(00:00-37:46): We were joined by Chris Baker, the founder of Ink180, a tattoo removal service and ministry that helps gang members, victims of sex trafficking, and more to get a second chance. He shared his amazing story from living in LA to living in Chicago and how God redeemed him. He felt led to starting a service that helped people get a fresh start. 

(38:42-1:15:50): We were joined by Aaron Andries from the band Graveyards to Gardens. He shared his story on how the band started and how God has been working in his creative life. He offers advice and encouragement to aspiring artists to keep creating and they “owe it to themselves and the world to get their stuff out there”. The band is working on new music for a new album, with the single “Missing You” coming out in December. He is also in the early stages of developing a podcast examining CCM and Gospel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-37:46): We were joined by Chris Baker, the founder of Ink180, a tattoo removal service and ministry that helps gang members, victims of sex trafficking, and more to get a second chance. He shared his amazing story from living in LA to living in Chicago and how God redeemed him. He felt led to starting a service that helped people get a fresh start. 

(38:42-1:15:50): We were joined by Aaron Andries from the band Graveyards to Gardens. He shared his story on how the band started and how God has been working in his creative life. He offers advice and encouragement to aspiring artists to keep creating and they “owe it to themselves and the world to get their stuff out there”. The band is working on new music for a new album, with the single “Missing You” coming out in December. He is also in the early stages of developing a podcast examining CCM and Gospel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:42): Even with the Coronavirus continuing to affect large urban areas, states are refraining from stricter restrictions. Brian and Ian discuss COVID-19 and the way cities and states are handling it. 

(09:42-19:16): Scot McKnight writes “Evangelism in One Word?” in Christianity Today. When Luke summarizes the apostles' preaching, he can reduce it to one word. Brian and Ian discuss evangelism and the simplicity of the Gospel.

(19:16-28:49): Is there such thing as ‘respectable sins’? Brian and Ian discuss this piece by Tim Challies on his blog. 

(29:46-39:23): We lost two prominent activists over the weekend. John Lewis and J.I. Packer. Brian and Ian reflect on their lives and ministry as both foundations of freedom and salvation. 

(39:23-48:25): Brian and Ian listen to an excerpt from an interview with Rex Chapman. He shared his journey back to recovery from addiction, and how we need to keep “doing the next right thing”.

(48:25-57:48): We were joined by Nancy Theimann - Associate Director of Kids Against Hunger. The 6th Annual Race to Stop Hunger is Friday, August 21- Sunday, August 23, 2020. The Race started in 2015 and raises money for Kids Against Hunger-Fox Valley satellite in Roselle,IL. This is our 6th annual race. Your registration dollars and donations buy the products we use at packing events and are the food sent to the children and families. This Race has fed over 182,000 children in the last 5 years!

(58:52-1:08:49): GOOD NEWS! Brian and Ian discuss some good news from the Good News Network. This website is an optimist’s mecca for positivity and uplifting stories.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:42): Even with the Coronavirus continuing to affect large urban areas, states are refraining from stricter restrictions. Brian and Ian discuss COVID-19 and the way cities and states are handling it. 

(09:42-19:16): Scot McKnight writes “Evangelism in One Word?” in Christianity Today. When Luke summarizes the apostles' preaching, he can reduce it to one word. Brian and Ian discuss evangelism and the simplicity of the Gospel.

(19:16-28:49): Is there such thing as ‘respectable sins’? Brian and Ian discuss this piece by Tim Challies on his blog. 

(29:46-39:23): We lost two prominent activists over the weekend. John Lewis and J.I. Packer. Brian and Ian reflect on their lives and ministry as both foundations of freedom and salvation. 

(39:23-48:25): Brian and Ian listen to an excerpt from an interview with Rex Chapman. He shared his journey back to recovery from addiction, and how we need to keep “doing the next right thing”.

(48:25-57:48): We were joined by Nancy Theimann - Associate Director of Kids Against Hunger. The 6th Annual Race to Stop Hunger is Friday, August 21- Sunday, August 23, 2020. The Race started in 2015 and raises money for Kids Against Hunger-Fox Valley satellite in Roselle,IL. This is our 6th annual race. Your registration dollars and donations buy the products we use at packing events and are the food sent to the children and families. This Race has fed over 182,000 children in the last 5 years!

(58:52-1:08:49): GOOD NEWS! Brian and Ian discuss some good news from the Good News Network. This website is an optimist’s mecca for positivity and uplifting stories.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:27): Update out of the Christian Post: ‘Defund Pornhub’: Christian actor Terry Crews declares as 1.5M demand porn site be shut down. Brian and Ian cover this growing story. 

(09:27:27:27): We are joined by David Fitch, Chair of evangelical theology at Northern Seminary, Chicago. He posted a few days ago about how people use the Bible to coerce people into thinking a certain way - either through fear or by force. 

Brian and Ian, as church leaders, respond to his question “Have you faced the backlash of coercive behavior in your church?” 

(27:27-37:18): This is terrifying: Roughly half the Twitter accounts pushing to 'reopen America' are bots, researchers found” Brian and Ian discuss how technology is influencing decisions and society more and more. 

(38:14-47:45): It is so easy to get information these days. We literally have the world in our palms, but is that good? Brian and Ian discuss ways to filter and consume news and reference this Gospel Coalition piece “How to More Wisely Consume News” by Bryan Weynand. 

(47:45-1:06:08): We are joined by filmmaker, director, and creator of the number one crowd-funded project of all time, The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins. He provided an update to the fabulous series on the life of Jesus and those who knew Him. How is season two coming along? How is writing during a pandemic different than it was before?

He explains he is writing with more urgency. He tries to ask himself ‘how would Jesus behave during a pandemic?’ People are desperate for relief and answers. 

(1:07:11-1:16:45): Timothy Kleiser writes “The Debate Beneath Our Debates on the Pandemic and the Protests” in Christianity Today. Our divided responses to national challenges reflect deep divisions on what it means to be human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:27): Update out of the Christian Post: ‘Defund Pornhub’: Christian actor Terry Crews declares as 1.5M demand porn site be shut down. Brian and Ian cover this growing story. 

(09:27:27:27): We are joined by David Fitch, Chair of evangelical theology at Northern Seminary, Chicago. He posted a few days ago about how people use the Bible to coerce people into thinking a certain way - either through fear or by force. 

Brian and Ian, as church leaders, respond to his question “Have you faced the backlash of coercive behavior in your church?” 

(27:27-37:18): This is terrifying: Roughly half the Twitter accounts pushing to 'reopen America' are bots, researchers found” Brian and Ian discuss how technology is influencing decisions and society more and more. 

(38:14-47:45): It is so easy to get information these days. We literally have the world in our palms, but is that good? Brian and Ian discuss ways to filter and consume news and reference this Gospel Coalition piece “How to More Wisely Consume News” by Bryan Weynand. 

(47:45-1:06:08): We are joined by filmmaker, director, and creator of the number one crowd-funded project of all time, The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins. He provided an update to the fabulous series on the life of Jesus and those who knew Him. How is season two coming along? How is writing during a pandemic different than it was before?

He explains he is writing with more urgency. He tries to ask himself ‘how would Jesus behave during a pandemic?’ People are desperate for relief and answers. 

(1:07:11-1:16:45): Timothy Kleiser writes “The Debate Beneath Our Debates on the Pandemic and the Protests” in Christianity Today. Our divided responses to national challenges reflect deep divisions on what it means to be human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:00): Brian and Ian cover a few hot topics in the news. These include, llamas are essential to helping us fight COVID-19, Barack Obama is among those hacked on Twitter, and North Carolina city approves 'reparations,' apologizes for role in slavery. 

(09:00-34:24): We are joined by Rev. Esau McCaulley, Professor of the New Testament at Wheaton College. His doctoral dissertation, called Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance, was published by T & T Clark. Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance focused on the role Jewish messianism played in Paul’s argument that Jesus has made believers heirs in the Messiah to the Abrahamic promises in Galatians.

His book “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope” is a personal and scholarly testament to the power and hope of Black biblical interpretation. At a time in which some within the African American community are questioning the place of the Christian faith in the struggle for justice, New Testament scholar McCaulley argues that reading Scripture from the perspective of Black church tradition is invaluable for connecting with a rich faith history and addressing the urgent issues of our times. 

(35:20-45:02): Kelly Edmiston writes “What is Saving Your Life?” in Christianity Today. Brian and Ian discuss this and ponder our emptiness and hope for fullness.

(45:02-54:28): Rumor Has It ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ Might Be Canceled Due To Low Ratings And Abusive Stories. Brian and Ian discuss the popular show host and comedian, and how our perception of her may be skewed. 

(54:28-1:04:04): Interesting piece out of Ephesiology “What Would You Do If You Knew That One-third Of Your Friends Would Leave Church?”.

(1:05:08-1:14:20): Carey Nieuwhof writes “12 Things Covid Has Taught The Analog Church About Digital Church” on his blog.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:00): Brian and Ian cover a few hot topics in the news. These include, llamas are essential to helping us fight COVID-19, Barack Obama is among those hacked on Twitter, and North Carolina city approves 'reparations,' apologizes for role in slavery. 

(09:00-34:24): We are joined by Rev. Esau McCaulley, Professor of the New Testament at Wheaton College. His doctoral dissertation, called Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance, was published by T & T Clark. Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance focused on the role Jewish messianism played in Paul’s argument that Jesus has made believers heirs in the Messiah to the Abrahamic promises in Galatians.

His book “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope” is a personal and scholarly testament to the power and hope of Black biblical interpretation. At a time in which some within the African American community are questioning the place of the Christian faith in the struggle for justice, New Testament scholar McCaulley argues that reading Scripture from the perspective of Black church tradition is invaluable for connecting with a rich faith history and addressing the urgent issues of our times. 

(35:20-45:02): Kelly Edmiston writes “What is Saving Your Life?” in Christianity Today. Brian and Ian discuss this and ponder our emptiness and hope for fullness.

(45:02-54:28): Rumor Has It ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ Might Be Canceled Due To Low Ratings And Abusive Stories. Brian and Ian discuss the popular show host and comedian, and how our perception of her may be skewed. 

(54:28-1:04:04): Interesting piece out of Ephesiology “What Would You Do If You Knew That One-third Of Your Friends Would Leave Church?”.

(1:05:08-1:14:20): Carey Nieuwhof writes “12 Things Covid Has Taught The Analog Church About Digital Church” on his blog.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:53): Eight months after his most recent post on social media, John Crist posted this video on Facebook offering his apologies and explanations. John Crist had canceled his 2019 Tour Dates after several accusations of sexual misconduct were made against him. 

(09:53-19:18): Interesting piece by Morgan Guyton in Patheos “Celebrity-Driven Church Is Not Safe For Kids”. Brian and Ian discuss this topic. 

(19:18-29:10): Brian and Ian discuss the difference between being “non-racist” and “anti-racist”. We listen to a clip from John Amaechi. He is a psychologist, a New York Times best-selling author and a former NBA basketball player.

(29:10-38:38): Mudslinging Christians: A lesson from working with drug addicts. Brian and Ian discuss this David Zuccolotto piece from The Christian Post. 

(39:34-48:51): Remote Work Forever? Not So Fast, Jobs Guru Says. The CEO of Adecco, one of the world’s largest employment agencies, discusses the pros and cons of working from home

(48:51-58:30): We were joined by Gerald Longjohn, Vice President for Student Development at Cornerstone University. He posted about a culture of honor regarding wearing masks. How does Colossians 3:12 relate to wearing masks?  

(58:30-1:07:45): David Fitch posted recently discussing 5 examples of theological coercion that produced a backlash. Brian and Ian dive into this and discuss.

(1:08:48-1:18:35): Seven Ways to Make a Difference—Without Leaving Your Home. Yes! You can be cautious AND compassionate. You can care for your own health while actively caring for others.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00-09:53): Eight months after his most recent post on social media, John Crist posted this video on Facebook offering his apologies and explanations. John Crist had canceled his 2019 Tour Dates after several accusations of sexual misconduct were made against him. 

(09:53-19:18): Interesting piece by Morgan Guyton in Patheos “Celebrity-Driven Church Is Not Safe For Kids”. Brian and Ian discuss this topic. 

(19:18-29:10): Brian and Ian discuss the difference between being “non-racist” and “anti-racist”. We listen to a clip from John Amaechi. He is a psychologist, a New York Times best-selling author and a former NBA basketball player.

(29:10-38:38): Mudslinging Christians: A lesson from working with drug addicts. Brian and Ian discuss this David Zuccolotto piece from The Christian Post. 

(39:34-48:51): Remote Work Forever? Not So Fast, Jobs Guru Says. The CEO of Adecco, one of the world’s largest employment agencies, discusses the pros and cons of working from home

(48:51-58:30): We were joined by Gerald Longjohn, Vice President for Student Development at Cornerstone University. He posted about a culture of honor regarding wearing masks. How does Colossians 3:12 relate to wearing masks?  

(58:30-1:07:45): David Fitch posted recently discussing 5 examples of theological coercion that produced a backlash. Brian and Ian dive into this and discuss.

(1:08:48-1:18:35): Seven Ways to Make a Difference—Without Leaving Your Home. Yes! You can be cautious AND compassionate. You can care for your own health while actively caring for others.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.