Orthodoxy

This episode is a bit different. I am giving an update to all our listeners on Optiv Network, why Nic Gibson is no longer on this podcast, and what the podcast will look like moving forward.

Links in the podcast:

Sheila Stubbs on transgenderism: https://x.com/RepStubbs/status/1509541799521624069

Planned Parenthood endorsement of Sheila Stubbs:

ppawisconsin

A post shared by @ppawisconsin

Sheila Stubbs response to reinstating abortion laws in Wisconsin: https://www.fox6now.com/news/planned-parenthood-abortions-in-wisconsin-resume-next-week

Wisconsin State Journal articles on Sheila Stubbs:

https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/a-unanimous-no-shelia-stubbs-dane-county-human-services-bid-gets-rejected-in-1st-vote/article_18c6e134-d8ba-5842-96b3-99ecc567c5dd.html

https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/why-shelia-stubbs-nomination-to-lead-dane-county-human-services-is-facing-controversy/article_25b68950-7731-5c3c-9761-b855f96beea9.html

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In this episode, I got to talk with Ryan McGraw. Dr. McGraw is a Professor of Systematic Theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has pastored at many churches all over the country and is the author of over 20 books including The Beauty and Glory of the Holy Spirit and John Owen: Trajectories in Reformed Orthodox Theology.

We discussed his new book, What Is Covenant Theology?: Tracing God’s Promises through the Son, the Seed, and the Sacraments. Dr. McGraw gave an overview definition to covenant theology and then discussed the specific and technical details within the covenantal theological framework. Finally, we talked about the theological implications of covenant theology in relation to the current working’s of the Holy Spirit and the Sacraments. I hope you enjoy!

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In this episode, I got to talk with Michael Ward. Ward is an English literary critic and theologian at the University of Oxford where he serves as an associate member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion. He is the author of many books including Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis and After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis’s The Abolition of Man. Dr. Ward is also a Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University in Texas. Most notably, Ward was in The World Is Not Enough, a James Bond movie from 1999. Michael and I discuss his book, Planet Narnia in this episode. We talk about the Ward’s finding of the secret hidden continuity between the seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia and how each book aligns with a medieval cosmological planet (it sounds crazy but it’s not!). Planet Narnia is one of the most significant books on Lewis and children’s fantasy of this past century, I hope you enjoy learning about it in this conversation. Enjoy!

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In this episode, I got to talk with Thomas Schreiner. Dr. Schreiner is the Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has written many books and commentaries including The Joy of Hearing, Hebrews: An Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary, and The New American Commentary: 1,2 Peter and Jude. Dr. Schreiner also was the New Testament Editor for the English Standard Version Study Bible (ESV).

We talked about his newest book, The Justice and Goodness of God. He discussed why Christians sometimes don’t want to talk about God’s judgment and wrath and why non-believers are so reluctant to listen to the truth of God’s judgment. We also talked about the comprehensive nature of God’s love and why one must believe in the wrath and judgment of God to have a full understanding of His love. Finally, we talked about how we should think about Hell and the eternal consequences of sin. I hope you enjoy!

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In this episode, I got to talk with Austin Freeman. Freeman is the Chair of the Department of Apologetics and Assistant Professor at Houston Christian University. He recently wrote a book, Tolkien Dogmatics, that reveals the systematic theology found in Middle Earth through The Lord of the Rings books. Austin has also written for many publications including Desiring God.

We discussed his book, Tolkien Dogmatics, and how he started on this endeavor to write a systematic theology based on a fantasy series. We also talked about the key theological themes in Tolkien’s books related to God, Sin, Angels, and Creation. Finally, we discussed how Tolkien came to believe that his Lord of the Rings books could have been “inspired”. I hope you enjoy!

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In this episode, I got to talk with the Lead Pastor from The Bridge Church in Alexandria, Kentucky, Vince Pierri. Vince has his MDiv from Trinity International University and has been in various types of ministry for over a decade. I have known Vince for over five years from when he worked at High Point Church in Madison, WI. When I was 17, Vince shared the Gospel with me and became a relentless mentor in my life helping me grow in my faith and become more like Christ.

We talked about an album Vince created years ago while he was working at High Point Church in Madison, WI, The Greatest Story Ever Told. Vince shared his journey to creating the album and we talked about its theological impact on kids. Then we discussed my (Andy) article on Art, Music, and Worship. We talked about the different musical mediums a person can use to elicit different kinds of emotions. We also discussed the way people perceive the Truth of God and how we should respond to many different interpretations of the truth. I hope you enjoy!

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In this episode, I got to talk with the author of the Dream Keeper Saga, Kathryn Butler. Kathryn got her M.D. at Columbia University and completed her surgical and critical care trailing at Massachusetts General Hospital. She then left the medical industry to homeschool her kids. As a stay at home mom, Kathryn started to write articles for Desiring God and the Gospel Coalition and eventually wrote several books including, Between Life and Death and Glimmers of Grace.

In our conversation, we talked about her children’s fantasy series, The Dream Keepers Saga. We also discussed why stories help children build a Christian worldview and a systematic theology. Finally, we talked about how J.R.R. Tolkien persuaded C.S. Lewis to faith by explaining that Christianity is the one True Myth. I hope you enjoy!

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In this episode, I got to have a conversation with the Professor of New Testament, Biblical Interpretation, and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Dr. Vern Poythress. Dr. Poythress has six academic degrees including his PhD from Harvard University and his Masters of Letters at the University of Cambridge. He is also an ordained teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Poythress served as the New Testament Chair on the oversight committee for the ESV Bible. And on top of all that, he has written many books including, Redeeming Reason, Redeeming Science, and Truth, Theology, and Perspective.

In our conversation, Vern and I discussed his newest book, Typology: How the Old Testament Points to Christ, His Church, and the Consummation. We talked about the way in which many people read the Old Testament and problems that arise when one does not look for Christ in their study of the Old Testament. We also discussed the significance of proper Typological study and what can happen if someone does it wrong. I had a great time talking with Dr. Poythress, I hope you enjoy!

You can read this book and others for FREE at www.frame-poythress.org

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In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. Stephen Carlson. Dr. Carlson is the Associate Professor of Biblical and Early Christian Studies at the Australian Catholic University. He earned his Ph.D in New Testament from Duke University and went on to complete his postdoctoral research fellow at Uppsala University in Sweden. Stephen is also the author to three books; The Gospel Hoax, The Text of Galatians and its History, and Papias of Hierapolis.

We talked about textual criticism, what it is, and how it affects our Bible translations. Just recently, Dr. Carlson was in France where he made a discovery of a unregistered manuscript of the Gospel of Mark, we talked about this discovery and what it means. Finally, we discussed why Christians should trust their English Bible translations and we (maybe) learn which Bible translation is Dr. Stephen Carlson’s favorite. I hope you enjoy!

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In this episode, I got to talk with Jared Compton. Jared is the Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, MN. Jared has written several books including Psalms 110 and the Logic of Hebrews and Biblical Theology according to the Apostles: How the Earliest Christians Told Israels Story. He is also a frequent writer for Desiring God and has written some for The Gospel Coalition.

In this conversation, Jared and I discuss his newest article at Desiring God, Should We Envy Abraham? Jared explains the difference between the Old Covenant God made with His people in the Old Testament and the New Covenant God made through Christ in the New Testament. We talk about the story set forth in Scripture revealing that the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant! We also discuss how this relates to the necessary relationship between truth and beauty. I hope you enjoy!

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