The Ryley Heppner Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Bonhoeffer scholar, Matthew D. Kirkpatrick to discuss his new book, "Bonhoeffer for the Church: An Introduction." Kirkpatrick offers a fresh and accessible look at the life, theology, and enduring legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the most influential Christian voices of the 20th century. In our conversation we explore how Bonhoeffer’s insights on discipleship,...

In this episode, I sit down with pastor and author, Jim Essian,  to discuss his latest book, "Send: Loving Your Church by Praying, Giving, or Going." Jim shares about his journey from professional baseball to church planting and founding the Plant Fort Worth network, which has helped plant 15 churches in just six years. He unpacks the heart of his new book, what it means to "live sent," and how ch...

In this episode I have the amazing privilege of getting to sit down with Sonny Sandoval, the legendary frontman of P.O.D., to talk about his upcoming autobiography, Son of Southtown: My Life Between Two Worlds. This conversation was one of, if not the highlight of this podcasting thing so far. Sonny was one of a kind. The nicest guy, and clearly so passionately fixated on Christ. Hope you enjoy an...

In this episode, I was joined by Dr. Janette H. Ok, a leading New Testament scholar, to discuss her contribution as editor and commentator in the groundbreaking commentary, "The New Testament in Color." Dr. Ok shares the inspiration behind this project and reflects on how her own cultural background has shaped her approach to Scripture. We explore what "in color" signifies—not just diversity, but...

In this episode I chat once again Timothy Larsen, this time to discuss his wonderful new book, "12 Classic Christmas Stories: A Feast of Yuletide Tales" (Moody Press). Whether you're a lover of classic literature or simply looking to deepen your appreciation of Christmas traditions, and connect them to Christ, this book will do it, and hopefully this conversation as well! Timothy Larsen is McManis...

In this episode, I sit down with well-known author and blogger, Tim Challies, to discuss his book Running to Win: The Lifelong Pursuits of a Godly Man . We dive into the spiritual disciplines and habits that shape a faithful life, exploring the parallels between the Christian walk and the discipline of running a race. Tim shares insights on marriage, doctrine, self-control and the importance of co...

In today's episode, we’re diving into one of the most challenging topics in biblical interpretation: how to approach the Bible's violent texts in a way that is faithful, thoughtful, and pastoral. I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Eric Seibert, a renowned scholar, author, and professor, formerly at Messiah University, whose work has been instrumental in helping Christians wrestle with difficult pass...

Today's episode was with Amy Peeler out of Wheaton College. Amy has just released a new and wonderful Hebrews commentary in Eerdmans' "Commentaries for Christian Formation” series and I had the wonderful chance to chat with her today about it. Our conversation ranged from what led to her initial excitement about Hebrews, to what value it holds for the church today, to how we can overcome the barri...

In this episode I have the privilege of chatting with New Testament scholar Dr. Clifton Black to explore his journey as a biblical scholar, his recent book Mark’s Gospel, and his deep insights into the unique qualities of this often-underappreciated Gospel. Dr. Black offers valuable insights on how Mark’s Gospel can deepen our understanding of the Christian faith and its significance for the moder...

The scandal of the Gospel. That a perfect God would substitute himself in the place of the guilty. More than that, in the place of enemies. As Charles Wesley so wonderfully wrote, "How can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me?"

How do you live as a faithful Christian in such politically polarized times? How do you follow Jesus and participate in politics? How do you be salt and light in the world and love your neighbour well and contribute politically to our society? There are so many pressing questions like these when it comes to the relationship with between faith and politics. Thankfully there are people like Miranda...

In today's episode I chat with Tod Bolsinger about his new four book series, Practicing Change. In our conversation Tod briefly unpacks each book in the series, walking me through what it looks like to lead a church through positive change and transformation in the midst of crisis and resistance, while building trust and staying on mission. If you are a Christian leader of any sort, Tod's new seri...

Today I had the chance to chat with Kevin Gushiken about his new book out of Kregel Press, “A Theology of Play: Learning to Enjoy Life as God intended.” It is such a unique topic of study and one that hasn’t received that much focus. To think that God created play, gives us the freedom and permission to play, and that he actually delights in his people playing. How incredible! In our conversation,...

I had the wonderful privilege today of getting to speak with, author and biblical scholar Christopher Ash. Ash has most recently released through Crossway a four volume commentary called The Psalms: A Christ Centred Commentary, which was the topic of our conversation today. We talked about how to find Christ in the Psalms, how to read the Psalms of vengeance, how important the Psalms are to the ch...

Just ten simple things that have helped me be more disciplined in and get more out of my time in God's Word. Maybe they'll be helpful to you too! 1. Read it daily. 2. Read it in strange places. 3. Read it while you’re waiting. 4. Read it with multiple bookmarks. 5. Read it with a plan. 6. Read the Psalms once a month. 7. Buy new Bibles because you wear them out. 8. Read it with a commentary 9.  Re...

I had the awesome privileged today of getting to talk to pastor and author, Mark Vroegop about his latest book, “Waiting isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life." Our conversation covered, among other things, the motivation for the book, why waiting is both normal and difficult, how it is an opportunity for Christ to shine in and through us, and how waiti...

There is an old adage that goes something like this, "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” Now let me reword it for you and ask it again, “What you would attempt for Christ, if you knew His love for you could not fail?”

Today's conversation is with Professor of History and Christian thought, Dr. Timothy Larsen. Dr. Larsen's latest project is the reissue of a powerful devotional from the 19th century Scottish author and minister, George MacDonald, Diary of an Old Soul, in which Dr. Larsen provides an introduction and explanatory notes throughout the book. We talked lots about George Donald, about his Christian fai...

Today I was joined by New Testament Professor and Bible Translator Dr. Mark Strauss, to talk about his new book, 40 Questions About Bible Translation. Our conversation ranged from gender neutral decisions in the NIV, to the difficulties, challenges and ongoing debates in Bible Translation, to the differences between a translation and paraphrase. Hope you enjoy and that you are left both challenged...

Rejection always hurts, no matter what I am being rejected from. It always makes me squirm; makes me want to disappear. And yet, I have come to realize through the years and over the course of many rejections that God can and does use rejection in my life to do a myriad of beautiful things. These days, even though rejection is still uncomfortable, I find myself almost eagerly anticipating it becau...

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In today's conversation I chat with New Testament Scholar, Dr. James McGrath, about his most recent books, The A to Z of the New Testament: Things Experts Know That Everyone Else Should Too , as well as Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist . Dr. McGrath discusses, among other things, whether the eye of the needle really was a gate in the city wall, if there is a book in the Bible called Revelat...

In today's episode I have the privilege of talking to Jeff Medders and Doug Logan Jr. about their new book "The Soul Winning Church: Six Keys to Fostering a Genuine Evangelistic Culture." In our conversation Jeff and Doug share about the their individual experiences in the church that led to this book being written; why they think we struggle so hard as churches to focus on soul-winning; and how w...

Are there any biblical reasons for Christians to at least get in control of their smart phone use? I think there are lots of reasons but I will just give you 10!

Who are the poor in spirit and how on earth does the Kingdom of God belong to them?