All Things New

What is sentimentality and how is it a problem within the Church? In this episode, we discuss an insightful article by Dick Keyes that describes sentimentality and how it might be keeping Christians from deeper spiritual growth and mission.

Evangelical Christianity is a powerful social force in America. But it's also had serious credibility problems over the past few years. In this episode, we identify four key problems with evangelicalism and discuss the interesting opportunities they present for renewal in the church.

The topic of spiritual warfare means many different things to Christians. In this episode we unpack this term, leaning heavily on the work of David Powlison to identify what spiritual warfare is and how Christians tend to misunderstand it.

Powlison's article:

https://blog.newgrowthpress.com/the-reality-of-spiritual-warfare/

The Screwtape Letters:

https://www.bookwormomaha.com/book/9780060652937

Josh Garrels - "The Resistance"

https://joshgarrels.bandcamp.com/track/the-resistance

Ever wondered how to build a strong local church in a post-Christian city? In this special episode, Bob sits down with Boston native Matthew Kruse, pastor and leader of the Seven Mile Road family of churches, to discuss Matt's new book, "What Church Can Be," releasing April 1. Pre-order the book here: amzn.to/2wciuXV

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the crew came together to record a special episode bringing some wisdom, humor, and perspective to the situation. Please remember to wash your hands thoroughly before listening to this episode.

In a recent article in Christianity Today, author Karen Swallow Prior reflects on her years of pro-life activism and the unsettledness she felt at the 2020 March for Life. In this episode, we discuss both her essay and another recent article tracing the history of the pro-life cause as we consider the question, "Must Pro-Life mean Pro-Trump?"

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/february-web-only/must-pro-life-mean-pro-trump-karen-swallow-prior.html

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/way-pro-life-protesters-think/

Assure Women’s Center

https://assureomaha.com/

Among the many books Bob read on sabbatical was the thought-provoking book by Alan Kreider, "The Patient Ferment of the Early Church." In this episode, Bob summarizes the book and we discuss how Kreider's ideas might play out in ministry today.

"The Patient Ferment of the Early Church"

https://www.amazon.com/Patient-Ferment-Early-Church-Christianity/dp/0801048494

It's no secret that Bob really likes to read. So we weren't surprised to hear that Bob read a lot of books while on sabbatical. In this episode he narrows it down to his top 3... or 4 or 5, and shares how these books challenged, provoked, and encouraged him.

Seeing Through Cynicism:

https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Through-Cynicism-Reconsideration-Suspicion/dp/0830833889

The City of God:

https://www.amazon.com/City-God-Saint-Augustine-Hippo/dp/1598563378

Rubicon:

https://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Last-Years-Roman-Republic-ebook/dp/B0012RMVEI

Dominion:

https://www.amazon.com/Dominion-Christian-Revolution-Remade-World/dp/0465093507

The Wednesday Conversation is back! Bob was on a sabbatical for the last three months and in this episode, he shares about what his experience was like. Spoiler alert: it wasn't awesome! Listen in as Bob talks about some of the despair and cynicism he experienced while away and how the Lord met him in the midst of it.

The Wednesday Conversation will be back with NEW episodes beginning February 19, 2020!

In this episode from 2015, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Scotty Smith to hear about his mentor, C. John Miller... or Jack.