Knowing Faith

James Wood joins Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley to discuss the influence of Constantine on Christianity.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Who was Constantine? What was his relationship to Christianity in the ancient world?
• Did he really convert?
• What are the Christians of this time thinking about Constantine?
• How does Monasticism replace martyrdom?
• Is there a protestant approach to living in the tension?
• What are the goods of Christendom?
• How does this history shape our understanding of the competing perspectives on church and state today?
• What are faithful Christian perspectives of church and state?
• How would you contrast pagan Christianity from the kind of public Christian witness you advocate for?
• Explain the subordination of the secular.

Guest Bio:
James Wood is Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University, a teaching elder in the PCA, a cohost of Mere Fidelity Podcast and the Civitas Podcast, and has written and writes for a number of publications, including Plough, Comment, First Things, World, and Theopolis, among others. He holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Toronto, a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary. He is married to Clare, and they have five daughters.

Helpful Definitions:

• Gelasian Dyarchy: The "two swords" doctrine.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Romans 13, 1 Peter 2, Revelation 13
• “Defending Constantine” by Peter Leithart
• “Christ & Culture Revisited” by D.A. Carson
• “The Desire of the Nations” by Oliver O'Donovan
• “Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John Calvin
• “The Politics of Pagan Christianity” by James Wood

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Kyle Worley is joined by Don Whitney to answer the question, “How important is the local church and the Christian community to the journey of becoming more like Christ?”

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• How important is the local church and the Christian community to the journey of becoming more like Christ?

Helpful Definitions:

• Spiritual Disciplines: Practices found in the Bible by which we experience God and grow in Christlikeness.
• Fellowship: Koinónia (κοινωνία)

Guest Bio:

Don Whitney is the Professor of Biblical Spirituality and the John H. Powell Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; a D.Min., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; and a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of the Free State, South Africa. He has authored several books, including but not limited to: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Praying the Bible. Dr. Whitney also serves as the founder and president of The Center for Biblical Spirituality. Don lives with his wife Caffy in Kansas City, Missouri. The Whitneys have a married daughter, Laurelen, and five grandchildren.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Luke 4
• “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald S Whitney

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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Macy English to play Knowing Faith Theological Trivia. Grab a pen and paper to play along!

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• The Story of the Bible:
  • Name the four gospels.
  • In what waters did Naaman wash in to be healed of leprosy?
  • Who in the Old Testament prefigures Christ as both priest and king?
  • True or False: King Saul was from the tribe of Judah.
  • Which prophet's scroll records the story of the valley of dry bones?
• Spiritual Belief:
  • What does the word “Trinity” describe?
  • The Nicene Creed says the Son is “begotten, not made.” What heresy does that refute?
  • Which ecumenical council affirmed Mary as Theotokos or the “God-bearer”?
  • Which heresy claimed Jesus only appeared to have a human body?
  • What Latin term captures the Reformation truth that faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone?
• Spiritual Formation:
  • What word means “to become more like Christ”?
  • According to John Owen, sanctification involves the mortification of ___ and vivification of ___.
  • True or False: The Greek word for “fruit” of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is plural.
  • Who first popularized the phrase “means of grace” to describe habits that grow believers?
  • Which Reformation theologian taught that true knowledge of God leads to knowledge of self?
• Bonus Round:
  • Who was the left-handed judge who killed the Moabite king Eglon with his sword?

Guest Bio:

Macy English is the Owner & Principal Consultant of English Media, where she helps businesses with all things sales & marketing. She is a lover of people, culture, marketing, and health, and she strives for all that matters in life. Macy and her husband, JT, live in Arvada, CO, with their two kids and love to travel.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Deep Discipleship Program

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

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Kyle Worley is joined by Jared Bumpers to answer the question, “Why does theological formation happen best in the local church?

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Why does theological formation happen best in the church?
• What does this mean at Midwestern Seminary?

Helpful Definitions:

• Theology: The study of God and all other things in relation to God. John Webster

Guest Bio:

Jared Bumpers is the Associate Professor of Preaching and Evangelism and FTC Cohorts Faculty Coordinator at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jared holds a B.S. in pastoral ministry from Baptist Bible College; an M.Div. from Luther Rice Seminary; a Th.M. in biblical studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; and a Ph.D. in Christian preaching from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His doctoral research focused on the hermeneutic and homiletic of John Albert Broadus. Jared is married to Kimberly, and they have four children: McCartnie, Rush, Maverick, and Jett.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• 2 Corinthians 3:18
• For the Church Cohorts Midwestern

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.

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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss if Christians should gamble.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Why is this timely?
• Why does this matter?
• Do Christians know how to answer this question?
• What is categorized as gambling?
• What was the most surprising thing you learned when you wrote your article?
• Does the level of risk matter?
• Does the purpose or heart behind gambling matter?
• Can you have poker night?
• Can you buy a lottery ticket?
• What do I do if I’m struggling with gambling?
• How can parents teach children about the nature of gambling and/or money?

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• “Sports Betting Has Become Too Prevalent for Christians to Ignore” by Kyle Worley

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

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Kyle Worley is joined by Peter Gurr to answer the question, “Why trust the New Testament?”

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Why trust the New Testament?
• When you are talking about the resurrection, is it a spiritual reality or a historical event?

Guest Bio:

Dr. Peter Gurry is Associate Professor of New Testament at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including but not limited to Scribes and Scriptures. He is the Co-director of the Text & Canon Institute. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Acts
• “Scribes and Scripture” by John D Meade and Peter J Gurry

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss the question, Is God still speaking audibly today?

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Is God still speaking audibly today?
• In the Bible, has God spoken through dreams, visions, prophecies, and audibly?
• What are some strange ways God speaks in the Bible?
• Is there a time in scripture we are told this is over?
• What additional revelation do we need if he has spoken to us through His son?
• What does God still give?
• How would you define prophetic ministry in the context of the church?
• What if someone is wrong?
• Why does Paul give non-apostles instructions on how to use the gift of prophecy if it's not a gift that's continued in the life of the church?
• How is prophecy different from preaching and teaching?
• If someone never receives a prophetic word, does that mean they have an impoverished experience of the Christian life?
• Where does the Bible make the distinction between prophetic office and prophetic ministry?
• What would you call someone who claims to speak on behalf of God?
• Where does this go sideways in the life of the church?

Helpful Definitions:

• Prophetic Ministry: The reception of a God granted insight that has the magnification of Christ as its goal, the edification or exhortation of the church as a byproduct. 
• Prophecy: God ordained commentary on scripture.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Numbers 22:21-39, Daniel 5, Matthew 3:16-17, Hebrews 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 14:37, Deuteronomy 13:1-3, Deuteronomy 18:20
• Deep Discipleship Program
• Knowing Faith: Demons and Angels

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

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Kyle Worley is joined by Dr. Travis Montgomery to discuss how technology impacts spiritual formation.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• What is one blessing and one burden that technology provides on the journey of spiritual formation?

Guest Bio:

Dr. Travis Montgomery is the Assistant Professor of Christian Studies and Assistant Dean of Global Campus at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a B.A from Ozark Christian College and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Midwestern. He is husband to Lauren, and a dad of three boys—twins Ebenezer (Ben) and Hezekiah (Ki), and Boaz (Bo). 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Colossians 3, Genesis 1
• Deep Discipleship Program

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a conversation about what the Bible says about angels, demons, and Satan.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Did you have any interest in this stuff as a non-Christian?
• Does talking about demons and angels make people a little uncomfortable?
• If someone brings this up in conversation with you, how do you react?
• What are some clear things that we can agree on around demons and angels?
• What is the primary work of demons and angels?
• Are demons and angels active in the world? In what ways?
• Can demons read our minds?
• Can you open portals in your life to demonic activity?
• What is the foothold Ephesians 4 is talking about?
• How do I distinguish between my own desires and something demonic?
• How do we account for deliverance-based prayer?

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Luke 2:8-14, Genesis 3, Job, John 8, Luke 13:10-17, Ephesians 4:27
• Deep Discipleship Program

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Bobby Jamieson to discuss his book “Everything Is Never Enough,” the book of Ecclesiastes, and what happiness is.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Is it wrong to want to be happy?
• Why did this become your thing?
• What are the common misconceptions about what happiness is?
• Do you feel like the answer lies in the book of Ecclesiastes or in the rest of the Bible?
• What does fear of the Lord mean?
• When you talk about happiness, what do you have to clear off the ground?
• Is it possible to be “too God centered” where you miss out on the goodness of creation?
• How have you learned to talk about this to your congregation?
• How do you respond to people who say, “don’t find your identity in being a mom, find your identity in Christ?”
• If we enjoy something, is it an idol?

Helpful Definitions:

• Fear of the Lord: Reverence awe of His power, humble trembling at His generosity, confessing before His holiness, and marveling at His grace.

Guest Bio:

Bobby Jamieson serves as an associate pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He has an MDiv and ThM from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a PhD in New Testament from the University of Cambridge, where he also taught Greek. Bobby and his wife, Kristin, have four children, Rose, Lucy, William, and Margaret.

Bobby is the author of several books, including but not limited to; Sound Doctrine: How a Church Grows in the Love and Holiness of God, Going Public: Why Baptism Is Required for Church Membership, Jesus' Death and Heavenly Offering in Hebrews, The Paradox of Sonship: Christology in The Epistle to the Hebrews, and The Path to Being a Pastor: A Guide for the Aspiring.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Ecclesiastes, Proverbs 31:30, Psalm 16:6
• “Everything Is Never Enough” by R B Jamieson
• “Remaking the World” by Andrew Wilson
• Knowing Faith Has Therapeutic Language Invaded The Church?
• “Desiring God” by John Piper

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You can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.

To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.