Frequently said in churches throughout the United States are prayers giving thanks to God for a safe place to worship. But when was worship ever designed to be safe? In Episode 30, I will be looking at the subject of worship and the correlating action of sacrifice demonstrated in the Scriptures. There is a cost to worshipping the Father in Spirit and in truth, and sacrifice is never comfortable. My GoFundMe Campaign My book New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ My iTunes Channel - Reclai...
Sep 25, 2018•37 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Proverbs 18:13 says, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” Particularly with episode 29, I want to encourage you to put this verse into practice. Today we will be looking at the subject of Biblical giving. How does the Bible define tithing? Did the early Christians teach tithing? What does giving God’s way actually look like? All these questions and more will be covered in this episode. My GoFundMe Campaign My book New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ M...
Sep 11, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Episode 28 is definitely an interesting one. I’m looking at the issue of conditional versus unconditional security of the Christian by giving an audio version of Chapter 6 of my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ . Is 'once saved, always saved' actually the orthodox position of the early Church? Where did that doctrine originate? What is it that allows Christians to have tremendous security in their salvation? All these subjects and more are covered in this podcast. My book New:...
Aug 28, 2018•53 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In Episode 27, we will discuss the amazing subject of grace. Just like the love of God can be both over-emphasized and under-emphasized, so too the grace of God is often both over and under-simplified. Today, I will be discussing the various ways the Koine Greek word charis (grace) is used in Scripture, and highlight a few ways the early Christians used charis in their writings. By way of housekeeping, at the end of every episode of RTF, I include an original song. I pray those have been a bless...
Aug 14, 2018•28 min•Season 2Ep. 27
This week we’re wrapping up my 4-part interview with Dan Enright about how Christians evangelized in the first century. In Episode 26, we discover how the early Christians used the Prophets, and particularly the book of Isaiah, to demonstrate the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the prophesied Messiah. Dan is a professor at The Bible Seminary in Houston, TX, and is also the Community Groups Pastor at my church. This is an inspirational and educational interview that you don’t want to miss! If you...
Jul 31, 2018•42 min•Season 2Ep. 26
This week we’re diving into part 3 of my 4-part interview with Dan Enright about how Christians evangelized in the first century. In Episode 25, we discover how the early Christians used the Psalms to reason to demonstrate the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the prophesied Messiah. Dan is a professor at The Bible Seminary in Houston, TX, and is also the Community Groups Pastor at my church. This is an inspirational and educational interview that you don’t want to miss! If you’re blessed by this ...
Jul 17, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 25
This week we’re diving into part 2 of my 4-part interview with Dan Enright about how Christians evangelized in the first century. In Episode 24, we go back to the beginning to demonstrate how we see Christ in Genesis through Deuteronomy, which is referred to as the Torah or Pentateuch. Dan is a professor at The Bible Seminary in Houston, TX, and is also the Community Groups Pastor at my church. This is an inspirational and educational interview that you don’t want to miss! If you’re blessed by t...
Jul 03, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 24
I recently had the honor to conduct a 4-part interview with Dan Enright about how Christians evangelized in the first century, with episode 23 being part one of this eye-opening series. Dan is a professor at The Bible Seminary in Houston, TX, and is also the Community Groups Pastor at my church. This is an inspirational and educational interview that you don’t want to miss! If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave an honest review on my iTunes channel, Reclaimin...
Jun 19, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 23
In Episode 22, A Call to Arms, I’ll be discussing how Christians, who are called priests of God in 1 Peter 2, are commanded to fight according to 1 Peter 4. This message will undoubtedly challenge many American traditions, so I want to ask you to prayerfully value the words of God above all other words you’ve ever heard. I want to be clear that this is not an anti-gun message, but rather, it is a call to be a Pro-Life priest of the kingdom of God. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really ap...
Jun 05, 2018•39 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In Episode 21, I’ll be covering the Great Deception that the Apostle Paul says God is going to bring upon certain people in the last days. We will not only look at who those people are, but we will also cover several current distortions to the Gospel that are deceiving the Church today. And finally, I’ll address a simple, yet challenging step you can begin to take today that will help you feel secure when God’s great deception finally comes upon the world. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d ...
May 22, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In Episode 20, I’m going to be getting back into my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ . As with chapters 1-4, I’ll be giving you an audio version of Chapter 5, which is called Judas & Jesus. And here in chapter 5, I discuss how if it was prophesied that Judas would betray Jesus, did he really have a shot at having faith in Jesus and receiving eternal life? If not, what does that say about God, who supposedly so loves the world? You will discover that the early Christians’ v...
May 08, 2018•50 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In Episode 19, I discuss recent reports that Pope Francis denied the existence of hell, and how the media has tried to spin his remarks. I also examine the doctrine of hell from a New Testament perspective, and highlight what the early Christians believed about it. https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2018/03/there-is-no-hell-new-francis-revelation.html https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/pope-francis-there-no-hell https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/pope-francis-article-repu...
Apr 24, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Episode 18 is the fourth and final installment of my series on genuine, historic revivals, where I interview my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency. In part 4, we ask the question: If a revival happens amongst a body of believers, how does it maintain itself? Also, what are a few things that can quench revival? These are the books BDK cites: The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever – by Elmer L. Towns Handbook of Revivals – by Henry Clay Fish The Great Revival in Wales – by SB Shaw If you’re bless...
Apr 10, 2018•51 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Episode 17 is the third installment of my four-part series on genuine, historic revivals, where I interview my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency. In part three, we discuss various hallmarks of true, biblical revival. This is an awesome episode that you may want to listen to a few times to make sure you really soak up all that is discussed. These are the books BDK cites: The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever – by Elmer L. Towns Handbook of Revivals – by Henry Clay Fish The Great Revival in Wal...
Mar 27, 2018•28 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Episode 16 is the second installment of my eye-opening, four-part series on genuine, historic revivals with my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency. In part two, we look at both Scripture and history to determine a few key things that precede revival. This is an awesome episode that you may want to listen to a few times to make sure you really soak up all that is discussed. These are the books BDK cites: The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever – by Elmer L. Towns Handbook of Revivals – by Henry Cl...
Mar 13, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Episode 15 is the first of an awesome, four-part series on genuine, historic revival with my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency . In part one, we explore the question: What is Revival? The word ‘revival’ means so many different things to so many people, so we take the time to nail down what a genuine revival looks like from a historic perspective. These are the books BDK cites: The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever – by Elmer L. Towns Handbook of Revivals – by Henry Clay Fish The Great Revival...
Feb 27, 2018•27 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In Episode 14 I’m blessed to be joined by Chad Meadows to have a conversation about worship. Chad is a worship leader, song writer, and the creator of Falling Forward. In conjunction with the issue of worship, we’ll discuss a new single Chad has written and video for that song called, I’ll Rise, which hits on powerful truths about the gospel and what a right response to the good news looks like. You can check out this song, video and more info about Falling Forward at fallingforwardmusic.com If ...
Feb 13, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In Episode 13, I’m diving back into my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ . This is an audio version of Chapter 4, which is called Hyperbolic Jesus. In the previous chapter, I began to discuss how the earliest Christians took Jesus’ words very simply and seriously, even when it came to loving their enemies. Now in chapter 4, I continue to examine that approach to reading the Bible, specifically as it pertains to Jesus’ command to cut off our hands and pluck out our eyes if they ...
Jan 30, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In Episode 12, I’m going to be discussing what the Apostle Peter meant in chapter 2:12 of his first letter when he commanded us to keep our behavior excellent among the gentiles. I’ll also be hitting on the influence Jesus had on Peter making that statement, and shedding some light on the way the early Christians behaved in the world. Much emphasis is given on being attractional in today’s Western Church, but what would attractional Christianity look like to Peter? If you’re blessed by this epis...
Jan 16, 2018•33 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Episode 11 is a special episode, where I’m give the listener an audio version of chapter three of my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ . The title of this chapter is: John Wayne and Jesus, where I examine the way our various traditions and preferences that filter our view of Jesus and His teachings affect the way we approach Jesus’ command to love our enemies. I also discuss how using the game of Telephone backwards can help us determine what the orthodox position of the Church...
Jan 02, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In Episode 10, I’m going to be discussing the vital need for Christians to believe in the power of regeneration. It’s one thing to say we’re born again, but what does that mean for us in a practical day-to-day sense. I’ll also touch on the subject of homosexuality and Jesus’ interaction with a disabled man in John 5. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave an honest review on my iTunes channel, Reclaiming the Faith . Also, if you have any questions, please feel...
Dec 19, 2017•29 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In Episode 9, I’m joined by one of my best friends, Adam Hawks, to have a discussion about evangelism, discipleship, and our calling to imitate Jesus Christ. Adam is currently the Student minister at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church and has a Masters in Youth Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave an honest review on my iTunes channel, Reclaiming the Faith . Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to...
Dec 05, 2017•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Episode 8 is a special episode, where I give the listener an audio version of chapter two of my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ . The title of this chapter is: Sepia Jesus because I believe that every Christian comes to faith in Jesus with various traditions and preferences that filter his or her view of Jesus and His teachings. Jesus, however, calls us to make Him the lens by which we view everything else. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really appreciate it if you’d ...
Nov 21, 2017•30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In Episode 7, I’m going to be discussing a heartbreaking, fate-based, false dilemma that I believe musician Derek Webb is currently walking through. Many of you will recognize Derek from his outstanding solo albums, as well as the many years he spent as a cofounder of the Christian band, Caedmon’s Call. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave an honest review on my iTunes channel, Reclaiming the Faith . Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to conta...
Nov 07, 2017•30 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In Episode 6, I’m going to be joined by my beautiful wife, Stephanie Baker, to have a discussion about adoption. Three years ago, Stephanie and I adopted two siblings that were ages 10 and 5 at the time. Stephanie is the author of the blog, Adopting His Heart, which you can find at adoptinghisheart.blogspot.com . Generally, the early Christian quotes I use can be found on the CD-ROM version of the Ante-Nicene Fathers . You can purchase your copy for $5 on the Scroll Publishing website. If you’re...
Oct 24, 2017•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In Episode 5, I’m going to discuss Matthew 5:48, where Jesus commanded His disciples, “Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.” How does the context surrounding that verse help us understand what Jesus meant? I’ll also look at how modern teachers have used the hyper grace message to disregard this command of Jesus, and finally how the earliest Christians embraced Jesus’ teaching on this matter. If you’re blessed by this podcast, please leave an honest review on my iTunes channel: Reclaimi...
Oct 10, 2017•27 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In Episode 4, I’m going to share with you the first chapter of my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ . In this chapter, I talk about what it means to truly make Jesus the Lord of our lives. And I also give a couple of quotes from the earliest Christians that clearly demonstrate how they believed that Jesus is God, and that we should therefore relate to Him as Lord in all that we do. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave an honest review on my...
Sep 26, 2017•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In Episode 3, I’m blessed to be joined by one of my best friends, Tyler Bryan, who has been in youth ministry for nearly a decade. On the shores of Lake Travis in Austin, TX, we discuss youth ministry from an early Christian perspective, and particularly the role parents play in shaping their kids’ spiritual development. If you’re blessed by this episode, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave an honest review on my iTunes channel, Reclaiming the Faith . Also, if you have any questions, please ...
Sep 12, 2017•46 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In episode 2, I discuss how to hear from God, and how to make room for Him to speak on both an individual and corporate basis. And like always, I’m going to be doing this from an early Christian perspective, with testimonies from the leaders of our faith during the first three centuries of the Church sprinkled in to help frame the conversation. The Martyrdom of Polycarp Listen on iTunes and subscribe for free. Listen on my website & contact me . Buy my book . My first solo CD. My newest solo...
Aug 29, 2017•32 min•Season 1Ep. 2
What was the first early Christian quote that made me want to begin researching the Ante-Nicene writings? What was one of the most effective evangelistic tactics used by the early Christians? Get Phil's book - New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ . Visit the website . Check out the best introduction to the early Christian writings . Get the Ante-Nicene writings on CD-ROM ....
Aug 12, 2017•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1
