We live in an increasingly polarized country. We are drowning in a sea of information streaming from sources more committed to pushing a particular narrative than actually pursuing the truth. The ‘truth’ value of an idea is now weighed by how trendy that idea is. Tight-knit communities dissolve into clans. Civil conversations become scarce. Attempts at dialogue devolve into personal attacks. Finding common ground seems improbable, and reconciling the divide seems impossible. We claim to be more ...
Jul 16, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Is truth relative at best and, at worst, altogether unknowable? Or is there someway we can find objective, coherent answers to life’s gnawing questions of origin, meaning, purpose, and destiny? In a world of competing ‘identities’, is there somewhere that everyone - regardless of age, race, or gender - can find a common identity? In the white noise of competing ideas that proliferate never-ending to-do lists on how to ‘be spiritual’ and get right with God, is there someplace we can find absolute...
Jul 10, 2020•30 min
“It’s unscientific to infer a Creator caused the universe.” Ever hear that before? Thing is, can science even say that? If science is, at its core, the study of the natural world , how can science possibly prove there is nothing beyond the natural world ? Ironically, a form of faith is needed by the naturalist if he is to insist “the natural world is all there is” – that there is nothing beyond the natural world. Put another way, he himself must contradict his own assertion that everything must ...
Jul 03, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In a culture that imposes the dichotomy of "science vs. faith" or "faith vs. reason," young Christians are tempted to take the bait - and walk away from the Christian faith because they were taught it's "incompatible" with science. Well, is that true? Is a study of the natural world and the Christian faith mutually exclusive? Nope. Turns out, you can walk and chew gum at the same time. Having a love for the natural world around us and having a love for studying that natural world isn't 'unchrist...
Jun 26, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this special Juneteenth episode, Pastor Jeske and member of Our Shepherd, Elaine French, discuss the Christian church and race. Elaine shares with listeners her experience as a black woman in America, the blind spots and deaf spots in communities and congregations when it comes to race, and shares words of wisdom for congregations everywhere on how to 1) actively speak out against the sin of racism, but also 2) better intentionalize the inherent universality of the gospel - that Jesus isn't j...
Jun 19, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In a Barna 2018 survey, nearly half of Gen Z and Millennial Americans insist on factual evidence to support their beliefs. So, it comes as no surprise that many Americans today are jaded out by any idea of God because it’s presented as (or, at least, perceived to be) unknowable or incompatible with the evidence. Similarly, millions grow up feeling they have to choose between faith and science, or faith and reason. But is that really the case? Does Science inherently stand opposed to the Bible? C...
Jun 12, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Pastor Sam sits down with Pastor Mark Jeske - a seasoned parish pastor and the former face of the TV ministry series, Time of Grace. This episode is part of a three-part dialogue between the two pastors, where Pastor Mark Jeske shares 10 key ministry insights he has learned from decades of parish ministry and church leadership. In this episode, Pastor Sam and Pastor Mark Jeske talk about the importance of stylistic variety in worship and ministry, music essentials when ministering to a multi-eth...
Jun 05, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Pastor Sam sits down with Pastor Mark Jeske - a seasoned parish pastor and the former face of the TV ministry series, Time of Grace. This episode is part of a three-part dialogue between the two pastors, where Pastor Mark Jeske shares 10 key ministry insights he has learned from decades of parish ministry and church leadership. In this episode, Pastor Mark Jeske begins to lay out more of his top 10 insights - including the importance of loving where you are, loving who you are called to serve (y...
May 29, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Pastor Sam sits down with Pastor Mark Jeske - a seasoned parish pastor and the former face of the TV ministry series, Time of Grace. This episode is part of a three-part dialogue between the two pastors, where Pastor Mark Jeske shares 10 key ministry insights he has learned from decades of parish ministry and church leadership. In this episode, Pastor Mark Jeske talks about traits of a healthy church culture, rooting out toxicity that masquerades as piety, and the importance of underscoring the ...
May 22, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this final episode of our Star Wars trilogy, Pastor Sam and Michael Jeske discuss the inherent problems of moral relativism, why Obi-Wan Kenobi is actually a Sith (because only a Sith deals in absolutes), the comfort in knowing we can find God in His Word, the necessary distinction of Law and Gospel, and why Jesus alone is our only hope.
May 15, 2020•50 min
In this second installment of our Star Wars discussion trilogy, Pastor Sam and Michael Jeske pivot into theological discussions on the nature of truth, the lure of relativism, and the proper attitude and philosophy of interpretation as we engage the pages of Scripture.
May 08, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Not all that long ago in a galaxy not so far away, Pastor Sam Jeske and literature buff, actor, and Star Wars expert Michael Jeske sat down to nerd out over Christian theology and Star Wars. And of course, in good Star Wars fashion, this episode is the first of a trilogy - a trilogy that tees off Disney's recent Star Wars trilogy and its telling commentary on modern views of morality, the nature of truth, history, and philosophy of interpretation. In this episode, Pastor Sam and Michael Jeske ta...
May 01, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Pastor Michael Cherney and Pastor Jeske continue their discussion of the Theology of the Cross, the time and place for Romans 8:28, the "now" and "not yet" of the joy of heaven, deus absconditus and deus revelatus, and looking to Christ - his victory on the cross and his empty tomb - for eternal comfort and hope in the midst of suffering. Oh, and chicken teriyaki.
Apr 24, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Pastor Sam Jeske and Pastor Michael Cherney sit down to evaluate N. T. Wright's and Father James Martin's trending articles on "Where is God" in the midst of COVID-19, talk connections between long-distance dating and maintaining relationships within a church in quarantine, and whether or not we're invited to ask God "Why?" in times of intense hardship and suffering.
Apr 16, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Pastor Jeske and teacher Eric Duve continue their dialogue of ministry in a COVID-19 world, generating creative ways of staying connected to one another, the Egyptian plagues recorded in Exodus, and Paul's joy in Philippians that we have this Good Friday.
Apr 10, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 3
The COVID-19 season has changed the ministry landscape - but it will never change the message. Lutheran Elementary School Teacher, Eric Duve, and Pastor Sam Jeske sit down to talk ministry strategies in the digital age, resources that teachers are using to continue to teach their students, and the resonance of Ephesians 3, Exodus 3, and Philippians 1 have in our current context.
Apr 03, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this episode of The Manna Podcast, podcast host, Pastor Sam Jeske, and podcast guest Tracie Belsanti talk the importance of Christ-centered theology, the growing fears over COVID-19, and why John 11 still offers good news for people today.
Mar 27, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 1
