White Horse Inn

What are the “Gnostic Gospels” and how do they differ from the four traditional Gospels? Why do books featuring gnostic forms of spirituality seem to dominate the religious sections of popular bookstore chains? The hosts will discuss these questions and more with the help of Cambridge New Testament scholar, Richard Bauckham, author of Jesus & the Eyewitnesses (originally aired 04-06-08).

In John 17, Jesus says that, though he has been given authority over all flesh, he grants eternal life only to those given to him by the Father. What are the implications of these words on the doctrine of election or our understanding of Christ’s Lordship? Also what did Jesus mean when he said, “For their sake I sanctify myself that they may be truly sanctified”? How are believers today sanctified by the work of Jesus Christ? On this episode, we’re airing a classic White Horse Inn panel discussion of Christ’s high-priestly prayer as we continue our series through the Gospel of John (originally aired 3-17-13).

Gnosticism was an alternative to Christianity that threatened the very life of the ancient church. And yet, in many ways this heresy is still with us. On this program the hosts will explore a variety of gnostic approaches to spirituality that are common today, even within the world of Evangelical Christianity (originally aired 05-21-95).

Some people in our day argue that the doctrine of the Trinity is something that developed many centuries after the time of Christ. Yet in John 15:26, Jesus teaches that “when the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” So what are the implications of this statement, and what do Jesus’ words reveal about the respective roles of the various members of the Trinity? On this edition of the program the hosts will answer these and other questions as they discuss chapters 15 and 16 of the Gospel of John.

Who were Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield, and what did they believe about the doctrines of grace? How did their views differ from the later revivalist, Charles Finney? On this program this hosts will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of America's First and Second Great Awakenings (originally aired 06-11-95).

What is the Old Testament background to the imagery Jesus uses in John chapter 15 regarding the vine, and what does this imagery reveal to us about Jesus’ identity and mission, or our union with him? And what is the point Jesus made when he said, “Already you are clean because of the word I have spoken to you”? How are we made clean by Christ’s declarative word? On this program, the hosts will attempt to answer these questions and more as they look at chapter 15 of John’s Gospel.

What's wrong with American Evangelicalism? Why are so many Evangelical churches in our day so obsessed with experience, and why is it so rare to hear clear presentations of the doctrine of justification by an imputed righteousness? On this episode of the White Horse Inn, the hosts will take a look at the influence of Charles Finney, one of the leaders of the Second Great Awakening (originally aired 11-6-94).

In his upper room discourse, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “another advocate.” Why is this significant, and how does it relate to the theme of John’s Gospel as a whole? Also, many people in our day associate the work of the Spirit with ecstatic experiences or that tingly feeling you get during worship, but in this section of John’s Gospel Jesus refers to him as “the Spirit of truth.” How should we think about the person and work of the Holy Spirit in our own time and place? The hosts will discuss these and other questions as they continue their discussion of John 14.

According to media and technology writer Douglas Rushkoff, “Our society has reoriented itself to the present moment. Everything is live, real time, and always-on. It’s not a mere speeding up, however much in our lifestyles and technologies have accelerated the rate at which we attempt to do things. It’s more of a diminishment of anything that isn’t happening right now.” Michael Horton talks with Douglas about his new book, Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now, and asks him to apply his thesis to the world of contemporary Christianity with it’s emphasis on having your best life now (originally aired 10-19-14).

Many people today seem to think that Jesus was a groovy teacher whose ultimate mission was to teach the Golden Rule. Others say he came to show us the way to the good life—how we can all achieve our best life now. But what are we to do with Jesus’ words when he says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”? On this program the hosts will discuss the Old Testament background to these words and will discuss the profound theological significance of this claim as well as other statements that we find in chapter 14 of John’s Gospel.