosenthal-Pubul about their Notre Dame Press book called ‘The Wisdom of Our Ancestors: Conservative Humanism and the Western Tradition’. Graham is professor of philosophy at Loyola University in Maryland and the author of a number of books including ‘Tolkien, Philosopher of War’. A...

What is conservatism? What is Christian humanism? Brent is joined by Graham McAleer and Alexander S. Rosenthal-Pubul for the first part of a discussion about their new Notre Dame Press book ‘The Wisdom of our Ancestors: Conservative Humanism and the Western Tradition’. Graham is professor of philosophy at Loyola University in Maryland and the author of a number of books including ‘Tolkien, Philoso...

‘Churches are called to care for the vulnerable, but churches have not always led the way in becoming places safe from abuse’. Brent is joined by Taylor Patterson, one of the authors together with Lisa Compton of a new IVP book called ‘Skills for Safeguarding: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church’. Taylor is a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma, inclu...

Who was artist Georges Rouault? In what sense was he a prophet in the darkness? Many consider Georges Rouault to be one of the most important painters of the last few centuries, yet both the secular world and the church have struggled to engage with his work which is profoundly shaped by his Christian faith. Brent talks with Wesley Vander Lugt who is the editor of a new book with IVP America ‘A Pr...

Joshua Farris joins Brent to discuss a recent article with ‘American Reformer’ called ‘Stop Praying for Revival (At Least the Way We Used To’).   Joshua is an ordained priest with the Diocese of Kagera and ACMI and a Canon Theologian on Missio Mosaic. He’s the director and founder of Soul Science Ministries and Spiritually Driven Leadership. (0:50) Why stop praying for revival (at least the way we...

Why did God allow such pain and trauma in my life? What good could possibly come from it? Will I ever get free? ‘When Karen Sjoblom relocated to her Midwest birthplace after her daughter left for college, she anticipated exciting possibilities in her newly empty nested stage.  Instead she found herself on an unexpected pilgrimage through past trauma and rigid generational expectations’. Karen is a...