This season, Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley will be talking a lot about 2 Samuel. This episode is an introduction to the book—why we’re talking about it, what it’s about and why we should care. Questions Covered in This Episode: Why are we talking about 2 Samuel? What is 2 Samuel? What are some of the megathemes of 2 Samuel? Who are the major characters? What is the main question in 2 Samuel? What is the role of God in the book of 2 Samuel? Why shouldn’t I skip 2 Samuel in my bible read...
Feb 14, 2019•35 min•Season 2Ep. 30
How and why should you read Scripture? Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley explore everything from choosing a reading plan to knowing why it’s important to understand the various literary genres that make up the Bible. Questions Covered in This Episode: What is the bible? Why do we read the bible? How should we read the bible? What are your bible reading tips? What is the relationship between bible reading and bible study? What about “devotions” and bible reading? Helpful Definitions: Revela...
Feb 07, 2019•40 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Julie Wilding to talk about the littlest theologians—kids—and how the Church and families can help form them into healthy disciples from their earliest years. Questions Covered in This Episode: Can kids be theologians? What have we learned about teaching doctrine to children? How does TVC do this? How have you done this in your home? But, aren’t they just repeating what we say? Is it really doing anything? Helpful Definitions: Theologian: One...
Jan 31, 2019•34 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley hit on several topics, like the Trinity, gluttony, the age of accountability and more. Questions Covered in This Episode: RE: Matt. 24:32-36...if the Father and Son are one, how does only the Father know the hour “these things shall come to pass?” How should we as Christians approach the topic of gluttony and personal health? How should we prioritize exercise and healthy food choices? As Christians, are we able to live without sinning? Does God speak to us...
Dec 27, 2018•54 min•Season 2Ep. 27
You’ve probably heard the term “incarnation” before, but what does it really mean? Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley explore what we’re talking about when we talk about the incarnation, some common misconceptions around this idea and why it matters. Questions Covered in This Episode: What is Advent and why does it matter? What does the word “Incarnation” mean? What theological issues are wrapped up in the incarnation? Was the incarnation a surprise? Didn’t the OT prophesy it? Helpful Defin...
Dec 13, 2018•42 min•Season 2Ep. 26
You’ve more than likely heard the story of David and Goliath, but what’s really going on in this story? Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley dive into 1 Samuel 16–17 to talk about common misrepresentations of this story, the role of anointing, and kingship in the Old Testament and more. Questions Covered in This Episode: Israel has a king, but in 1 Samuel 16, David is anointed King? What’s going on here? What is the role of anointing in the OT and in kingship imagery? Is this a moment signifi...
Nov 29, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 25
What is the doctrine of providence and how is that different from God’s sovereignty? Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss how God continues to reign and rule over His creation. “We talk about these things in the light so that we can stand on them in the dark.” Kyle Worley Questions Covered in This Episode: What is providence? What are the key positions of providence? Where do you fall? Helpful Definitions: Providence: God’s continued care and governance over the whole of his creation....
Nov 08, 2018•41 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Kelsey Hency, Editor in Chief of Fathom Magazine and Bible teacher, to talk about the Ark of the Covenant. They look at what it is, why it exists and its relationship to the presence of God. Questions Covered in This Episode: What’s the big deal with the ark? What is it? Why is it? How is it? Does the ark have magical power? Is this a Harry Potter situation? Why are the Philistines afraid about the presence of the ark? What is the relationshi...
Oct 25, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 23
What is the doctrine of revelation and why is it so important? Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley explore how God has revealed Himself to us in the past and what that means for us today. Questions Covered in This Episode: If I came in this morning and began a conversation with you by saying, “JT, last night God told me…” What starts happening in your mind? What questions are raised? Why? What is the doctrine of revelation? What issues are wrapped up in this doctrine? How has God revealed hi...
Oct 11, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Do you ever skip over books like 1 and 2 Samuel in your Bible reading plan? Do they just seem like a bunch of blood, names and numbers? Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss how there’s a lot more to these books than you might think, and they play an important role in the whole story of the Bible. Questions Covered in This Episode: When we get to the books of Samuel, what is the story so far? What are things about the books of Samuel that could be hard to understand? Who wrote these bo...
Sep 27, 2018•33 min•Season 2Ep. 21
On the first episode of season two, Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley talk about their summers, a few updates and what to expect on this season of Knowing Faith. Questions Covered in This Episode: What is the Knowing Faith podcast? What did we talk about last season? What was the most memorable episode or moment? What are we covering this season? Why did you feel strongly about doing a bible study on 1st and 2nd Samuel? As we head into the Training Program’s 4th year, what are the biggest ...
Sep 12, 2018•42 min•Season 2Ep. 20
On this episode, Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Elizabeth Woodson to answer theological questions from our listeners. Listen to the crew discuss (and debate) topics like how we should read passages about Israel in 2018 or why God seems to be silent about the treatment of women… Questions Covered in This Episode: Are Israel and the Church the same in the New covenant? How should we read passages about Israel in 2018? Do they relate to current events in the state of Israel? ...
Jul 19, 2018•54 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley talk with Dr. Michael Kruger about how the Bible, as we know it, came to be and how we know we can trust it. Questions Covered in This Episode: Can we trust our Bibles? How did we get our Bibles, what was the process? Where is the original Bible? What is self-authentication? What is the biggest misconception about the canon? There are brackets in my Bible around Mark 16:9-20. Can you explain that? Should we read and teach this passage as if it is authorita...
Jul 05, 2018•28 min•Season 1Ep. 18
JT English and Kyle Worley chat with Jen Wilkin about her new book, “In His Image,” and how we, as limited humans, might strive to display the character of our limitless God. Questions Covered in This Episode: Jen, how many books have you written and what are they all about? What’s the elevator pitch for “In His Image?” I want to know God’s will for my life. What should I do? What is the difference between incommunicable and communicable attributes? Is holiness given a preeminent standing in des...
Jun 21, 2018•30 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss the basics of developing a theological method, like looking to your Bible, utilizing your community and praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth. Questions Covered in This Episode: When presented with a theological question, assigned a topic, or have an interest peaked...where do you start? Where do you go from there? What are common pitfalls in theological study? How do you avoid them? How to build a biblical and theological library? Outside of...
Jun 07, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Join Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley as they discuss eschatology—the end of the world—through the lens of Matthew 23 – 25. Questions Covered in This Episode: Focusing in on Matt. 23-25, what is going on in these chapters? Are there any unique features of these chapters? Is Matthew 24 about the past, present, or future? Is Matthew 25 about the past, present, or future? What is the relationship between God’s judgment described in these chapters and the love of God? Helpful Definitions: Woe...
May 24, 2018•35 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Andy Crouch, author of “The Tech-Wise Family” and “Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling,” to talk about culture, power and institutions and what implications those things have on the Church and believers. Questions Covered in This Episode: The church, like all institutions, has to think seriously about stewarding its authority and influence. What are the key Christian beliefs that anchor or provide ballast for the stewardship of in...
May 10, 2018•28 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Jeremy Treat, author of The Crucified King, to talk about the kingdom and the cross and why both are crucial to how we understand and live out the gospel. “You can’t understand the kingdom with the cross. You can't understand the cross without the Kingdom” - Jeremy Treat Questions Covered in This Episode: How is the cross an enthronement ceremony? What is people's biggest obstacle in accepting the view that the cross in an enthronement ceremo...
Apr 19, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley talk about Matthew 21 and Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. What does this mean for His rule and reign in the Kingdom of God and what does it mean for us? Questions Covered in This Episode: When we get to the triumphal entry, where are we at in Matthew? What’s been happening? What are some key themes we see in the book of Matthew? Is there any significance to the donkey, or is it just an animal that he picked for his transportation? What is triumphal...
Apr 05, 2018•36 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Tim Mackie, co-creator of The Bible Project, to discuss the Holy Spirit, some common misconceptions and what it means that God lives in us. Questions Covered in This Episode: If you were going to tell the story of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture, how would you do that? What are some of the most common misunderstandings regarding the person or work of the Spirit in the Old Testament? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of ...
Mar 22, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Nathan Campbell to talk about the basis of sin and its effects on the world. It’s more than eating a piece of fruit that drove Adam and Eve out of Eden. Questions Covered in This Episode: Let’s talk Genesis 3: Why is it a big deal that Adam and Eve ate some fruit off of a tree? What is the best way to understand the curses of sin in Genesis 3? What is the relationship between sin, death, and the law of God? When trying to teach/talk about sin...
Mar 08, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In light of recent discussions, Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a conversation about the benefits of doing theology together as brothers and sisters in Christ. They give a brief lay of the land on where evangelicalism is at in the conversation of women in the church, what grounds they believe that it is faithful to scripture for women to help teach and train pastors/elders, and how they have seen it played out in their own context. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Genesis 2, Rom...
Feb 16, 2018•31 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss the parables. The parables of Jesus are central to Matthew’s Gospel and valuable to biblical study. But what are they and how should we read them? Questions Covered in This Episode: What is a parable? How does Jesus use them? What are some common features of parables? What are some modern day parables? Why does Jesus use secretive ways of speaking? Shouldn’t he want to speak simply so everyone can understand him? Looking at Matthew 13, it looks lik...
Feb 01, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 8
You asked. We answered. Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley talk through listener questions ranging from original sin to death to the Nephilim. Questions Covered in This Episode: If sin was possible pre-fall, what’s stopping the same thing from happening in the new heavens/new earth? Will there be free will in the new heavens/new earth? Why did God create Satan? Why would an all knowing God create someone he knew would be the ruler of darkness? How did Satan sin in a sinless heaven? Where wa...
Dec 21, 2017•49 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Dr. Jonathan Pennington as they discuss the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and answer the question, “is Jesus a philosopher?” Questions Covered in This Episode: The Sermon on the Mount has got to be one of the most familiar passages in the New Testament, why should we take a fresh look at this heavily explored passage? A typical reading of the beatitudes is “blessed,” but could it be more accurate to translate this as “flourishing.” Why i...
Dec 07, 2017•32 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss Genesis 1-2 and how it shapes a Christian doctrine of creation by its original context and distinctives from other ancient origin creation narratives. Questions Covered in This Episode: Where was God before the beginning? When was He? Who was the original audience of the creation account? How does that shape the way we read Genesis 1-11? What do you believe is often neglected in the Christian doctrine of creation? What does it mean that humanity wa...
Nov 22, 2017•31 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth in Matthew 1:18-24 including several misconceptions of the story, how it relates to the Old testament, and why the incarnation had to happen. Questions Covered in This Episode: What is the single biggest misconception about the birth story of Jesus? What are some other ways that the story of Christ’s birth is misremembered because of popular understandings of the nativity story? Looking at Isaiah 7 (which is quot...
Nov 09, 2017•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Dr. Gregg Allison of southern Seminary to discuss what Catholics believe, examining the role of the reformation, as well as similarities and differences with Protestants. Questions Covered in This Episode: When we are talking about Catholicism, given how old the tradition is and how vast its reach, who or what are we really talking about? Are Catholics saved? Do Catholics deny justification by faith? What about the relationship between tradit...
Oct 12, 2017•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss the Trinity, looking at common misunderstandings and what is at stake if we do not properly understand this foundational doctrine of Christian faith. They discuss why seeing God’s Triune nature provokes us to deeper worship, obedience, and mission. “The trinity filled my heart full of heartfelt joy and I knew that all eternity was like this for those who attain heaven for the trinity is God and God the trinity the trinity is our maker and keeper ou...
Sep 28, 2017•29 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley work through the lineage of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and discuss why genealogies in the Bible, though intimidating and confusing on the surface, are significant. Questions Covered in This Episode: Why do the gospels include genealogies? What are some of the key differences between the genealogies in the four gospels? What makes Matthew’s genealogy distinct? When bible readers hit names and numbers in the bible, there is a tendency to skip over to “th...
Sep 14, 2017•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1
