Podcast Episodes

Nathan has it easy this week- being a non-baseball guy he simply turns it over to the guys who bleed orange! MASN Network writer and 105.7 The Fan radio personality, Steve Milewski, returns to give his take on the Orioles just before the All Star Break. His good friend, Scott Perry, joins the podcast to add his two cents (the dude sounds like a DJ himself!). Greg has a blast picking the brains of these Orioles experts!

Having just celebrated the 4th of July, Nathan asks Greg and Steve a series of tough questions. Are we allowed to be American patriots as Christians? Should churches have American flags in their sanctuaries? Is pledging "allegiance" to our country (or any country) wrong? The guys tackle these questions and leave some room for differing opinions.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard about the 5-4 verdict legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states last week. Nathan does not want to engage on the POLITICAL response to this issue but the CHURCH'S response. Greg recaps his recent sermon addressing the issue. Steve Hartland also shares some provocative thoughts on not being too "apocalyptic" in our response to this issue. How does the church continue to fulfill its mission? How do we engage homosexuals in gospel conversations?

This one is NOT a debate but a conversation. We recognize there is no way to "go academic" on such a sensitive issue. Nathan asks Greg a series of questions about the destiny of children who perish. Does Scripture speak to the issue? Is there room for disagreement among Christians? How do we seek to comfort parents who have lost a child? Please let us know if this is a helpful conversation to think through such a sensitive issue.

Nathan reviews the Scriptures both Greg and Dave cited at the end of part 1. Dave argues for a position often called "corporate election-" that God' s choice is not of individuals regarding their eternal destiny but of nations/entities for redemptive historical purposes in the world. Greg and Dave get into the nitty gritty of specific verses in Romans 9-10.

After months of hinting about it and brushing up against it in every podcast, we finally take on Calvinism. Dave Shive is a mentor and friend to Greg. They have for 18 years now never seen eye-to-eye on the issue of God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners. Nathan asks them how their friendship has endured this divide then rings the bell to let the debate begin. This is PART ONE of a two part episode.

TGT11 is honored to be joined by one of the most prolific, thoughtful theologians of the 21st century. Dr. John Frame has influenced pastors, students and fellow theologians significantly in his almost 50 years of ministry. Nathan picks his brain about philosophy- did Christians lose the upper hand to early in the battle? Steve Hartland asks him tricky questions about what's gotten Dr. Frame in hot water over the years. Finally Greg asks him whether the apostle Paul was an "evidentialist" or a "presuppositionalist" when he preached in Athens.

How old is the earth? Does a Christian HAVE to believe that the 7 days of creation in Genesis 1 are 24-hour literal days? Is the earth as old as science tells us, and if so, what does that do with our reading of the creation narrative? Mark Sweeney, Executive Pastor of Christ Fellowship, joins forces with Greg this week as they defend an old earth position. Nathan Schneider, Associate Pastor of Grace Anchorage Church, joins regular guest Jeff Crotts in contending for a young earth (literal 24-hour-day) position. Nathan Bell has his hands full trying to keep this debate from getting out of hand!

It's a SIZZLING START TO SUMMER as June is devoted to HOT TOPICS. Up first, Greg's old seminary friend and PCA pastor Mark Fodale argues FOR infant baptism- contra Greg who defends believer's (credo) baptism. Nathan calls a few time outs to make sure they don't geek out too much on paedo-communion (WHAT!!) and other side issues.

Is Jeremiah 29:11 REALLY an appropriate verse for a high school or college graduate? Steve Hartland shares his concerns with treating that verse like a guarantee of the American dream. Greg asks Steve some tricky follow-up questions on his unique thoughts on marriage. Nathan pins Greg down on what wifely submission actually means in real life. Of course, Greg dodges that question and puts it back on Steve!