The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn

By Four Eyes Media

Can we believe the resurrection of Christ actually happened? The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn delves into the historicity of the resurrection and how this event changed human history—past a... more

· Religion & Spirituality

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FAQs about The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn:

How many episodes does The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.

The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn episodes:

January 01, 2026 The Breath of New Life: From Death to Divine Union ft. Trevin Wax & Thomas West
In this captivating episode of The Rising Podcast, Melanie Penn sits down with authors Thomas West and Trevin Wax to explore the profound implications of Jesus’ ascension and the resurrection for humanity today. Drawing from their new book, The Gospel Way Catechism, Trevin and Thomas delve into how the resurrection is not merely a past event, but a “new beginning” of God’s new creation, impacting our present and future. They discuss how Jesus’ resurrected body offers a glimpse into a “new way of being human” and challenge our perceptions of heaven as a distant place, describing it instead as God’s “dimension of reality” that is “closer than we realize.” Discover how the unseen realm of heaven and earth will ultimately be one, and how our yearning for immortality is fulfilled in Christ’s gift of eternal life, a truth worth staking everything on.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“It's not just that by coming back from the dead, Jesus assures us a heavenly afterlife. It's that this new creation that has happened here is connected to the resurrection of our physical bodies when we will be made like Him. Me recognizing how my future resurrection is grounded in, tied up with and united to Jesus and His physical resurrection makes the story so much more compelling.” - Trevin Wax

“We have so much that we're looking forward to in the future, but God is presently doing a new thing right now. What a wild truth to let your heart and mind start to rise up to. I think it invades the present now with wonderful potential, wonderful hope. We're in the middle of a new thing.” - Thomas West

“The resurrection is not the happy ending after Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday. It is the new beginning of God's new creation.” - Trevin Wax

“I think marketers know something that Augustine would have said or that other people have known throughout history is that we yearn for immortality. We yearn for eternity. Eternity is written in our hearts. And that's why people can sell stuff to us for that.” - Trevin Wax

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the World

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Trevin Wax’s website
Thomas West’s website
Trevin Wax’s Facebook
Thomas West’s Facebook
Thomas West’s Instagram
Trevin Wax’s Twitter
Thomas West’s Twitter

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
24min
December 25, 2025 Christmas: The Hope of Resurrection to Come ft. Sally-Lloyd Jones
In this Christmas episode of The Rising, host Melanie Penn talks with acclaimed author Sally Lloyd-Jones, best known for The Jesus Storybook Bible and her latest release, Jesus Our True Friend: Stories to Fill Your Heart with Joy. Sally shares how she approaches writing about the life of Jesus in a way that’s both imaginative and true, and how the story of Christmas points forward to the hope of the Resurrection. She and Melanie discuss the creative process behind telling familiar stories in fresh ways, the importance of limits in art, and why wonder still matters.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“When you’re writing a story, it’s like an iceberg. You just see the top of it, but underneath, what you don’t see is the huge iceberg underneath the water. That is all the stuff you don’t put in the story, but is informing everything about the story.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones

“Limits are actually your friends because they force you to be really distilled.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones

“When I’m writing, it comes from being moved myself. Whether it’s a Bible story or a story about a goldfish—whatever it is, it’s ultimately worship.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones

“Our job is to have our imaginations on fire and write from a place of truth. And then the mystery of it is that if you’re telling the truth, you’re not putting it on, you are not faking it, then it will have power and the power miraculously will come to the reader.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones

“Write the story only you can write. That means everything about your life, what you’ve written, read, where you grew up, your background—everything will feed into what will make you unique.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Sally Lloyd-Jones’ website
Sally Lloyd-Jones’ Facebook
Sally Lloyd-Jones’ Instagram
Sally Lloyd-Jones’ YouTube
The Story of God’s Great Love YouTube
The Story of God’s Great Love Instagram
The Story of God’s Great Love Facebook

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
25min
December 18, 2025 Resurrection and Reconciliation: Bridging Divides with Saleem Shalash
In this episode of The Rising, Melanie interviews Pastor Saleem Shalash, founder of Jesus the King Church in Nazareth and leader of the largest Israeli-Arab humanitarian aid center, supported by the Joseph Project. Saleem discusses how his ministry bridges ethnic and religious divides by assisting both Arab and Jewish families. He emphasizes the transformative power of faith, grounded in both Old and New Testament teachings, and the importance of tailoring the gospel message for Muslim and Jewish audiences. He shares miraculous accounts of healing and dreams revealing Jesus. Amid escalating regional tensions, Saleem advocates for unity over doctrinal disagreements, stressing the importance of compassion and winning hearts rather than just minds.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“I do believe in the verse that says ‘All things work together for the good for those who love the Lord.’ You know, we don’t see all of the puzzle, but when God knows every part of this puzzle and where it’s placed, He is going to take care to put it in the right place.” - Saleem Shalash

“We need to understand, it’s not about who we are, it’s about who He is. It’s not about what we are doing for God. It’s all about what God did for us through the cross and the resurrection.” - Saleem Shalash

“It’s not time to win discussions more than it’s time to win souls to Jesus. And that is the mission of what we’re trying to do.” - Saleem Shalash

“There is a lot of work to do. The work is not inside the church. The work is outside the walls of the church. Everyone can be a believer in the church. Show me that you are a believer outside the walls of the church. People will look at you and say ‘There is something different in this man.’ What is the difference? Jesus in his life." - Saleem Shalash

Guest’s Links:
The Joseph Project International Website
Saleem Shalash About Page
The Joseph Project International Facebook
Saleem Shalash Instagram
The Joseph Project X
Saleem Shalash speaking at a conference (YouTube)
Home of the Jesus King Church (Israel)
JTK Bridge Builders U.S. Support Site

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
24min
December 11, 2025 Why Jesus’ Scars Remain (and What They Tell Us) with Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell
This week on The Rising, Melanie Penn sits down with Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell to explore the profound theological implications of Jesus’ scars and the bodily resurrection. Dr. Meynell, a distinguished pastor, writer, and former associate director of Langham Preaching, unpacks how the resurrection is not merely a historical event, but a radical redefinition of life, death, and our very embodiment. Discover why Jesus’ enduring scars are not a sign of weakness, but a testament to a unique, eternal victory. From the Genesis narrative of death as a “protective measure” to Peter's restoration and the distinct nature of Christian resurrection, this conversation brings understanding as to why Jesus’ physical return from death—and the indwelling of the same Spirit that raised Him—offers an unparalleled source of hope and power for every believer.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“I began to recognize that Jesus is alive. And so then you have to say, ‘Well, how is he alive if he was killed on a cross?’ He came to life.” - Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell

“Because it is a resurrection, not a resuscitation. It is not a cycle. He doesn’t come back out of death; He goes through death never to do it again.” - Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell

“Theology is not about pumping your brain with data and knowledge. It’s about knowing Christ, knowing what He’s done for us. That’s the engine room of theology.” - Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell

“The same spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.” - Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Life After Life by Mark Meynell

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell’s Website
Rev. Dr. Mark Meynell’s Instagram

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
21min
December 04, 2025 Love’s Victory Through the Resurrection: A Conversation with Rev. Chris & Jenny Lee
This week on The Rising, we have a heartwarming conversation with Rev. Chris Lee and his wife, Jenny. Melanie and the Lees delve into the profound mystery of the resurrection, exploring personal moments of belief and the most compelling narratives from the Gospels. They discuss how the seemingly "wild thing to believe" in Jesus's literal resurrection is, for Chris and Jenny, a deeply personal and tangible reality. They share insights into why the differing accounts of the resurrection in the Gospels actually strengthen its credibility, and how the disciples' transformation from fear to fearless martyrdom speaks volumes. From Mary Magdalene's personal encounter with the resurrected Christ to the ongoing presence of Jesus in our daily lives, this episode explores the enduring hope and transformative power of the resurrection.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“The resurrected Jesus allows us to understand that God knows us and calls us by our name.” - Chris Lee

“The resurrection is a signpost that no one is too far—no one is outside of God’s grace and power.” - Chris Lee

“You need infinity to pin down all the nuances of the resurrection.” - Jenny Lee

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
“You Are Beloved” book by Jenny & Rev Chris Lee
Peter and John Running to the Tomb painting by Eugène Burnand

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Rev Chris Lee’s Website
Rev Chris Lee’s Facebook
Rev Chris Lee’s Instagram
Rev Chris Lee’s X
Rev Chris Lee’s YouTube

Connect with Melanie:The Rising (Album)WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeSpotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
26min
November 27, 2025 Beyond the Cross: Living the Resurrection Life featuring Kelly Kapic
This week on The Rising Podcast, host Melanie welcomes Dr. Kelly Kapic, professor of theology at Covenant College and author of Embodied Hope and You Were Never Meant to Do It All. Kelly shares his journey of faith, his academic work, and reflections on the resurrection of Jesus. He emphasizes that theology should be both pastoral and practical, and that resurrection is not only a future promise but a present reality shaping daily life. Together, Melanie and Kelly explore themes of doubt, worship, and suffering, showing how the resurrection speaks into our struggles and hopes today.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“For me, resurrection isn’t just a future thing, it is what informs our present existence.” - Kelly Kapic

“There are all kinds of material consequences to the resurrection of Christ. It’s not just what’s going to happen when you die.” - Kelly Kapic

“It’s very normal for Christians to doubt. I don’t think when you become a Christian, you stop doubting. The question is, do you worship? And can you be comfortable worshiping in the midst of your doubt?” - Kelly Kapic

“Doubt is often less about evidence and more about, ‘Can God really be this good? Can He be this near to me?’” - Kelly Kapic

“If you want to know what God is like, you look to Jesus. If you want to know what being human is like, you look to Jesus.” - Kelly Kapic

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Embodied Hope by Kelly Kapic
You Were Never Meant To Do It All by Kelly Kapic

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Covenant College Faculty Page

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
20min
November 20, 2025 Beyond the Grave: A Vision of the Resurrection and Our Eternity with Dr. Christopher Hall
In this profound episode of The Rising Podcast, host Melanie Penn welcomes Dr. Christopher Hall, a distinguished theologian and author mentored by J.I. Packer, and former president of Renovare (founded by Richard Foster). Dr. Hall delves into the often-feared topic of death and resurrection, offering a deeply encouraging perspective rooted in the wisdom of the Church Fathers, particularly Augustine. The conversation addresses pressing questions about the physical body after death, especially for those who have lost loved ones, including children. Dr. Hall assures listeners of God’s boundless power to restore and fully actualize every human being, even in cases of bodies seemingly lost or disintegrated. He explores the concept of the “chain of consumption” as pondered by the Church Fathers and shares Augustine’s powerful conviction that nothing can elude the Creator’s notice or power. The episode culminates with Dr. Hall’s compelling reflection on the resurrection scene in John 20, where the grave clothes themselves provided undeniable proof of Jesus’ miraculous bodily resurrection. This episode offers profound Christian hope and a renewed vision of eternity, encouraging listeners to approach the future with joy rather than fear.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“God honors the process that He already built. So we’re all headed toward full healing. We’re all heading toward full restoration. And at times God decides, ‘You know what? I’m gonna honor this process of long restoration, long healing, but I’m going to do it in an instant, in an eye blink—all those steps.’” - Melanie Penn

“Whatever the future holds, it’s better than we could ever imagine. St. Paul said that. It’s better than we can ever imagine, so we don’t have to frown when we think about the future. We can smile.” - Christopher Hall

“What about bodies that have been consumed by fire? What about somebody lost at sea? Augustine writes this: ‘It is unthinkable that the Creator should lack the power to revive them all and restore them to life. It is inconceivable that any nook or cranny of the natural world, though it may hold those bodies concealed, could elude the notice or evade the power of the Creator of all things.’” - Christopher Hall

“I pray that those who have been listening in would walk away encouraged and walk away with less fear and anxiety about what the future holds, because You have taken care of everything. I hear You saying, ‘I can handle this. I can handle this.’” - Christopher Hall

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
J.I. Packer
Richard Foster
Celebration of Discipline book by Richard Foster
Renovation of the Heart book by Dallas Willard
Renovare
Todd Beamer
Augustine, the City of God

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Renovare website
Renovare Facebook
Renovare Instagram

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
21min
November 13, 2025 Rethinking Betrayal and Belief: Joseph Yoo on Judas and the Resurrection Part 2
In this episode of The Rising Podcast, Melanie Penn continues her conversation with Joseph Yoo, diving deeper into the theological complexities of the resurrection, focusing on the often-misunderstood figure of Judas. They discuss Judas not merely as “the betrayer” but as a complex individual whose actions might have stemmed from disillusionment and a different expectation of Jesus’s messianic role. Joseph shares his personal reflections on Judas, influenced by his own struggles with feelings of betrayal. The conversation also touches on the possibility that Judas believed his actions would accelerate Jesus's mission and lead to a different outcome. Additionally, Melanie discusses her upcoming resurrection-themed album, emphasizing that Easter’s message is not limited to a single day, but is relevant every day.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“That hurts when you put someone on a pedestal and they are nothing what you thought they were. That does hurt. That does feel like a betrayal. And I feel like that’s something that Judas wrestled with.” - Joseph Yoo

“How many times have we felt betrayed and we retaliated in that betrayal? We may not have sold our friends to the powers that be to have them executed. But we’ve caused some sort of death in our retaliation, a feeling of betrayal. That’s what humans do when we’re hurt.” - Joseph Yoo

“Jacob literally wrestled with God. We’re meant to wrestle and ask questions and know that God is bigger than our questions. The more questions we ask, the more we are able to understand.” - Joseph Yoo

"Easter isn’t just one day of the week. Easter’s every single Sunday, because we serve a risen Lord. Easter’s everyday!” - Joseph Yoo

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Mosaic Episcopal Church
Wesley Theological Seminary
American University
The Falls Church
St. George’s Episcopal Church

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Joseph Yoo’s website
Joseph Yoo’s Facebook
Joseph Yoo’s Instagram
Joseph Yoo’s TikTok

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
15min
November 06, 2025 Beyond Certainty: Unpacking The Resurrection and Holy Saturday with Joseph Yoo Part 1
In this week’s episode of The Rising Podcast, Melanie Penn speaks with Joseph Yoo, an Episcopal priest known for his dynamic presence on TikTok and other social media platforms. Joseph and Melanie delve into the complexities of the resurrection and the often-overlooked period of Holy Saturday. Joseph emphasizes that it’s normal to have questions about faith, highlighting that certainty is the opposite of faith, not doubt. He also discusses the importance of acknowledging and processing mourning and grief, relating the disciples’ experiences after the crucifixion to everyday struggles. Joseph encourages us not just to believe in the resurrection as an event, but to consider the transformative power of a personal encounter with the risen Lord—and ask yourself, “Have you seen Him?” This is episode one with Joseph—in episode two, we’ll unravel the enigmatic role of Judas in Jesus’ crucifixion and its profound impact on the resurrection story.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“The Resurrection is what drives us as a religion. Without the resurrection, there is no Christianity.” - Joseph Yoo

“Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith. Certainty is. Once you’re certain about something, you don’t need faith because you have all the answers.” - Joseph Yoo

“[The disciples are mourning Jesus’ death] and they don’t know how to mourn because the mourning is so deep. And there’s so much richness in their mourning that we don’t talk about it at church because it makes everyone feel uncomfortable.” - Joseph Yoo

“I feel like there’s actual relatable experiences that the disciples felt that we feel as well two thousand odd years later. And I just don’t think that we allow people to explore it enough. The only time we talk about grief is like when there’s a memorial service at the church.” - Joseph Yoo

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Mosaic Episcopal Church
Michael Frost

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Joseph Yoo’s website
Joseph Yoo’s Facebook
Joseph Yoo’s Instagram
Joseph Yoo’s TikTok

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
20min
October 30, 2025 The Imprint of the Resurrection in Our Everyday Lives with Pete Enns
This week we take another deep dive into the story of the resurrection with biblical scholar Pete Enns. Together, Melanie and Pete explore the historical context of the Bible, the varying accounts of the resurrection, and its impact on everyday life. Pete and Melanie discuss everything from the counterintuitive nature of the Easter story to the broader concept of resurrection in Jewish belief, and even personal rhythms of faith. Discover why the inconsistencies in the gospel narratives might just make the story more human and more true.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:
“One cannot have contentment in the Christian life without the darkness. Dying is the only path to resurrection and that is the way of knowing God. There is no shortcut.” - Pete Enns

“Richard Rohr does say that ‘life is about learning to let go.’ It's a series of letting go moments so that when the last letting go comes—your life–-you're ready because you've been doing this all along, right? And I think that's a beautiful, inspiring and emotional way, for me, of thinking of the nature of the Christian faith.” - Pete Enns

“Living well is learning how to die to your ego, to the fascinations we have with things and with possessions, and to be able to let go of things so that you can be raised to newness of life and continually—not just once when you raise your hand in church, but this is a pattern of life.” - Pete Enns

“What we have [in the Gospels] is people bearing witness to their faith in Christ and what that looked like, and there’s a lot of agreement between the four Gospels, but there are also a lot of differences, and that’s just the way it is.” - Pete Enns

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Eastern University
The Bible for Normal People Podcast with Pete Enns and Jared Byas

*Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!
*All episode music is by Melanie Penn.

Guest’s Links:
Pete Enns’ Facebook
Pete Enns’ Twitter
Pete Enns’ Instagram

Connect with Melanie:
The Rising (Album)
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

*The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.
...more
22min

FAQs about The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn:

How many episodes does The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.