Food Trucks in Babylon

Todd and Andrew welcome back Taylor Turkington to the podcast for a conversation about the necessity of equipping women for ministry. They think through why some complementarian pastors have been hesitant to encourage the women in their churches to get theological training, whether women are better than men at teaching women, and how the church can do a better job encouraging women to be theologically trained.Taylor is the director of BibleEquipping, an organization that supports women who follow Jesus to study the Bible and teach it to those around them. 

Todd welcomes Professor Bryan Warren to the podcast to talk about a model of Christian counseling that integrates both theology and psychology. They talk through the implications of holding up Scripture as the the Word of God while simultaneously learning from the insights of psychology to better understand people and the human condition.  Bryan is assistant professor of counseling at Western Seminary. Western's counseling program offers the unique integration of Christian theology and counseling in a seminary context.

Todd and Andrew discuss Andrew's upcoming book on a theology of response. Andrew unpacks how the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 and Paul's "therefore" in Romans 12 help us see how the Christian life ought to be framed as a response to all that God has done for us in Christ.

Todd sits down with Professor Stephen Stallard, PhD as they reflect upon their experiences preaching through Galatians in their churches this year. They explore the gospel clarity found in Galatians as well as some of the challenges they faced preaching through the book verse by verse.  Stephen is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at and the director of the MDiv at Western Seminary. He is also the English Pastor of the Chinese Evangelical Church of Portland, and the author of 'Diverse Teams: Rediscovering an Ancient Approach to Urban Mission.'

Roni Sasaki is a former Paralympic gold medalist, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. She joins Todd and Andrew to share what it was like to be born with one leg, how she fulfilled her dream of becoming an Olympic athlete, and why her disability testifies to the goodness of God.Roni is a Western Seminary student studying in the MA in Biblical and Theological Studies program. 

Why would a good and powerful God allow evil and suffering? Todd welcomes Gerry Breshears to the podcast to talk about the problem of evil. Gerry summarizes the most common Christian responses to the problem of evil and explains how focusing on the incarnation can be a helpful place to start. Gerry has been a professor of theology at Western Seminary since 1980. He considers himself a "pastor's pastor" and loves to mentor men and women doing work for the Kingdom.

What do we do when our faith begins to feel stale? Daniel K. Eng, PhD, sits down with Todd to talk about what it looks like to grow spiritually at different stages of the Christian life. He explains that while many churches understand how to meet the needs of new believers, they often struggle to help mature believers continue in sanctification. He lays forth some biblical principles for how pastors and church leaders can help facilitate "spiritual growth 201."Daniel is Assistant Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Western Seminary. He lives in Portland with his wife and three daughters. 

Todd and Andrew sit down for a conversation with Chuck Conniry, Western Seminary's 12th president. Chuck talks about coming to faith, the impact of theological education on his own ministry as a pastor, and his passion for seeing seminaries advance the mission of the local church.Conniry is Western's 12th president and has worked in theological education for three decades. Before that, he spent 15 years in full-time pastoral ministry. He holds a PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary and is a preaching team member at Creekside Bible Church in Wilsonville, Ore.  

Taylor Turkington joins the podcast to talk about how Habakkuk helps us prayerfully respond to the brokenness of this world with lament and hope. What does real faith in the middle of chaos, wrongdoing, and suffering really look like?  Taylor is the director of BibleEquipping, a Bible teacher and a Western grad.

Todd and Andrew sit down with Jeremiah Peck, PhD, Assistant Professor of Counseling at Western Seminary, to talk about pastoral burnout. What is pastoral burnout? Why does it seem to be on the rise in the church? Why is it so difficult to prevent and what can the church do about it? Jeremiah discusses his research on this topic and provides his perspective as both a counselor and a pastor. In addition to teaching counseling at Western, Jeremiah is the lead pastor at Lexington Bible Fellowship in Kelso, WA.

Ryan and Todd sit down with pastor and author Champ Thornton to talk about how families can follow Jesus together, especially during the Christmas season. Champ recently wrote the book Wonders of His Love, an advent devotional for families based on Isaiah's prophecies. He is the author of several children's books and is the associate pastor at Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, Delaware.Mentioned resources:Wonders of His Love: Finding Jesus in Isaiah

Are churches equipped to make deep disciples of Jesus? Todd and Ryan sit down with J.T. English to discuss why the local church needs to prioritize discipling followers of Jesus in more than just a superficial manner. J.T. is the pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colo., and the author of Deep Discipleship: How the Church Can Make Whole Disciples of Jesus (B&H, 2020).Mentioned ResourcesDeep Discipleship: How the Church Can Make Whole Disciples of Jesus

What do we do when we encounter parts of the Bible that make us uncomfortable? Is the God of the Bible truly anti-women, anti-science, pro-violence and pro-slavery? Is the “Good Book” really good? Todd and Ryan sit down with Dan Kimball, author of “How (Not) to Read the Bible,” to discuss why the way we read and interpret our Bibles is so important in a post-Christian age. Dan is a pastor at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz Calif., a faculty member at Western Seminary, and the director of the Regeneration Project.Resources:How (Not) to Read the Bible, Dan Kimball

Todd and Ryan sit down with pastor Michael Lawrence to talk about how pastors should respond to mental illness in the church. Michael shares from his own personal experience as a parent whose child was diagnosed with a serious mental illness a number of years ago. He talks about how the gospel relates to mental health, the dangers of seeing mental health as only a physical or spiritual issue, and what the church can do to help those struggling with mental illness. Michael has served as the lead pastor at Hinson Baptist Church in Portland for 11 years.

Todd and Ryan sit down with hip-hop artist Shai Linne to discuss how the gospel can accomplish racial reconciliation. Shai is the author of The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight for Ethnic Unity. In addition to releasing numerous Christian hip-hop albums, Shai cofounded Risen Christ Fellowship, an inner-city church in his hometown of Philadelphia. Mentioned resources:The New Reformation

Timothy Paul Jones and Garrick Bailey from Three Chords and the Truth Podcast team up with Ryan and Todd to answer questions about apologetics and the impassibility of God. They also discuss questions as to how ethics should shape 21st century apologetics, what instrument Herman Bavinck would have played if he’d joined his fellow Dutchmen Eddie and Alex Van Halen in a band, and how Pearl Jam can help your prayer life.

Do you find it challenging to apply the book of Proverbs to your life? Dominick Hernández joins Todd and Ryan to discuss how the wisdom in Proverbs is indeed intended to help us with practical matters in our lives. Hernandez is assistant professor of Old Testament Interpretation and the Director of the Online Hispanic Program at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained pastor, published author, conference speaker, and biblical language enthusiast. Mentioned Resources:Proverbs: Pathways to Wisdom

How should Christians think about the afterlife? What difference does the doctrines of heaven and hell make in Christianity? Randy Alcorn joins the show to talk with Ryan and Todd about writing, heaven, and what Christian living has to do with the eternal promise of the New Heavens and the New Earth.Mentioned ResourcesRandy Alcorn, Heaven, The Grace and Truth Paradox, Eternity, The Apostle, Ollie Chandler SeriesJames Scott Bell, Plot & StructureFrancine Rivers, Atonement Child, Redeeming LoveGreg Allison, Historical Theology

Ryan & Todd continue their conversation about spiritual abuse with Ken Garrett.

In this two-part episode, pastor and author Ken Garrett talks to Ryan and Todd about his faith journey and his encounter with spiritual abuse in the church. Ken's book, In the House of Friends, is written for survivors of abusive churches, their families and friends, and all who want to understand spiritual abuse and help those who have been abused.

Aaron Menikoff joins Ryan and Todd to talk about his new book, Character Matters, and why character is critically important for pastors, both for their own spiritual lives and those of the people they lead.  Mentioned ResourcesAaron Menikoff, Character Matters 

Author and pastor Brett McCracken joins Todd and Ryan to talk about his new book, The Wisdom Pyramid, and how Christians can maintain a balanced diet of information in the midst of a post-truth world. Mentioned ResourcesBrett McCracken, The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth WorldCarl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual RevolutionNeil Platinga, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

Todd and Ryan talk about what's on the horizon for Season 2 of Food Trucks in Babylon. More great content is on the way, all centered around how to live faithfully in a post-Christian context.

In the last episode of Season 1, Patrick and Todd give an overview of 1 Peter 3:18-22 exploring some ways to preach, teach, and understand this passage. They cover questions such as, Who are these imprisoned spirits? Where did Jesus go? When did he go? What did he say? What does it mean "baptism now saves you?"

Josh White, from Door of Hope in Portland, talks with Todd and Patrick about evangelism, boldness, and the power of community in a post-Christian society.

Membership in a church context helps us understand we belong to a community. Greg Gilbert and Alex Duke press into the importance of church membership and why it's crucial for leading, serving, and pastoring in the church.

Nijay Gupta discusses the common assumptions in Paul's use of the word we translate in English "faith." The word "faith" according to Nijay can be used in different ways (believing, obeying, and trusting) and resonates with Jewish expectations surrounding covenants.

Gavin Ortlund works through what doctrines should divide and when unity should prevail. He argues for a theological triage, distinguishing between what is essential, urgent, important, and unimportant.

Will Kynes joins Patrick and Josh Mathews arguing the common label "wisdom literature" is a modern construction that has outlived its usefulness. Kynes seeks to reintegrate this portion of Scripture into a wholistic reading of the Bible.

Todd, Patrick, and Gerry answer questions that listeners have sent in over the first season.

Continuing the conversation from last week, Kay Bruce (Psy.D), offers more insights about shepherding and leading those who are struggling into a greater hope.

The good news of Jesus includes his life, death, resurrection, and future return but what about his ascension? Though often neglected or misunderstood, the ascension is integral to the gospel. Patrick explains the premise for his new book, that Jesus' work would be incomplete without his ascent to God's right hand.

Responding to suicide can be one of the most difficult trials in one’s personal life or pastoral ministry. Western's own, Kay Bruce (Psy.D), offers her insights about understanding this serious topic and helping those who are in need.

Gerry Breshears talks about the gospel from Peter's first sermon in Acts 2 arguing it is more Trinitarian and full-fledged than many suspect.

Patrick and Todd discuss some of the different popular gospel summaries in the Christian world. They speak of how these have been helpful, but also how some of them might miss aspects of the good news. In the second half they search the Scriptures to see how the word "gospel" was used in a more technical sense.

Jamie Smith joins Patrick and Todd to speak about how Augustine is a pilgrim guide to a spirituality that meets the complicated world. Augustine is a spiritual mentor to those who have restless hearts. He knows where home is and what peace feels like.

Josh McNall joins Patrick and Todd to discuss atonement models. In theology, atonement concerns what happened on the cross. McNall presents an integrated account of the various proposals. Using the metaphor of a body, he argues recapitulation is Christ's feet, penal substitution is his heart, Christus Victor is the head, and moral influence his hands.

What happened on Holy Saturday? Did Jesus descend to hell? If not, why is this in the early creeds? The descent of Jesus Christ to the dead has been a fundamental tenet of the Christian faith, but also misunderstood. Matthew Emerson offers an exploration of the biblical, historical, theological, and practical implications of the descent.

Patrick and Todd welcome a live studio audience into their discussion about redeeming creativity within the Church with their fellow professor, Ryan Lister, and hip-hop artist, Humble Beast director, and pastor, Thomas Terry.

Patrick and Todd discuss rituals and habits with Dru Johnson and how we are all “ritualed” people. These are not simply things we do but form our hearts and our worship.

Before the coronavirus shut the doors of churches across the States, Patrick and other pastors in the Northwest (Jay Kim, Gabe Moreno, and Gerry Breshears) discussed the pros and cons of virtual church.

Loving our neighbors, submitting to the government, and redeeming opportunities in the midst of a global pandemic. How the church and Christians should respond to the coronavirus.

Self-control might be perceived as confining. However, cultivating this practice leads to more freedom and flourishing. Patrick and Todd speak with local author Drew Dyck about his book, “Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self Control from the Bible and Brain Science."

Book link: https://www.ivpress.com/bearing-god-s-nameBlog link: https://carmenjoyimes.blogspot.com/Faculty page link: https://prairie.edu/contact/staff-faculty-contacts/carmen-imes/ 

Author, Pastor, and Professor, Steve Mathewson, joins the show to talk about the importance and necessity of preaching Christ in the Old Testament and how to do it effectively.

Send your Q and A questions to podcast@westernseminary.edu

Patrick and Todd talk about the importance, debate, and necessity of seeing Christ in the Old Testament.

John Mark Comer, pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, shares about church culture, our hurried lives, millennials, phones, and digital asceticism.

What is spiritual warfare? How do Christians engage with it? Patrick and Todd talk with Dr. Gerry Breshears and provide direction and definitions.

Patrick and Todd sit down with the creators of The Bible Project (Tim Mackie and Jon Collins) to talk about what theories and paradigm shifts have influenced them in their reading of the Scriptures.

Psalm 137 isn't the easiest passage in the Scripture. It speaks of calling down violence on our enemy’s children. How do we be faithful to a text like this? Todd and Patrick explore how we can make sense of it.