CrossCurrent Podcasts

Revisiting the God-fearer Thesis in the Development of Early Christianity (T&T Clark, 2025) examines in depth the theory, evidence, and trail of scholarly work on god-fearers. Thomas A. Robinson argues for substantial revisions in the depiction of the god-fearer phenomenon, the story of early Christianity and its engagement with both Jews and with the larger Greco-Roman population. Robinson provides a thorough analysis of the god-fearer theory, examining scholarly debate and primary literary and inscriptional materials put forward as evidence for the god-fearer theory.

Robinson begins with an exploration of the god-fearing community, its definition, or lack thereof, and its role as a bridge to Christianity in the Greco-Roman world. He then examines the key features of god-fearers, and the scholarly appeal to circumcision as the primary barrier preventing god-fearer conversion to Judaism. The volume concludes with an exploration of Luke's Acts and its readers and a thorough investigation of inscriptional and literary evidence supporting god-fearer theory.

Thomas A. Robinson holds a PhD in Religious Studies from McMaster University, having majored in Judaism and Christianity in the Greco-Roman Era and minored in Indian Philosophy. He has taught world religions courses for over thirty years and has published several books on early and modern Christianity, co-authored a world religions text, and developed books and software for New Testament Greek. Among his other publications on early Christianity, he has authored Ignatius of Antioch and the Parting of the Ways: Early-Jewish Christian Relations (Hendrickson, 2009) and Who Were the First Christians? Dismanting the Urban Thesis (Oxford University Press, 2017).

Jonathon Lookadoo is Associate Professor at the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea. While his interests range widely over the world of early Christianity, he is the author of books on the Epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius of Antioch, and the Shepherd of Hermas, including The Christology of Ignatius of Antioch (Cascade, 2023).

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A kid in my fifth-grade Sunday school class recently asked, "What's social media?"

She had no idea. And she wasn't the only one.

Gen Alpha grew up with less screen time, more parental guardrails, and completely different expectations for the stories they want to read. That means, middle-grade books are going through a shift right now, and the rest of publishing will feel it soon.

On this week's episode of the Christian Publishing Show, you’ll hear from award-winning middle grade author J.J. Johnson, who shares how to write books that reluctant readers actually want to pick up.

You'll learn:

• What word count and chapter length are best for this new generation of readers.
• Which protagonists are resonating with them (Hint: think Minecraft, not Diary of a Wimpy Kid.)
• How to title and write books that interest kids (and are willingly purchased by their parents!)

If you want to write for middle-grade readers, who will soon become YA and adult readers, you need to know how they are different from previous generations of readers. Listen in or read the blog version to get the inside scoop.

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Anxiety doesn’t have to be your story! Caroline Shankle and her mom, Melanie, open up about the real challenges facing teens – bullying, comparison, anxiety – and how to trust God with your future. You’ll be encouraged to “face your giants” with faith and courage, inspired by Caroline’s new devotional, The Lion and the Bear.

Receive a copy of The Lion and the Bear and an audio download of "Helping Your Child Approach Anxiety, Bullying, and Identity" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

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Growth usually gets framed as momentum, expansion, or visibility–but these conversations focus on what happens when growth collides with pressure, cultural instability, leadership strain, and life’s sudden changes.

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When thinking about things like UFO's, aliens, and UAP's, the best place to start is with the rule and reign of Christ over all things. 

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