Word & Flesh

Do spiritual disciplines matter? Or should the Christian life just be a whimsical, "do what you feel and hope for the best" kind of thing? In this episode, we discuss the purpose of spiritual disciplines and why practices like Bible reading, Scripture memory, prayer, fasting, confession, generosity, and Sabbath rest aren't attempts to earn God's favor. They're gifts God uses to transform His peopl...

A recent vote by Southern Baptists exploded headlines (and lots of heads) across the country. The vote? To clarify that the office as well as the functions of a pastor/elder are reserved exclusively for men. Critics called the move backward, oppressive, and harmful to women. But what actually happened? And more importantly, what does the Bible actually teach? In this episode of Word & Flesh, w...

Somebody is going to disciple our children. Who will it be? Questions about sex, identity, relationships, and God's design are arriving earlier than ever, and Christian parents cannot afford to remain passive. In this episode, the elders of Riverview Baptist Church discuss how to talk to children about sexuality in an age of confusion and competing worldviews. Rather than relying on one awkward co...

Submission. For many people, it's one of the most uncomfortable words in the Bible. Our culture has spent decades teaching women that submission is weakness, oppression, or the loss of personal freedom. Scripture paints a very different picture. In this episode of Word & Flesh, we continue our series on biblical womanhood by exploring one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life:...

What causes men to shrink back? In this episode of *Word and Flesh*, we continue the conversation on biblical masculinity by turning to one of the central struggles of men: passivity, fear, and abdication. From Adam in the Garden to Peter denying Christ, Scripture repeatedly shows men failing to step into the responsibilities God has given them. Facts: modern men struggle with the same thing. Rive...

What does it actually mean to be a man? In this episode, we explore a biblical vision of masculinity that goes far deeper than cultural stereotypes. Instead of passivity on one side or domination on the other, Scripture calls men to something better. We define a virtuous man as one who takes initiative to lead, provide, and protect others with humble, self-sacrificing love under God’s authority. F...

What is a woman? It’s a question our culture struggles to answer—yet Scripture speaks to it clearly, beautifully, and with purpose. In this episode of Word and Flesh , we begin a two-part conversation on virtous womanhood , not shaped by culture, but grounded in God’s design. We explore a biblical definition of a virtuous woman: A woman who nurtures and cultivates others with gentle strength, wisd...

The culture has a LOT to say about sex. But what does God say? In this episode of Word and Flesh , we begin a new series by stepping back and asking a deeper question: how are we meant to think about these things as Christians? Rather than reducing the conversation to mere rules or reactions, we explore a more foundational framework rooted in identity and grace. The culture tells us to define ours...

What does it actually mean to “grow in grace”? If grace is a gift from God, how can we grow in it? And what does that look like in real life? In this episode of Word and Flesh , we unpack one of the most important (and often misunderstood) ideas in the Christian life. Many believers swing between two extremes—performance-driven Christianity or passive, apathetic faith. Scripture calls us to someth...

"Your authority is not your own. It is on loan from God." If you’ve been given authority—at home, at work, or in the church—how are you supposed to use it? In this episode of Word and Flesh , we move from talking about authority to actually using it. What does it look like to lead well without becoming controlling, harsh, or passive? We cover a practical, biblical framework for using authority rig...

What should Christians think about politics—and how involved should they be? In this episode of Word and Flesh , we wrap up our discussion on authority by turning to one of the most debated topics today: government and political engagement. We explore: What the Bible says about government (Romans 13, Jeremiah 29) The difference between the “City of God” and the “City of Man” Whether Christians sho...

What role should the church actually play in your life? In this episode of Word and Flesh , we continue our conversation on authority by focusing on the local church—its role, its authority, and why it matters more than most people think. In a culture where church is often treated as optional, personal, or even unnecessary, we ask: Where does pastoral authority come from? Why does the Bible call b...

What is authority—and who actually has it in your life? In this episode of Word and Flesh , we tackle one of the most foundational (and controversial) issues in the Christian life: authority. We all live under authority—but not everyone thinks carefully about where that authority comes from or how it shapes their life. We explore: Why authority is unavoidable The difference between healthy and abu...

Welcome to the very first episode of Word and Flesh, a podcast from the elders of Riverview Baptist Church. Why another Christian podcast? In this episode, the elders of Riverview explain the heart behind this new venture: helping our people think biblically about all of life—not just Sunday mornings. From the limits of the pulpit to the dangers of outsourcing wisdom to social media, we explore wh...