Refined in the Badlands

Prayer is so crucial to the Christian life, but many times we don't know where to begin. What is prayer, really? How should we pray? What difference does it make? In this episode, we look at all these questions and more to close out the first season of Refined in the Badlands.

We're familiar with some popular verses, like "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," but do we understand what this fear actually is? Sometimes we dismiss it, sometimes we soften it, and sometimes we just misunderstand it. In this episode, we look at how the Bible speaks of both a good and a bad fear of God, and how we can live in light of this.

The church is essential to the Christian life. Maybe you already believe that, but have you wondered what difference it makes whether you regularly attend or are a member? In this episode we make the case for why membership is critical for both a functioning church and a healthy spiritual life.

Music is essential in the life in the church, but does it really matter who wrote the lyrics? It's easily agreed upon that we should only sing truth, but how does association play into our song selection? In this episode, we grapple with a question our own church has begun to tackle: what does the Bible have to say about who we partner with, including in our singing? We work out an answer to t...

It's a new year, but the same questions are burning in people's hearts, and Hell is one topic that never stops causing a stir. Though emotionally, this can be a difficult topic, it is one the Bible doesn't shy away from. So what are we to make of things like universalism or annihilation? Is eternal punishment fair? How important is this to the Gospel? We answer all these questions and...

Along with the snow, eggnog, and music that begins this time of year, there also comes an uptick in claims that Christmas is pagan and that we should not celebrate it. How should we navigate such concerns or rumours? In this episode, we briefly look at the background of various Christmas traditions and discuss a Christian way to approach this holiday.

As Christians, we believe in miracles, but do we believe in them for today? Or is that even the right question? In the popular and passionate discussion around spiritual gifts, one might think we're arguing over whether the Holy Spirit still does anything these days, but that is not the case. In this episode, we dive into the debate between cessationism and continuationism, and aim to demonstr...

Any worthwhile pursuit takes discipline, and godliness is no different. As Christians, we know that we are supposed to live like Jesus, but how do we get there? Through the training grounds of spiritual disciplines. In this episode, we broach this often neglected and misunderstood topic to bring clarity and encouragement.

Few issues are as contested among Christians as women in ministry. But why is this so hotly debated in our day? Is it in fact something we can just agree to disagree on? In this episode, we examine the critical arguments and dangerous trajectories of getting this matter wrong. But more than that, our hope is that you would see the beauty and joy that comes when we live according to God's desig...

Psalms is one of the most beloved books of the Bible, and for good reason! But it has so much more to offer than emotional relatability. The psalms are designed to guide our worship, our prayer, and our theology in ways we miss when we reduce them to expressive poetry—as much as they are that! In this episode, we look at the various functions of the book of Psalms and how we can rightly understand...

Approaching the Bible can be a daunting task. Sometimes we feel safer in the poetry of psalms or in the Gospel narratives, but all of Scripture is needful! How, then, can we take in the full counsel of God and actually learn from it, instead of just falling into confusion? In this episode, we look at both practices and pitfalls for this important task.

"We're not under Law, but under grace." This is a truth Scripture leads us to confess. But what then are we to do with that weighty portion of Scripture? How are we supposed to read, and even benefit from and apply the Law as believers in Jesus? These are important questions, and in this episode, we explore the relevance and power of the Law when we understand and use it properly.

Our perception of the spiritual world can range from skepticism to the high drama portrayals of media. But what does Scripture actually say about how we, as Christians, should view and engage with the spiritual realm? In this first episode, Pastors Aaron and Joshua dive deep to reclaim a biblical vision of spiritual warfare, walking through the everyday battle we face as well as questions about po...