So We Speak

The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most difficult to interpret in the Bible. Does it teach that life is meaningless? Is everything vanity? Cole and Terry talk about how to make sense of Ecclesiastes, the theme of the book, and prominent passages.   Support So We Speak!  

Thank you all for listening and supporting So We Speak. Take some time this week to remember all that God has done, to thank him, and to trust him with the future.    Support So We Speak!

Paul's letters to the Thessalonians are unique in so many ways. They are some of Paul's earliest letters to a church he only spent a month with before he was pushed out of town by persecution. They are also some of his most intimate letters. 1 Thess. 2:1-12 gives an insight into what it might have been like to have Paul in town - and it's also where we got the name So We Speak. In this episode, we...

Joshua marks a transition from across the Jordan into the promised land. In the same way, it serves as a hinge book between the Torah and the rest of the Old Testament. Joshua leads the people of Israel through the flooding river and into God's promises. The whole book displays God's faithfulness, through the conquest in the first half and the land grants in the second half. The takeaway this week...

There are so many great educational resources available today. Where should you start? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the benefits and common pitfalls of Christian education, how to start where you are and learn to love God with your mind, and the best courses and resources to seek out. 

We're answering your questions this week. What is the best Bible translation? Did the Exodus really happen? What's the best order to read the New Testament? What sermons do you listen to during the week to continue learning? (Sorry for the leafblowers part way through!)

We have a special guest on the podcast this week. Dr. Cliff Sanders is the Director of the Wesley Center and a pastor and theologian at Crossings Community Church. In this episode, Terry and Cliff discuss theology, the character of God, teaching, and bridging the gap between Calvinism and Arminianism in the church. 

A few weeks ago, we talked about the importance of holiness in the church today and in the Christian life. Here are some of the most helpful tactics and resources we've used to grow in holiness, accountability, and community. 

Tim Keller recently wrote an essay titled, " The Decline and Renewal of the American Church: Part 1 - The Decline of the Mainline. " In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the article and the broader decline of the mainline denominations, the parallels to today, and the ways Christians can stay faithful in a secular culture. 

There are many passages and prophecies in the Bible about catastrophe, but the book of Lamentations is unique. In this short lament, Jeremiah cries out to God over the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. What can we learn from his sorrow? How can we draw near to God during catastrophes, even spiritual catastrophes? 

Here are some of our favorite resources for teaching and preaching. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, here are some of our favorite tools we use each week. 

What process and weekly routine does Terry use to develop his Wednesday night lessons? This week, Cole and Terry talk about teaching, preparation and delivery. 

The pastoral epistles present a vision of ministry in the first-century church. Paul developed and employed young pastors, sent them out for short-term missions, and then launched them into church leadership. The letter to Titus underscores the connection between doctrine and character and encourages each of us to do our part in building up the church. 

In this second episode on looking ahead, Cole and Terry discuss the issues on the horizon for the church. What does it mean to be a human being? How has our culture distorted the notion of the self? 

To mark three years of So We Speak, we're looking back and looking ahead for what God has in store. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the importance of personal holiness in the church and in the culture. 

In the second half of Exodus, we get into conversations about Moses, the Law, and what God might have to teach us today through Israel's stay at Mount Sinai. If the main theme of Exodus is the presence of God, how can we apply that to our lives today?

The way we read and understand the Exodus influences the way we read the rest of the Bible. The events in Ex. 1-18 set the stage for the law, the promised land, and the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. But there are also some difficult questions in these chapters. Who hardened Pharaoh's heart? Where is Mount Sinai? Why did God bring plagues on Egypt? We discuss each of these questions and...

The letter to Colossians touches on almost all of the themes in Paul's letters. In this episode, we discuss the background of the church in Colossae, the major themes of the letter, and some of the difficult passages. 

We're turning the tables in this episode and talking to Cole about productivity and writing as Christian stewardship.  Here are a few of the books we mention in this episode: Crazy Busy - Kevin DeYoung Ploductivity - Douglas Wilson Deep Work - Cal Newport  

The book of Job is one of the richest and most perplexing books in the Bible. We've done an overview of Job before , but in this episode, we revisit some of the deeper questions and discuss other important themes. 

Who was Paul and how should we interpret his writings? In recent years, the New Perspective on Paul has redefined some of the fundamental questions in Paul's letters. Was Paul's background Jewish, Greek, or both? What is the relationship between grace and law? Are we saved by faith, works, or both? Cole Feix and Jarrett Ford discuss these trends in Paul's letter and a series of articles Jarrett ha...

In this episode, we discuss Voddie Baucham's new book Fault Lines and the effects critical race theory is having on the world and the church. Baucham provides a critique of worldly social justice and calls the church to boldly practice biblical justice in the world. 

Combined, Luke and Acts make up a quarter of the New Testament. Luke writes with clarity and historical sensitivity but also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit, the perils of riches, and includes many of the most beloved stories and parables from Jesus' ministry, including the prodigal son, Zacchaeus, Jesus getting separated from his parents in the temple, and the rich man and Lazarus. In this...

What makes a healthy church culture? In this episode, we're discussing accusations, abuse, and how to build an environment of truth and grace in the church based on Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer's new book A Church Called Tov. 

Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. His prophecy condemns the final phase of Israel's rebellion against God and forecasts the coming of the Messiah. In this episode, we cover some of the important background information necessary for understanding Malachi's prophecy and the way Malachi previews the coming of Christ almost four hundred years later.