It’s Elementary - An Asbury Theological Seminary Podcast

Are Pentecostals actually Wesleyans? And what does the global Pentecostal movement have to do with John Wesley, holiness, and the work of the Holy Spirit? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Dale Coulter, Professor of Historical Theology at Pentecostal Theological Seminary and ordained minister in the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), for a...

What does the Bible really say about women in leadership, and why is this conversation still shaping the Church today? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Suzanne Nicholson (Asbury University professor, ordained minister, and member of the Firebrand Magazine editorial board) for a thoughtful and deeply biblical conversation on women in ministry...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson sits down with Dr. Jessica LaGrone, a beloved and widely respected preacher, teacher, and leader at Asbury Theological Seminary, for an in-depth conversation on the art, theology, and practice of preaching. Drawing from years of experience in the pulpit and the classroom, Dr. LaGrone offers insight into what makes preaching not just effective bu...

What sustains leaders through the hardest seasons—and why do so many fail to finish well? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Dr. David Gyertson (Affiliate Professor of Leadership Formation and Renewal and Distinguished Leader in Residence at Asbury Theological Seminary) for a deeply personal and practical conversation on calling, leadership,...

What does it mean to be truly Methodist—and why does it matter today? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone sit down with Dr. Kevin Watson (Associate Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary and Senior Director of Christian Formation at Asbury Church, Tulsa) for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on Methodism, revival, and the future of the Church. This e...

How can faith move beyond the church into the marketplace, and what happens when revival touches everyday life? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. Jessica LaGrone sits down with Robin Lim (an Asbury Theological Seminary alumnus and professor at Asbury University) to explore calling, revival, and what it means to live an integrated life of faith. This conversation dives deep into: -Moving from...

What is Christian theology really about—and how do we actually know God? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson sits down with Rev. Dr. Alan Torrance (Professor Emeritus, University of St. Andrews) to explore some of the most important questions in Christian theology, faith, and knowledge of God. This conversation dives deep into: -The Trinity and Christian life -How we come to belie...

Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Daniel Silliman, senior reporter and editor for The Roys Report and former senior news editor at Christianity Today, for a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation on journalism, truth-telling, and the life of the Church. Silliman shares his fascinating background from growing up in the Jesus People movement to becoming a crime reporter and ev...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Kim Maas, preacher, prophetic leader, and founder of Kim Maas Ministries, for a rich and candid conversation on the Holy Spirit, theological formation, and discernment in today’s charismatic and Pentecostal movements. Dr. Maas shares her powerful testimony from a dramatic encounter with God that transformed he...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Rev. Matt Reynolds, President of Spirit and Truth Ministries and alumnus of Asbury Theological Seminary, for a candid and compelling conversation about renewal, evangelism, and the cost of real obedience to Jesus. Rev. Reynolds shares his personal journey from local church pastor to renewal leader, reflectin...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Lynn Cohick, Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Director of Houston Theological Seminary at Houston Christian University, for a wide‑ranging conversation on Scripture, scholarship, women in the church, and the global body of Christ. Dr. Cohick shares her faith journey and scholarly path, shaped both...

What is the purpose of Christian higher education—and why does it still matter today? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Dr. David Hoag, President of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), for a rich conversation on the calling, challenges, and enduring gift of Christian higher education. Dr. Hoag reflects on how colleg...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Archbishop Foley Beach, former Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America and current Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the South, for a wide-ranging conversation on faith, leadership, renewal, and the global Church. Archbishop Beach shares his personal journey of faith—from a turbulent childhood and a lif...

In this episode, Dr. David Watson is joined by Dr. Kevin Brown, President of Asbury University, for a wide-ranging conversation about Christian leadership, higher education, and spiritual formation in an age of rapid cultural change. Drawing on his journey from banking to Christian higher education, Dr. Brown reflects on leading through unprecedented moments—from the COVID-19 pandemic to the Asbur...

Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Dr. Ellen Marmon, Professor of Discipleship at Asbury Theological Seminary, to explore what faithful discipleship looks like across a lifetime. Drawing from her decades of ministry in the local church, classroom, and global settings, Dr. Marmon reflects on her own Emmaus Road faith journey, one marked by faithful relationships, gentle formatio...

In this episode, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone step back from interviews to share insights gathered from months of travel across the country. From seminary conferences and campus ministry visits to worship gatherings and leadership meetings, they explore how theology is lived, questioned, and rediscovered in real places by real people. As they recount conversations with students, pastor...

It’s Elementary hosts Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone, who welcome Rev. Dr. Bernie Van De Walle, District Superintendent of the Canadian Midwest District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Dr. Van De Walle reflects on his spiritual journey, the history and theology of the Alliance, and the profound Christian claim that believers are called to participate in the divine nature. The e...

In this fascinating episode, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Laurynas Jacevičius, Asbury Seminary Visiting Scholar from Lithuania, for a rich and wide-ranging conversation about apologetics, belief formation, and the unique challenges of sharing the gospel in a secular culture. Dr. Jacevičius shares how missionaries, Scripture, and persistent discipleship led him to faith at a...

In this episode, Dr. Tesia Mallory, Dean of Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary, shares how her call to ministry dates back to her baptism. She and Dr. Watson explore how worship forms Christian identity, why Word and Table belong at the center of congregational life, and how Wesleyans understand the Eucharist as a holy mystery that resists both memorialism and overly mechanical explanations. Dr...

Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Bishop John Mark Richardson, jurisdictional bishop in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and Executive Director of the Wesleyan Holiness Connection. Bishop Richardson shares his remarkable story from a multi-generational ministry family to his early career in law enforcement, and ultimately to his leadership role shepherding churches on the West Co...

Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone explore the deeply biblical and deeply human practice of mentoring, guiding, and walking alongside others in the journey of faith. Together they discuss how mentoring forms both the mentor and the mentee, why younger Christians today are longing for intergenerational wisdom, and how the church can reclaim a healthier vision of discipleship rooted in communi...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson checks in from Washington, D.C., fresh from attending the National Prayer Breakfast, sparking a rich conversation with Dr. Jessica LaGrone about what it means to live out Christian faith in public today. Together they explore the tension between the desire for national unity and the deep ideological divides within American culture, and why the c...

In this inspiring episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome artist, author, and Asbury Seminary’s Artist in Residence, Dr. Winfield Bevins, to explore themes from his newest book, How Beauty Will Save the World: Recovering the Power of the Arts for the Christian Life. Dr. Bevins shares candid stories of how beauty has shaped—and even saved—his own life, from an a...

In this theologically rich episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Ken Collins, Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, explore themes from Dr. Collins’ new book, Generous Divine Love: The Grace and Power of Methodist Theology. Dr. Collins shares his faith journey from upbringing to discovering Wesleyan theology through a retired Free Method...

Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone sit down with Dr. Steve Seamands, Professor Emeritus of Christian Doctrine at Asbury Theological Seminary and one of the most beloved voices in the Wesleyan world. Drawing from 35 years of teaching, ministry, and personal experience, Dr. Seamands reflects on the changing needs of the church, the essential role of mystery in Christian theology, and the ongoi...