Reasonable Theology Podcast

"Blessed are the poor in spirt…blessed are those who mourn…blessed are the meek..." Christ’s beatitudes in Matthew 5 present a means of obtaining joy and blessedness in this life that is drastically different than what our culture presents as the pathway to success and fulfillment. Yet in the beatitudes we will find great wisdom and practical answers for how Christians are to live in thi...

In this conversation with Alisa Childers we talk about how Christians must not give into the world's demands that we abandoned our views in the name of tolerance. We dive deep into the dangerous bargains the world is making with Christians, demanding that we affirm and celebrate anything and everything, while labeling us as bigots and hateful for holding true to our beliefs. Discover the dece...

Church membership provides the Christian with a number of blessings, such as providing spiritual accountability, connecting you more intimately with the body of Christ, and opening up greater opportunities to serve and be served. But joining a church should not be only about what you will gain. As in any relationship, church membership also brings with it a number of important responsibilities and...

Did the United States truly have a Christian founding, or were the Founders simply Deists who desired to create a secular nation? This question has been hotly debated for generations, and our society increasingly regards the idea of America's Christian heritage as something to be minimized, rejected, or denied. So what is the truth regarding the faith of the Founders and how it influenced the...

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – commonly referred to as the ‘unpardonable’ or ‘unforgiveable’ sin – has been the cause of a lot of debate, confusion, and anxiety for many. The primary issue is this: If in Christ we are able to find forgiveness for all our sins, how is it that there is one sin which will never be forgiven – either in this age or in the age to come, as Jesus states in Matthew 12...

Were the Protestant Reformers theological innovators, or were they calling the church to return to it’s foundational beliefs and practices? On this episode I talk with Dr. Matthew Barrett about his new book The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church . In this discussion we’ll talk about how the reformation and the men who lead it have often been misunderst...

On this episode, we will explore the life and legacy of a somewhat lesser known yet no less impactful figure in the history of Puritan theology - Stephen Charnock. Known best for his classic work, " Discourses Upon the Existence and Attributes of God ," Charnock's ministry continues to impact believers. We'll take a look at his journey from his conversion at Emmanuel College in...

On the night of June 6, 1944, President Roosevelt went on national radio to address the nation for the first time about the the invasion of Normandy, known now as D-Day. His speech took the form of a prayer.  This is the original audio of FDR's prayer to a nation at war, as he sought God's blessing and protection on "Our sons, pride of our Nation" who had on that day "set...

Raising the spiritually dead to newness of life is the work of the Holy Spirit, yet God is pleased to use the faithful obedience of parents as a means of drawing their children to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In this exchange with Sean McDowell, we discuss how Christian parents can be more proactive in passing on the faith to their kids.  Watch the full interview with Sean here: https://you...

Many people are reluctant to share their faith because they are afraid of looking like an idiot. Fortunately, there’s a helpful new book out called “How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like an Idiot.”  In this episode of the podcast I talk with the author of this book, Andy Bannister, about how to grow past being an ‘undercover Christian’ at work, school, and other places outside of church. We...

Andrew Peterson's 'The Wingfeather Saga' is a captivating series of four fantasy novels that follow the adventures of the Igiby family. The story is set in a world full of interesting people, wonder, and danger, where the characters must confront a variety of enemies, including fangs, toothy cows, and other creatures and adversaries. The Wingfeather Saga is a must-read for families...

In a world where Christianity is often portrayed by critics as a force for oppression and intolerance, my guest Mark David Hall offers a different perspective. In this episode we'll discuss his new book, Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land: How Christianity Has Advanced Freedom and Equality for All Americans , which details how Christianity has played a significant role in advancing libe...

The name Herod is mentioned nearly 50 times in the New Testament, but Scripture is not speaking of just one man. There are five different rulers named Herod referred to in Scripture: Herod the Great, his sons Herod Archelaus and Herod Antipas, and his grandsons Herod Agrippa I and Herod Agrippa II. (Herod Philip would make six, though he is mentioned simply as Phillip). On this episode, we explore...

On this episode, we will examine the question of whether or not after His death on the cross Jesus "descended into hell" as stated in the Apostles’ Creed.  While many Christians recite this creed, some have questioned whether the phrase “He descended into hell” should be included due to the lack of an explicit passage of Scripture teaching this. We will evaluate several possible interpre...

Evidence that Demands a Verdict provides an extensive defense of the Christian faith and provides readers with a ready defense across a broad range of topics. This nearly 800 page apologetics resource from Josh and Sean McDowell is a completely updated and revised edition of the original of the same name. Written in outline form, this textbook on apologetics jams as much content as possible into e...

Historic creeds and confessions are incredibly important for the church. They help us to understand and articulate the key doctrines of the Christian faith in a clear and concise manner and they have helped guide believers into deeper understanding of orthodox theology. Creeds, Confessions and Catechisms: A Reader’s Edition (Edited by Chad Van Dixhoorn – Professor of Church History at Westminster,...

All men are hardwired with certain instincts that can either be a help or a hindrance to them as they seek to become the men God has designed them to be. Our guest on this episode is Chase Replogle, pastor of Bent Oak Church in Springfield, MO and the host of the Pastor Writer Podcast. We're discussing his new book The Five Masculine Instincts: A Guide to Becoming a Better Man. We'll dis...

There is no shortage of new books to read, but we all have favorites that we have read multiple times. One of the books that I’ve reread the most is Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders. While you may expect that this book would be focused solely on those interested in learning or sharpening leadership skills for their work or ministry roles, this book contains incredible insight that will be...

God is not disinterested in how we worship Him. The Regulative Principle of Worship seeks to help the church worship God His way, not ours. On this episode we examine the biblical basis of the Regulative Principle of Worship and explore how it informs the way in which worship should be conducted in the church.  We also compare it to alternative principles, such as the Inventive Principle and the N...

When you think of challenges that Christians face in reaching the culture with the Gospel, you typically think of issues such as atheism, agnosticism, or perhaps living in a place that predominantly adheres to a different religion, such as Islam. On this episode of the podcast our guest Kyle Beshears argues that apathy is the great challenge that we have to face in our culture, as people are incre...

God the Son taking on flesh did not come as a Plan B after man’s failure to uphold the religious system they were entrusted with. Even a cursory reading of the Old Testament reveals that redemptive history was always steadily marching towards the appearance of God’s Messiah who would bring salvation to His people. This took place precisely when God intended for it to. In Galatians we read that “wh...

Hark the Herald Angels Sing is one of the best-known and best-loved Christmas songs and has been for well over 260 years. But you might not recognize the original lyrics. It began with: Hark how all the welkin rings,  Glory to the King of Kings What on earth is a welkin? And how did this hymn change over time? Here’s the story behind the original hymn, the change in its lyrics, and how it came to...

In Matthew 8:23-27 we read the dramatic account of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Unfortunately, the primary message of this passage is often minimized or missed altogether. The ultimate lesson here is not about Jesus calming the storms in your life, nor do we find a promise here that Jesus will get you safely to every destination you set for yourself. The calming of the storm on t...

A firm grasp of church history provides believers with encouragement to press on in the midst of difficulties, gives us warnings to avoid the mistakes of the past, and provides us with a better understanding of the men, women, and events that God has used to further His kingdom. But where should a person begin in their study of the history of the church? Which events and eras are especially import...

Our society desperately needs Christian men to recover a right understanding of Biblical masculinity so that they can strengthen our homes, communities, and our society as a whole as God intended. Despite the damaging effects that stem from a failure of men to accept responsibility and to love and lead their families as they are called to, our culture encourages prolonged adolescence, provides few...