Ministry Deep Dive

What do freedom, kindness, progress, and equality have in common? We have them because of Christianity. Most don't realize that the very benefits that they have in our modern culture come directly as a result of the Christian faith-so says Glen Scrivener. It's those connection points that create a bridge that can help our unbelieving friends to cross to full faith in Jesus Christ.

Glen Scrivener is an ordained Church of England minister and evangelist who preaches Christ through writing, speaking, and online media. He directs the evangelistic ministry Speak Life. Originally from Australia, Glen now lives with his wife, Emma, and two children in England, and they belong to All Souls Eastbourne. He is the author of several books, including The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality (The Good Book Company, 2022) and 3-2-1: The Story of God, the World, and You (10Publishing, 2014).

This episode is going to be an encouragement and help equip you to share Jesus with your unbelieving friends. Glen is a clear, and energetic communicator who loves Jesus and longs to share Him with others.

Check out some of Glen's articles.

Check out the NLT.

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Is theology a one-time thing? Or is it something that we do? How do we "do" theology? Part of following Jesus, and desiring to see His kingdom expand in the hearts and minds of men and women all over the world, means learning how to follow Christ and show Christ's love in various cultural contexts. It starts with the Word of God, the Bible, and when we learn the Word of God, we learn how to teach the Word of God and how to apply it as we encounter various cultural forces. This is why we need to study those who have gone before us and learn from those from around the world--so that we might learn from one another and so that together we can fulfill the mission God has for us as seek to show who Jesus is to the world around us.

Today, we welcome Dr. Gene Green to the show. Gene is an emeritus professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, who has written extensively on various issues of theology and missiology. He is the author of several books:

• The Scalpel and the Cross: A Theology of Surgery (Ordinary Theology)
• Jesus without Borders: Christology in the Majority World (Majority World Theology (MWT))
• The Spirit over the Earth: Pneumatology in the Majority World (Majority World Theology (MWT))
• The Trinity among the Nations: The Doctrine of God in the Majority World (Majority World Theology (MWT))
• The New Testament in Antiquity: A Survey of the New Testament within Its Cultural Context
• Jude and 2 Peter (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
• Global Theology in Evangelical Perspective: Exploring the Contextual Nature of Theology and Mission

Travis and Gene talk about the necessity of looking to Christians around the world and why we need to learn from them. It is by dialoguing with them, that our vision of God grows, and we are able to see our own culture through new eyes, and perhaps find a way forward, following many of our brothers and sisters who have had to follow Jesus in the face of great hostility. It's an insightful conversation sure to help you grow in. your knowledge of God, and your awareness of Christian believers from around the world (and perhaps around the corner), who can help us follow Jesus more faithfully today.

Learn more about Gene.

Check out the NLT.

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What did James MacDonald, Mark Driscoll, and Bill Hybels have in common? They were all guilty of spiritual abuse. We have all heard of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, just to name a few, but spiritual abuse? Spiritual abuse is the most incipient of abuses, but it happens all the time. What exactly is spiritual abuse? What are the signs? How do we differentiate spiritual abuse from true godliness and leadership? Michael J. Kruger has some words of wisdom to help guide us into this very difficult, painful, and confusing subject.

Dr. Michael J. Kruger serves as the President and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary.

Get his book: Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church (Zondervan, 2022), which won the 2022 “Book of the Year” award from The Gospel Coalition for the ministry category.

Or check out some of his other books:

Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College (Crossway, 2021), was awarded 2021 “Book of the Year” by the Southwestern Baptist Journal of Theology for the category of Worldview/Apologetics, and Christianity at the Crossroads: How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the Church (SPCK, 2017; IVP Academic, 2018) was awarded 2018 “Book of the Year” by The Gospel Coalition in the category of history and biography.

Other publications include The Gospel of the Savior (Brill, 2005), The Heresy of Orthodoxy (Crossway, 2010, with Andreas Köstenberger), Canon Revisited (Crossway, 2012), and The Question of Canon (IVP Academic, 2013). He is also the editor of and contributor to A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament (Crossway, 2016) and co-editor of The Early Text of the New Testament (Oxford, 2012) and Gospel Fragments (Oxford, 2009).

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Can you have Jesus without the church? The answer is an unequivocal and resounding, "No." Travis welcomes Bishop Claude Alexander to the show as they discuss how we are becoming the church, how we have to allow room to process, not give up on the church but press on, and seek to be unified because that is one of the greatest signs to the world that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It's a fun conversation between two men who deeply love Jesus' church and want to see it not only survive but thrive.

Bishop Claude Richard Alexander, Jr. has pastored The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 1990. Originally a congregation of 600 members, The Park is now home to more than 9,000 members.

Bishop Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He began pastoring his first church in 1987 and was ordained a bishop in 2008. Bishop Alexander has gained increasing presence in the media, reaching a potential audience of more than 2 million viewers each week through his live-streamed sermons.

Bishop Alexander is ranked among the 75 most influential persons in Charlotte by Charlotte Magazine. He is co-chair of the Community Building Initiative, a nonprofit organization that works to achieve racial and ethnic inclusion and equity in the Charlotte Mecklenburg community. He has served on the boards of several organizations over the years, and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, the Executive Board of the Joint College of Bishops and the Board of Directors of Christianity Today. He was also recently elected president of Hampton University Ministers’ Conference.

Bishop Alexander and his wife, Kimberly, have been married since 1993. They have two school-aged daughters — Camryn and Carsyn.

Check out Bishop Alexander's website.

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Takeaways:

• The church is a dynamic community that encompasses both immense joy and profound pain, reflecting the complexities of human experience.
• True understanding of God is often revealed through communal experiences rather than in isolation, emphasizing the importance of fellowship.
• In the journey of faith, we must acknowledge our imperfections and strive towards being the church that God calls us to become.
• Revival is not merely about achieving perfection but about recognizing and embracing Jesus' work in our messy realities as we grow together.
• Discipleship begins with baptism, which symbolizes our commitment to God and marks the transition from self-led lives to lives led by Him.
• The essence of the church lies in our collective commitments to each other and to God, which serve as a testament to the world about His faithfulness.

Imagination awakens knowledge and stirs the soul to seek God. We need to learn how to tap into this very powerful gift and tool that God has given us and learn how to use it for His glory.

In this second conversation, Travis talks with Malcolm Guite about the imagination and how God desires to use it. Malcolm is an English poet, songwriter, Anglican priest, and recently retired professor from Cambridge. He is truly one of a kind-cross John Donne, Jerry Garcia, and put him on the back of a Harley while dressed like Bilbo Baggins and you have your man. In fact, his poem Refugee was requested by King Charles to be read at the Christmas Royal Carol Service.

Malcolm joins Apollos Watered to talk about how Jesus baptizes our imagination the moment we come to Him, helping us to cultivate an artistic, moral, and prophetic imagination in a world that desperately needs leaders to move beyond the status quo. It's insightful, informative, and fun :-)

Check out the first part of our conversation: #171 | Malcolm Guite: Transfigure Your Imagination, Pt. 1

Get his books.

Check out his very entertaining YouTube channel.

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Have you ever felt stuck? Like you can't go anywhere. You can't make progress, you can't go back, and you just are stuck where you are? Sometimes we need to tap into our imaginations as Jesus did. The imagination is a powerful tool-from running scared through potential hazards or leading us into a world of dreams, our imaginations can be used for good or for ill. But what does it look like to cultivate a truly Christian imagination?

Malcolm has an idea! Malcolm is an English poet, songwriter, Anglican priest, and recently retired professor from Cambridge. He is truly one of a kind-cross John Donne, Jerry Garcia, and put him on the back of a Harley while dressed like Bilbo Baggins and you have your man. In fact, his poem Refugee was requested by King Charles to be read at the Christmas Royal Carol Service.

Malcolm joins Apollos Watered to talk about how Jesus baptizes our imagination the moment we come to Him, helping us to cultivate an artistic, moral, and prophetic imagination in a world that desperately needs leaders to move beyond the status quo. It's insightful, informative, and fun :-)

Get his books.

Check out his very entertaining YouTube channel.

Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.

Help water-thirsty souls by partnering with Apollos Watered!

Takeaways:

• The conversation delves into the profound significance of imagination in the Christian faith, emphasizing its role in enriching our understanding of God's creation and our relationship with Him.
• Travis Michael Fleming and Malcolm Guite explore how imagination transcends mere fantasy, allowing us to engage with deeper truths found in literature, art, and personal experiences of faith.
• Malcolm Guite shares his transformative encounter with the holy presence of God, illustrating how such moments can radically alter one's perception of existence and dependence on the divine.
• The discussion highlights the necessity of cultivating our imaginative faculties, which serve as a means to connect with the sacred and navigate the complexities of modern life.
• Guite articulates the notion that imagination is not a frivolous endeavor but rather a crucial aspect of spiritual life that can lead to a renewed understanding of faith and existence.
• Through the lens of poetry and literary exploration, the speakers argue that imagination can illuminate profound truths, inviting individuals to perceive the world in a more meaningful and interconnected way.

Dr. Allen Yeh joins Travis Michael Fleming to explore the concept of Polycentric Missiology, emphasizing that the center of Christianity has shifted from the West to the majority world. This transformation highlights how 78% of today's missionaries come from non-Western countries, showcasing the diverse and global nature of faith. As they discuss the historical roots and implications of this shift, they reflect on the richness of theological perspectives that arise from different cultures. Dr. Yeh argues that understanding these diverse viewpoints is essential for a more holistic view of God and His mission. The conversation encourages listeners to engage with global voices in Christianity, recognizing that true discipleship involves learning from one another across cultural boundaries.

What is the center of Christianity? Is there one? Which continent got the gospel first? How did the Gospel spread around the world? What does it mean to be "ecumenical"? Who is considered the father of modern missions? What does it mean to be on mission? What does it mean to work together for the gospel? What is the difference between evangelism and discipleship? How do we go about "doing" theology? What does it mean to "do" theology? And how is mission the mother of theology? These are just SOME of the questions that we try to answer on today's show as Travis welcomes Allen Yeh!

Allen is a missiologist who specializes in Latin America and China. He is a professor of intercultural studies at the Cook School for Intercultural Studies. He has diverse interests in history, classical music, homiletics, justice, the California missions, the Maya, and biographical interest in Jonathan Edwards (America's greatest theologian) and Adoniram Judson (America's first intercontinental missionary). He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast Asia. He earned his B.A. from Yale, M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell, M.Th. from Edinburgh, and D.Phil. from Oxford.

Allen has been to over 60 countries on every continent, to study, do missions work, and experience the culture. He is joyfully married to Arianna Molloy, a professor in Biola's Communication Studies Department.

This is a fun and challenging conversation that is going to enlighten and challenge you in what you know about how mission has been done historically, how we do mission where we are today, and we go about doing theology in our crazy changing world.

Takeaways:

• Christianity has been present in regions like India, Turkey, and Ethiopia since the first century, predating its arrival in Europe.
• The concept of polycentric missiology emphasizes that missions are now from everyone to everywhere, not just the West to the rest.
• William Carey's contributions to modern missions include establishing mission societies and emphasizing the Great Commission's importance for all believers.
• Nominalism, the idea of being a Christian in name only, poses a significant challenge to authentic discipleship today.
• Diversity within the body of Christ enhances our understanding of God, as different cultures provide unique perspectives.
• The shift in missionary efforts from the West to the Majority World reflects a significant change in global Christianity's landscape.

Learn more about Allen.

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Is God still in the miracle business? What do the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament tell us about who God is today? What has that to do with us? And what role does the empty tomb have in us understanding what God wants to do in the world today? Additionally, what role do miracles play in our lives? What happens if God doesn't bring a miracle? Guest Joby Martin has an idea!

Joby is a man who has a passion for God and His Word. Born and bred in the South, he is a lover of Georgia Bulldogs football, bowhunting, C.S. Lewis, and one of the funniest guests we have ever had. He is the founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since launching the church in 2012, he has led a movement for all people to discover and deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ.

In addition to providing The Church of Eleven22 with vision and leadership, Pastor Joby is a national and international preacher and teacher.

He has been married to his wife, Gretchen, for over 20 years and they have a son, JP and a daughter, Reagan Capri.

Learn more about Joby.

Check out Church of Eleven22.

Get Joby's book, Anything Is Possible.

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Travis welcomes Vishal Mangalwadi to the show. Vishal is India's foremost Christian intellectual. He is a social reformer, activist, author, and columnist whose writings and videos have been featured around the world. He has lectured in over 40 countries, written 17 books, and contributed to several others. He joined Travis to discuss his book, The Book That Made Your World, but quickly transitioned to discuss the Third Education Revelation.

Out of all of our episodes, this is probably the most controversial and our longest episode to date. Rather than divide it into two we wanted to you to get the full idea of Vishal's proposal. Vishal maintains that Christians in North America have got the Great Commission wrong, and have actually harmed the faith as a result of it. His desire is to recover the full expression of the Great Commission and return to educating and catechizing the church, all the while removing ourselves from secular education. He makes some bold critiques and proposals that will frustrate, enrage, and make you think.

Is he right? Is he wrong? Listen in and find out!

Learn more about Vishal

Learn more about the Revelation Movement.

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Travis and Chris continue their discussion in Chris' groundbreaking book, Biblical Critical Theory. In this episode, they discuss the Exodus, sin, and judgment, bringing the Bible to bear upon culture, technique, and God's amazing story that contains all other stories.

Learn more about Chris.

Get the book.

Chris referred to a couple of other resources:

Get Graeme Goldsworthy's book.

Check out Nancy Guthrie's resources.

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Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural dichotomies that shape our worldview as Christians.
• Christopher Watkin's book, Biblical Critical Theory, critiques contemporary culture through a biblical lens, offering a deeper understanding of modern life.
• The conversation navigates the complexities of how Christians can engage with a culture that often views them as adversaries.
• Watkin argues that the Bible provides a more comprehensive narrative than any alternative cultural stories we may encounter.
• The hosts discuss the significance of sin and judgment in understanding both biblical teachings and contemporary societal issues.
• They highlight the necessity for Christians to adopt a biblical framework when addressing modern cultural challenges.