Psalm 49 describes our descent into the fear of death while offering a handhold out—a much better shepherd than the one we first see inside the boundaries of birth and death.         Scriptures: Psalm 49 Matt 10:28 James 2:1-7 Psalm 23

Using Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem, Barry talks about how challenging it is to acknowledge our own frailties and yet maintain a moral standard. Peacemakers in God’s world have to do both.         Book: Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil, Hannah Arendt Scripture: 2 Cor 10:7-13 Referenced Episodes: […]

Barry concludes a series about evangelism and the dangers of “selling the gospel.” God tore the veil not to get more people into the temple, but to get the church into more of the world.       Scripture: Luke 9, 10, 19 Acts 24 Isaiah 56:6-8

Barry bemoans the fact that sometimes our best efforts with the Good News are only a means to some things we errantly think better. He invites us to develop a different mental model as he describes some learning experiences in the development of his own ministry.       Scripture: Proverbs 11:30 Luke 9 & […]

Barry covers the most distinct Psalm so far, Psalm 45. In it, we observe a bride love a groom, Israel worship the Messiah, and the church desire the Redeemer.         Scriptures: Psalm 45 Judges 5:28-31 Isa 37:14-20 Heb 1:7-14 John 19:39-40

Barry talks about the concept of self-improvement and the ways in which people offer something of value to the world. Often, we focus on improving our weaknesses and just let our strengths ride. The better way may be to trust our weaknesses to others’ strengths.       Scripture Rom 12:3-8 1 Cor 12:4-11 1 […]

Barry invites Dr. Everett Berry, Professor of Theology at Criswell College, to talk about the development of protestant denominations. Were the splits rooted primarily in doctrine, carpet color, or the cultural influence of time and place?    

In evangelism, we often feel like we must reason someone into the kingdom of God, removing nearly all their doubts. Barry recounts what did lead him to faith, what did not, and what has kept him there.         Scripture: 1 Tim 2:10-13 Referenced Episode: Ep 86 Belonging via Rejection  

Barry walks us through Psalm 44, the journey of someone who is feeling the physical and emotional strain of suffering. At the start of the episode Barry asks us what one thing convinces us that we are loved by God. By the end of the episode, we receive a beautiful but uncomfortable invitation to follow […]

Barry finishes this series pointing out what should be the main focus of ministry: people. Not simply the minister, the conflict, the moralism, or the popularity, but the people. That was Christ’s focus and it should be ours.   Scriptures: Eph 4:11-12 Micah 6:8 Matt 22:37-39