Stone Pillar Podcast

In Episode 73 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian discuss two lines of thought from the Book of Acts: being filled with the Spirit (e.g., Acts 4:8) and being led by the Spirit (e.g., Acts 8:29). What does it all mean? Have a listen – and be edified and encouraged so that you may always "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25 ESV).

In Episode 72 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian reflect on faith, works, and justification in James 2:14-26 and in some passages that Paul wrote. First, they discuss the relationship between faith and works. Second, they show that James and Paul agree on both the centrality of faith and the necessity of works. Finally, they unpack how the terminology of "justification" is used to describe: (1) being forgiven and made right with God, received by faith alone; (2) demonstrating in actual practice by faith-filled works that you are right with God; and (3) receiving final commendation and vindication from God on the day of judgment, at which time God will bestow praise upon every true believer in accordance with his or her faithfulness.

In Episode 71 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, we (Dane and Brian) engage the topic of Christian Nationalism and express our concerns about it. You may or may not be familiar with the term "Christian Nationalism" and the debate surrounding it. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex term that is used by different people in different ways, we may say that "Christian Nationalism" refers to the pursuit of building an overtly Christian nation-state – whether a Christian America, or a Christian Denmark, or a Christian Zambia, and so on. Although we love Jesus and want Him to be exalted among all people groups, and although we have an appreciation for our own earthly country and want to see it honor God's moral boundaries regarding good and evil, we nevertheless find the project of "Christian Nationalism" to be seriously misguided. To find out why, you'll have to listen to the podcast!

In Episode 70 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian sit down with Doug Wilbur (Brian's Dad) in order to learn about his upbringing, his conversion to Christ, his walk as a Christian, and some other highlights from his life.

In Episode 69 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian conclude their critique of worm theology. They call attention to four other places where worm theology pops up: (1) In the half-true, half-false phrase, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven"; (2) In the errant idea that a Christian's good works are like filthy rags; (3) In the mindset that you should perpetually distrust yourself, your emotions, and your decisions; and (4) In the claim that Christian should "die to themselves" when, in fact, true Christians have already died to sin and are wonderfully alive in Christ. Let's grow together in the grace of Christ!

In Episode 68 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian continue to discuss and critique worm theology. Where does worm theology come from? How does worm theology manifest itself in Christian settings? How should we think about the relationship between a professing believer's pre-profession life of sin and post-profession identity as a Christian? They plan to keep analyzing worm theology in the next episode too, so they would be pleased to hear from you with any feedback, questions, or requests for clarification!

In Episode 67 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian springboard from Tim Douglas's recent sermon on Ephesians 1:1-14 and discuss the Christian's new identity in Christ and how this new identity in Christ is incompatible with "worm theology". The reflection on identity and our identity in Christ runs for the first 18 minutes, and then the application of this teaching against "worm theology" covers the last 50 minutes of the episode. Lots of good food for thought here! If you're not sure what "worm theology" is and why it is wrongheaded, have a listen!

In Episode 66 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian address two very good questions from a podcast listener related to the previous episode, and then they conclude this episode by reflecting on the Book of Jonah (which was the subject of the May 4 sermon).

In Episode 65 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian reflect on "the whole package" – the past, present, and future aspects of salvation

In Episode 64 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian sit down with fellow church member and sister-in-Christ Connie Staples in order to learn about her life and her spiritual journey