Jonathan Shirk

Small Town Theologian

Religion EN ↓ 173 episodes

Biblical, confessional, and practical truth in 10 minutes or less. Recorded in Rev. Jonathan Shirk’s walk-in closet, the Small Town Theologian podcast is a compact show bringing you comforting gospel truths from a confessional Reformed perspective to help you and your family navigate life’s many challenges.

Author

Jonathan Shirk

Episodes

PASSIONATELY & ACCURATELY PRESENTING THE GOSPEL IN OUR MESSAGES 08.01.2026 29:58

So much preaching today is powerless, ineffective, andburdensome because it is man-centered and not God-centered, it is law-heavy and not gospel-heavy, it centers on “do this for God” over “God did this for you.” Oh, that Christ would be front and center in our preaching. This message is titled “Passionately and AccuratelyPresenting the Gospel in Our Message,” a topic given to me by the Executive...

UPDATE & MESSAGE FOR MEN 23.09.2025 25:31

What's going on with the podcast? Good question. I need more time, and I think some good things are still on the horizon, but they are different than originally expected.

PAUSING THE PODCAST, EXCITING CHANGES ARE COMING, & RELAUNCHING THE PODCAST 16.04.2025 6:55

Predestined for Joy⁠ by Jonathan Shirk ⁠smalltowntheologian.org⁠⁠ VISION Spreading a passion for historic Reformed confessionalism throughout the world by helping people discover, believe, and apply the priceless Biblical truths found within it for their comfort, joy, and perseverance in Jesus Christ.

JOY KILLERS (6): Self-Loathing Instead of Remembering My Identity in Christ (HC 32 & 52) 09.04.2025 9:57

Predestined for Joy by Jonathan Shirk smalltowntheologian.org⁠ VISION Spreading a passion for historic Reformed confessionalism throughout the world by helping people discover, believe, and apply the priceless Biblical truths found within it for their comfort, joy, and perseverance in Jesus Christ.

JOY KILLERS (5): Idleness Instead of Diligence (HC 91 & 111) 19.03.2025 6:05

smalltowntheologian.org VISION Spreading a passion for historic Reformed confessionalism throughout the world by helping people discover, believe, and apply the priceless Biblical truths found within it for their comfort, joy, and perseverance in Jesus Christ.

JOY KILLERS (4): Careless Words Instead of James 1:19 (HC 122) 12.02.2025 9:04

BUY STT BOOKS : HERE READ THE STT BLOG : HERE

JOY KILLERS (3): Complaining Instead of Giving Thanks (HC 43) 05.02.2025 8:52

GET SOME GOOD REFORMED BOOKS ON AMAZON! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death Predestined for Joy: Finding Comfort in a Controversial Doctrine BUY THE BOOKS: ⁠HERE ⁠ SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) give an honest 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts a...

SPECIAL - Love & Faithfulness When the Church Makes You Angry - Rev. Jonathan Shirk 09.01.2025 35:01

SEND THIS episode to your pastor and elders, the men who shepherd and care for your soul. Also, here are two resources that can strengthen your pastoral ministry (if you're a pastor). The Heidelberg Catechism The Belgic Confession SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) give an honest 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts an...

JOY KILLERS (2): Fearing Man Instead of Fearing God (HC 90, 94, 96) 08.01.2025 9:58

GET SOME GOOD REFORMED BOOKS ON AMAZON! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death Predestined for Joy: Finding Comfort in a Controversial Doctrine BUY THE BOOKS: HERE SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) give an honest 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and le...

JOY KILLERS (1): Indulgence Instead of Endurance (HC 88-90) 05.12.2024 8:45

GET SOME GOOD BOOKS FOR REDUCED PRICES! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For Kindle: $2.99 (down from $3.99) Paperback: $4.49 (down from $6.99) Hardcover: $12:49 (down from $14.49) The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death Hardcover: $11.99 (down from $13.99) Predestined for Joy: Finding Comfort in a Controversial Doctrine Kindle: $2.99 (down from $3.99) Paperback: $7.99 (...

Delivered from Sin to Love Your Spouse 20.11.2024 8:49

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Your friends like books! GET SOME GOOD BOOKS! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$3.99 Kindle ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$6.99 paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$14.49 hardcover⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - ⁠⁠⁠⁠$2.99 Kindle⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠$4.49 paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠$13.99 hardcover⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

POST ELECTION SPECIAL: If Donald Trump Had Told the Truth in His Victory Speech 13.11.2024 14:05

Please post this POST ELECTION SPECIAL to social media & share it with your friends! SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) give an honest 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave some kind words. BOOKS : Check out all Small Town Theologian books ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . BLOG : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

ELECTION DAY SPECIAL - Do You Actually Trust God's Sovereignty & Providence? 05.11.2024 11:46

Please post this ELECTION DAY SPECIAL to social media & share with your friends! SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) give an honest 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave some kind words. BOOKS : Check out all Small Town Theologian books ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . BLOG : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sma...

STT 148 - There Is No Such Thing as a Cursing Christian? 31.10.2024 9:17

PLEASE POST THIS EPISODE TO SOCIAL MEDIA & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS! GET SOME GOOD BOOKS! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$3.99 Kindle ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$6.99 paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$14.49 hardcover⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - ⁠⁠⁠$2.99 Kindle⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠$4.49 paperback⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠$13.99 hardcover⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW :...

STT 147 - Fatherless Homes & Reaching the Next Generation with the Gospel 18.09.2024 7:13

PLEASE POST THIS EPISODE TO SOCIAL MEDIA & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS! GET SOME GOOD BOOKS! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$3.99 Kindle ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$6.99 paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$14.49 hardcover⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - ⁠⁠$2.99 Kindle⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠$4.49 paperback⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠$13.99 hardcover⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

STT 146 - What to Do When You Disagree with Your Elders 11.09.2024 6:48

PLEASE POST THIS EPISODE TO SOCIAL MEDIA & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS! TIMOTHY BRINDLE'S NEW ALBUM: Purchase a copy HERE . GET SOME GOOD BOOKS! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$3.99 Kindle ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$6.99 paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠$14.49 hardcover⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - ⁠$2.99 Kindle⁠ ; ⁠$4.49 paperback⁠ ; ⁠$13.99 hardcover⁠...

STT 145 - Why Do They Confess Christ but Refuse to Join a Church? 14.08.2024 9:57

PLEASE POST THIS EPISODE TO SOCIAL MEDIA & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS! NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠⁠⁠⁠$3.99 Kindle ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠$6.99 paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠⁠$14.49 hardcover⁠⁠⁠⁠ . This resources is worth reading & giving away! The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - $2.99 Kindle ; $4.49 paperback ; $13.99 hardcover ⁠⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT T...

STT 144 - Was the Opening Ceremony for the Paris Olympics Offensive? 31.07.2024 9:51

PLEASE POST THIS EPISODE TO SOCIAL MEDIA & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS! NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠⁠⁠$2.99 Kindle ebook⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠$5.99 paperback⁠⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠⁠$12.99 hardcover⁠⁠⁠ . Today, July 31, is the last day! Prices jump tomorrow! The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - ⁠⁠⁠new hardcover for $13.99⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

STT 143 - The Joy of Being Reformed (10): Experiencing & Enjoying Everything Around You to the Glory & Enjoyment of Jesus Christ 10.07.2024 9:46

NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠⁠$2.99 Kindle ebook⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠$5.99 paperback⁠⁠ ; ⁠⁠$12.99 hardcover⁠⁠ . These lower prices are good through July! Prices jump in August. The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - ⁠⁠new hardcover for $13.99⁠⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) g...

STT 142 - The Joy of Being Reformed (9): Finding Confidence & Comfort in Each Person of the Trinity 03.07.2024 9:40

NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - ⁠$2.99 Kindle ebook⁠ ; ⁠$5.99 paperback⁠ ; ⁠$12.99 hardcover⁠ . These lower prices are good through July! Prices jump in August. The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - ⁠new hardcover for $13.99⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) give an hon...

STT 141 - The Joy of Being Reformed (8): Trinitarian Theology Is Directly Linked to Intimacy with God 26.06.2024 9:22

NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED! The Belgic Confession: Truth Worth Dying For - $2.99 Kindle ebook ; $5.99 paperback ; $12.99 hardcover . These lower prices are good through July! Prices jump in August. The Heidelberg Catechism: True Comfort in Life & Death - new hardcover for $13.99 . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCAST LINK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to a friend; (2) give an honest 5-star...

STT 140 - The Joy of Being Reformed (7): Do Charismatics Believe in the Sufficiency of Scripture? The Reformed Do! 22.05.2024 9:58

SAVE YOUR PENNIES! I'm almost finished with the Belgic Confession! It will be on Amazon soon, so stay tuned! TWO RESOURCES FROM THE CANADIAN REFORMED CHURCH: (1) You can find the Belgic Confession in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book of Praise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ published by the Canadian Reformed Church; (2) you can read the Belgic Confession online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEND THE PODCA...

STT 139 - The Joy of Being Reformed (6): Who or What Is Influencing You More than You'd Like to Admit? 17.04.2024 9:57

SAVE YOUR PENNIES! In about two weeks, I hope to release a version of the Belgic Confession on Amazon. I'll keep you posted. TWO RESOURCES FROM THE CANADIAN REFORMED CHURCH: (1) You can find the Belgic Confession in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book of Praise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ published by the Canadian Reformed Church; (2) you can read the Belgic Confession online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT THE SHOW : (1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEN...

STT 138 - The Joy of Being Reformed (5): You Get Law & Gospel in All the Bible 11.04.2024 8:14

SAVE YOUR PENNIES! In less than a month, I hope to publish a version of the Belgic Confession on Amazon. I'll keep you posted. TWO RESOURCES FROM THE CANADIAN REFORMED CHURCH: (1) You can find the Belgic Confession in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book of Praise ⁠⁠⁠⁠ published by the Canadian Reformed Church; (2) you can read the Belgic Confession online ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT : I'm asking for your SUPPORT, no...

STT 137 - The Joy of Being Reformed (4): Talking Out of Both Sides of Your Mouth, Andy Stanley, & the Bible 07.03.2024 9:55

SAVE YOUR PENNIES! In a few months, I hope to publish a version of the Belgic Confession on Amazon. I'll keep you posted. TWO RESOURCES FROM THE CANADIAN REFORMED CHURCH: (1) You can find the Belgic Confession in the ⁠⁠⁠ Book of Praise ⁠⁠⁠ published by the Canadian Reformed Church; (2) you can read the Belgic Confession online ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠ . SUPPORT : I'm asking for your SUPPORT, not your MO...