There & Back Again

In this episode, Greg and Ben turn the focus towards their own theological tribe and attempt to point out some flaws within it. No theology is perfect and certainly those who hold that theology are less than perfect as well. The six critiques the guys offer up on this episode are:

1. Solo leadership by pastors that turns into a cult of personality.

2. The tendency to only associate with those from the same theological tribe.

3. Skepticism towards social justice ministries.

4. Human beings are treated simply as "brains on a stick" rather than fully embodied human beings.

5. The forcing of everything in the Bible into systematic categories.

6. An overall lack of grace and propensity to be hypercritical.

In offering up these critiques it is the guys' hope not to tear down but to build up in love and have a few laughs at ourselves along the way. 

Resources

You Are What You Love by James K. A. Smith

Cultural Liturgies Trilogy by James K. A. Smith

"Machen's Warrior Children" by John Frame at https://frame-poythress.org/machens-warrior-children/

Music: "Cello From Portland" and "Hello From Portland" by Beautiful Eulogy

Few teachings from the Reformation have had more of an impact on the shape of the church than the doctrine of sola gratia. The Reformers' renewed emphasis on God's grace being the sole cause of our salvation has amazing implications for our lives as followers of Jesus. This teaching of sola gratia gives us assurance of God's love and faithfulness towards us. Salvation is God's work and gift to us from beginning to end!

Resources

o   The Pursuing God by Joshua Ryan Butler

o   “Grace Alone” song by The Modern Post

o   “The Grace of God in Every Book of the Bible Pts. 1 & 2” blog by Justin Taylor at TGC

o   The Prodigal God by Tim Keller

o   Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt

o   New Morning Mercies by Paul Tripp

Music: "Cello from Portland" and "Hello from Portland" by Beautiful Eulogy; "Grace Alone" by The Modern Post

The term evangelicalism has many different definitions, distortions, and distinctions attached to it. Today the guys discuss the meaning of the term, how it is affected by racism and politics, and whether or not the term is still useful.

4 Classic tenets of evangelicalism from historian David Bebbington:

Conversionism: the belief that lives need to be transformed through a “born-again” experience and a life long process of following Jesus

Activism: the expression and demonstration of the gospel in missionary and social reform efforts

Biblicism: a high regard for and obedience to the Bible as the ultimate authority

Crucicentrism: a stress on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as making possible the redemption of humanity

Resources

-116 Been Real by John Piper

-Truth's Table Podcast

-Open Letter to John Piper on White Evangelicalism and Multiethnic Relations by Raymond Chang’s article

-Pass the Mic Podcast

-More on Leaving White Evangelicalism: A Response from Bryan Loritts by Bryan Loritts

-Carl Ellis’ interview-The Significance of Lecrae Leaving White Evangelicalism

-Divided by Faith by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith

-Why Liberty University Banned an Anti-Trump Christian Author From Campus by Jonathan Merritt

-Evangelicalism in Modern Britain by David Bebbington

Music: "Cello From Portland", "Hello From Portland", and "Sovereign" by Beautiful Eulogy

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We begin our 5 week series in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by looking at the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. This teaching of Scripture alone as the church's ultimate authority radically altered the church in its time and has continued to shape the course of Protestantism 500 years later.  

Recommended Resources

o   Kevin DeYoung, Taking God at His Word

o   J.I. Packer, Fundamentalism and the Word of God

o   G.K. Beale, Erosion of Inerrancy

o   Peter Enns, Inspiration and Incarnation

o   N.T. Wright, Scripture and the Authority of God

Music-"Hello from Portland" and "Cello from Portland" by Beautiful Eulogy

So, another theology podcast...

If you have stumbled upon this podcast by accident or even if you are listening on purpose this is what you are probably thinking. You might be thinking, "why do we need more guys talking about theology and the Christian faith? Why should I even pay attention to this at all?" Well, in short, you probably shouldn't.

We (Greg and Ben) are not experts in theology or Christian living. We are simply two guys who love Jesus, his word, and his church and are currently studying these things in seminary. Because we carpool together and have an hour and a half (or two hour) commute several times a week to seminary, we have a lot of time together to talk about what we are learning in class and in the church. As we have had these conversations over our first year of seminary, Whitley, Ben's wife, had the idea that we should start recording them and make a podcast. And so, that is why we are here. We are not a typical theology podcast and blog. We are not going to be profound. We probably won't be right a lot of the time. But, we will have honest conversations about Jesus, theology, the church, and the Christian life and we hope that you will join us in our journey there and back again.

Music: "Cell From Portland" and "Hello From Portland" by Beautiful Eulogy