Shining BRITE

Sean Morris checks in. He’s the academic dean of BRITE: the Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education. How valuable is having a biblical institute in your backyard when you can’t leave everything behind to pursue a traditional seminary education elsewhere? Sean discusses the cooperative effort of local churches, mentorship versus traditional seminary model, the advantages of in-classroom education, and more. From pastors to lay men and women leading small groups and bible studies, BRITE is for everyone!Show Notes Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education Historic Church DocumentsThanks to our friends at IVP Academic, we’re giving away copies of A Little Book for New Theologians, by Kelly Kapic. Sign up, and you might win one!

Polity 2.5

The relationship between pastors, elders, and deacons impacts the church, and the results can be nurturing or divisive.The crew chats about the function of each church office, and what those office holders can do to encourage one another, and thus maintain and improve the health of the local body.Todd, Carl, and Aimee discuss whether personalities should be considered when choosing men to serve, and just what can go right…or wrong!From past horror stories to present leadership bliss, the team offers helpful advice. Pull up a chair and join in! However, be advised: Carl’s been sharpening his rhetorical sword, and he’s ready to pounce!Thanks to our friends at P&R, we’re giving away copies of The Elder and His Work by David Dickson. Please sign up for the opportunity to win.

Walking Through Twilight

Douglas Groothuis joins the conversation. He’s professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary and has recently written a very personal book titled Walking through Twilight - A Wife’s Illness, A Philosopher’s Lament.Groothuis reflects on his role as his wife's primary caregiver. He shares with us his personal suffering and life’s dynamics in light of her illness, the ministry of the body of Christ, and how God is glorified through it all.How does one lament biblically? What are some practical ways in which the local church can minister to and help the suffering brother or sister? This topic is one that many of us have or will face one day. Listen closely and learn about lamentation from the tender heart of a philosopher.Please sign up for the opportunity to win a free copy of Walking Through Twilight - A Wife’s Illness, A Philosopher’s Lament. The books are a generous gift from our friends at IVP Books. Show NotesKnow more about Douglas GroothuisDr. Groothuis’ 2015 articlePrimary Progressive Aphasia 

My Name is Legion

The crew heads over to Georgetown in Washington, DC where Carl claims ownership of two of The Exorcist steps. As they contemplate the site, they know demonic activity can be a controversial subject for Christians. Among them two different kinds of people stand out: the deniers and the enthusiasts.Do demons still exist? If so, is it common to see them possessing people? What can we affirm from Scripture about demonic activity at the present time? Todd probably has had some experience with it!It’s important to consider how we relate to the supernatural. To understand how much power and influence demons can really have over people, and how principalities and powers can act differently from place to place. I dare you to join this conversation.We’re giving away copies of Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective by Borgman and Ventura. The copies are a courtesy of Reformation Heritage Books.Show Notes- “The Exorcist” Steps- Bad spiritual warfare theology

Carl Goes West

Another Brexit. This time it’s a local one, in much smaller proportions, but of no less importance. Carl packs up his memorabilia of 17 years living in the Philadelphia area and teaching at Westminster Theological Seminary. He’ll soon be moving and starting a new job in western Pennsylvania.Todd and Aimee are not worthy to be in the presence of the renowned Carl Trueman, but they do get a chance to ask him a few questions on behalf of all speculators out there!Why the choice to teach undergrads? Why this institution? What classes will he teach, and what other responsibilities will he have? You’re about to get the full scope!Carl’s greatest concern is that he’ll be hugged on campus for being the new kid on the block, but he’s also very excited about the days ahead - which is very unusual for an Englishman like him.We too think this will be a good fit!Better than Carl’s new well fitting job, it’s the book we’re giving away. Sign up for a chance to win a copy of Thriving at College: Make Great Friends, Keep Your Faith, and Get Ready for the Real World!, a gift from Tyndale House Publisher.Show Notes- Grove City College- Todd’s motivation to visit Carl in Western PAWe have the winners of On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church by Deepak Reju from our past episode Is It I, Lord?. Lynda O. - Memphis, TNDawn Z. - Fairfax, VAKevin M. - Lancaster, PA

Who Do You Think You Are?

The conspiracy theory continues to develop and Aimee is determined to drive the bad brokenness out of Carl and Todd.Whether bad brokenness, or good brokenness - whatever that means, we must have a biblical anthropology. Or, in simpler terms, a biblical doctrine of what it means to be human. Nailing this down will help us view everyone with dignity and respect and even avoid bandwagons on current issues related to sexuality and race, to name a few.Who are you? Are you merely a social construct? Are you a soul with a body attached to it? Can you still be considered a person without your cognitive faculties? The answers might just drive you to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism!Don’t forget: You are who the Bible says you are, a person made in the image of God.Thanks to our friends at Eerdmans Publishing, we can offer some free copies of the great title Created In God’s Image by Anthony Hoekema. Follow the link and sign up for a chance to win one.Show Notes- Pat Robertson’s unbiblical view of personhood and the body- Book - Multiculturalism: Examining the Politics of Recognition by Charles Taylor- Book - The Permissive Society: America, 1941-1965 by Alan Petigny- Book - Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel by Kate Bowler- Book - The Triumph of the Therapeutic: Uses of Faith after Freud by Philip Rieff- Book - Christian Dogmatics edited by Michael Allen and Scott Swain - Chapter 8 - Anthropology by Kally M. Kapic- “What you are now, we once were; what we are now, you shall be.”We’re happy to announce the winners of When Harry Met Sally, which was a gift from Encounter Books Publishing.Traever G. - Trussville, ALJapheth B. - Greenville, OH

Small Groups, Big Benefits

After receiving some intel all the way from Belfast, two thirds of the Spin team are on a mission to solve a mystery involving the third member of the team.When the kerfuffle is over, things get serious as they address the topic of the day–an article written by William Boekestein, "Ten Benefits of Church Small Groups".Although some small groups can be unhelpful and even destructive, the Crew focuses on a number of the major benefits of being part of a group with good leadership and oversight. There’s always room for growth in a small church group!Would you like to learn how you can grow in a small group setting? Follow the link and sign up for an opportunity to win a free copy of Iron Sharpens Iron: Leading Bible-Oriented Small Groups that Thrive. They are a generous gift from Christian Focus Publications.Show Notes10 Benefits of Church Small GroupsThese are the winners of Discipleship Explored Leader’s Kit from our episode Christianity Explored. If you didn’t get a free one, you can purchase at thegoodbook.com.Paul W. - Collegeville, PADoug D. - Cary, NCCedric P. - Dorr, MI

Reformed and Catholic?

Reformed and catholic - how so?No better place to meet Scott Swain for this conversation than Disney’s castle in Orlando. He usually finds inspiration there for his theological writing - I bet you didn’t know that!Scott makes the remarkable claim that in order to be truly protestant, we have to be good catholics in some sense. But don’t get worked up!He talks doctrinal development and Sola Scriptura, Augustine’s understanding of faith and reason, Thomas Aquinas’ view of the role and the relationship between theology and philosophy, and when the Protestant theological method of interpretation became distinct from the Catholic method.Can or should Protestants still be drawing from Aquinas? How has this Roman Catholic theologian and philosopher influenced even our Reformed confession of faith? You might be surprised to learn the practical implications of it all in the private and communal life of Christians and in discipleship. So join us!Also, Baker Academic has gifted some copies of Reformed Catholicity and we’re giving them away. Sign up to win one!____________________________________________________________________________Show NotesWestminster Confession of Faith Chapter 2“What more can He say than to you He hath said”Reformed Catholic by William PerkinsDevelopment of Christian Doctrine by John Henry NewmanOn Christian Teaching by AugustineTrinity, Revelation, and Reading by Scott SwainThese are the winners of the Mortification of Spin posters from our past episode titled Trumping the Law of Liberty?George C. - Midlothian, VAAaron R. - Woodbridge, VAAlex S. - Apex, NCDerrick B. - Ringgold, GADavid J. - Dumfries, VARichard H. - Gilbertsville, PACynthia V. - Lincoln, NEEthan H. - Nampa, IDAndrew M. - Savage, MNJose G. - Elgin, TX

Her First Funeral Changed Her Life

Aimee can barely contain her excitement because Dr. Robert Godfrey is here to talk about the “other Aimee”! Aimee Semple McPherson or “Sister”, as she’s known, has interested Bob for some years. We gather around him to hear about this woman preacher, faith healer, and founder of the Foursquare church, from the early 1900s.What is so fascinating about Sister’s life, and what kind of mark did she leave in American Christianity? What practices have Pentecostals and even our churchs learned and adapted from her?There’s much to be said about the nuanced stories around her personal life. And Dr. Godfrey is more forgiving than Todd when talking about her mysterious disappearance in 1926.Gather around for this interesting conversation.By Dr. Godfrey’s recommendation, we’re giving away Sister Aimee: The life of Aimee Semple McPherson. Follow the link and sign up to win a copy!Show notesWho was Sister Aimee?We have the winners of Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Ethics and the Beginning of Human Life, from our episode When Your Opinion Becomes Our Business.Tom K. - Wellsville, NYTennille B. - Medicine Hat, AlbertaCasey H. - Placerville, CAMrs. Holmes - Soldotna, AKLynda O. - Memphis, TN

Not Tragically Colored

The crew is in sunny Florida sipping margaritas this week. They’re pleased to be talking with Ismael Hernandez, the president and founder of Freedom and Virtue Institute. He’s written Not Tragically Colored: Freedom, Personhood, and the Renewal of Black America.Mr. Hernandez tells us what it was like being raised in a militant communist household and what changed after he moved to America. Based on his years of study, observation, and personal experience, Ismael discusses racialism - yes, it is a word, dignity, moral responsibility, and the importance of the family in forming a virtuous individual.The ugliness of false ideologies have permeated not only society, but also the church! But if you listen closely you’ll hear the beauty of the untold history of blacks in America.Follow the link and sign up for a chance to win a copy of Ismael Hernandez’ book Not Tragically Colored.Show Notes- Freedom and Virtue Institute- Self-reliance clubThese are the winners of “Confessing the Faith” from our past episode “The Confession of Our Faith”. If you didn’t get a free copy, you can visit our Reformed Resources to purchase one!Howard S. - Colorado Springs, CODenny S. - Farmington, MNDebora F. - Ephrata, PA