Tolkien had just graduated from Oxford when the Great War broke out. Each member of the TCBS was sent into active duty, including Tolkien. He endured the Somme, the bloodiest battle in British history, only to face a fortuitous difficulty: trench fever. While Tolkien was recovering, he would begin the saga that he would spend the rest of his life completing.
If there's one theme that runs through J.R.R. Tolkien's early life, it's friendship. Orphaned before his teens, Tolkien surrounded himself with friends throughout his life. And this theme runs through The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit as well. In this first episode on the life and writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, Cole and Terry discuss his early life and the theme of friendship in his writing.
As we head into the busyness of the holidays, it's important to stop and remember what Christmas is all about and prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss Advent and how to celebrate with families and friends. Get a copy of our Advent booklet on Amazon! Support So We Speak in 2025 !...
In the last twenty years, the landscape of the Middle East has changed again. Following the Arab Spring, the Obama administration oriented its policy around Iran, only for the Trump administration to orient its policy around Saudi Arabia. In the middle of the back-and-forth, the Abraham Accords were born and gave the best shot for peace in the Middle East since the founding of Israel. What's happening now, and what's ahead for Israel? Cole and Terry discuss in this final episode on modern Israel...
After the wars in 1967 and 1973, Israel saw the rise of a new group of enemies. Previously, it had fought against rival states in the region. Next, radical terrorist groups arose across the region. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the formation of Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Qaeda, and other militant groups that have come to dominate the Middle East.
How did we get here? With all the arguments flying around about Israel and its neighbors, we turn to history to understand the making of modern Israel. In this three-part series on Israel, we look at how the major factions in the Middle East arose, how they operate, and what the future holds. In this first episode, Cole and Terry discuss the founding of the nation of Israel and the ensuing wars, running up to the Yom Kippur War in 1973. For more on the lead-up to the formation of the state of Is...
As of this morning, we are live on YouTube! Check out the So We Speak channel and our first series, Empires. Subscribe for more series in the coming weeks. In addition, Cole gives a preview of our next two series coming up on the podcast. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sowespeak
Jesus was so many things, but a genius? This is a neglected attribute. Jesus was the most brilliant teacher to ever walk the earth. In his new book, The Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter Williams makes the case that Jesus was not just wise, he was also a genius. Cole sits down with Peter to discuss the new book and the teachings of Jesus.
Revelation is a difficult book. The symbols, cryptic messages, and all the different interpretations can make it a daunting part of the Bible to study. But it's also one of the most encouraging, comforting, foundational books of the Bible. In this episode, Cole gives four keys to reading and understanding Revelation. Resources: " Apocalypse " - Terry Feix " Visions " - Cole Feix " Revelation: Part 1 " - So We Speak " Revelation: Part 2 " - So We Speak " Revelation: Part 3 " - So We Speak " Revel...
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is the holiest site in Christendom. It is the historic site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. But is it the real spot? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the church's history, theories, and oddities and debate whether or not this is the real location of the empty tomb. Resources: “ Jesus’ Tomb Opened in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher ” - National Geographic “ Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher ” - Biblical Archaeo...
There are still incredible archaeological finds happening all the time. This month, a mosaic floor from the ancient city of Megiddo will be displayed for the first time at the Museum of the Bible. This floor from the 3rd century marks the oldest worship space found by archaeologists. The inscriptions also include a few surprises. Find out more as Cole interviews Terry about his work on the mosaic and the new exhibit. " The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith " - MoTB...
Make sure you're subscribed to the Weekly Speak to get commentary and analysis each week that will keep you informed without being conformed. Subscribe here! Get one of these book briefs in your email every month. Support our ministry by giving here! Grab a copy of Joe Rigney's book, Leadership and Emotional Sabotage ....
The Shroud of Turin may be the most studied artifact in human history. This 14-foot cloth is claimed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, with his image imprinted on the cloth from the resurrection. A 1988 radiocarbon test dated the shroud to the 14th century, but two new tests open the door to a date in the first century. Can we know if this is truly the burial cloth of Jesus? What difference would it make? Resources: " The Shroud of Turin and Its Significance for Biblical Studies " ...
It would have been unbelievable to both Romans and Jews that a man who had been crucified could be worshipped as a god. As the early church began to grow, they faced intense persecution. But the church continued to grow. After only three centuries, the Emperor was a Christian and made it legal for all Roman citizens to be Christians. How did this happen? What is the legacy of Rome?
We're re-releasing our episode on Jesus and Pontius Pilate as an interlude to the Rome series. During Jesus's lifetime, Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. In this episode, Cole and Terry place Jesus's life in the Roman empire, and things converge in a monumental conversation between Jesus and Pilate.
There is no empire more important to the biblical story than Rome. It is the culmination of Daniel's prophecy and the ruling power at the time of Christ. In this first of two episodes, Cole and Terry discuss the origins of Rome and the world Christ was born into.
Is your phone hurting your discipleship? It almost certainly is. How can we continue to grow in this culture of distraction? Cole and Terry discuss some trends in our technology and media as well as some thoughts on how to continue to grow and thrive as Christians in any environment. Resources: “ State of the Culture 2024 ” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker “ How to Break Free from Dopamine Culture ” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker “ Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet ” - L. M. Sacasas, The Convivia...
Deconstruction remains an important topic, but it's changing. At the end of 2021, we recorded two episodes on deconstruction ( Part 1 & Part 2 ), discussing its nature and phenomenon. Now, we're looking at how faith, loss of faith, and strengthened faith are changing. What does discipleship have to do with deconstruction? Are people really leaving the Christian faith? Cole and Terry discuss these questions and the following articles in this episode: “ Observations on Exvangelicals and Decons...
The American education system has not been the same since Covid. What's changed? In this episode, Cole and Terry revisit an essay written in 2020 by Harvard historian James Hankins titled, " American Meritocracy: A Tipping Point? " They discuss the state of education, opportunities for Christian schools, and the roles merit and equality play.
Summer is here and it's time for some book recommendations. This week, Terry recommends some books from the stack. Books mentioned in this episode: Our Ancient Faith - Allen Guelzo Patton's Prayer - Alex Kershaw Is Atheism Dead? - Eric Metaxas Rubicon - Tom Holland Haiku - Everyman's Library Biblical Typology - Vern Poythress Eusebius: The Church History - Edited by Paul Maier
Summer is here and it’s time for some book recommendations! In this episode, Cole talks about the books he’s reading and recommending. From devotional books to enjoyable summer reads, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Next week, don’t miss Terry’s favorites for the summer. Books in this episode: The Pastor in Prayer - Charles Spurgeon (Banner of Truth) Prayers on the Psalms - Introduced by David Calhoun (Part of Banner of Truth’s Pocket Puritans Series) Reformed Systematic Theology -...
In recent years, terms like "trauma," "narcissism," "toxic," and others have skyrocketed. Why is that, and should we be concerned? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss an article in Christianity Today, " Be Quick to Listen, Slow to ‘Therapy Speak ’" by Mia Staub. How can Christians think wisely about the therapeutic worldview, counseling, and therapy speak?
In this interview recorded at Carlton Landing Community Church, Justin discusses marriage, habits, technology, and relationships in an increasingly isolated age. Look for book giveaways on our Instagram page this week!
How do our habits form us? Technology, social media, and smartphones have a huge impact on shaping us - even spiritually. Justin Whitmel Earley is the author of Habits of the Household, Made for People, and The Common Rule. In this episode, he discusses how Christians can approach technology, reconnect relationally, and flourish in a digital age.
After 7 weeks of C. S. Lewis, what's next? Cole and Terry discuss the series, new books, new teaching series, and think about the upcoming presidential election.
Over time, C.S. Lewis has only gotten more popular. Now his appeal is worldwide, across denominations, and especially large among American evangelicals. But at the time of his death, Lewis thought his work would be quickly forgotten. What happened to make Lewis a household name? What is his legacy? Will his impact continue to grow in the future?
In the background of his rise to fame, Lewis continued as a tutor at Oxford, teaching students and giving lectures. Before he was a famous Christian, he was a well-known academic, and this goes a great way to explaining why and how he wrote and who he was. In this episode, Cole, Ben, and Terry discuss Lewis's academic work and the world of Oxford and Cambridge in the mid-19th Century.
What is the best C.S. Lewis book? What order should the Narnia books be read in? Cole, Ben, and Terry discuss the best way to start reading Lewis in this Friday bonus episode.
For most people, Lewis is known first and foremost as a fiction writer. Many families have entered the wardrobe together and experienced Lewis in Narnia. Though these were not his only works of fiction, they give an insight into why he wrote fiction and what he was trying to accomplish by creating and exploring other worlds.
Lewis is best known today as an apologist. Through Mere Christianity and other works like Miracles and The Problem of Pain, Lewis stands as one of the great defenders of the faith in the 20th century. What was it that made him so uniquely gifted at explaining and contending for the faith? In this episode, Cole, Terry, and Ben explore C.S. Lewis's apologetic works, his method, and his legacy.
