In this episode, I broke down my top 5 Christian books from 2024. The list is as follows:

Shepherds for Sale - Meghan Basham

To Gaze Upon God - Samuel Parkison

Making Sense of Man - Vern Poythress

We Who Wrestle With God - Jordan Peterson

Spurgeon: A Life - Alex DiPrima

Honorable Mentions:

The Justice and Goodness of God - Thomas Schreiner

Crisis of Confidence - Carl Trueman

Biblical Typology - Vern Poythress

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. Stephen Carlson. Dr. Carlson is the Associate Professor in Biblical and Early Christian Studies at the Australian Catholic University. He is the author of three books including The Gospel Hoax, The Text of Galatians and its History, and Papias of Hierapolis. He is also the author of many peer reviewed journal articles. Dr. Stephen Carlson and I did a podcast episode in April on why we should trust our Bible translations.

In this discussion we talked about the Book of Enoch, an ancient text that claims to have been written by Enoch (prior to the flood). We also talked about the Nephilim (in Genesis 6) and fallen angels (in the Book of Enoch) - who they are and how we should interpret the Bible verses that talk about them. We finally talked about how the 66 books in the Bible, and more specifically, the 27 books in the New Testament, were chosen. I hope you enjoy!

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.optivnetwork.com

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. Stephen Hicks. Dr. Hicks is a Professor of Philosophy at Rockford University and a Professor at Peterson Academy. He is the author of several books including, Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault, Nietzsche and the Nazis: A Personal View, and Liberalism: Pro & Con. He is also the host of a podcast called Open College and has taught two courses at Peterson Academy; Modern Philosophy and Postmodern Philosophy.

In our discussion, Dr. Hicks and I talked about his two courses at Peterson Academy, he gave an overview of both modern and postmodern philosophy, we talked about the Quakers and their influence on the modern church, and we discussed the decline of postmodernism and what comes after it. I hope you enjoy!

Our first episode: https://youtu.be/KSEbaAIo8ks

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode I got to talk with a reporter from WORLD News, Lauren Canterberry. Lauren recently wrote an article on the decline of local news across the country, especially in rural areas. We talked about why media and news communication is changing and how Christians can fill the void in local communities left by news outlets that no longer are reporting. We also discussed what is means to "love your neighbor" and how Christians can do that through knowing what is happening in their towns and cities and doing something to bring to change to the places and people closest to them.

This podcast is sponsored by Rocketsled Studios.

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode, I sat down with Cris Krusen. Cris is a filmmaker, director, producer, actor, and writer - he is also the owner of Messenger Films. He has created many movies that have been viewed millions of times worldwide. We discussed his conversion to Christianity, his love of movies, and how the next generation of Christian filmmakers can reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This podcast is sponsored by Rocketsled Studios.

Learn more about Rocketsled Studios

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this podcast, Greg Silker (Producer) and Andy Schmitt (Producer) discuss the mission and vision of Rocketsled Studios and what it takes to create an animated children's series. They talk about the Tales of the Kingdom animated TV series, how they plan to create it, and how you can be a better storyteller!

For more information on Rocketsled Studios: https://www.rocketsledstudios.org 

For more information on Tales of the Kingdom: https://www.rocketsledstudios.org/tales-of-the-kingdom

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode, I got to talk with Leah Savas. Leah is the life beat reporter for WORLD News Group. She reports on laws relating to abortion across the country. She is also the co-author of The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History from 1652-2022.

In this podcast we discussed the 2024 election and the ten abortion amendments that were being voted on across the country. We also talked about the future of the pro-life movement in America and how we can unify around one vision for life after Roe being overturned. Finally, we discussed her book, The Story of Abortion in America, and how abortion has been normalized in society and even celebrated. I hope you enjoy.

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode, I got to talk with Dr. Robert P. George. Robert is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. He also served as chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and the President’s Council on Civil Rights. Dr. George is also the author of many books including Conscience and its Enemies and Making Moral Men. He is a former Judicial Fellow at the Supreme Court of the United States where he received the Justice Tom C. Clark Award. He has degrees from Oxford University, Swarthmore College, and Harvard University.

In our conversation we talked about the results of the 2024 election and what direction Donald Trump is taking the Republican Party. We also talked about whether or not the Republican Party can be considered a Conservative Party any longer. We discussed post liberalism and Dr. George’s political philosophy related to natural law. We concluded the discussion with a conversation about the purpose of education and Dr. Robert P. George’s friendship with Cornel West. I hope you enjoy!

This podcast is sponsored by Rocketsled Studios.

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode I state the obvious: you cannot vote for people who want to murder children and be a Christian. Vote Trump and vote red.

The Hill Article: https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4914235-minnesota-abortion-laws/

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

In this episode I talked with Sara Patterson. Sara is the CEO of a Christian pregnancy center in Madison, WI, CareNet. Sara and I discussed how CareNet started, what its mission is, and how they aim to save the lives of babies and mothers in Dane County. We also discussed the biblical command to care for the poor and the widow and how many churches in Madison are not doing either of those things. We finally discussed how someone can get involved in saving babies’ lives at CareNet and how people can challenge their churches to give money and resources to ministries like CareNet who are truly doing the Lords work.

Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!

Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99