Battlefield Theologian

In this episode, we start a new podcast series on leadership. In this episode, we look at what does effective leadership look like? What makes a good leader good? What are some characteristics to incorporate into your leadership philosophy, and what are some warnings to look out for? I have held several jobs, worked for many poor leaders, and realized that many of us work in jobs and situations that are driving us crazy and making us depressed and frustrated leading to burnout. This episode will highlight several effective leadership qualities to look for in a good leader, and several warning signs that you need to get out while you still can!

If you like this episode please rate and follow the podcast and share with your friends! If you have examples of good leaders or poor leaders let me know, so I can include them in upcoming shows.

Many of us had ambitions, goals, or dreams that we desired to achieve. However, many fail ever to actualize those goals and see them through to completion. In this episode, we look at several items that I wish to encourage you with regarding goals, purpose, relationships, and many other items in between. Additionally, we will discuss perfectionism, burnout, dating, marriage advice, parenting advice, mental resiliency, and much much more. The outstanding issue I see that feeds this in so many people is the effects social media has on men and women across the globe. Perfectionism by route of comparison drives many of us into a state of fear. Fear of rejection, failure, and not living up to some expectations.

In this show, I mention a peer-reviewed journal article I wrote about the influence and manipulation that happens through social media which you can read HERE.

Also, if you like this show, please subscribe and give me a rating as this will help get our show out to the masses.

Enjoy

In this episode special guest Virgil Walker joins the Battlefield Theologian to discuss the importance of expositional preaching. We discuss what this is, why it is important, and the cultural drift and wokeism that is infiltrating our churches. This is a phenomenal episode and one you do not want to miss.

-Virgil Walker serves as the executive director of operation for G3 Ministries.

- Virgil also co-hosts the Just Thinking Podcast with Darrell Harrison which you can listen to here.

- You can follow Virgil on Social Media:

Instagram: @virgillwalker

Twitter: @virgilwalkeroma

If you enjoy the Battlefield Theologian podcast please follow us, and give us a review. Also, if you haven't checked out the Battlefield Theologian Youtube Channel click here and look at the new courses that are being released weekly. You can find the YouTube Channel here.

In this podcast, we will look at the history and origins of the term "Sunday School." Where did it come from? Why the term Sunday School? I have a special guest Dr. Mitch Johnson who did his dissertation in the arena of strategic disciple-making progress within the local church. In this podcast, we discuss one of the main founders Robert Raikes and the purpose and reason behind starting Sunday schools, the influence it has on society, and how it was adopted by Southern Baptists. Moving past Raikes we discuss Arthur Flake and his Five Step Formula for Sunday School Growth.

We then discuss what should the hour prior to worship look like for the local church. 

Time Hacks: 

Flakes 5 Steps: 39:14---

Pros of Flakes method:--- 46:18

Cons to Flakes method:- 48:11

Modern Context: 56:00

If you like this podcast please rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcast. 

Yes, I said it, but before you assume what this episode is about you need to listen to the full episode. This is not shunning beta males, this is calling out every man to be a Christian Alpha Male in the biblical sense. The culture constantly asserts masculinity is toxic, and men continually attempt to "fill in the gap" trying to become alpha male; however, the definition culture pushes on both false and unbiblical. Men must step up, lead, and guide their families. In this podcast, Ethan Jago breaks down the stigma many have in assuming what an "alpha male" is and what a "beta male" is and demonstrates through Scripture what and how a REAL MAN should be. I believe this will be an extremely encouraging podcast and a "call to arms" for Christian men everywhere. I hope that women who listen use this to develop a standard for what to look for in a man during the dating and single season they find themselves in. 

Here is a special episode looking at how Christians should respond and be involved in politics. In this podcast we will answer the following questions:

How are Christians to obey Christ’s command to obey corrupt earthly governments?

Do we unconditionally obey earthly governments in obedience to God?

Under what conditions, if any, do we disobey our earthly governments?

Has the Church experienced hostile governmental conditions directed at the Church and Christians?

In this episode, these questions are answered as well as a brief history lesson on the persecution of Christians during the Roman Empire from 64AD-311AD. Many of the items discussed here also relate to the Christian understanding of when can a war (if ever) could be considered just.  

I did an interview with Eric Hovind discussing Just War Theory which you can view here.

The most significant question I have been asked over the years concerns the matter of Freewill. The term freewill is largely and completely misunderstood by so many individuals to mean something that it in fact does not mean when you use the words (free) & (will). Language has evolved over the years, phrases, sentences, and other items are continually changing their meaning. Often times people use words in the wrong context to mean the wrong thing leading to confusion and ambiguity..this is exactly the point and case with the term freewill.

When people use this term they interconnect the words (free) and (will) making them appear to be inseparable to define the conclusion they wish to make; however, that is in error. In this podcast, we look at and define what is the will and is it free? Is there a better way to use this term? Do people who use the term "freewill" use it in the proper biblical context? 

Using Jonathan Edwards we will unpack this concept through examples, analogies, and stories to help you wrap your mind around this concept. 

Sources: 

Harnack, Adolph. History of Dogma. Part 2, book 2. Translated by James Millar. 1898. Reprint. New York: Dover, 1961. 

Edwards, Jonathan Freedom of the Will.

Luther, Martin, Bondage of the Will 

Sproul, RC,  Willing to Believe

In this episode, Ethan discusses some research and statistical studies in relation to the decreasing amount of leadership from men. There are several academic and research studies looked at in this podcast indicating the effects of prenatal and preconception that can affect children prior to birth. Additionally, labor force statistics are showing a reversal in the workforce, and the church is also seeing a shift in church involvement for men. This episode is and can be both for men and women. Men, to give you goals to shoot for. Women have a filter through which to assess a future husband. For more information or to get in contact with Ethan click here.

Academic Sources Referenced: 

Sofia I. Cardenas, Alyssa R. Morris, Narcis Marshall, Elizabeth C. Aviv, Magdalena Martínez García, Pia Sellery, Darby E. Saxbe

Recruiting Fathers For Parenting Research:

Yaremych, Haley E. and Susan Persky. "Recruiting Fathers for Parenting Research: An Evaluation of Eight Recruitment Methods and an Exploration of Fathers' Motivations for Participation." Parenting, Science and Practice ahead-of-print, no. ahead-of-print (2022): 1-32.

Daily Time Men Spend on Sports/Leisure Activities

Gender gap in religious service attendance has narrowed in U.S.

Mothers Are the Primary Earners 

In this podcast, your host Ethan Jago interviews Dr. Brian Wright on communal reading. I apologize for some odd cuts; however, there were some issues with the introduction and outro. Despite these issues, the interview is fantastic and I highly suggest you check out his books, and give this a good listen. If you are interested in a particular topic or guest email me at [email protected].

Here are the links to Dr. Wrights's book

Communal Reading 

God's Daring Dozen Minor Prophet Series

The Rythm of the Christian Life 

Recently Ligonier ministries released their newest "State of Theology" survey. Ligonier in partnership with Lifeway research conducted a survey in which they posed specific questions regarding modern matters and items of theological beliefs held by U.S. Adults and Evangelicals. Their website states, "Every two years, we take the theological temperature of the United States to help Christians better understand today’s culture and equip the church with better insights for discipleship." 

In this episode, Ethan Jago looks at two critical issues in the findings regarding Evangelicals' view on God and original sin. If there is a specific theological or apologetical issue you wish for Ethan to discuss you can send it via email to: [email protected] 

Here is the link to Ligonier's State of Theology Findings https://thestateoftheology.com  

If you wish to see further information on items similar to this podcast visit www.ethanjago.com