Life and Books and Everything

If you haven’t seen the viral clip, go see it right now. In this episode, Kevin talks to Alistair about the preaching clip he didn’t intend to give, he never put online himself, and he never expected to be one of the most well known moments of his ministry. The content from that clip has been combined with two other Jesus encounters in the Gospels and turned into a short book. Listen to Kevin and Alistair talk about that book as well as the Ryder Cup, “retirement,” and reflections on growing older (though Alistair doesn’t look it).

You may not think you need 1,000 pages on the Heidelberg Catechism, but you do! R. Scott Clark, professor at Westminster Seminary California, has written a rich, theological, and historical commentary on one of the Reformation’s most beloved catechisms. Listen in as Scott and Kevin talk about the history of the catechism and walk through several key sections—including important differences with Lutheran theology and Catholic theology. You’ll also want to hear the paean to all things Nebraska at the start of the episode.

What is conservatism? And why does it go hand in hand with religious freedom? How should we think about the American experiment of ordered liberty? Has it failed? It is worth preserving? And what about Christian Nationalism? And while we’re at it, how should Christians assess the Charlie Kirk memorial service? Listen in as Kevin talks to John Wilsey, a history professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, about these questions and about John’s new book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer (Eerdmans).

Dr. Guelzo is back once again for another record setting appearance on LBE. Although he just moved across the country, Allen still made time to talk to Kevin about his latest two-volume mega-project with James Hankins, their new book The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition. Listen in as Kevin and Allen talk about remembering, history as gratitude, and the fragility (and resiliency) of Western Civilization. You won’t want to miss Dr. Guelzo recount the many blessings of the Western Tradition (and mention some faults too), while also singing Bach and reciting Shakespeare.

If you are looking for a deep dive into the history of early American Presbyterianism, you have come to the right place! Listen in as Kevin talks with pastor, scholar, and writer S.A. Fix—who goes by the name Fix (really he does)—as they talk about the Old Side/New Side controversy, the Adopting Act of 1729, and John Thomson’s Explication of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Come for the Presbyterianism, and stay for a look at what it means to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Be sure to look for Thomson’s Explication in the next week or two, introduced and edited by Dr. Fix and published by our friends at Westminster Seminary Press.

It’s been a long time since the last LBE episode—too long some (i.e., our mothers) might say. But after a summer hiatus, the three amigos are back in the podcast studio to talk about familiar topics like football, books, and “what time it is” in our world. They also touch on a few unfamiliar topics like weight loss and how funerals bring people together.

The triumvirate comes back together to wrap up another season of LBE. Along with the obligatory sports chatter, the three guys talk at length about the first Midwest Pope (and why they are not Catholics) and about life in middle age (and why they are not too depressed). There are, of course, many book recommendations as well.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Sponsors

1:47 Greeting & Salutations

4:10 The Midwestern Scale Of How Are You Doing?

5:10 The First Midwestern Pope

14:05 Deep Dive Into New Pope Expectations

18:20 Why Don’t We Believe In A Pope?

28:35 From The Midwest To Midlife

32:44 Get A Tattoo And Buy A Motorcycle?

35:07 Sponsor Break

36:55 More On Midlife & Life As A Parent

40:56 Have We Changed In Significant Ways?

52:31 Collin’s Reading List

57:50 Kevin’s Reading List

01:03:01 Justin’s Reading List

01:06:59 Summer Sports Report

01:08:38 Thank You & Goodbye

What does the Bible say about life in the womb? When does life begin? What about personhood? What has the church taught about abortion over the centuries? How should we respond to familiar slogans like “My body, my choice”? In this important episode, Kevin talks with Tom Pennington, Pastor at Countryside Bible Church in Southlake, Texas, about his new book The Biblical View of Abortion: God’s Heart for Life in the Womb. Listen in as Tom and Kevin try to equip Christians to defend life and love the unborn, just like God does.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Sponsors

1:39 Greeting & Salutations

2:48 Who Is Tom Pennington?

4:16 Grace To You Origins

5:04 Tom’s Time In Texas

7:24 Let’s Talk About The Book

9:08 What’s Happened Since Roe v. Wade Overturned?

11:40 The Effort To Persuade & Promote Biblical View

15:17 Counterargument To “Historical Acceptance”

18:33 Counterargument To “Might As Well Make It Safe”

20:13 Counterargument To “Keep State Out Of Bedroom”

21:35 Counterargument To “My Body, My Choice”

22:19 Counterargument To “Can’t Legislate Morality”

24:30 Positive Rights & Negative Rights

29:28 Lack of Scientific Debate About Origin Of Life

30:25 How Do We Diagnose This Issue Spiritually?

33:55 Sponsor Break

35:54 Speak To The Person Who Hates What We’re Saying

39:42 Counterargument To “When Personhood Begins”

42:24 Connections To Jesus Christ & Christology

45:25 The SLED Acronym

47:08 Church History Related To Abortion

49:10 Rape, Incest & Life Of The Mother

57:04 Ending Treatment vs Ending Life

58:38 Pray For Us Pastor Tom

1:00:55 Thank You & Goodbye

BOOKS & EVERYTHING

The Biblical View of Abortion: God’s Heart for Life in the Womb by Tom Pennington

CROSSWAY | A Light On The Hill

DESIRING GOD | Be Happy Event

GREENVILLE SEMINARY | Pastoral Theology

WESTMINSTER SEMINARY | Theological Studies

Kevin welcomes his good friend—neighbor, church colleague, and seminary colleague (soon to be boss!)—Blair Smith to the podcast. As a systematic theology professor, Blair’s expertise is on Trinitarian theology, in particular in the crucial fourth and fifth centuries. Listen in as Kevn and Blair look at the theology and the history behind the Council of Nicaea (325) and the Council of Constantinople (381). Yes, there are a lot of names and concepts flying around in the podcast studio with this one, but for good reason. What could be more important than the doctrine of the Trinity, than knowing who God is?

CHAPTERS

0:00 Sponsors & Intro

2:11 Who Is Blair Smith?

9:34 Four Degrees & Education Background

12:20 Conversation Outline & Begin Nicene Discussion

19:38 What Should We Know About The Fatherhood Of God?

25:25 Nicene Origins & The Need For Clarity

28:40 Sponsor Break

30:54 How Does This Help Us Understand The Eternal Son?

37:15 Trinity Debates & Subordination Controversy

46:59 What Led To The Revision Of The Nicene Creed?

54:53 Common Ground & Finding The Right Language

57:07 How Does Augustine Fit Into Nicene Orthodoxy?

1:01:38 Books From Blair To Consider

1:03:42 Why Should We Care About The Doctrine Of The Trinity?

BOOKS & EVERYTHING

The Nicene Creed

Reformed Confessionalism

One God Almighty: The Biblical Doctrine of the Triune God

Our Father in Heaven: Rediscovering and Embracing the Fatherhood of God

CROSSWAY | The Nicene Creed

DESIRING GOD | What’s The Difference?

GREENVILLE SEMINARY | Pastoral Theology

WESTMINSTER SEMINARY | Biblical Languages

First published in 1877, Thomas Murphy’s Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office is one of the absolute best books of its kind. Murphy’s treatise is inspiring, challenging, comprehensive, opinionated, practical, and spiritual in the deepest sense of the word. Listen as Kevin and Jonathan Master, president at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, talk about Thomas Murphy (pastor for 46 years of Frankford Presbyterian Church outside of Philadelphia) and this neglected resource, just recently republished by Log College Press.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Sponsors & Intro

2:37 Who Is Jonathan Master?

5:48 Let’s Dive Into Pastoral Theology

9:23 Kevin Outlines Thomas Murphy Book

10:58 Why Does Jonathan Love The Book?

13:30 Kevin & Jonathan Explore Exemplary Piety

17:18 Sponsor Break / Link For Book

19:22 Vital Role For Women In The Church

23:00 The Work Of God In The Church & Community

24:18 How To Profit My Congregation As A Preacher

27:41 Pastoral Care & Troublemakers In The Church

31:10 Preach, Pray, People AND Patience

32:31 What Else Is Jonathan Working On?

33:53 Kevin’s Book Republishing Thoughts

35:44 Until Next Time…

BOOKS & EVERYTHING

Pastoral Theology by Thomas Murphy

Crossway | The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host

Desiring God | What's the Difference

GPTS | Pastoral Theology

WTS | MATS