As image-bearers of God, we are made to feel. Yet we can have a limited emotional range or lack the ability to tap into what we’re feeling in a given moment. In this episode, we discuss why emotional awareness is important and how it leads to a deeper, more honest relationship with the Lord and one another.
Aaron Renn’s new book “Life in the Negative World” uses the experience of The Crossing Church as an example of what happens when a church tries to minister faithfully in a "negative world." Patrick Miller, pastor of The Crossing, wrote an article to tell the fuller story of their church's partnership with a progressive film festival. In this episode, we dissect Miller’s essay and discuss where Renn’s hypothesis is helpful and where it falls short. Article: https://mereorthodoxy.com/the-crossing-...
2014 was the year American evangelical Christianity began to fracture. In today’s episode, we reflect on a Jake Meador article that uses the Acts 29 Network as a case study exploring that fracturing. Based on our own experiences during that time, we analyze where Meador's analysis rings true and where it doesn't. Article: https://mereorthodoxy.com/ten-years-evangelical-fracturing
In ministry work, pastors often have rich, joyful, redemptive stories to tell. And there are also some odd stories. The ones that make you ask, “Did that really happen?” From being interrupted while preaching a sermon to being asked to fly across the country to approve of a relationship: in today’s episode, we recount some of the most interesting experiences we've had in pastoral ministry.
“Gentle parenting” is the latest parenting trend, and parents are increasingly being exposed to it as it gains popularity through social media. In this episode, we discuss what the gentle parenting approach entails, and how Scripture evaluates this method of child-rearing. Article : https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/gentle-parenting-biblical/
Many Christians observe Lent. Others criticize the practice, claiming that Lent is "too Catholic." In this episode, we explore the history of Lent and discuss why it can be a very meaningful season for Christians. We also disagree with one another on some of the particulars of Lenten worship.
How do we apply the Good Samaritan parable in a world where we’re constantly exposed to the needs of others? Do we have the same moral obligation to those across the world as we have to those closest to us? Prompted by a recent inquiry from a listener, we discuss the ever-provocative question: who is my neighbor?
Almost 10 years ago, we sat down with Dr. Gary Nebeker to talk about shame and its impact on the soul. Because shame can hinder us from experiencing the joy and freedom of the gospel, it's important that we attend to its presence and engage it in light of the gospel.
Many episodes ago, we discussed the topic of Christian nationalism and whether this term was even precise enough to be meaningful. More recently, media outlets have been applying the label "Christian nationalist" to almost any political proposal that's self-consciously Christian. In this episode, we discuss an article by Andrew Walker analyzing this trend. Walker argues that “Christian nationalism is this generation’s progressive epithet used to discredit and scapegoat conservative Christianity....
Every disciple of Jesus should expect opposition. Jesus teaches as much in the Sermon on the Mount. But if the world used to oppose Christians for matters of grace – the exclusivity of the gospel, personal piety, or a relationship with Jesus – it seems that now we're hated for nature. In this episode, we discuss an article by Rhys Laverty that raises this issue and explores how it affects Christian discipleship. Article: https://thenewalbion.substack.com/p/what-did-you-plan-to-be-hated-for...
Pope Francis recently issued a statement on blessings for same-sex relationships: unleashing celebration, critique, and every reaction in between. In this episode, we explore some responses from prominent Catholic and Protestant voices and discuss the latest topic of cultural division within the Catholic church.
In the first episode of the new year, we sit down to talk about the things that stood out to us in 2023: specifically, some of the best or most interesting books or articles we read, movies we watched, or podcasts we listened to. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear us cover in 2024!
In the final 2023 episode of The Wednesday Conversation, we discuss the final chapter of The Christian Family. Herman Bavinck writes about what he sees on the horizon for how society and governments will treat the family, but also reminds his readers of God’s eschatological plan for the future of the family.
A few weeks ago, we shared the conversion story of prominent atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali. This week, we want to highlight the story of another former atheist, Coram Deo pastoral resident David Sundman. In this episode, David shares his story of recovery from addiction, his rap career, and his surrender to Christ. David’s Spotify page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7oxAxfBXkMVwlCvGcY63wN?si=08RqXl36QWisQeoGWJMYbQ
After a weekend of teaching in Omaha in 2017, Christian philosopher Dr. James K.A. Smith sat down with the pastors at Coram Deo to talk about his life, his work, and his calling.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is well-known in intellectual circles and was one of the most prominent atheists in the world. Once a devout Muslim, she became an atheist after the 9/11 attacks. Even more recently, she’s become a Christian. In this episode, we discuss a bombshell article she wrote just a few weeks ago explaining her conversion to Christianity. Article: https://www.thefp.com/p/ayaan-hirsi-ali-why-i-am-now-christian-atheism
The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to be a central, global focus. One troubling aspect of the situation is the justification for Hamas’ terrorism that has been offered from all corners of our society. In this episode, we analyze the moral dialogue in our culture from a Christian perspective and explore the broader conversation around the rhetoric of "decolonization." Article: https://archive.ph/2023.10.28-061758/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/decolonization-narrat...
Gen Z (1997 to 2012) is a generation marked by digital savviness and infinite connection, but also profound loneliness. And in the wake of the Asbury revival last year and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, many believe that this generation is not only longing for but is primed for spiritual renewal. In this episode, we are joined by Coram Deo’s communication coordinator (and Gen Z representative) E.Beth Hemphill to discuss why this generation is positioned for revival. Article: https://www.thego...
What’s next for the church? In August, Mere Orthodoxy editor-in-chief Jake Meador laid out a vision for the future of the church in America, combining cultural observations with insights from recent church history. In this episode, we discuss Jake's proposal that the best path forward is to build something like a New Mainline. What does that mean? And what would it look like to try? Article: https://mereorthodoxy.com/the-american-church-in-the-fourth-republic
On Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Since that day, the unfolding conflict has been the focus of newspapers, political pundits, social influencers, and concerned citizens alike. This was the biggest loss of Jewish life in one attack since the Holocaust, and some of the reactions have been troubling to say the least. For Christians, it is especially concerning as some populations call for the erasure of the Jewish state. In this episode, we discuss a few questions...
"One who destroys the family is digging away the moral foundations of society," writes Herman Bavinck in Chapter 9 of The Christian Family. In this installment of Third Wednesday Theology, we explore Bavinck's insights about the connection between family and society.
The week of this recording, we officiated three funerals. Funerals can feel unnatural and even uncomfortable, and many people find them difficult to navigate. But the gospel frees us to show up with a Spirit-filled presence in moments of loss. In this episode, Bob asks Dusty to share some of what he’s learned from his experiences as a police chaplain and pastor.
If you’ve walked through a season of physical suffering, you’ve probably had someone say they are “praying healing over you” or even “claiming healing for you.” In today’s episode, we explain what the Bible says about healing and try to answer questions like: Why do some Christians claim they can heal someone? How should I respond to such claims?
Weeks ago, we talked about The Great Dechurching (ep. 439) - the downward trend of church involvement in America over the past 20 years. In a new article, Lyman Stone suggests this de-churching problem is less about the secularization of American culture and more a problem of families not passing their faith to their kids. In this episode, we engage Stone's essay and explore its implications for the family and the church. Article: https://ifstudies.org/blog/secularization-begins-at-home
Is it nature or nurture? Herman Bavinck weighs in on the age-old question about human formation in this installment of Third Wednesday Theology. In chapters 7 and 8 of The Christian Family, Bavinck speaks of singleness, marriage, childbearing, and the nurture of children.
Our digital mail bag was full of questions about Revelation 20 after our “Four Views on the Millennium” conversation (Episode 441)! In this follow-up episode, we aim to answer questions like, “What does it mean to take the Bible literally?” “What are the interpretive approaches to Revelation?” and more. We break down the hermeneutical assumptions that underlie different views of the millennium and examine them through a biblical lens.
One of our listeners posed a question spurred by the ministry of Charles Spurgeon in London. By 1884, Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle was running 66 benevolent ministries encompassing just about every human need at that time. So: is mercy ministry meant to be a function of the local church, or is it an assignment for parachurch organizations? In this episode, we share our thoughts on the role of the church (and of individual Christians) when it comes to mercy ministry.
In this episode from 2017, we discuss Jonah chapter 3, where God relents from destroying Nineveh. By the end of the story, the people repent, and God does not bring about the prophesied disaster. So we examine the question, “Does God change his mind?” We learn how the meta-theme of God's covenant makes sense of historical contingencies in prophecy without compromising God's unchanging sovereignty.
A few listeners have asked us to discuss the millennial reign of Christ as taught in Revelation 20. Historically, this has been a point of debate and even confusion for Christians. How should we read Revelation 20? How does symbolism work in apocalyptic literature? In this episode, we survey the four major views of the millennium, and we identify the one we find most biblically defensible.
We continue our discussion about Herman Bavinck's book The Christian Family during this Third Wednesday Theology conversation. In this episode, we engage chapters five and six: The Family In the New Testament and Dangers Confronting the Family.
