THE INDOUBT SHOW

By INDOUBTReligion & Spirituality Christianity

THE INDOUBT SHOW episodes

March 27, 2017 Episode 063: Bible Poverty with Danny Foster
Bible Poverty
So, if I asked you the question: What is the one thing (or a few things) that Christians in “struggling” areas of the world need? You might say “stronger pastors or leaders,” or “better theology,” or even “more churches.” All of these are true, but something I personally overlooked is the simple need for Bibles. Bible poverty is a real thing in our world. To help walk us through Bible poverty is Danny Foster, president of The Canada Institute of Linguistics and member of the Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Episode Links
Danny is president of The Canada Institute of Linguistics.

Also, you can find all the stats and the full report of the Canadian Bible Engagement study here.

Read It
*Below is an edited transcription of the audio.

Well it’s great to be talking with Danny Foster today. Danny is the president of The Canada Institute of Linguistics, and he’s also a member of the Wycliffe Bible Translators in Canada. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to come to our offices and have a conversation with us about the Bible and about linguistics.

Yeah, thanks for having me.

Yeah for sure! As we do with everyone we talk to, we love to hear a little bit of the humanity and the person behind the voice. So I guess the easiest question is: who are you? Family, different things like that – hobbies maybe? And a little bit more in detail of what you do as the president of CanIL and what that’s all about.

I’m a husband and a father of two young boys – Josiah is eleven and Isaac is nine. They were born on the mission field while serving in Tanzania. I grew up in Scarborough, Ontario to Jamaican immigrants – my mom’s from Kingston, my dad’s from Montego Bay. I have 6 older brothers – so I’m the youngest of seven boys. It was awesome growing up in that kind of environment.
I absolutely love cooking, that’s my release at the end of the day. I go home and I just dive into the kitchen and go nuts.
What makes me tick? I’ve always wanted to be in ministry since I first sensed there was a calling on my life back when I was a teenager. Took me a while to figure out what that was going to look like. That eventually morphed into missions. But it all clicked for me one day back in 1989. I was sitting in a chapel where I was studying at a Bible College in Peterborough, Ontario. A guy from Wycliffe came and did a presentation. He basically threw some numbers out there that shocked me because I was learning about missions from the perspective of “theology is really poor in parts of the world and we need to train pastors better and improve leadership and plant more churches and have more quality pastors,” and so that’s what I was perceiving as the problem: bad theology where the church was developing.
And so when I heard that there were 7,097 languages in the world and at that time (it was 1989), over half of them were identified as needing a Bible translation project, around 3,500. At 19 years old I had this vision that if I live my whole life on this earth and when it’s all said and done a language community that never had an alphabet before has one, that never had some stories before has them, basic literacy, but most importantly a translation of the Bible or at least the New Testament, then man, my whole life was worth living. And I still look back at that as a 19 year old and I think, “Man, that’s a pretty lofty goal.”

In some ways, that testimony is something I hope happens in our conversation today,
29 min
March 20, 2017 Episode 062: Who are You Listening to? with David Mathis
Who Are You Listening To? This episode is more than simply asking: who are you listening to? We really dive into the subject of life-long learning. To join me in this task is Executive Editor at DesiringGod, David Mathis. In addition to being a husband, father, pastor, and editor at DesiringGod, David spends a lot…
The post Episode 062: Who are You Listening to? with David Mathis appeared first on indoubt.
29 min
March 20, 2017 Episode 062: Who are You Listening to? with David Mathis
Who Are You Listening To?
This episode is more than simply asking: who are you listening to? We really dive into the subject of life-long learning. To join me in this task is Executive Editor at DesiringGod, David Mathis. In addition to being a husband, father, pastor, and editor at DesiringGod, David spends a lot of time writing articles on various subjects of life and faith. In our conversation, he helps set us up so we can engage the news and subjects of this world in a way that ultimately glorifies God. In short, David sets us on the trajectory to become life-long learners – or, as I like to say it, perma-students.

Episode Links
David is Executive Editor at DesiringGod (personally, I, Isaac, have received much benefit from reading, watching and listening to resources produced by them).

Also, check out David’s new(ish) book, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines. Also, watch what John Piper says about it.

Read It
*Below is an edited transcription of the audio.

Well it’s great to have David Mathis with us on the show today. David is Executive Editor of DesiringGod, a pastor at Cities Church in Minneapolis, adjunct professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary, and also the author of Habits of Grace. I’m not sure if you have any free time! But anyways, thank you for being here with us today David.

The most important thing, other than being a follower of Jesus Christ, is being a husband to Megan and then a father of four. Megan is about 35 weeks pregnant right now as we do this interview, we’re due here coming up. I have twin boys that are six years old, they’ll be seven, God-willing, this summer – Carson and Coleman. And we have a two-year-old daughter named Gloria.

Wow, awesome. So you definitely don’t have any free time I presume!

A little bit here and there, but I do love spending as much of my “free time” as possible with my family. They are a great delight for me.

That’s so good. And I’m learning that too. I’m just over a year married to my best friend. And honestly, I almost feel a little bad to my other friends, because I would love just to be able to hang every single day with my wife. I need to block out some time for my friends as well, because I need that.
Apart from family, do you have any hobbies? What do you enjoy to think about or do?

Yeah good question. I am a sports fan – there’s virtue and vice in that. For my whole life, I longed for the Clemson Tigers to win the college football championship, which they just did a couple months ago. And so, in terms of being a sports fan, which is such a small thing, I can die happy now that the Tigers won the national championship.
I’m a Minnesota Twins MLB fan. I do love baseball, played a lot of baseball growing up. My six-year-old boys love baseball, we just do baseball all the way during spring and the summer. And in Minneapolis we live on the public transit rail, it’s called the Lightrail, we live on a stop, and so we can just jump on the train and it’ll go right to Target Field where the Minnesota Twins play, so we love spending time in the summer going to Twins games – beautiful stadium downtown Minneapolis. When in Rome, I’ve tried to become a Vikings fan as well.
I do love to run. I try to get in at least three runs a week – I really enjoy that. It helps my mind stay clear. I think I sleep better at night when I’m running.
29 min
March 13, 2017 Episode 061: The Culture’s Myths and the Gospel with Trevin Wax
This is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel
That’s the title of Trevin Wax’s new book that just came out this month. The book dives into the subject of how we, as Christians, can faithfully respond to our culture’s myths with the gospel. Trevin graciously responded to our request to have him on the show, so we have the great privilege of chatting with him about his new book this week. In our conversation, Trevin reveals two myths that we can easily fall into, and then explains how we, as Christians, have the great responsibility of showing the world that the gospel is a better story than anything they know.
Episode Links
You can find out more about Trevin here.
To check out his book, click here.

Read It
*Below is an edited transcription of the audio.

Well it’s great to be talking this week with Trevin Wax. Trevin is an author, pastor, Bible publisher and more I assume. I’m glad to have you with us today Trevin.

Glad to be with you Isaac.

Hey before we jump into the general topic of Christianity and culture, being faithful in the midst of culture, and also you’re new book coming out called This is Out Time that gets into that in more detail, why don’t you just share with us briefly who you are as an individual, and then specifically, if you can, how you responded to Jesus calling you to Himself.

Yes, my name is Trevin Wax. I am currently serving as the Bible publisher for B & H in the Nashville area in Tennessee. I am married to Karina – we have three kids that are 12, 8, and 3. My wife and I met in Romania actually. I did a lot of mission work there as a teenager and then moved there and lived there for several years when I was doing my undergraduate studies and also when I was involved in a lot of mission work in villages around the city that I lived in. We’ve been married for a while, had those kids.
For me, as far as my spiritual journey is concerned, I would say I was blessed to be raised in a Christian family. Church was an ever-present reality from the time I can remember. I never remember a time when I did not have a hunger for God’s Word. So I was very young when I first trusted in Christ in a way that I remember, constantly putting faith in Jesus. But then I was a little older when I was baptized, my parents waited and gave some time for that to show fruit. I’ve always had a hunger for God’s Word from the very time I can remember.
So, a lot of people think of testimonies, and they think about the grand before and after experience. For me, I have to think in terms more of trajectory, like, knowing my own sins and struggles and patterns of selfishness that are still in my life, I can kind of see where my life might have gone had God not rescued me at such a young age.

Actually, it’s funny that you say that. I was just listening to some seminar that John Piper was doing, and he said he knew a friend that always says, “Yeah, the Lord saved me from drugs and alcohol when I was three.” And I was like, “I love that!” He knew his trajectory, he knew he was a sinner and depraved. The Lord saved him then. So that’s an awesome testimony, I think that’s powerful. My wife has a similar one.
Alright, Trevin you’ve written a lot. You just go on to your blog on The Gospel Coalition site and you just have article after article over various topics and that’s awesome, God obviously has gifted you with a passion to speak up and out and o...
29 min
March 13, 2017 Episode 061: The Culture’s Myths and the Gospel with Trevin Wax
This is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel That’s the title of Trevin Wax’s new book that just came out this month. The book dives into the subject of how we, as Christians, can faithfully respond to our culture’s myths with the gospel. Trevin graciously responded to our request to have him…
29 min
March 06, 2017 Episode 060: The First Step with Evan Koons
The First Step in Engaging Culture With technology advancing at such an incredible rate lately, one can only imagine how much it’s having an affect on Christianity and culture. One of the many ramifications is the ability to “Go Big!” with anything and everything. No longer are we creating Bible studies for our personal home…
The post Episode 060: The First Step with Evan Koons appeared first on indoubt.
27 min
March 06, 2017 Episode 060: The First Step with Evan Koons
The First Step in Engaging Culture
With technology advancing at such an incredible rate lately, one can only imagine how much it’s having an affect on Christianity and culture. One of the many ramifications is the ability to “Go Big!” with anything and everything. No longer are we creating Bible studies for our personal home group, we’re making it so it can be distributed all over the world. No longer is our pastor just preaching to his two hundred person flock, he’s preaching to the world. You get the idea. With hundreds of churches and parachurch organizations doing “Big Things!” the possible assumption among “ordinary” Christians is that they have to do something “Big!” to be a “good Christian,” or just a “regular Christian.” This, obviously, is foolish – but we need to be retold again and again. Writer, actor, and speaker Evan Koons joins us this week on the show to talk about what it looks like to engage culture as an “ordinary” Christian. The conversation also has an incredibly awkward moment when the host (Isaac, who’s writing this) isn’t understanding Evan. You’ll have to listen to find out.
Episode Links
All things “Evan Koons” can be found here.
The film series we were talking about (that you should totally check out) is For the Life of the World.

The movie that Evan is in (which features Gary Busey) is called Camp Manna.
The video that made Evan “famous” is called Church Appropriate Dance Moves.

Read It
*Below is an edited transcription of the audio.

Well it’s great to have Evan Koons today on the podcast. Evan is a writer, actor, speaker, probably many other things as well, but anyways, great to have you on the show today Evan.

Oh! Thanks for having me.

Before we get into a really chill conversation on Christians in culture, why don’t you first share with us briefly who you are and what you do in a little bit more detail.

Sure! I am a dude. Yeah, I write and act and do voice-over stuff in film and video and television. That’s really about it in terms of professional life. A lot of times I just say, “I’m a professional shower-upper,” like, I don’t show people up, I mean like I show up to things and they’re like, “Hey, will you do this…?” and I go like, “Yeah, I’ll do that!” and then I show up there and they’re like, “Oh, now that you’re here can you do this?” and I’m like, “Yeah sure,” and then that’s sort of the history of my career.

That’s good! And you have a family as well?

I do, I do. I’m married – have been married for almost 15 years I think. I have two kids, six and nine, and yeah, they’re at school right now, I hope.

One more thing before we get into our conversation. Many people have seen your face, or maybe they didn’t know it was you, but that viral video called Church Appropriate Dance Moves – very famous. First of all, it’s hilarious. So listeners listening, you got to check that out.
My question is, was it planned or did you improvise it on the spot?

We planned it out a little bit. I mean, that guy is kind of a character we’ve had around and been doing videos with since 2008. So if you look up Coffee with Jesus you’ll see more.
And then one day we’re doing one of these skits and I was improving in the skit and doing like dance stuff I think,
27 min
February 27, 2017 Episode 059: Jonathan Ogden of Rivers & Robots
Art & Jesus In our second week of looking into devotion, glory, and art, we chat with Jonathan Ogden – lead singer of Rivers & Robots. Jonathan tells us about the purpose of the music of Rivers & Robots and also the work they do at Set Sail. Set Sail is an organization that “aim[s]…
The post Episode 059: Jonathan Ogden of Rivers & Robots appeared first on indoubt.
25 min
February 27, 2017 Episode 059: Jonathan Ogden of Rivers & Robots
Art & Jesus
In our second week of looking into devotion, glory, and art, we chat with Jonathan Ogden – lead singer of Rivers & Robots. Jonathan tells us about the purpose of the music of Rivers & Robots and also the work they do at Set Sail. Set Sail is an organization that “aim[s] to make God known through creative worship – be it music, design, video or any kind of art.” Along with last week’s episode, we ask him how he works through “receiving praise” for his work. He gives some great insight into this.
Episode Links
Jonathan Ogden’s solo music can be found here.
The creative ministry Jonathan was talking about is called Set Sail.
Make sure to listen to Rivers & Robots (personally, my favourite song is Shepherd of My Soul).
Here are their latest albums, both of which are great.

Read It
*Below is an edited transcription of the audio.

Well it’s great to be chatting with Jonathan Ogden today. He’s part of the indie worship band Rivers & Robots from the UK. I’d imagine he does many other things as well, but anyways, it’s great to have you on the show today Jonathan.
Thanks man, good to be here.

Before we get into the purpose of Rivers & Robots, some other personal stuff, and some art and faith topics, let me just ask, for all of us who are not quite familiar with who you are personally, who are and what do you do? Personally, and also your music life?
Yeah, so I’m Jonathan. I’m from Manchester in the UK. I’m basically a creative guy all around. I’ve been involved in graphic design and web design, a little bit of film making, and now music.
I’ve grown up in church, my dad was one of the elders at the church. I’ve always just grown up with that background. I used to work as a graphic designer at a company called the Message Trust, a Christian organization. So I was doing that for about 5 years, basically just pursuing – well, I basically wanted to work at Pixar or, like, just do graphic design as a freelance job. And then I started this band as kind of a side project. It was my evenings and weekends. It eventually grew into being one of my main projects. Graphic design is now my side project.

That’s awesome. And, obviously, some of us have heard about Set Sail. What exactly is that?
Yeah so Set Sail is an organization we set up a couple of years ago, and the vision of it is basically to make God known through creative worship. It’s all about making art that’s about Jesus and who He is, whether that’s through music or video or any kind of creative expression that we can do that tells people about who God is. And then we also want to encourage and equip other artists to do the same thing, whether it’s through providing really practical resources like how to make a track, or design stuff, or just more inspirational stuff – inspiring creative people to use what they’ve got basically, and use it to make God known.

Yeah, that’s awesome. Well, as you say that, if the purpose of Set Sail is to make God known through creative things, obviously you didn’t just get there, because, by nature we’re all depraved and we don’t really want to make God known.
So how did you come to know who God is to a point where you actually want to give your life to making Him known?
Yeah, as I said,
25 min
February 20, 2017 Episode 058: Devotion in Life with Zach Bolen
What Does Devotion Look Like in Life? Does a daily devotion look like a 30 minute “quiet time” in the morning or evening? Or does devotion seep out into all the aspects of the day? To talk about devotion in life this week we have the great privilege of chatting with Zach Bolen, lead singer…
The post Episode 058: Devotion in Life with Zach Bolen appeared first on indoubt.
30 min

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THE INDOUBT SHOW exists to help young adults navigate life, faith, culture & current events with a biblical perspective through weekly YouTube shows, podcasts and more.