God‘s Story Podcast

How and why is the Lord Jesus Christ beautiful? In what ways is God beauty itself? Brent talks with Samuel Parkison about his new Christian Focus book called ‘The Unvarnished Jesus: The Beauty of Christ and his Ugly Rivals’. Samuel is Associate Professor of Theological Studies at Gulf Theological Seminary in the United Arab Emirates.  He’s the author of several books.  (0:47) The beauty of Christ;...

Brent is joined by philosophers Bernardo Kastrup and Joshua Farris to talk about Near Death Experiences. Bernardo is a philosopher and computer scientist best known for his work in the field of consciousness studies particularly his development of analytic idealism.  He’s written several books and papers arguing against physicalism and proposing that consciousness is the fundamental aspect of real...

In 2014 aerial photography revealed a submerged structure beneath the water of Lake Iznik, near the ancient city of Nicaea.  Was it the location of the First Council of Nicaea? Brent talks with Mark Fairchild about his new book from IVP ‘The Underwater Basilica of Nicaea: Archaeology in the Birthplace of Christian Theology’. Mark was professor of Bible and Religion at Huntingdon University.  He sp...

What is a person? Where did the idea of personhood come from? Brent talks with Joshua Farris about his recent articles on personhood on De Gruyter.    (0:50) Where did the idea of a person come from? (4:15) Boethius and personhood; (7:15) The Reformation and personhood. Calvin; (11:05) Modern Europe and the States; (13:45) Descartes and the person; (16:40) Jonathan Edwards and the person; (19:05)...

Do you feel as though you’re in a valley of dry bones? Brent talks with Dr. Patricia Boyce, the author of a new book from Renown Publishing called ‘Light for the Journey Through Dry Bone Valley: How Points of Connection in You, Your Relationships, and Your Community Can Reinvigorate Your Life’. Patricia is a licensed professional counselor of Mental Health in Delaware and Maryland.  She’s National...

Brent talks with Jennifer Holberg about John Donne and his holy sonnet ‘Batter my heart, three-person'd God’. How does Donne describe God at work with his soul? 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’.  (1:40) Who was John Donne...

How are Exodus themes prominent in Zechariah 10? Brent talks with Dr. Alastair Roberts of the Theopolis Institute in the States.  (0:25) The oracle; (1:10) More Exodus material; (3:45) V 2; (5:10) Sheep and shepherd imagery; (7:30) The Seleucids; (8:00) V 4 – the cornerstone? (8:55) Verses 10 and 11 – a return from exile; (11:40) V 10 – Gilead and Lebanon; (12:10) Strength and strengthening. Links...

Is Jesus our greater Alexander the Great? Brent talks with Dr. Alastair Roberts of the Theopolis Institute in the States about Zechariah 9.  (0:30) Chapter 9 and a new section; (1:50) Chapter 1-8 and 9-14; (3:00) Alexander the Great; (6:10) Exodus themes; (7:30) Cities conquered by Alexander; (8:30) Tyre and Sidon; (10:30) V 9 – Jesus and Alexander the Great; (14:00) V 9 and 10 – Genesis 49 and Ps...

How can Christians live as citizens of God’s kingdom while also fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens of political communities? Brent talks with David Koyzis about his new IVP book ‘Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement’. David is affiliated with Global Scholars Canada and is engaged in an international academic ministry of writing, researching, lecturing...

Why are there so many translations of the Bible? Brent talks with Tim Wildsmith about his new Zondervan book ‘Bible Translations for Everyone: A Guide to Finding a Bible That’s Right For You’. Tim is an ordained pastor and writer who is best known as the creator of a multi-platform online ministry designed to help people find a Bible that’s right for them.  Tim earned a Master of Divinity from Ful...

Why is the soul so important in the Christian tradition? Why is it important that we are embodied beings? Brent talks with Joshua Farris about a recent article he’s published with the University of St. Andrews called ‘Substance Dualist Theological Anthropology’. 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...

What constitutes a happy life and how do young people find it? Brent talks with Anna Moreland and Thomas Smith about their new book from Catholic University of America Press  called ‘The Young Adult Playbook: Living Like It Matters’. Anna is the Anna Quinn Welsh Endowed Chair of the University Honors Program and Professor in the Department of Humanities at Villanova University. Thomas is Dean of t...

What was the influence of nineteenth century Romanticism on C.S. Lewis?  Brent talks with Jeffrey Barbeau about his new book from IVP America called ‘The Last Romantic – C.S. Lewis, English Literature and Modern Theology’. Jeffrey is professor of theology at Wheaton College.  A theologian, literary critic, and historian, he is the author of numerous monographs, anthologies and edited books.   (0:4...

Current burial practices in Western society are archaic and impersonal. Brent talks with Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke about their new IVP book ‘Lay Me in God’s Good Earth: A Christian Approach to Death and Burial’. Kent is professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri  Beth is the retired director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary and an adjunct instruc...

‘Author Keith Dixon spent years researching Paul’s life in the first-century Jewish world. He came to the conclusion that far from the untouchable images of heaven gazing saints, the apostle Paul ruthlessly focused on his earthly duty to build God’s church’. Brent talks with Keith Dixon about his new Liberty Hill book ‘Paul’s Journal’. Keith graduated from Hillsdale College with a degree in Histor...

What is God’s will for our lives? Brent talks to Trevor Hudson about his new NavPress book ‘In Search of God’s Will: Discerning a Life of Faithfulness and Purpose’. Trevor is an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of South Africa.  After spending 40 years doing pastoral ministry in a local congregation, he now gives his time to lecturing, teaching, and writing in the areas of spiritual forma...

Why is an orthodox view of the Trinity so foundational to the Christian faith? Brent talks with Samuel Parkison about his B and H book (co-authored with Matthew Barrett, Ronni Kurtz and Joseph Lanier) called ‘Proclaiming the Triune God: The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Life of the Church’. Samuel is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Gulf Theological Seminary in the United Arab Emirat...

‘If there’s anything a church should be, it’s safe.  But as recent struggles in the church have shown, that’s not always the case’. Brent talks with Sam Rainer about his new Tyndale House book ‘Make My Church Safe: A Guide to the Best Practices to Protect Children and Secure Your Congregation from Harm’. Sam is the president of Church Answers and also co-hosts the popular podcasts Rainer on Leader...

Why is the tale of black faith so often absent in the pages of church history? Brent talks with Walter Strickland II about his new 2 volume history from IVP called ‘Swing Low: A History of Black Christianity in the United States’. Dr. Strickland is an educator who hails from a line of school teachers.  He’s the founder of Aptree (an e-learning experience) and serves as Assistant Professor of Syste...

Is the world hostile to innocence? Brent is joined by Hannah Long to discuss the 1993 action movie ‘The Fugitive’ directed by Andrew Davis and starring Harrison Ford. (0:42) ‘The Fugitive’; (5:00) The 1963 TV series; (6:33) Based on a true story? (7:00) A film noir? (8:40) The two main characters; (11:10) Samuel – a likeable character? (12:40) Dr. Kimble; (15:10) Police brutality and the justice s...

How can we do family discipleship? Brent talks with Brian Dembowczyk about his new book from IVP America called ‘Family Discipleship That Works: Guiding Your Child to Know, Love, and Act Like Jesus’. Brian is associate publisher for Thomas Nelson Bibles.  He was previously the managing editor of the Gospel Project, a Bible study curriculum used by over 1.6 million adults, teens, and children each...

What’s your favourite Christmas movie? Easter movie? Pentecost movie? Brent talks with Abbey Olcese about her new IVP book ‘Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies’. Abby invites us to reflect on the great themes of the church calendar through the lens of film.   Abby is a writer on film, popular culture, and faith.  Her work has appeared at Think Christian, Sojourners, P...

Can we still have joy in a world of pain and anxiety? Brent talks with Alistair Sterne about his new book from IVP America called ‘Longing for Joy: An Invitation into the Goodness and Beauty of Life’. Alastair is a creative director turned pastor.  He serves as the associate pastor at Coastline Church in Victoria, British Columbia. He previously partnered with Redeemer City to City and founded St...

Brent talks to author Jerry Lathan about his new novel (with Simon Manchester) about the apostle Peter called ‘You Will Be Peter’ published by Forefront. Jerry brings a wealth of knowledge to tell the remarkable story of Simon Peter.  Jerry combines a lifelong interest in history with a decade of research to bring to life the brash fisherman who became Peter.  Over forty plus years Jerry’s nationa...

‘A report released in 2024 from George Barna shows that 66 per cent of adults consider themselves to be Christians, yet 4 per cent of all adults – and only 6 per cent of the self-identified Christians – possess a biblical world view’. The world needs Jesus but its time for believers to rise and answer the call given to us in the Great Commission. Brent talks with Daniel Steiner about his new book...