The Aquila Institute

In this episode, Stephen, David, and Adrian sit down to discuss the first - and most important - step of interpretation. That step is observation.   You'll be both informed and encouraged to read the Bible slowly and carefully to get the most out of it.

In this episode, Stephen and Adrian sit down to introduce Biblical Hermeneutics, the art and science of reading and interpreting the Bible. This is the first in a four-part series that will walk you through all the steps of good Bible reading.   You will be inspired to think more deeply and intentionally about how you read the Bible. It will help you know God more and serve the church more effecti...

In this episode, David and Stephen sit down with pastor Jack Graham to discuss the exciting book of Revelation. Dr. Graham will inspire you to read the book, seek truth, and enjoy the hope and joy of Christ's return and the renewal of all things.    About the Guest: Dr. Jack Graham serves as Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, a Dallas-area church with more than 60,000 members. Dr. Graham...

In our first in-person guest interview, David and Stephen sit down in Leuven, Belgium with pastor Alex Stephenson to discuss the New Testament book of Jude. You will be encouraged to both know the faith and to contend for it in opposition to false teachers.    Alex is the pastor of River of Life in Frankfurt Germany. Originally from Northern Ireland, Alex earned his Bachelor of Divinity and Master...

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down with Pastor Mike DeVries for a great discussion about 1-3 John. You will be encouraged to not only believe the right things about Christ revealed in Scripture, but to live a life consistent with your faith.   Mike is a native of Colorado and has been pastoring Gateway Bible Fellowship since 2006. Mike also serves on the Academic Board of Advisors for Aqu...

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down to discuss 1-2 Peter. These books are full of encouragement and practical advice that is always relevant for Christians, no matter their time or place.  

In this episode, Stephen and David continue their series going through the Books of the New Testament by looking at the Letter of James. You will be encouraged by the practical nature of the book and its comparison to Proverbs. Both emphasize the importance of wisdom. In James, the life of faith requires obedience which is made possible by God's heavenly wisdom.

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Pastor Mike DeVries, a regular guest on the show, to discuss the epistle to the Hebrews. The highlight is how well Mike explains Hebrews, which is the most exhaustive treatment of the New Testament's most important theme: Christ.   Mike is a native of Colorado and has been pastoring Gateway Bible Fellowship since 2006. Mike also serves on the Academic Board...

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down to discuss Paul's letter to Philemon. Although one of the shortest books of the Bible, it is rich in theology and practical implications for how Christians relate to one another. 

In this episode, David and Stephen interview Dr. David Page about the Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy and Titus). David is such a wealth of knowledge, but what will stand out to the listener is how practical David is in his application of the books and how effective he is at situating these books within the larger picture of the Bible's story and theology.    Our guest: Dr. Page served in pastoral...

David Martin and Stephen Campbell sit down with Pastor Dr. Ben Skaug to discuss the challenging and rich letters of Paul to the church at Thessaloniki.    Ben has two PhD's but loves to serve and teach with and for the local church. He has pastored a church in California and served in the top administration within two seminaries. Currently he serves as the Discipleship and Missions Pastor at Bell...

Stephen and David sit down with Pastor Carsten Lotz to discuss Paul's letter to the Colossians.   Carsten is the pastor of International Christian Fellowship north of Frankfurt. He and his wife have three sons. 

Stephen and David sit down for a conversation with Dr. Jason Snyder to discuss Paul's letter to the Philippian Christians.   Jason is the discipleship pastor at Prestonwood baptist church in Plano, Texas. Jason has a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and a DMin from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Stephen sits down with Dr. Clayton Schultz to talk about the theology and practical skills required to intnetinally disciple people through hard times.    Clayton Schultz serves as the Director of The WEST Institute, a teaching site of Shepherds Theological Seminary. He also serves as the Director of Operations and Cooperative Disciplines for the seminary’s Department of Biblical Archaeology.  He...

David and Stephen sit down for a conversation about Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

Stephen and David sit down for a conversation with Dr. Jason Snyder to discuss Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia.   Jason is the discipleship pastor at Prestonwood baptist church in Plano, Texas. Jason has a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and a DMin from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   Stephen mentions the following two books on the topic of grace: Academic: Barclay, John...

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down with Ben White to discuss Second Corinthians. It's a notoriously difficult book to read and understand, but Ben explains it so well. It is relevant to all believers and has special significance for church leaders.   Dr. White holds an MA from Regent College and  PhD from Durham University. His academic interests are in Paul, modern theology, the 'rise' o...

David and Stephen chat with Dr. Justin Allison about Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.    Dr. Allison is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Ouachita Baptist University. Before that, Justin spent a season as a hospice chaplain and prior to that he was Professor of New Testament and coordinator of the Christian Formation and Counselling program at Prairie College in Alberta, Canada. ...

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down with Michael DeBusk to discuss Paul's Letter to the Romans. This NT letter is one of the most important Christian writings ever, clearly explaining the gospel of salvation by grace, through faith.   Dr. DeBusk is both a scholar and a pastor, and he combines these passions marvelously. He has previously served as a pastor in churches in the United States...

David Martin and Stephen Campbell sit down with Aquila's newest hire Adrian Polifka to discuss theological education. They discuss what the Bible says about the topic and how apprenticeships within the local church serve an essential role in training up people for ministry.

Stephen and David sit down for a conversation on leading a local church toward planting. They discuss the mandate for churches to make disciples and how God uses disciple-making to raise leaders for church planting.  They shares the story of how discipleship helped in the revitalization of IBC Cologne and the planting of IBC Bonn, IGK, and is helping in the planting of IBC Alicante and Aachen Inte...

Stephen sits down with Sam and David, two experienced pastors to discuss the particular challenges and opportunities of reaching Muslims in Europe with the gospel.  You will be challenged and encouraged as you hear stories of God's saving grace and learn practical steps you can take to begin sharing the gospel with Muslims near you.   Bennett, Matthew Aaron. 40 Questions About Islam. Grand Rapids,...

In this episode Stephen and David continue the current series on discipleship by addressing Relational Evangelism, an approach to evangelism that is for every believer 365 days a year.   Relational Evangelism is defined and explained. Encouragement is also given to everyday Christians and to ministry leaders.    In the conversation, David mentions the following three books: Chong, Sam. Evangelism...

In this exciting and informative conversation, David and Stephen discuss the topic of discipleship with Dr. Jimmy Carter. Jimmy does an amazing job of communicating the universal command to "make disciples" but also brings things down to earth in a way that anyone can understand and in a way that will relate directly to your life in the local church.   Dr. Carter serves as the Family Pastor at The...

In this engaging and exciting conversation, David and Stephen discuss the historical, cultural, and theological background of the New Testament. We discuss the political makeup of the New Testament world, the different Jewish communities mentioned in the Gospels, the community dynamics of the early church, and much more.   Dr. Michael DeBusk is the pastor of the Internationale Gemeinde Köln, which...