Defend and Confirm Podcast

Where does the prosperity gospel come from? Why should we care? In this series we look at the historical roots of the Word of Faith movement and explain how understanding the history of this American phenomena can help us better understand it today.

In this series, we recommend three "book you should read":

1. The Word-Faith Controversy: Understanding the Health and Wealth Gospel

2. Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel

3. No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What It Is, and Why It's Harmful

Where does the prosperity gospel come from? Why should we care? In this series we look at the historical roots of the Word of Faith movement and explain how understanding the history of this American phenomena can help us better understand it today.

In this series, we recommend three "book you should read":

1. The Word-Faith Controversy: Understanding the Health and Wealth Gospel

2. Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel

3. No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What It Is, and Why It's Harmful

The prosperity gospel is one of the greatest threats to the true gospel in the world today. In this episode, we describe the underlying heresies associated with the prosperity gospel, also known as the word of faith movement. We unpack some of the dangers of the prosperity movement, spend some time talking about how it can creep into otherwise healthy churches. 

This episode's "book you should read": The Word-Faith Controversy: Understanding the Health and Wealth Gospel

After a long hiatus, we get back to the topic of social justice. We find that the concepts of charity, clarity, proximity, and speed, give us good biblical categories through which we can discuss issues of justice. Give this one a listen and see if you agree. 

This episode's "book you should read": Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion

If you've listened to our episodes on the biblical definition of a "church", you've probably figured out that we don't believe the multisite church model is healthy, or biblical. In this episode, we unpack our concern that multisite churches are particularly at risk for developing a culture of celebrityism. What is celebrityism? How does it negatively impact God's people? Listen and find out. I'm not just going to give it all away in the description. 

This episode's "book you should read" is an article: Twenty-Two Problems with Multisite Churches 

What is the role of music in a church? Should music leaders and pastors focus primarily on entertainment and musical excellence, or on congregational singing? In this episode, Sean talks with Grant Miller about the way scripture changed his theology of worship, and ultimately the way he leads music on Sunday mornings. 

This episode's "book you should read": Sing!: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church

Following our analysis of the history and evolution of the term "social justice", Sean and Russell ask an important question: How should we use this term? We look at the three major conceptions of the term that are popular today, and make the argument that christians (and especially pastors) should consider avoiding it when possible. 

The term “Social Justice” can be found in almost any discussion about society, politics, and religion, and many evangelicals have fully embraced the word. But what is the history of the term, and how might the ideological origins of “social justice” color its meaning? In this episode, we survey the origins of the conception of social justice, and look at the the ways that Catholic, Utilitarian, and Marxist ideologies have harnessed the power of this phrase.

This episode's "book you should" read is an article: Defining Social Justice, by Michael Novak

In this episode, we discuss the way the Bible speaks of “justice.” We look at the two Hebrew words translated as “justice” in our English bibles, and use them to build a framework for understanding the use of the word in modern discussion about “social justice”.

In this episode, we discuss recent tweets from the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, J.D. Greear. We believe these tweets are indicative of serious problems within evangelical culture, namely, a pragmatic view of worship that turns Sunday gatherings in to performances. Because Pastor Greear is both a highly influential leader and a brother in the faith, we felt compelled to address these problems directly.  

This episodes "books you should read": Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart, by J.D. Greear