The Narthex

This episode reviews a discussion between Protestant Baptist Gavin Ortlund and Orthodox Jonathan Pageau about what constitutes the true church and whether Christians outside Orthodoxy are truly Christian. The presenter contrasts Pageau’s emphasis on Orthodoxy, salvation as personal transformation, and skepticism of justification by faith alone with a Lutheran/Protestant view that the church is fou...

Dr. Daniel Shaw, Lutheran pastor and New Testament professor, comments on a debate between Baptist Gavin Ortlund and Eastern Orthodox Jonathan Pageau about what constitutes the true Church and true Christianity. It contrasts Orthodoxy’s claim that full communion with Christ requires communion with the visible, institutional Eastern Orthodox Church and Protestant/Lutheran ideas of the church as “hi...

Dan Shaw explores this powerful biblical teaching on the lives of Joseph, Jacob, and Rachel. Gain perspective on enduring faith through these ancient narratives. This presentation examines key moments from scripture, focusing on the historical and spiritual significance of Joseph and Jacob. Whether you are deepening your personal bible study or seeking encouragement, this session connects traditio...

Dr. Daniel Shaw explains that sola scriptura means the Bible is the highest norm for faith and life, not the only authority, and distinguishes it from “solo scriptura.” Responding to a Roman Catholic apologist’s claim that Protestantism “makes zero sense” because private judgment isn’t scalable and requires a visible magisterial authority, the host argues that institutional consensus does not guar...

Dan Shaw asks why Christian apologists are so often disliked, clarifying that apologetics means giving a reasoned defense of the faith (not “saying sorry”) and that anyone can be an apologist for many things. He draws on Helmut Thielicke’s 1962 book A Little Exercise for Young Theologians to argue that theological knowledge can puff people up into “Gnostic pride,” where truth and love are seldom c...

Dan Shaw, host of The Narthex, plays and analyzes a back-and-forth from Bryce Crawford’s podcast featuring Catholic apologist Trent Horn, using it to examine what Christians should call the sacrament and what it truly is. He argues “the Lord’s Supper” best emphasizes that Christ hosts and gives the gifts, not that worshipers make it meaningful by their thanksgiving. Shaw contrasts symbolic views,...

Dan Shaw explores why people leave Christianity by probing a deeper issue beneath individual complaints: the search for certainty in a world that feels like an “earthquake.” Using Luc Ferry’s discussion of Descartes, it argues that radical skepticism and “I think, therefore I am” locate certainty inward, a pattern echoed in Greek options like Stoicism (detach to avoid pain) and Epicureanism (dive...

Rev. Dr. Daniel Shaw uses Flannery O’Connor’s line about the Eucharist—“If it’s a symbol, to hell with it”—to argue that a merely symbolic Lord’s Supper becomes a demand that worsens anxiety and despair rather than a gift for sinners. He points to the Words of Institution in Paul and the Synoptic Gospels, stressing the meal was given “on the night in which He was betrayed” for betrayers and troubl...

The episode argues that modern society faces a “famine of trust,” illustrated through Sebastian Junger’s TED Talk about soldiers missing the brotherhood and certainty of war compared with alienation at home, and supported by declining institutional trust (including churches). The speaker connects this pervasive uncertainty to the search for something reliable and contrasts distrust in institutions...

Baptism as God’s Promise: Forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and Acts 2The episode argues that because God is almighty (Pantokrator), humans can only know Him through His self-revelation, seen in Genesis where God creates ex nihilo through performative speech; Satan cannot oppose God’s power but twists God’s word for deception, as in Eden. This framework is applied to contemporary “churchianity,” where...

In this segment, Shawn Ryan shares his personal journey and the reasons behind his decision to no longer attend church, exploring themes of yions, aiming to bring hope and understanding. His reflections provide valuable insights for anyone seeking peace in their spiritual walk.00:00 Why He Stopped Church01:35 Feeling Used for Exposure03:09 A Better Small Church03:54 What Church Really Is05:22 Anoi...

Why does church so often feel fake — like just another business? Performance, corporate tactics, self-preservation, and the slow replacement of Word and Sacrament with image and numbers have left many people disillusioned and walking away. In this video, Dan Shaw speaks directly about the real reasons behind that feeling. From seminary church hopping and painful exits, to honest self-reckoning and...

00:00 Introduction and Dangerous Sermon 00:30 The Miserly Husband Story 03:31 Adam and Eve: Creation and Loneliness 06:54 Understanding Hermeneutics and Exegesis 07:57 The Christian Hermeneutic: Justification by Faith 19:13 The Gospel's Impact on Relationships and Work 28:07 The Curse and Its Impact on Men and Women 36:01 The Pain of Childbirth and Biblical Context 36:47 The Curse and Gender R...

In this insightful and heartwarming video, Dan Shaw shares his experience of a profoundly meaningful Christmas. Blending the spiritual depth of C.S. Lewis's writings with the light-hearted cheer of the movie 'Elf,' Dan contrasts the deeper Christian understanding of Christmas with modern secular traditions. Drawing from the Gospel of John, he explores concepts of light and darkness, sa...

Understanding the Grammar of the Gospel: Christ as the Active Subject In this video, the concept of the 'grammar of the gospel' is explored, highlighting how the structure and language used in Christian testimonies and the Bible emphasize Jesus Christ as the active subject. The speaker shares insights from graduate school and seminary experiences, showing how studying the grammar of the go...

Is being Born Again a simple prayer? In this episode, we dive deep into the first chapter of 1 Peter, exploring the concept of 'being born again' through the lens of biblical texts and the remarkable insights of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. We discuss the profound idea that knowing and longing for Jesus Christ is akin to the themes found in the most compelling fairy tales. The speaker ex...

Join Pastor Dan Shaw as he explores 1 Peter 1, unpacking what it means to live as an exile in this world while holding onto the unshakeable hope found in Christ. This teaching emphasizes that faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and how trials refine and strengthen our faith.🔹 What You’ll Discover:The meaning of being “exiles” in a world opposed to GodHow faith is born from hea...

Dive into the powerful and moving story of C.S. Lewis' return to faith after a life of atheism and the heart-wrenching trials he faced. Learn how Lewis' personal struggle with belief mirrors the biblical journey of the prophet Habakkuk, who questioned God's actions in times of suffering and injustice. Discover how both figures teach us to wait obediently, patiently, and faithfully for...

In this sermon, Dan Shaw delves into the Book of Habakkuk, a minor prophet whose faith in God is tested by God's seeming injustice. The context of Habakkuk's prophecy is explained, highlighting the corruption, injustice, and looming Babylonian invasion faced by Judah. The sermon draws parallels between historical events and personal struggles, emphasizing the relevance of faith and God&#39...

Explore a captivating Bible story about Elisha, emphasizing the importance of faith in God, and the power of spiritual vision. These bible videos bring ancient biblical events to life, showcasing the role of a prophet in delivering divine messages from God. Dive into the bible and discover inspiring truth!00:00 Introduction to Soren Kierkegaard01:34 The Concept of Spiritual Blindness02:31 Christia...

Join us as we dive into the powerful intersection of faith and Friday Night Football in this inspiring video. Featuring high school football players Birk Johnston, Hunter Goodsell, and Andrew Dobler, we explore the Christian perspective within the high-stakes world of the NFL and the Super Bowl. Through heartfelt discussion, we reflect on how faith shapes their love for the game and points to a gr...

In this episode, we examine the Bible in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, delving into accusations of modern witchcraft from the controversial website Jezebel. Just days before his tragic death, witches allegedly cast curses on Kirk via Etsy, prompting us to question the power of dark forces versus the power of God. Dan Shaw confronts the reality of evil and witchcraft while emphasiz...

This podcast episode explores whether Jesus ever claimed divinity, focusing on Dr. Bart Ehrman's assertion that Jesus did not claim to be God outside the Gospel of John. Dan Shaw dissects this claim by analyzing the Gospel of Mark, delving into specific chapters and verses to argue that Jesus is portrayed as divine. Through a close reading of Mark's Gospel, including instances where Jesus...

Have you ever felt like God is hiding from you? This video explores the profound concept of the 'hidden God' as discussed by Martin Luther in the 16th century. By drawing parallels to the game of hide and seek, it delves into the reasons why God might purposely hide Himself from us. The video examines how our sinful nature and wrongful pursuits can obscure our understanding of God. Discove...

What does Jesus mean by the keys in Matthew 16????