Word Processing

One author has summarized the book of Colossians with the following sentence: "When Christians know the supremacy of Christ in his person and work, they will be transformed and learn to live in his ways as the body of Christ, including forgiving and being reconciled with one another." Assuming that's an accurate representation of the letter—and we'll see in this episode that it is!—this text is packed with significance for each and every follower of Jesus. The unsurprising greatness of Jesus's identity and ministry? Check. The transformation of sinners into his likeness? Check. The need for forgiveness within the body of Christ? Um, check!

Thankfully, the theologian who wrote that summary sentence has offered to help us unpack it rightly today. Dr. Adam Copenhaver currently serves as the pastor of Grace Church of Mabton in Mabton, Washington, where his ministry focuses especially on the teaching and preaching of God’s word. He has also published a number of works including that which was quoted above, a commentary on Paul’s letter to the Colossians.  

In Matthew 22, the formal rejection of Jesus continues, as groups of unlikely allies come together to oppose him with riddles and challenges designed to entrap him. But not being one to waste a teaching moment, Jesus uses these oppositions as opportunities to teach those who would listen about submission, and what it means to fully give ourselves, our futures, and our affections to God. Today, Josiah and Andrew continue the discussion, getting really practical about what this sort of submission could actually look like in our day-to-day lives today. Is there anything you are holding onto too tightly?

"Philippians brims over with often quoted passages: 'He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus' (1:6), 'To live is Christ and to die is gain' (1:21), and 'I can do all things through Him who strengthens me' (4:13) are just a few. But the portrait of Jesus Christ as a humble servant serves as the core of Paul’s teaching in this letter (2:5–11).

"Paul’s joy at the mere thought of the Philippian church is undeniable in the letter, and it’s that same joy that he wanted the recipients to possess as well. To lead the Philippians to this truth, Paul took them directly to Jesus, teaching them that a community of believers living in harmony with one another comes only through mutual humility modeled after the Savior. Paul wrote that he poured out his life as an offering for the sake of Christ, leading Paul to find great joy and contentment in Christ’s service. His letter to the Philippians showed them that by centering their lives on Christ, they, too, might live in true joy."

Today, we welcome to the podcast, Dr. Wayne Baxter. Dr. Baxter serves as professor of New Testament and Greek at Heritage College & Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario, where he has been since 2012. Prior to his time in the academy, Dr. Baxter spent ten years in pastoral ministry in Windsor, Ottawa, and Mississauga.

No, Jesus wasn't "hangry"; but he did a curse a fig tree that, despite it's leafy appearance, refused to bear fruit. It's a small, strange story that leads into some intense confrontation, accusation, and teaching in parables. Today on the podcast, Josiah and Andrew discuss this passage from Matthew 21 and 22, how to rightly understand the parables contained within, and what it looks like to practically respond to the invitation Jesus puts before us by faith.

Ask ten Christians which book of the Bible is their favourite, which book has been the most impactful in their lives, and which book has provided the most clarity as to their position in Christ and the power they have with which to follow him and it’s likely that more than one will answer, “Ephesians.”

“By common consent, the Letter to the Ephesians ranks very high in the devotional and theological literature of the Christian Church. It has been called ‘the Queen of the Epistles’—and rightly so. Many would hold that it is indeed the highest reach of New Testament thought. When the great Scottish Protestant reformer John Knox was very near to death, the book that was most often read to him was John Calvin’s Sermons on the Letter to the Ephesians. The poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge said of Ephesians that it was ‘the divinest composition’. He went on: ‘It embraces first, those doctrines peculiar to Christianity, and, then, those precepts common with it in natural religion.’ Ephesians clearly has a unique place in the Pauline correspondence” (Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, 71).

To help us explore this phenomenal section of holy writ we welcome back to the podcast Dr. Daniel Goepfrich. Dr. Goepfrich is the teaching pastor at Oak Tree Community Church in South Bend, Indiana. He also teaches Bible, theology, and biblical languages at Calvary University, Tyndale Theological Seminary, and the Word of Life Bible Institute. In addition to this he is the author of several books and the founder of Theology is for Everyone Ministries.

Have you ever felt spiritually stuck in a rut? Don't worry, we've been there too. Whether it's a season of dryness or perceived distance from the Lord, in times of suffering or times of prosperity, we all know what it feels like to recognize that we aren't where we want to be. So what do we do to get out? Are there things we can do as individuals or as part of a church family to fight against these seasons, and red flags to look out for to be better prepared? This week, Josiah and Andrew discuss this common issue, and offer their insight into how to move forward.

"Jerome once said that when he read the letters of the apostle Paul he could hear thunder. Nowhere in the Pauline corpus is such stormy dissonance more evident than in the Epistle to the Galatians. Though written from prison, Philippians is a love letter on the theme of joy. Romans reflects the considered objectivity of a master theologian reveling in the doctrines of grace. Ephesians is an uplifting commentary on the body of Christ. Even the Corinthian correspondence, though obviously written out of great personal anguish and pain, revolves around the great triad of faith, hope, and love, with Paul’s hardships and concerns set over against his greater confidence in the God of all comfort who causes his children to triumph. In 2 Cor 13:12 Paul could admonish the believers in Corinth to greet one another with a holy kiss.

"But Galatians is different. From beginning to end its six chapters of 149 verses bristle with passion, sarcasm, and anger. True, there is a touch of tenderness as well; once in the midst of the letter Paul referred to the Galatians as his “dear children” (4:19). As the context reveals, though, this was the tearing tenderness of a distraught mother who must endure all over again the pains of childbirth because her children, who should have known better, were in danger of committing spiritual suicide. Paul was astonished and “perplexed” by their departure from the truth of the gospel. He feared that they had been “bewitched” and deceived. In frustration he dubbed them, as J. B. Phillips translates it, “my dear idiots” (3:1) (Timothy George, Galatians, vol. 30, NAC, 21–22).

How's that for an introduction!? Thankfully, we have someone very capable of helping us navigate such a book: Dr. Mark Yarbrough. Dr. Yarbrough currently serves as the president of Dallas Theological Seminary. Along with his presidential duties, he is also a professor of Bible Exposition, an elder at his home Church, a regular tour-leader in Israel, a conference speaker, and author.

It's a well-known scene: Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, greeted by streets lined with coats and palm branches and cries of "Hosanna!" Yet for all its celebration, there seems to be something missing. The temple has been taken over by vendors, and Israel's leaders refuse to worship the King. Despite many referring to Jesus as the "Son of David", those in charge fail to recognize and bow to Jesus' messiahship. Today, Josiah and Andrew discuss this fascinating story, as one that previews another triumphal entry still to come.

The transition from First to Second Corinthians is not as seamless as one may assume. Yes, it's the same congregation and the same author but readers of both books will note dissimilarities, even in the ease of reading and understanding. As one commentator notes:

We should consider the grasping of "an intimate picture of a pastor's heart," particularly one that so beautifully mirrors the Saviour's heart for his people, worth the effort of study—even study of a difficult text.

Thankfully, we have a capable mind leading us in this endeavour today: Dr. Ed Glasscock. Dr. Glasscock has spent decades pastoring churches, teaching theology, mentoring Christians, and writing books and articles. He's also a pastor and a pastor of pastors, so he knows well, is inspired by, and is constantly himself pursuing the pastoral heart on display in Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth.

In Matthew 19 and 20, Jesus teaches his disciples more about what they can expect in the coming kingdom. Specifically, he refers to their hierarchy and rewards that are to come. What we see from this narrative is not only a clear expectation that there are rewards, but how we can get them. Today on the podcast, Josiah and Andrew discuss this topic, why it's so often misunderstood, and how we as believers can ensure that we are working towards a well-reward eternity.