In the Nurture and Admonition

The following program contains clips of explicit Presbyterianism. Baptist discretion advised!The crew meets at a new underground bunker, but the banter among the three amigos is as old as… well, their very first episode together! But, not everything is fun and games down under, and the topic du jour is worth serious consideration.Whether you’re a paedo or credo parent, the question is: How do we regard our young children? Are they inside or outside the covenant community? Should children be admitted to the communion table before professing the faith? Listen as the crew consider these questions from Baptist and Presbyterian perspectives.Show Notes The Westminster Confession of Faith- Of Baptism (Chapter 28)- Of The Lord’s Supper (Chapter 29) The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689- Of Baptism (Chapter 29)- Of The Lord’s Supper (Chapter 30) We are happy to give away a few copies of Children at the Lord's Table? Assessing the Case for Paedocommunionby Cornelis Venema. Register for the opportunity to win a copy. The books are a generous gift from Reformation Heritage Books.

Women Discipling Women, Discipling...

After Carl and Todd try to steal the spotlight, Aimee finally gets to introduce our guest. Colleen McFadden is Director of Women’s Workshops for the Charles Simeon Trust. She’s happy to share how Simeon Trust started, what sparked the need to begin women’s workshops, and how those workshops help women teach the Bible expositionally as they serve their local churches and support their leadership.What are some common difficulties women - and men - encounter while preparing to teach a passage? Colleen has noticed a trend, and she’s ready to tackle the issue by using some basic principles. Can we imagine the countless benefits of having a congregation full of biblically-literate men, and women?Show notesMore about Simeon TrustExpositional Preaching by David HelmSaving EutychusPer our guest recommendation, we’re giving away few copies of Saving Eutychus by Millar and Campbell, a gift from Matthias Media. You might win one if you register with us!

First Things First

While Todd is busy attending meetings about the doughnut ministry program at his church, the darling Cruella De Vil is honored to fill in. And the topic is as hot as the oil in that doughnut fryer: Would a church’s basket weaving class somehow further the proclamation of the Gospel? Sometimes, the answer is just…sometimes.So, what are the purposes of church programs, and whom should they serve? Are programs a Biblical criteria for choosing a church? What if a church is unable to offer anything beyond the preached Word, and administration of sacraments on Sundays? Would that church be found lacking?The trio discuss the pros and cons, the temptations to avoid, and the small ways church members can display the love of Christ. You’ll even learn what Carl is doing to better relate to his students!Show NotesThe NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible by ZondervanRosaria Butterfield on hospitalityThe Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals along with Zondervan are giving away The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible. Please register for the opportunity to win one!

Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition

What is a definitive standard for Biblical interpretation? Our guest is Dr. Craig Carter. He’s professor of theology at Tyndale University College and Seminary, and his most recent book--Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition: Recovering the Genius of Premodern Exegesis-- is a robust defense of bible interpretation grounded in the Trinitarian theology of the Nicene tradition.
Dr. Carter walks us through the exegetical process that defined the orthodoxy we observe today. We’ll consider several historical figures, including Thomas Aquinas, and such intriguing subjects as Christian Platonism.
Tune in for this compelling conversation, and discover whether Bible interpretation is a task for scholars only. You may be surprised by what Dr. Carter’s has to say!
Show Notes
·The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible by Zondervan
·Pacifist Theology of John Howard Yoder
·British Theologian John Webster
·Rethinking Christ in Culture: A Post-Christendom Perspective
·Colin Gunton
·Nicaea and Its Legacy by Lewis Ayres
·Scripture and Metaphysics by Matthew Levering
·Thomas C. Oden
·Richard Muller
·The Cappadocian Fathers
·Edward Feser

Homosexuality and Pastoral Care

The crew weighs in on the pastoral care of those who struggle with sin associated with homosexual desires. How can elders and leaders of the church help these brothers and sisters walk in holiness?
One way is to understand how society defines sexual orientation and identity. First and foremost, there must be clarity where the Bible is clear. Then, some hard work must be done to define the nuanced complexities of sexual sin that are not expressly stated in Scripture.
Is it helpful to use the term, “gay Christian?” Join us for a compelling conversation!
Show Notes
Rousseau’s Confessions

The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible by Zondervan
We’re giving away few copies of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield. Register to win! The copies are a generous gift from Crown and Covenant Publications.

Century 2: Christianity at the Crossroads

The second century of the church hasn’t received much attention from historians, as it lacked what many would call “remarkable developments.” Michael Kruger disagrees. In his recent book, Christianity at the Crossroads, the RTS president fills in the gaps on how the challenges faced, decisions made, and directions taken by second century Christians were essential to the growth and future of the young church of Jesus Christ.Professor Kruger offers examples of the political and intellectual resistance Christians faced at that time, and draws helpful parallels with the present day. Join the crew, as we discover how our faith took root in the second century.Show NotesThe Collection of the Apostolic Fathers, a collection of post-apostolic writings from Ignatius, Polycarp, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria.The Apology by Tertullian Thanks to our friends from IVP Academics, we are giving away a few copies of Christianity at the Crossroads. Register if you want the opportunity to win one!Social PostsWe think of the church now as so big and established that we forget that there was a time, from a human perspective, when it wasn’t clear if it was going to make it… There were some dark times there. - M. KrugerThe Christians found themselves distinguishing their beliefs from the broader Greco-Roman polytheistic world and a lot of the things that were going on were very similar to the kind of things that are going on in our world. Christians have to say, there is only one God, and you only worship that one God, and He made everything, and his Son is the only way to salvation, and so on… - M. Kruger

It’s One for the Money...

Money can be a pretty sensitive topic for pastors to address, so there’s often a temptation to avoid the subject altogether. However, the needs of a church must be clearly communicated to its congregants.So, what principles should be followed? How much should members give—a tithe? What if someone is unemployed, or going through financial difficulty? Can the financial offering be replaced with service to the church?The team may not have all the answers, but today’s discussion offers some general guiding principles with a good dose of sanctified wisdom!We’re giving away copies of Randy Alcorn’s book, Money, Possessions, and Eternity.  Register now and you might be one of the winners. This book is a generous gift of Tyndale House Publishers.

Special Needs, Special Love and Care

The team sits down for coffee with Tim and Jonelle Frost. Tim is an associate pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, VA, which Carl refers to as “Todd’s megachurch!”Tim and wife Jonelle talk openly about the initial shock and all-consuming journey of raising a child with Down’s Syndrome. The couple recounts their struggle with Declan’s health issues, their physical and emotional exhaustion, and how—through it all—the family gives glory to God, and rejoices in their little one. Grab a mug, pull up a chair, and be encouraged by this dear brother and sister as they share precious advice, and relate the love and care provided by their church family.We would love to give you a copy of a great resource by P&R Publishers: Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability. Sign up for the opportunity to win one!

Feeling Blue?

It’s group therapy in the bunker. The crew is feeling blue, and the only cure at this moment is to get together and discuss their gloominess.Depression and anxiety are real issues. But is depression a sin? Saints from Biblical times to today have experienced discouragement and depression. What can we learn from them?Join the meeting and find out how to minister to those who are struggling with this issue, as we discover what measures of comfort the Word of God offers to those who are in Christ. Show NotesLectures to My Students - The Minister’s Fainting Fits chapterMartin Luther’s AnfechtungenMan of Sorrows, What a Name!Sign up for the opportunity to win a free copy of David Murray’s book Christians Get Depressed Too which are a gift from Reformation Heritage Books. 

Religious Freedom: No Piece of Cake

What does the Supreme Court ruling on the Masterpiece Cakeshop signify for religious freedom from the conservative perspective? Should the decision be celebrated or not quite yet?The crew welcomes Dr. Matthew Franck to shed some insight on this case and to answer a few other questions. He’s Director of the William E. and Carol G. Simon Center on Religion and the Constitution and author of a vast number of publications.As a scholar of constitutional law, Matt attaches himself to the text and its original meaning and reminds us that the free exercise of religion is in the first amendment and, therefore, superior to other societal notions of “freedom”. He also offers helpful advice to Christian individuals and small institutions. Grab a piece of cake and join us!Show NotesAbout Matt FranckAlliance Defending FreedomThe Anscombe SocietyPrinceton Pro-LifeThe Public DiscourseMasterpiece Cakeshop X Colorado Civil Rights Commission Book What is Marriage?: Man and Woman: A DefenseBook Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious FreedomBook When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender MomentEssay The Power of the PowerlessWe are grateful to our guest Matt Franck and to the Witherspoon Institute for giving us copies of Religious Freedom: Why Now? Defending an Embattled Human Rightto be given away. You just need to sign up for the opportunity to win one.