ReGeneration Podcast

On this episode, Jay, Isaac, Liz, and Chris chat about the ever so popular idea that, “Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.” But why is it that we so often pit “relationship” and “religion” against each other? Are they always and forever diametrically opposed? Or is it possible that there is goodness, beauty, and even a necessity within both ideas, that our faith is a relationship with God but also a religion, in the best sense of the word?

On this special episode of the podcast, we’re sharing with you a part of an event we hosted in March 2019, featuring Andy Crouch. Andy is an author, speaker, and musician, who currently serves as the partner for theology and culture at Praxis, an organization that works as a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship. In this teaching, Andy applies some of the principles of his most recent book, The Techwise Family, to the local church. He addresses questions like, “How do we make and build disciples without accepting the promise of ease and instant gratification that technology offers? What should the church consider as we fast have adopted technology, online streaming and video venues?”

On this episode, Jay, Isaac, Liz, and Chris chat about how the marketplace mentality of business in America might be influencing the local church. We explore some of the subtle and not-so-subtle ways so many of us begin to create differentiations and distinctives between our individual local churches in order to gain “market share.” What are some potentially healthier, more effective ways to continue inviting new people into our church communities, while not being driven by a toxic level of competitive spirit against other churches who are on the same kingdom mission?

On this episode, Jay and Dan chat with Kara Powell. Kara is the executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute and associate professor of youth and family ministry at Fuller Seminary. She is the author of several books on faith, church, and younger generations. Her latest book, Growing With, is packed with insights and practical helps for helping young people grow in their faith, staying rooted in Christ while also spreading their wings. On this episode of the podcast, we discuss three specific ways that parents, pastors, mentors, and youth leaders can effectively come alongside young people and journey with them along the path of faith.

On this episode, Jay and Isaac chat with David Bennett. David is the author of the book “A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus.” He is a fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and holds a postgraduate degree in theology from Oxford, as well as a master’s degree in theology from the University of St.Andrews. On this episode we chat with David about his remarkable story of discovering Jesus and his experiences as an atheist gay activist. His surprising journey led him to a life committed to following Jesus as a celibate Christian. We delve in a biblical theology of human sexuality as well as the present and future hope available to all of us.

On this episode, Jay and Isaac chat with Margaret Feinberg. Margaret is a speaker, Bible teacher, and the best-selling author of several books, including Scouting the Divine, Wonderstruck, and The Organic God. Her latest book, Taste and See, explores the intersection between food and our spiritual lives. In this conversation, we discuss what food and the way we eat together can teach us about God and how it can reveal the story of God to us in unique and memorable ways.

On this episode of Twitterology, Jay and Isaac chat with Liz Ditty and Chris Nye about the controversy surrounding Andy Stanley's "Unhitch the Old Testament from the New Testament" comments that had Twitter abuzz. What are we to do with the difficult, confusing, and (at least, on the surface) often ugly imagery of the Old Testament? Is it enough to say that in Jesus Christ, the Hebrew Scriptures have been nullified and made void? Does the Old Testament no longer matter in light of the Gospels? And if they do matter, why? And how should we go about reading such ancient texts?

On this episode, Jay and Isaac chat with Drew Dyck. Drew is an author and speaker, as well as an acquisitions editor at Moody Publishers and a contributing editor to CT Pastors. His written work has been featured in USA Today, CNN, and Christianity Today. He’s also the author of several books, the most recent being “Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science.” On this episode, we discuss what Drew discovered as he researched his own lack of self-control and the fascinating intersections between science and the Bible when it comes to self-control and willpower, as well as practical encouragement for practicing more self-control in the coming year.

On this episode, Jay and Isaac chat with J.P. Moreland. Dr.Moreland is the Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He’s written or co-written more 30 books and is considered one of the world’s leading Christian apologists and philosophers. On this episode we discuss the crucial importance of cultivating a love for God with our minds and how imbalanced emphases on both unchecked emotionalism and reckless scientism (not, science) have led so many to walk away from Christian faith, as well as how we might respond.

On this episode, Jay chats with Dr. Michael Shermer, one of the world’s leading skeptic/atheist voices. He is the founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, and a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University. He is the best-selling author of books like Why People Believe Weird Things, The Believing Brain, and many others. On this episode we discuss Michael’s season of life as a passionate evangelical Christian, what led him out of that season and into atheism, as well as some challenges he has for Christians to engage their faith thoughtfully and critically.