King & Culture

Seth and Luke discuss the good side and bad side of comparing yourself to others, letting the tenth commandment serve as a guide. What is envy? How do we fight it? When is being motivated by the success of other's productive or destructive?

Luke and Seth discuss the wisdom literature and how to apply it to various seasons of life. Wisdom, or skill, is seasonal and contextual. How do we apply the Song of Songs? What dangers are there if we apply the book of Ecclesiastes too quickly? Can we run before we walk when it comes to wisdom?

Luke, Seth, and guest Kyle Worley discuss the doctrine of our Union with Christ. Kyle's new book focuses on how you and I are invited to live at home with God in Christ Jesus. Union with Christ is one of the most unbelievable and overlooked realities of Christian salvation.

Home With God

Seth and Luke discuss the Roman Catholic Church, looking at places where there is agreement and disagreement with Evangelical Protestantism. Issues like Scripture, tradition, Mary, sacraments, eucharist, the Pope, and justification all factor into how we make sense of the points of overlap and departure. Referenced books: Was the Reformation A Mistake, What It Means to Be Protestant

Seth and Luke tackle more of the questions that were submitted during Ask Anything. They tackle these questions:

• What is the church's structure for leadership and accountability from a leadership perspective
with the pastors and elders? And how does the church approach addressing unrepentant sin
within the leadership and/or within the body?

• We hear from men from preaching on Sundays. Where are the places we can hear and learn from
women? And who are they?

• What vision would you give to young singles having a hard time finding purpose?

• As our church grows and the pastor to member/attended ratio grows, how should we view the role of a pastor at Ironwood in 2025? Said another way, are there ways to feel pastored like a small church pastor would with more “touch” while attending an ever growing church?

• I know the church’s stance on homosexuality. I would like to know how this church would react/respond to an openly homosexual couple or transgender individual who would regularly attend church.

• Why don't we use the extra books that are used in the Orthodox Christian Bible? What is your take on the Gospel of Mary? Mary Magdalene was obviously close to Jesus and why would we exclude her? Male patriarchy?

• What is Ironwood's belief about what happens to people immediately after death? Is our soul asleep
until Christ's 2nd coming, or are we resurrected immediately?

• What is the role of the Spiritual Gift of Prophecy in the modern Church?

• As pastors what is difficult feedback you have been given in the last year or so and how did you learn and grow from that feedback?

• How do you accept when your child decides he or she wants to change their gender?

• In all your experience, what is the best way you've seen a couple embrace God in their marriage?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

- Video from three Ask Anything services in 2024

- Wesley Huff video series, "Can I Trust the Bible"

Luke, Seth, and guest Patrick Miller dicuss different ways Christians can respond to being outsiders and exiles in the midst of our complex cultural realities. Patrick gives us six practical ways that Christians can seek the welfare of the dark world into which we've been sent all while maintaining a joyful rather than fussy disposition. https://joyfuloutsiders.com

Seth and Luke take a few minutes to reflect on the origins of the podcast as they reflect on 100 episodes.

Then they talk through Ironwood Church's conviction about "Christ & Culture," which forms much of the approach to the King & Culture podcast. Read the conviction statement here: https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/doctrine

Finally, they discuss the future of the podcast, how they approach interviews, and invite feedback for possible topics and ideas.

Luke and Seth talk about the sermon series that will occupy much of 2025 — the book of Hebrews. Luke shares about the process for deciding what to preach and arranging the preaching calendar, and then they discuss the key themes, authorship, favorite passages, and other hopes for Ironwood as we explore this remarkable book.

For more resources on Hebrews, visit the article on the Ironwood website: https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/articles/hebrews-overview

Luke, Seth, and guest Trevin Wax discuss various strategies and approaches to connecting with God in a meaningful and reugular way in prayer. They explore the merits of strcuture and routine while considering the issues tha arise if we simply view time with God as self-improvement project or a life-hack.

Gospel Coalition: Trevin Wax

30 Days Series books

Seth and Luke explore the tensions of Advent. While so much of the Christmas season seems happy and bright, it's also filled with loss and disappointment. 

They also explore how the early church approached the Advent season in comparison to how most of us think of it. Whether you're in a season of joy or sorrow, this episode will help you lean into Jesus as you wait for His return.