Kitchen Table Theology

In this episode, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker delve into the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus as a servant who shows compassionate service to people through his miracles. Our hosts discuss why the book was written and provide some background on its author, John Mark, whose style differs from other biblical authors in that he emphasizes action rather than words and frequently uses the Greek word "ethos," meaning "immediately." They also highlight how the central unifying element in the mosaic of Mark's gospel is Christ himself, and its overall theme is to call Christ's followers to faithfulness and perseverance in the face of suffering and persecution.

So, grab a cup of coffee and join us at the kitchen table for an enlightening conversation on biblical theology.

[00:04 - 08:37] Exploring the Gospel of Mark

• Mark's gospel emphasizes Jesus as a servant and his authority as the Son of God

• The book is a brief synopsis of Christ's life and could have been meant for reading in one sitting

[08:38 - 17:15] Uncovering the Origins and Authorship of Mark's Gospel

• Analyzing the author of the Gospel of Mark, John Mark, a contemporary of Paul and Peter

• Mark was likely writing Peter's recollection of events

• Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and worked with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey

• The Gospel of Mark was likely written in Rome during a period of persecution against Christians under Emperor Nero

• Mark's style is different from other biblical authors

[17:15 - 25:53] Exploring the Unique Literary Features of Mark's Gospel

• Mark's gospel is a narrative with a collection of units or groupings.

• Mark uses intercalation, which means sandwiching one story within another, to interpret stories mutually.

• Triads are common in Mark's gospel, where events are presented in groups of threes and often connected to the failure of the disciples.

• The overall theme of Mark's gospel is to preserve the gospel tradition, confirm Jesus as the mighty Messiah and Son of God, and call Christ followers to faithfulness and perseverance in the face of suffering and persecution.

[25:54 - 29:09] Discovering the Heart of Discipleship in Mark's Gospel 

• Discipleship in Mark's gospel is about having a relationship with Jesus

• Fellowship with Christ marks the heart of a disciple's life

• Trusting, confessing, and following Jesus' conduct are part of a fellowship with him

• Discipleship means being prepared to face rejection as Jesus did

Resource: The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

Quotes: 

"These are just humans. They fight, they argue... it is encouraging to see even though they are human and they have their issues, God still uses them, still works through them, still built the church with them, wrote these gospels that were inspired by God." - Tiffany Coker 

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We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today’s episode, email me at [email protected]

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Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Summary: 

Join Pastor Jeff Cranston and Erin Pickering as they dive deep into the book of Revelation, covering various questions, including topics such as raptured church, martyred saints, and final judgment for unbelievers. The conversation begins with the exciting issue of Satan's release after the millennium; they also dive into where Christians go when they die pre-rapture or second coming, exploring the belief that the body goes to sleep awaiting resurrection at the rapture while the soul goes to be with Jesus in paradise or Hades. ¡Tune in to delve into some of the most intriguing questions surrounding the end times!

Highlights: 

[01:26 - 09:10] Understanding the Release of Satan and Unbelievers During the Millennium

• Satan's release at the end of the millennium is a mystery, but it will mark the end of evil and sin.

• Unbelievers will exist for the millennium even though Satan is locked up.

• Do believers who die before the rapture will await the final resurrection at the rapture?

[09:10 - 17:15] Exploring the Nuances of the Afterlife According to Christian Beliefs

• What is Hades, and where is it?

• Christians believe in different ideas about where our souls go after death

• Ar our bodies be glorified and reunited with our souls at the resurrection?

• Redemption and rapture include animals' souls?

[17:15 - 27:00] Understanding the Final Judgment and the Fate of Unbelievers in Revelation

• Discussion on Revelation 20:6 and the privileges of martyred saints during the millennium

• Explanation of Revelation 22:10-11 and the idea that God affirms the decision of those who reject Him

• Where are currently the souls of unbelievers?

• Only unbelievers will be judged at the great white throne, with Jesus as judge

Quotes: 

1. "God will use this final release of Satan to mark the end of evil and sin once and for all." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

2. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

3. "As we are when we die, so shall we be forever; if I die in Christ, I will be in Christ forever; if I die without Christ, I will be without Christ forever." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected]

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. 

Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Erin Pickering, LCC's adult ministries director, joins Pastor Jeff Cranston to answer questions submitted during an end time series at Low Country Community Church last fall. The conversation gets off to an exciting start as they discuss the rapture and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. They delve into the context of resurrection and how it relates to Revelation. You'll learn about the different resurrections mentioned in the Bible and how they relate to the end times. 
 

[00:05 - 07:57] Exploring Challenging Theological Topics with Pastor Jeff and Erin Pickering

• We discuss the release of demonic angels during the tribulation and God's purpose with them.
• Why context is important in understanding Revelation and eschatology

[07:58 - 15:37] Understanding the Resurrections and Reunions of Believers in the End Times

• There are multiple resurrections mentioned in Daniel and Revelation
• Jesus talked about two main resurrections: one for the saved and one for the unsaved
• When does the raptured church will reunite with believers who died or survived the tribulation? 

[15:37 - 22:36] Questions about Martyrs and the Mark of the Beast in the Tribulation Time

• Are martyrs' souls conscious and aware of how they arrived in heaven?
• It's uncertain if unbelievers who haven't taken the mark of the beast will enter the millennial kingdom 

[22:36 - 27:59] Exploring End Times Theology 

• Will all who takes the mark of the beast be in the battle of Armageddon?
• Will a trumpet sound before the second coming and after the tribulation
• There are really gonna be Christians on earth during the tribulation? 

Quotes: 

"There will be the sound of a great trumpet when the Lord Jesus comes out of heaven in his second coming." - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today’s episode, email me at [email protected]

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. 

Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 

Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Erin discuss questions about the end times. They delve into the tribulation period, the significance of the rebuilding of the temple, false prophets, and whether only Christians will hear the trumpet at the rapture. They explore the chaos and disruption that will occur on earth after the rapture, including the difficulties pregnant and nursing women will face. They also discuss identifying false prophets and the importance of context when studying the Bible.

[00:01 - 07:59] Answering Challenging Questions About End Times and the Rapture 

• Pastor Jeff and Erin answer questions about the end times, including the rebuilding of the temple and false prophets
• The Bible doesn't give a clear answer on whether only Christians will hear the trumpet at the rapture
• Unbelievers may hear heavenly sounds but interpret them differently

[08:00 - 15:25] The Difficulty Pregnant and Nursing Women Will Face During the End Times

• Unbelievers may hear the trumpet at the rapture but won't fully understand it
• Millions of people will be missing after the rapture, causing major disruption on earth
• The tribulation period will be the most evangelistic seven years in history
• Pregnant and nursing women will have a difficult time during the tribulation due to danger and lack of resources.

[15:26 - 24:37] Understanding the Definition of a True Prophet from a Biblical Perspective.

• Can non-Christian leaders be false prophets?
• Characteristics of a true prophet: fulfillment of words, consistent with scripture, encourages righteous behavior, reflects divine call, acknowledges Jesus as divine
• False prophets within the church are more dangerous than those outside

Quotes:    

“The best way to tell a false prophet is to know what a true prophet is, which means you gotta know the word of God.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation    

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].    

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.     

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston    

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker explore the book of Exodus, its characters, and theological themes. They confirm Moses as the author, Jesus' attribution of Exodus to Moses, and the book's importance in understanding the Old Testament. The characters discussed include God, Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh. The theological themes of redemption, covenant, omnipresence, and law are explored with valuable lessons learned.  

[00:01 - 06:59] An Overview of Biblical History and Themes 

• Overview of the book of Exodus in the Bible, including main characters and theological themes
• Exodus is a foundational book for understanding the rest of the Old Testament
• New Testament supports Moses's authorship of Exodus and the Pentateuch

[07:00 - 14:37] Understanding Authorship and Characters in the Book of Exodus

• Jesus references Exodus and Deuteronomy as books written by Moses
• John 5:46-47 strongly implies Moses' authorship of the entire Pentateuch
• Key characters in Exodus include God/Yahweh, Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh
• Conservative scholars date the writing of Exodus between 1440 and 1400 BC

[14:38 - 23:54] Exploring the Gospel of Matthew

• The book of Exodus has themes of redemption and covenant
• God's omnipresence is seen throughout the book
• The law is related to the theme of covenant and has many ramifications for God's people
• Lessons from Exodus include trusting in the Lord, not seeking to return to bad situations, and complying with God's demands while receiving grace and mercy
   

Quotes:    

“When God removes us from a bad situation, we should not seek to go back to that situation.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation    

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].    

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.     

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston    

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Join Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker in this episode of Kitchen Table Theology. Learn about the Gospel of Matthew, the longest book in the New Testament with 28 chapters, and explore its backstory, including the authorship, theme, and prophecies leading to Jesus.  

[00:01 - 06:40] Discovering the Fascinating Backstory of the Gospel of Matthew 

• Partnership with Columbia International University for accredited programs
• The podcast has over 55,000 downloads and 100 ratings
• Learn about the Gospel of Matthew and how it paints Jesus as the climax of Israel's narrative in the Old Testament

[06:41 - 13:16] Uncovering the Authorship and Origins of the Gospel According to Matthew

• Matthew's gospel fulfilled prophecies leading to Jesus
• Matthew responded to Christ's call despite being despised as a tax collector
• Ancient church unanimously attributed the gospel to Matthew
• Matthew was an eyewitness to Jesus' life, ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection

[13:17 - 20:24] Exploring the Gospel of Matthew

• Matthew's gospel views the destruction of Jerusalem as a future event
• The longest book in the New Testament with 28 chapters
• Contains key teachings such as the Sermon on the Mount and parables of the Kingdom
• Jesus is the new Moses in the five major blocks of teaching

[20:25 - 28:30] A Missionary Tool for Convincing Jewish Unbelief

• Matthew's gospel was written for Jewish people to answer their questions about Jesus as the Messiah
• Emphasizes Jesus as the Son of David and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies
• Includes people outside of Judaism in a mission and preaching type of gospel
• Argues for Jesus' identity as the Messiah through Old Testament scriptures, and introduces the word "church”
•  

Quotes:    

“The Messianic theme that runs throughout this gospel provides the glue or the unity of the gospel and Christ's kingship.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Join the Conversation    

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].    

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.     

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston    

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Join Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker as they explore the book of Genesis, discussing God's sovereign will, the theme of blessing, and how it relates to God's grace and love for his people. Learn about the unique family line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and uncover the impact of sin in the theme of blessing throughout the book. Tune in to strengthen your faith and love for Jesus and others. 

[00:19 - 07:09] Exploration of Genesis and the Covenant with Abraham 

• Genesis, written by Moses, covers 2000 years of history and is Israel's origin story 
• God is introduced as the Creator in Genesis 1 and Abraham is chosen by God as the patriarch of a special nation 

[07:10 - 13:50] Tracing the Unique Family Line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Genesis 

• Genesis sets the stage for the rest of the Pentateuch 
• Genesis traces a unique family line from Adam to Ephraim through Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph 
• Joseph, Jacob's youngest son, had prophetic dreams of greatness and became second in command over Egypt 
• The family line sometimes goes to the second-born instead of the firstborn 

[13:51 – 25:10] The Theme of Blessing in Genesis: God's Love and the Impact of Sin: 

• Genesis 3:15 prophesies Jesus Christ's coming to defeat Satan and heal his heel 
• God establishes an eternal covenant with Abraham, making him the father of many nations 
• Jesus Christ brings to fulfillment the promises given to Abraham, according to Peter and Paul 
• The covenant of circumcision guarantees God's blessings for those who acknowledge him as their king, making blessing the main theme of Genesis 
•  

Quotes:    

“If your theology makes you increasingly bitter, ungenerous and critical, then it has filled your head and not your heart.” - Tiffany Coker 

Join the Conversation    

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].    

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.     

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston    

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, join Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston as they discuss the structure and contents of the Bible. Learn about the Old Testament's five components and the New Testament's four gospels, with a special focus on Holy Week. Discover the epistles and authors such as Paul, Peter, John, and Jude, and the book of Revelation.

[00:00 - 08:46] Opening Segment

• RC Sprawl cautions against determining theology based on personal experiences, a theme explored in the podcast
• Listeners have praised Kitchen Table Theology for making complex theological subjects more accessible
• Kitchen Table Theology is partnering with Columbia International University, which has a century-long history of providing biblical education

[08:47 - 17:18] Exploring the Structure and Unity of the Bible 

• The Old Testament is divided into five components: the Pentateuch, historical books, poetic books, major prophets, and minor prophets
• The New Testament starts with the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
• The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) share many similarities in content
• John's gospel presents a beautiful theological portrait of Christ, and each gospel writer wrote to a different audience but told the same story

 [17:19 - 27:03] Uncovering the Narrative of the New Testament 

• The Harmony of the Gospels offers an overview of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday
• The Acts of the Apostles is a sequel to Luke's Gospel, and the New Testament also includes Epistles from various authors, including Paul, Peter, John, James, Jude, and Hebrews
• Paul wrote 13 Epistles, which are often referred to as the Pauline Epistles
• Luke wrote 28% of the New Testament through his Gospel of Luke and Acts, while the author of Hebrews remains unknown

Quotes:   

“One of the most dangerous things we can do as Christians is to determine our theology by our experience. Because no one's experience is normative for the Christian life. We have to determine our theology from the word of God, not from what we feel” - Tiffany Coker

Join the Conversation   

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].   

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.    

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston   

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Join Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston on Kitchen Table Theology as they explore the Pentateuch and discuss the importance of scripture in matters of weight and importance. Plus, take a quiz for a chance to win a Kitchen Table Theology mug. Come join us and listen in!! 

[00:00 - 11:15] Join the Quest for Biblical Knowledge  

• Kitchen Table Theology seeks to understand the Bible's teachings on doctrine and theology 
• John Knox believed that God's scriptures are the only foundation and substance 
• Taking the quiz offers a chance to win a Kitchen Table Theology coffee mug 

[11:16 - 25:49] Fun Facts About the Bible  

• The Pentateuch refers to the first five books of the Bible 
• Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God 
• The shortest book in the Bible by verse count is Second John 
• Manna means "what is it" in Greek and is mentioned in the Bible 

Quotes:   

" I went back to the original reason we started Kitchen Table Theology in April of 2020. And that was to help combat the biblical illiteracy that is in our churches and among our Christians today.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston 

Join the Conversation   

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].   

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.    

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston   

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Daniel Lucas, Lead Pastor of Better Life Church, joins us to discuss the powerful experience of attending the Asbury Revival. Pastor Jeff Cranston and Daniel explore the power of revival and how it can spark transformation when hearts are open to hearing from God. Discover the difference between revival and awakening and how social media has helped spread the word about revivals like Asbury's. Join them as they reflect on the remarkable experience and discuss how it can happen in local churches. 

[00:00 - 07:53] Witnessing the Asbury Revival 

• A revival at Asbury University began with an ordinary chapel service 
• Over 20,000 people have attended the revival since February 8th 
• The university is moving the revival off campus on February 23rd 
• Daniel Lucas experienced diverse crowds waiting in line to worship, with the first eight rows reserved for young people 

[07:54 - 15:10] Revival vs Awakening 

• Participants at the Asbury Revival sought God with pure motives 
• Confession of sin and unified worship characterized the atmosphere 
• The Holy Spirit was present, creating a beautiful experience 
• Revival occurs within the church, while awakening involves evangelism 

[15:11 - 26:16] Closing Segment   

• Revival at Asbury University can serve as a model for local churches 
• Revival requires repentance to take place 
• Social media has played a role in spreading the word about the Asbury revival 
• People are confessing their sins, singing praises, and praying together, seeking God with pure motives 

Quotes:  

"You can't schedule a revival. You can't plan for revival. You can't say we're gonna have an all revival and just hoping that, you know, it's like, you know what, we're just gonna trust. God's gonna move.” - Daniel Lucas 

Join the Conversation  

We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at [email protected].  

Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.   

Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston  

Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!