In this episode, Ben is joined by Chad and David, where they attempt to address the issue of how often we get used to the suffering we see all around us. Whether it's friends, co-workers which we choose to overlook the suffering of, or something like the ongoing war in Ukraine. ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Click below to follow the regulars on In...
Jul 12, 2024•38 min
In this episode Ben sits down with author and speaker Alicia Britt Chole to talk about her newest book, "The Night is Normal: A Guide Through Spiritual Pain." Alicia discusses how to navigate spiritual darkness, and how we can run into problems when we think spiritual maturity always equals better, happier feelings. Learn more about Alicia here . Check out "The Night is Normal" on Amazon here . ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Se...
Jul 02, 2024•57 min
Carl Lentz recently sat down with his wife for an excruciatingly honest conversation about his moral failings, and how his family has managed to navigate them. In this episode, Chad and Ben discuss whether openly discussing issues of this magnitude, in this format, is the healthy, and even Godly thing to do. ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Join the ...
Jun 27, 2024•41 min
In this week's episode, David and Ben come to you from the mountains of Norway with a special road report from No Longer Music's first tour of 2024. They share about what God has been doing in Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Norway. The two also talk about evangelism and the church's often complicated relationship with it. ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram...
Jun 20, 2024•37 min
Did the rise of New Atheism end up doing more damage to it's own cause than good? Can we ever truly escape our need for religion, and is the West turning back to God? Ben sits down with longtime friend Justin Brierley, formerly of the "Unbelievable?" podcast to discuss the new trends in spirituality that we are seeing unfold across the secular world. They also talk about Justin's newest book, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers are Considering C...
Jun 13, 2024•49 min
A church in Germany hosts a service based around Taylor Swift, her music, and its themes of justice, love, tolerance, and more - packing out their building. Are they on to something? Is this a sign of the collapse of the church? Ben is joined by Luke and Chad to weigh in on this controversial event. ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Join the Provoke &...
Jun 06, 2024•58 min
Is there a deeper existential reality that sports, and our relationship to them, portray? Can David and Ben survive an expert-level Swiss ski hill? All of this and more on this week's episode of P&I! ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Join the Provoke & Inspire Discord Community ! Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram! Ben Pierce Davi...
May 30, 2024•43 min
In this episode, Ben goes solo to weigh in on the controversial commencement speech given last week at Benedictine College by NFL kicker and Super Bowl champion Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs). ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Join the Provoke & Inspire Discord Community ! Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram! Ben Pierce David Pie...
May 23, 2024•32 min
Is a purpose-filled life only reserved for a select few who happen to have found their dream job and God-given calling? Is it something we have to create for ourselves? How do we deal with the fact that so many people who seem to have it all, even Christians, are dissatisfied with their day to day existence? What is the answer? In this episode the regulars, minus Chad, attempt to tackle these tough existential questions, while David applauds Luke for a highly specific attribute he is said to pos...
May 16, 2024•43 min
How do we effectively reach Gen-Z for Jesus? Is there a common denominator between Gen-Z'ers that fall away from the faith, and those that don't? In this episode Ben and Chad talk with evangelist, disciple-maker, and bible-teacher Gabrielle McCullough who works closely with JP Pokluda of Harris Creek Baptist Church. They learn from her story how powerful the life of a young person transformed for Jesus can be and the impact they can have for the gospel on the world around them through simple obe...
May 09, 2024•51 min
Are our smartphones killing our faith? Do we need to take drastic steps to protect ourselves from their misuse? Were Mark Driscoll's actions out of line at the Stronger Men's conference? In this episode the regulars cover these questions, amid the broader topic of our current smartphone addiction and epidemic, in light of author Jonathan Haidt's new book, The Anxious Generation . David also shares about his disdain for a phone's Airplane Mode function, and an ominous occurrence of phantom vibrat...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Ben and David sit down with rap and hip hop artist Esteban Shedd, as he shares about the beginnings of Streetlights audio bible, and how from a basement to a parking lot, to a studio, to a non-profit, to the road, to the globe - contextualizing the word of God has effectively reached millions who might never walk into a church. To learn more about the Streetlights Bible ministry, click here ! ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send...
Apr 25, 2024•47 min
So often our culture in the church sets people up for failure with expectations of prosperity, healing, and after coming to Jesus, when the truth is that this is just not the reality to be expected. David and Ben ask the question of whether or not healing is a guaranteed part of being a Christian, or if God might sometimes have greater plans for redeeming our suffering. ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinsp...
Apr 18, 2024•34 min
Is prayer something inevitably dull and boring? How can we faithfully engage in prayer to change the world for Jesus? In this episode Ben and Luke talk with the founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement , Pete Greig, and discuss how a life of prayer is the only hope we have in making a difference as Christians. ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Join the Pro...
Apr 11, 2024•44 min
Is modern therapy making us all worse? Has the church adopted the secular mindset of medicating its way through the normal hardships of everyday life? In many ways it seems we've forgotten the healing power of the gospel, and the restorative power of the Holy Spirit. In this episode the regulars weigh in on this controversial subject, after reading through popular journalist Abigail Shrier's new book, " Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up ." ------------------------------- Questions, com...
Apr 04, 2024•43 min
Is the current war on men justified? How do we as Christians aim to address and remedy the toxic masculinity in our culture as followers of Jesus? Professor Nancy Pearcey sits down with Ben and Chad to discuss this topic in light of her new book, " The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes " ------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . ...
Mar 28, 2024•51 min
In this episode, Ben and Aaron sit down with Reverend and Dr. Lisa Pak, who works alongside Pastor Rick Warren at Finishing The Task , an organization that exists to see every people group in the world engaged with an indigenously led church planting movement. Jesus said in Matthew 24:14 that, "...this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." How do we practically set out to complete the great commission, especially whe...
Mar 21, 2024•46 min
Why do we quit? What is it that is making the average American change jobs every four years? In this quick hit Ben talks about perseverance, and how the significance of our lives depends on us getting this right. ---------------------------------------------------- Want to invite Ben to speak? Click HERE ! Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Join the Provoke & Inspire Discord Comm...
Mar 15, 2024•6 min
The Bible instructs us to run the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). As followers of Jesus, how can we practically set out to accomplish this? Ben, David, and Chad wrestle through the topic of perseverance in the life of a Christian, and how we can do so in a world that quits nearly everything it begins. -------------------------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send t...
Mar 14, 2024•43 min
Is marijuana prohibited by scripture? Is it encouraged? As the drug increases in legalization and cultural prevalence, how do we as Christians approach it? In this episode, Ben and Chad are joined by Dr. Todd Miles, author of "Cannabis and The Christian" . When it comes to marijuana, what do we make of its use recreationally, medically, the addictive properties, and its taboo nature in the Church? Is a Christian ever permitted to use this drug, and has this substance been wrongfully deemed as fo...
Mar 07, 2024•43 min
Can we actually change, or are we stuck with what we've got? What is it that keeps us stagnant, often held in the same spiritual patterns? In this quick hit Ben discusses what truly changes us, and how anything less than a shift in identity will simply not work. ---------------------------------------------------- Want to invite Ben to speak? Click HERE ! Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Insta...
Mar 01, 2024•7 min
Is changing our minds and our hearts simply about discipline, more knowledge, or other things that might be considered self-help? Is it something else? In this episode the regulars discuss whether or not there really is something distinct about the way in which Jesus changes us. ---------------------------------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org , or send us a message on Instagram . Join the Pro...
Feb 29, 2024•46 min
Predictably, a lifestyle that once seemed to be confined to only the fringes of society is now being found in reality TV shows, on the covers of mainstream news articles, and widespread across the secular world: Polyamory. Ben, David, and Chad discuss what followers of Jesus should do in the wake of this devastating assault on traditional marriage and relationships. ---------------------------------------------------------- Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send...
Feb 22, 2024•47 min
Is our society seeing a spiritual awakening as more and more of it's leading podcasters, thinkers, and social media influencers begin to confront and experience the hopelessness of the secular worldview? Comedian, actor, YouTuber, and political activist Russell Brand is the latest to begin expressing a growing conviction in Christianity, namely, Jesus Christ as the answer to his own quest for truth. In this episode the regulars weigh in on Russell's recently posted video clip on Instagram titled...
Feb 15, 2024•48 min
Does our theology actually make a difference in how we live our lives as followers of Jesus? Does God determine the eternal destiny of each person before they are even born? In this episode Ben is joined by Soteriology 101's Dr. Leighton Flowers discuss these questions, among others as they dive into the mysterious and controversial doctrine of salvation. Check out more from Dr. Leighton Flowers here: https://soteriology101.com/ Check out Soteriology 101 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sote...
Feb 08, 2024•42 min
Why is it that we can be so casual in dire circumstances; so slow to share our faith, even when the lives of the people around us are being destroyed by lies and hopelessness? In this quick hit episode, Ben shares a personal story of actions taken during an emergency, and contemplating what they reveal about the spiritual reality around us. ---------------------------------------------------- Want to invite Ben to speak? Click HERE ! Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you t...
Feb 08, 2024•4 min
Should Christians watch R-rated movies? Does the Bible contain offensive art? Have we applied arbitrary moral standards to art and killed it in the process? What IS the purpose of art? In this episode Ben talks with author and artist, Josh Porter, about his new book, " With All Its Teeth: Sex, Violence, Profanity, and the Death of Christian Art ." Check out more from Josh Porter here: joshuasporter.com Order Josh's new book here: With All Its Teeth -----------------------------------------------...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 12 min
We can often get so caught up in doing things for God and wondering what he might want us to be doing, that we miss some very simple, yet critical aspects of walking out our faith. We miss out on what God has for us; following our own dreams instead of following Jesus. In this quick hit episode, Ben dives into how we were designed to make a difference, drawing from the scriptures as well as his own life experience. ---------------------------------------------------- Want to invite Ben to speak?...
Jan 30, 2024•5 min
In this episode Ben, David, Chad, and a special guest respond to a story of a Minnesota man who dove into an icy river to save the driver of a vehicle that had just gone off of the road. How do we parallel this story with our urgency for the gospel, for those in our lives who are heading toward an eternity without God? Why are we not more vigilant, like the man who went into the river, without hesitation? Join us on Tuesday, January 30th at 12 PM CST for our Provoke & Inspire Community Zoom ...
Jan 30, 2024•42 min
It's the 500th episode of Provoke & Inspire! Whether you've been here from the beginning or this is your first episode, thank you for listening and for your support! For this special episode, Ben, Luke, David, and Chad come together and reflect on all that God has done through the podcast in the last eight years. They remember past guests, from the late Timothy Keller to Dallas Jenkins (The Chosen), and talk through the reason why this podcast began: how do we faithfully follow Jesus in a po...
Jan 25, 2024•50 min
