Impact Nations Podcast

Send us Fan Mail What happened between the cross and the resurrection? Why does it matter? In this episode we explore one of the most mysterious—and neglected—moments in the story of salvation: Christ’s descent into Hades.  Highlights include: What the early church believed about Christ’s descent What scripture has to say about it How this informs our understanding of the gospel as a source of hop...

Send us Fan Mail What if the story of the Cross was never about satisfying a wrathful God, but about defeating the very forces that hold humanity in bondage? In this episode, Tim and Steve unpack the ancient view of the atonement known as Christus Victor —the belief that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin, death, and Satan were overthrown once and for all. They explore how this early churc...

Send us Fan Mail For centuries, the dominant explanation for the cross in Western Christianity has been rooted in retribution—Jesus taking the punishment we deserved. Is that really the whole story? Does it reflect the true heart of God? In this episode we trace the historical development of the Penal Substitutionary Atonement theory. How did theology, empire, and culture combine to shape a view o...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Road to the Cross , Tim and Steve dive into one of the most influential ideas in Western Christianity: original sin . How did a fifth-century theory by Augustine come to dominate our understanding of salvation, the cross, and even our identity? Tracing the theology from Eden to empire, they uncover a progression that reshaped how many Christians understand God&apo...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Road to the Cross , Tim travels to Canada to sit down with theologian and author Bradley Jersak for a powerful conversation about cruciform love—the kind of love revealed on the cross that lays down power, enters our suffering, and forgives without limits. Together, they unpack what it means for Jesus to be self-giving , radically forgiving , and co-suffering —and...

Send us Fan Mail Is the cross only about personal forgiveness—or is there something far more expansive at work? In this powerful solo episode, Tim unpacks the breathtaking truth that the cross marked the beginning of God’s cosmic restoration —the healing of all creation, systems, and humanity itself. Drawing from early church fathers and N.T. Wright, he reclaims a gospel that is not about escaping...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, Tim and Steve dive deep into two of the most powerful biblical images: the scapegoat and the Passover lamb . From ancient rituals in Leviticus to the prophetic imagery of Jesus in the Gospels, they explore how Christ takes on the blame of the world and offers a way of healing and peace instead of violence and accusation. You’ll hear about: The Day of Atonem...

Send us Fan Mail What if the cross is about more than personal forgiveness? In this episode, Tim takes us deep into the heart of Cosmic Restoration —the idea that Jesus’ death and resurrection began the healing of all things: creation, communities, and every broken part of our world. It's a powerful vision of the gospel that calls us to join the work of renewal right now. 🎧 Don’t miss this t...

Send us Fan Mail From Eden to Calvary—one story, two trees, and a promise fulfilled. In Episode 11 of The Road to the Cross , Steve and Tim explore the deep spiritual connection between the two trees in the Garden of Eden and the cross of Christ. Through rich theology, church history, and personal reflection, they unpack how the cross doesn't just echo Eden—it rewrites the story. You’ll disco...

Send us Fan Mail "Father, forgive them..." From the cross, Jesus spoke seven final phrases—each one rich with meaning, mercy, and mystery. In Episode 10 of The Road to the Cross , Steve and Tim explore the seven sayings of Jesus at the crucifixion. These last words reveal the fullness of His love: words of forgiveness for His enemies, compassion for His mother, welcome to a thief, and a...

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Road to the Cross , Steve and Tim follow Jesus beyond the city gates, where the condemned are cast out to die. As we approach Golgotha, we reflect on the shame of crucifixion, the symbolism of exile, and the prophetic layers hidden in the details of Jesus’ suffering. Why was he crucified outside the camp? What’s the deeper meaning behind the crown of thorns, the r...

Send us Fan Mail Jesus stands before Pilate and the question rings out: What is truth? In Episode 8 of The Road to the Cross , Steve and Tim explore the trial of Jesus before the Roman authorities. From political manipulation to spiritual blindness, we witness a cosmic clash between kingdoms—and a king who rules from below. Along the way, we unpack: • The historical and spiritual meaning behind “B...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Road to the Cross. This week, we enter a courtroom drenched in darkness—not of truth, but of manipulation. Jesus is dragged before the high priest, subjected to an illegal trial driven by false witnesses, corrupt leaders, and hidden agendas. Tim and Steve unpack: Why Annas still held power behind the scenes The deep corruption of the religious elite The contras...

Send us Fan Mail 💔 In Episode 6 of The Road to the Cross , Steve and Tim reflect on two painful moments that shaped the Passion story: Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denial. What does it mean to be betrayed by a friend with a kiss? How does Christ respond in the face of denial, violence, and abandonment? With tenderness and deep insight, Steve explores the mystery of divine compassion, even as the...

Send us Fan Mail 🌟 In this episode of the Impact Nations podcast, Tim and Steve return to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus fully embraced the sorrow and suffering of humanity. Through theological reflection and heartfelt discussion, they explore how the Garden became a place of profound loneliness and pain, yet also a place of ultimate love and sacrifice. ❤️ Discover the mystery of Jesus as...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we journey to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus faced his most vulnerable moment – wrestling with sorrow, pleading with the Father, and embracing the weight of what was to come. Join Steve and Tim as they delve into the depth of Christ's humanity and what it means for us today. Discover the profound significance of the Garden as a place of battle, sorrow,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Road to the Cross , we continue exploring Jesus' final meal with His disciples. As He offers the cup, we uncover the deep connection between communion, sacrifice, and the prophetic imagery of the wine press. Tim and Steve unpack how this moment foreshadows Christ’s suffering and the love poured out for the world. Join us as we dive deeper into the myste...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Road to the Cross, Season 10 of the Impact Nations Podcast! In this episode, Tim and Steve dive into the profound mystery of Communion, exploring its rich symbolism and deep spiritual significance. 🕊️ What does it mean to truly partake in the body and blood of Christ? 🕊️ How has the church historically understood the Eucharist? 🕊️ Is Communion just a memorial,...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 1: The Emptying Begins, we enter the Upper Room, where Jesus humbles Himself by washing the feet of His disciples. What does this moment reveal about His mission, the nature of true authority, and the road to the cross? Join us as we unpack the profound significance of Christ’s self-emptying love and how it calls us to a life of humility and service. 📖 Topics Covered:...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Tim is joined by author Marc Schelske to discuss his book Walking Otherward: Forty Meditations on Following Jesus' Path of Other-Centered, Co-Suffering Love. This forty-day devotional invites readers to journey with Jesus in the final weeks leading to His crucifixion, reflecting on the transformative power of kenotic (self-emptying) love. More than just a Lenten gu...

Send us Fan Mail Nativity story. From the angelic proclamation to the shepherds to the life-changing reality of Christ's birth, we are invited to see the intersection of Heaven and Earth. The angels’ declaration, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace,” reminds us that the Nativity is not just a historical event but an invitation into a life of faith, wonder, and participation in Go...

Send us Fan Mail The Nativity story begins with a message of inclusivity, offering hope to those on the margins of society. From the shepherds—outcasts and societal outsiders—to the Magi, foreigners who journeyed far to worship the Christ child, the gospel reveals its universal reach. This episode highlights the radical nature of the Nativity: a story that welcomes the poor, the misunderstood, and...

Send us Fan Mail The Nativity story celebrates the extraordinary within the ordinary, revealing God’s profound work in the hidden places of life. Through the simple yet miraculous events of Jesus’ birth—a travel-weary couple, a manger, and the quiet arrival of the Messiah—we see how God values smallness and humility. This episode explores how the Nativity reminds us to look beyond appearances, fin...

Send us Fan Mail The Incarnation is the heart of the mystery of Christmas—a moment when God became man without losing His divinity. This profound truth, revealed in Bethlehem but initiated at Christ's conception, changed the cosmos forever. In this episode, we explore the deep implications of the Incarnation, including God's participation in human pain, the sacredness of all human life,...

Send us Fan Mail Mary's Magnificat, often overlooked, carries a revolutionary message that challenges the values of society. Her prophetic song of joy and praise reveals God’s heart for the poor and the lowly while confronting the proud and the powerful. Through this declaration, Mary preaches the Kingdom of Heaven—a new order where the humble are exalted, the hungry are filled, and God’s jus...