It is often believed, by friends and critics alike, that the Reformed tradition, though perhaps good on formal doctrine, is impoverished when it comes to spiritual formation. The charge is that the Reformed approach to piety is all about head knowledge, about learning things as brains on sticks. Other Christians may be less critical but simply assume that there is no right or wrong way to do spiritual formation. This often leads evangelical to adopt an eclectic approach to personal growth in Christ. Many Christians in conservative Protestant churches end up adopting Catholic and Orthodox approaches as being more fulsome and effective. But what if there is a Reformed approach to spiritual formation that is rich, deep, historic, and more biblical than the alternatives? That’s what Kevin explores with Matthew Bingham (associate professor of church history at Phoenix Seminary) as they dig into Matthew’s fantastic new book A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation (Crossway).

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors & Intro

3:27 Tell Us About Yourself

8:16 Spiritual Formation

14:18 A Heart Aflame for God

21:15 A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation

26:53 Sponsor Break

29:44 Biblical Centrality

40:40 The Reformed Triangle of Spiritual Formation

47:24 Quick Takes

1:06:41 Final Thoughts

1:12:14 Until Next Time…

Books & Everything:

ESV New Testament, Share the Good News® Edition

Desiring God | Holy Week

GPTS | A Sacred Calling

WTS | MA in Theological Studies

Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation

Recently, Peter Williams, Principal at Tyndale House in Cambridge, preached at Christ Covenant Church for its missions week. At the end of the evening service, Kevin sat down with Peter and fellow Cambridge-alum Will Ross, who teaches Old Testament at RTS Charlotte, for a discussion about the importance of Tyndale House and its mission to foster faithful, biblical scholarship for the church. The group also talked about apologetics, the Septuagint, being confident in the word of God, and not being so smart that you believe stupid things.

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors

2:32 The Surprising Genius of Jesus

6:27 On Tyndale House

14:42 Christianity in the Cultures

17:42 Sponsor Break

19:45 On the Old Testament

29:15 On Confidence in God’s Word

31:55 On Biblical Scholarship

37:24 Until Next Time…

Books & Everything

Understanding God's Word: An Introduction to Interpreting the Bible

The Supremacy of God in Preaching

GPTS | A Sacred Calling

WTS | Biblical Language Certificates

The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher

In this wide-ranging interview, recorded live at Christ Covenant Church in conjunction with the Coram Deo Pastors Workshop, Kevin asks John about everything from preaching style, to the influence of his parents, to growing up in the South, to his strengths and weaknesses as a pastor. You’ll hear lots of stories, pastoral wisdom, and personal transparency. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors

1:42 Introduction

2:35 The Privilege of Preaching

29:53 Humility in Pastoral Ministry

41:38 On Marriage

46:31 Sponsor Break

48:13 Pastoral Communication

53:30 Did You Ever Think of Leaving Ministry?

54:58 Parental Influence

1:01:23 Additional Thoughts

1:13:53 John Piper’s Legacy

Books & Everything:

Ask Pastor John

The Supremacy of God in Preaching

GPTS | Midweeker

Master of Arts in Theological Studies

Before the Bushes or Clintons, before the Kennedy or Kardashians, there were the Beechers—a sprawling family of preachers, suffragists, abolitionists, and moral crusaders that defined (and exemplified) America as much as any single family in the nineteenth century. Join Kevin as he interviews Obbie Tyler Todd, a pastor and professor, about his new biography of the Beechers (LSU Press). From patriarch, Lyman Beecher, to the famous novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, to the most famous pastor of his age, Henry Ward Beecher, this episode explores the crazy and controversial life of Lyman Beecher, his three wives (not at the same time), and their thirteen children.

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors

2:00 Introductions

5:37 The Beecher Family and Moral Influence

10:45 Three Themes of the Beecher Family

21:36 Beecherism and Controversy

28:07 The Fate of the Nation and Presbyterianism

36:49 Other Beeches

50:38 Harriet Beecher Stowe

54:43 Henry Ward Beecher

1:09:11 The Beecher Legacy

Books & Everything:

Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship

The Supremacy of God in Preaching

GPTS Midweeker

Master of Arts in Theological Studies

The Beechers: America's Most Influential Family

Listen to a special episode of Life and Books and Everything promoting Crossway's new Podcast, Doctrine Matters.

Kevin welcomes to the podcast Brandon Crowe, a native Alabamian, an SEC fan, a Teaching Elder in the PCA, and a professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Believe it or not, there is only question about football, and it comes at the very end. The rest of the time is spent trying to explain things like the hypostatic union, the communication of properties, Christ’s descent into hell, and how the Son of God could be ignorant of the time of his return. Lots of good theological exploration as Kevin talks to Brandon about his book The Lord Jesus Christ (Lexham Academic).

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors & Intro

5:49 The Person and Work of Christ

12:53 The Descent Question

26:12 The Transformation Question

38:40 Sponsor Break

40:36 Some Definitions

44:19 4 Major Heresies

49:18 “An” vs. “In”

53:45 Christ’s Offices

1:00:16 Concluding Theses

1:04:31 Until Next Time…

Books & Everything:

ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible: Theology Rooted in the Word of God

Serious Joy Conference

The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work

WTS | Master of Arts in Theological Studies

The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ

There has been some concern that Justin and Collin have been kept out of the “very special guest” designation. In order to make up for past offenses, this episode, with two very special guests, is being hailed as a very special episode. The three amigos start out by talking about football (of course) and a new cultural openness to Christianity. Then they turn their attention to New Year’s resolutions (which they all have) and books on time management and productivity (which Justin and Collin do not read). The episode finishes with a sweet conversation about their wives and lessons learned over the decades of marriage.

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors & Intro

4:15 Football, Culture, and Spirituality

15:26 Goals, Habits, and Productivity

40:07 Sponsor Break

42:02 Marriage, That Blessed Arrangement

1:04:46 Books on Marriage

1:08:29 Until Next Time…

Books & Everything:

Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church

Serious Joy Conference

The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work

WTS | Master of Arts in Theological Studies

The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports

Rules of Life (Justin Taylor)

Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make

Mystery of Marriage

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage

Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace

Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints

This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence

How can you shine as a Christian in the world of professional sports—when sometimes your dreams come true and often they don’t? What does it take to be an elite athlete (and why is it a great profession for sleep enthusiasts)? You’ll want to listen to this special episode of LBE as Kevin asks Andre, a former NFL player, and Sydney—an Olympic champion, world champion, and world record holder—about the pressure of being the best and the freedom of being in Christ. And don’t miss the bonus questions from a couple DeYoung children.

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors & Intro

3:38 What did it feel like?

7:11 A Question From a Fan

8:49 Olympic Relationships

11:05 Life as a Professional Athlete

16:31 How Did You Two Meet?

20:40 Another Fan Question

22:06 Life and Testimony

32:29 Fifty Seconds

35:57 The Lifestyle of an Elite Athlete

40:08 Sponsor Break 41:55 Fame and Faith

47:45 Nature vs. Nurture

58:46 What’s Coming Up?

1:01:10 Book Recommendations

1:03:26 A Message to Christian Women

1:05:51 Until Next Time…

Books & Everything:

ESV Daily Reading Bible: A Guided Journey Through God's Word

Serious Joy Conference

The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work

WTS | Master of Arts in Theological Studies

What Is the Gospel?

What Is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission

We’ve all been waiting, and it’s finally here: the annual Christmas LBE. Listen in as the three amigos talk about Christmas movies, favorite books, which LBE member is the most like Jerry Seinfeld, and, of course, the airing of many grievances.

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors & Intro

5:50 The Vibe Shift

20:10 Let’s Talk About Christmas

30:02 Sponsor Break

31:20 The Airing of Grievances

49:27 Books & Everything

55:22 Until Next Time…

Books & Everything:

How to Memorize Scripture for Life: From One Verse to Entire Books

Desiring God | Great Joy

Puritan Treasures for Today

Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology

Christopher Ash on the Psalms

The Beechers: America's Most Influential Family

Swing Low, volume 1: A History of Black Christianity in the United States

Letters of John Calvin

Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age

Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold

Pastoral Theology

Mission is one of those words that Christians use all the time. So are words like “missions” and missionaries.” But what do they mean? Is “mission” even the best word to use to describe what Christians should be doing in the world? In today’s episode, Kevin talks with fellow Michigander, Brian DeVries, about his new book You Will Be My Witnesses. Brian has led church planting teams in South Africa and currently serves as a pastor and a seminary president in South Africa. He’s written an insightful and helpful book calling church and Christians to be witnesses for Christ in speaking, in living, in defending the faith, in working for church growth, and in suffering well.

Chapters:

0:00 Sponsors

1:51 Introductions

11:29 The Book and the Mission of the Church

25:19 The Concept of Witness

32:15 Five Witness Themes

39:17 Sponsor Break

41:00 On Evangelizing

52:35 The Church As Hospital, Temple, Embassy, School, and Fortress

58:07 Stop DoingThis, Start Doing That

Books & Everything:

In the Lord I Take Refuge: 150 Daily Devotions Through the Psalms

Desiring God | Great Joy

Puritan Treasures for Today

Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate

You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission