(00:00-09:52): Headlines: NASA Aiming to land on an asteroid. “Everybody Loves Raymond” cast comes together for a benefit reunion. Dak Prescott credits Christ for getting him through his injury recovery. Illinois seeing a rapid rise in COVID cases. Commission approves rules to mute mics at final Trump-Biden debate.

(09:52-18:04): Sam Harrell writes “America, we’ve got to address the source of the pressure, not just the steam it puts off” in Baptist News Global. 

(18:04-37:55): We were joined by political scientist and author Dr. David Koyzis. He takes time to discuss his thoughts behind the general elections and his piece in The Gospel Coalition “The American Political Parties: History, Problems, and Prospects” 

(37:55-48:12): David French writes “The Spiritual Blessing of Political Homelessness” on his blog The French Press through The Dispatch. He touches on the liberating power of a political declaration of independence.

(48:12-57:43): Ian and Brian give their thoughts on this: Limit video meets to 30 minutes to avoid brain fatigue: Microsoft. According to Microsoft, due to high levels of sustained concentration, the brain fatigue begins to set in 30-40 minutes into a video meeting.

(57:43-1:08:13): Jill McCormick writes “How Each Enneagram Type Can Handle Their Anger”. Brian and Ian discuss enneagrams every now and again and how each type handles emotional response. This time, they touch on anger. 

(1:08:13-1:16:32): We land the plane with this piece in The Gospel Coalition “How to Stay Awake in a World of Spiritual Tranquilizers” by Justin Dillehay. How and why are we supposed to maintain a sober mind?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:55): Wait...who is that? That other voice sounds familiar. OH! It’s Ian Simkins! Brian welcomes back his beloved co-host and they talk about his trip. PLUS, World Series set as Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves to capture NL pennant. The Tampa Bay Rays stand in way of L.A. fans seeking their long-awaited Hollywood ending.

(09:55-28:33): We were joined by senior news editor at Christianity Today, Kate Shellnut. She recently covered the latest with the James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel situation. She covers it in her piece “Harvest Settles Multimillion-Dollar Agreement with James MacDonald”. 

We also discussed “White Evangelicals Are Actually for Trump in 2020, Not Just Against His Opponent” and “Mark Dever’s Capitol Hill Baptist Can Resume DC Worship”. 

(28:33-37:22): Beth Moore tweets “We have burned down our evangelical witness. Burned it to the ground. But here is what I know. I know God can bring beauty from ashes. I believe He will raise up a people purified by the very fires we set. A people defined by Jesus Himself, not denomination nor political party.”

(37:22-46:30): Bears QB Nick Foles commented after the game against the Panthers yesterday about how it is a team effort to win every week. He also says it is better to have ugly wins than pretty losses. 

(46:30-1:05:41): We were joined by Kaitlyn Schiess. Kaitlyn Schiess is a staff writer at Christ and Pop Culture. Her writing has also appeared at Christianity Today, Relevant, and Fathom Magazine. She lives in Dallas, Texas. 

She wrote the book “Liturgy of Politics”. Schiess shows that the church's politics are shaped by its habits and practices even when it's unaware of them. Schiess insists that the way out of our political morass is first to recognize the formative power of the political forces all around us, and then to recover historic Christian practices that shape us according to the truth of the gospel.

(1:05:41-1:15:36): Jen Wilkin writes “Your Devotional Is Not a Bible” in Christianity Today. Inspiration and comfort do not offer us the full weight and scope of God’s Word.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:55): Wait...who is that? That other voice sounds familiar. OH! It’s Ian Simkins! Brian welcomes back his beloved co-host and they talk about his trip. PLUS, World Series set as Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves to capture NL pennant. The Tampa Bay Rays stand in way of L.A. fans seeking their long-awaited Hollywood ending.

(09:55-28:33): We were joined by senior news editor at Christianity Today, Kate Shellnut. She recently covered the latest with the James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel situation. She covers it in her piece “Harvest Settles Multimillion-Dollar Agreement with James MacDonald”. 

We also discussed “White Evangelicals Are Actually for Trump in 2020, Not Just Against His Opponent” and “Mark Dever’s Capitol Hill Baptist Can Resume DC Worship”. 

(28:33-37:22): Beth Moore tweets “We have burned down our evangelical witness. Burned it to the ground. But here is what I know. I know God can bring beauty from ashes. I believe He will raise up a people purified by the very fires we set. A people defined by Jesus Himself, not denomination nor political party.”

(37:22-46:30): Bears QB Nick Foles commented after the game against the Panthers yesterday about how it is a team effort to win every week. He also says it is better to have ugly wins than pretty losses. 

(46:30-1:05:41): We were joined by Kaitlyn Schiess. Kaitlyn Schiess is a staff writer atChrist and Pop Culture. Her writing has also appeared atChristianity Today,Relevant, andFathom Magazine. She lives in Dallas, Texas. 

She wrote the book “Liturgy of Politics”. Schiess shows that the church's politics are shaped by its habits and practices even when it's unaware of them. Schiess insists that the way out of our political morass is first to recognize the formative power of the political forces all around us, and then to recover historic Christian practices that shape us according to the truth of the gospel.

(1:05:41-1:15:36): Jen Wilkin writes “Your Devotional Is Not a Bible” in Christianity Today. Inspiration and comfort do not offer us the full weight and scope of God’s Word.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-07:59): Trump gave QAnon a boost but forgot to attack Biden, who called his own crime bill a "mistake" and said his view of court changes "depends." PLUS, Gov. Christie speaks out about his battle with COVID. 

(07:59-37:59): We were joined by Noah Toly. He is the Executive Director of the Center for Urban Engagement (CUE) and Professor of Urban Studies and Politics & International Relations at Wheaton College. He also serves as Non-Resident Senior Fellow for Global Cities at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. His research and teaching interests include urban and environmental politics and ethics.

We discussed how COVID has affected the church and schools, and Christian unity and the limits in it. What is going well in Christian unity? He also touches on the AND campaign, a balance between conviction and compassion.

(37:59-47:21): Aaron Earls writes “Half of U.S. Protestant Pastors Back Trump” in Lifeway. PLUS, Justin Taylor writes “The Case Against Pro-Lifers Voting for Joe Biden” in The Gospel Coalition. 

(47:21-55:38): Jen Pollack Michel writes “Amy Coney Barrett’s Message: The Maternal Hero Is a Myth” in Christianity Today. The trope of mother as superparent is a resounding rejection of grace.

(55:38-1:03:19): Brain reflects on a clip from a Tony Evans sermon. Evans paints the picture of a quarterback who receives the ball and every defender is after him. As soon as the QB hands the ball off, the defense changes their target and the QB is no longer in danger. 

(1:03:19-1:12:37): We close the week with the wonderful words of Mr. Rogers. He was America’s neighbor for nearly 5 decades and at his 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony, he shared his thoughts on thanking the people, dead or alive, who brought us to where we are.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-07:59): Trump gave QAnon a boost but forgot to attack Biden, who called his own crime bill a "mistake" and said his view of court changes "depends." PLUS, Gov. Christie speaks out about his battle with COVID. 

(07:59-37:59): We were joined by Noah Toly. He is the Executive Director of the Center for Urban Engagement (CUE) and Professor of Urban Studies and Politics & International Relations at Wheaton College. He also serves as Non-Resident Senior Fellow for Global Cities at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. His research and teaching interests include urban and environmental politics and ethics.

We discussed how COVID has affected the church and schools, and Christian unity and the limits in it. What is going well in Christian unity? He also touches on the AND campaign, a balance between conviction and compassion.

(37:59-47:21): Aaron Earls writes “Half of U.S. Protestant Pastors Back Trump” in Lifeway. PLUS, Justin Taylor writes “The Case Against Pro-Lifers Voting for Joe Biden” in The Gospel Coalition. 

(47:21-55:38): Jen Pollack Michel writes “Amy Coney Barrett’s Message: The Maternal Hero Is a Myth” in Christianity Today. The trope of mother as superparent is a resounding rejection of grace.

(55:38-1:03:19): Brain reflects on a clip from a Tony Evans sermon. Evans paints the picture of a quarterback who receives the ball and every defender is after him. As soon as the QB hands the ball off, the defense changes their target and the QB is no longer in danger. 

(1:03:19-1:12:37): We close the week with the wonderful words of Mr. Rogers. He was America’s neighbor for nearly 5 decades and at his 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony, he shared his thoughts on thanking the people, dead or alive, who brought us to where we are.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-07:23): How will the post-pandemic church pay the bills? The pandemic may accelerate a long-term decline in congregational giving and force churches to develop new sources of revenue to survive. PLUS, Pandemic could result in loss of faith in next generation, Barna researchers say.

(07:23-29:27): We were joined by Rich Schmidt. He is the Lead Bible Instructor for the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. He dives into what he does for the church, and his particular beliefs in the power of prayer. His journey into his ministry began when he and his wife were called out to California.

He teaches a course at Bethel on the end times. What are the signs of the end of the age? What is the difference between “end times” or “the end of the age”? 

(29:27-47:47): We were joined by Karl "KJ" Johnson (Lt.Col., USMC, retired). He is the director for the C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago and oversees programs that foster the discipleship of heart and mind. KJ retired after 20 years of active duty service in the Marine Corps. As a helicopter pilot and operations & tactics officer, he's a veteran of numerous deployments.

We discuss current situations at the CS Lewis Institute, virtual C.S. Lewis book club with Dr. Jerry Root, discussing QAnon and conspiracy theories, and how we live out our faith in divided times.

(47:47-1:07:10): We were joined by Director for Set Free Ministries (partner with Emmaus Worldwide), Louis Dooley. He shares his remarkable story of being delivered from a 100+ year prison sentence, to serving in prison ministry. God radically changed his life, and now he wants to change others’ as well. God showed Louis that He let him out of prison just to send him back in. This has set Louis on a journey to plant Bible studies in Cook Co Jail, start youth and mentoring groups in juvenile jail and speak in different prisons all over the country. God had a plan and it is great!

(1:07:10-1:16:14): Trevin Wax writes “The ‘New You’ Isn’t the Answer” in The Gospel Coalition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-07:23): How will the post-pandemic church pay the bills? The pandemic may accelerate a long-term decline in congregational giving and force churches to develop new sources of revenue to survive. PLUS, Pandemic could result in loss of faith in next generation, Barna researchers say.

(07:23-29:27): We were joined by Rich Schmidt. He is the Lead Bible Instructor for the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. He dives into what he does for the church, and his particular beliefs in the power of prayer. His journey into his ministry began when he and his wife were called out to California.

He teaches a course at Bethel on the end times. What are the signs of the end of the age? What is the difference between “end times” or “the end of the age”? 

(29:27-47:47): We were joined by Karl "KJ" Johnson (Lt.Col., USMC, retired). He is the director for the C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago and oversees programs that foster the discipleship of heart and mind. KJ retired after 20 years of active duty service in the Marine Corps. As a helicopter pilot and operations & tactics officer, he's a veteran of numerous deployments.

We discuss current situations at the CS Lewis Institute, virtual C.S. Lewis book club with Dr. Jerry Root, discussing QAnon and conspiracy theories, and how we live out our faith in divided times.

(47:47-1:07:10): We were joined by Director for Set Free Ministries (partner with Emmaus Worldwide), Louis Dooley. He shares his remarkable story of being delivered from a 100+ year prison sentence, to serving in prison ministry. God radically changed his life, and now he wants to change others’ as well. God showed Louis that He let him out of prison just to send him back in. This has set Louis on a journey to plant Bible studies in Cook Co Jail, start youth and mentoring groups in juvenile jail and speak in different prisons all over the country. God had a plan and it is great!

(1:07:10-1:16:14): Trevin Wax writes “The ‘New You’ Isn’t the Answer” in The Gospel Coalition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:00): Ronald Sider and Richard Mouw write “We are pro-life evangelicals for Biden” in Christian Post. They provide perspective and evidence that Joe Biden’s administration is more pro-life overall than Trump’s 

(09:00-37:49): We were joined this hour by Author and U.S. Director of Church Mobilization and Advocacy for World Relief and as the National Coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table, Matt Soerens. Already with a loaded resume, Matt advocates for both action with understanding and compassion for refugees. 

World Relief joined with our parent organization, the National Association of Evangelicals, to publish a statement this (by 10/14, next) week in the Washington Post called A Call to Civic Responsibility For the Health of the Nation. In a contentious and polarizing electoral season when we think many outside and even inside of American evangelicalism have a rather narrow view of what it means for evangelical Christians to engage politically, the goal of this statement is to call evangelicals of all political affiliations – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – to ground our engagement in our commitment to the authority of the Bible.

(37:49-46:54): John Fea writes in The Way of Improvement “What James Dobson Said in 1998 About Moral Character and the Presidency”. PLUS, Brian refers to remarks from John MacArthur back in 2016 about how "Morality doesn't define us anymore".

(46:54-56:22): We were joined by Senior Vice President, National Program Development at Salem Media Group, Chris Gould. This year, due to the pandemic and our inability in many cities to host gatherings in person, Salem Media Group is showing our appreciation the entire month of October by bringing ministry leaders and pastors a virtual program.

Each Thursday, beginning October 1st, we will release a new virtual program featuring national speakers, music artists, and local pastors and ministry leaders encouraging one another to continue to fight the good fight during these frustrating and uncertain times. To register, please click here now.  

(56:22-1:05:07): Irwin Ince writes “The Call—and Cost—of Beautiful Church Community” in The Gospel Coalition. Brian discusses this and how important it is to have diverse and welcoming community as a Christian. 

(1:05:07-1:13:48): Luke Holmes writes “4 Ways Social Media Can Be Leveraged For Discipleship” in LifeWay.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:00): Ronald Sider and Richard Mouw write “We are pro-life evangelicals for Biden” in Christian Post. They provide perspective and evidence that Joe Biden’s administration is more pro-life overall than Trump’s 

(09:00-37:49): We were joined this hour by Author and U.S. Director of Church Mobilization and Advocacy for World Relief and as the National Coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table, Matt Soerens. Already with a loaded resume, Matt advocates for both action with understanding and compassion for refugees. 

World Relief joined with our parent organization, the National Association of Evangelicals, to publish a statement this (by 10/14, next) week in the Washington Post called A Call to Civic Responsibility For the Health of the Nation. In a contentious and polarizing electoral season when we think many outside and even inside of American evangelicalism have a rather narrow view of what it means for evangelical Christians to engage politically, the goal of this statement is to call evangelicals of all political affiliations – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – to ground our engagement in our commitment to the authority of the Bible.

(37:49-46:54): John Fea writes in The Way of Improvement “What James Dobson Said in 1998 About Moral Character and the Presidency”. PLUS, Brian refers to remarks from John MacArthur back in 2016 about how "Morality doesn't define us anymore".

(46:54-56:22): We were joined by Senior Vice President, National Program Development at Salem Media Group, Chris Gould. This year, due to the pandemic and our inability in many cities to host gatherings in person, Salem Media Group is showing our appreciation the entire month of October by bringing ministry leaders and pastors a virtual program.

Each Thursday, beginning October 1st, we will release a new virtual program featuring national speakers, music artists, and local pastors and ministry leaders encouraging one another to continue to fight the good fight during these frustrating and uncertain times. To register, please click here now.  

(56:22-1:05:07): Irwin Ince writes “The Call—and Cost—of Beautiful Church Community” in The Gospel Coalition. Brian discusses this and how important it is to have diverse and welcoming community as a Christian. 

(1:05:07-1:13:48): Luke Holmes writes “4 Ways Social Media Can Be Leveraged For Discipleship” in LifeWay.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:12): In the news: Court: Mark Dever’s Capitol Hill Baptist Can Resume DC Worship, Citing Hebrews 10:25, injunction issued Friday defends church’s right to meet together in person rather than mayor’s suggested online alternatives.

(09:12-28:49): We were joined by professor of communication at Biola University in La Mirada, California and author of “Winsome Conviction” Tim Muehlhoff. He offers a guide to help Christians navigate disagreements with one another. In today's polarized context, Christians often have committed, biblical rationales for very different positions. How do we discern between core biblical convictions and secondary issues? How do we cultivate better understanding and compassion for those we disagree with?

He discusses how we need to have a “good-will” approach when entering a conversation with someone. We need to assume the BEST in people, not the WORST. 

(28:49-37:14): Keith Olbermann goes on a tirade about expunging the “terrorist” Trump and his enablers and collaborators. Brian touches on what Olbermann says in this clip and discusses the extreme divide in our society. 

(37:14-1:07:49): We were joined by President of Wheaton College, Phil Ryken. He offers some encouragement to students currently enrolled in college, as well as those prospectively looking at attending higher education.

He also discusses his days of being a pastor of a church in Philadelphia. He says he misses ministering to children the most regarding leading a church, and more. 

(1:07:49-1:14:02): Emmie Martin writes “‘Apple just hit a $1 trillion market cap—here’s why its little-known third co-founder sold his 10% stake for $800” in NBC.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.