Gospeled Boldly

Paul makes sure the Galatians know he’s on their side. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke finish the epistle! In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown takes on the modern idea that the ancients were unschooled and illiterate. This episode covers Galatians 6:11-18. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke continue the book of Ephesians. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the folks that only show up for Christmas and Easter services. This episode covers Ephesians 2:14-3:13. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them on The Gospeled Boldly Facebook page. Please rate […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke continue the book of Ephesians. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the use of Church Holidays in British fiction. This episode covers Ephesians 2:4-13. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them on The Gospeled Boldly Facebook page. Please rate and review our […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke continue the book of Ephesians. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about assurance of salvation. This episode covers Ephesians 1:15-2:3. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them on The Gospeled Boldly Facebook page. Please rate and review our show on iTunes. Click here to subscribe […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke begin the book of Ephesians. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about political speech from the pulpit. This episode covers Ephesians 1:1-14. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them on The Gospeled Boldly Facebook page. Please rate and review our show on iTunes. Click […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the proper focus of the Christian. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the proper sense of “doulos” – is it “servant” or “slave”? This episode covers Galatians 6:1-11. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Just one little bite? In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about freedom and the law. Then, they examine the WORKS of the flesh, and the FRUITS of the spirit. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about premarital sex, and how to tell when someone is self-justifying via Scripture. This episode covers […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Forget deathbed conversions—Paul converts others on his own quasi-deathbed! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about how Paul came to the Galatians. Then they observe the contrast between Sarah and Hagar, the free woman and the slave, and their respective offspring. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the phrase “everything […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke discuss the difference between before Christ came, and after, as pertains faith. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about how we think about the Holidays. This episode covers Galatians 3:23-4:11. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them on The […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Paul doubles down. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke marvel at the rhetorical prowess by which Paul demonstrates that faith, not works of the law, is what saves. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about pragmatism and the Christian faith. This episode covers Galatians 3:7-22. If you have questions you’d like […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Pelagians-b-gon! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read through Paul’s Christocentric counter-argument against the Judaizers. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown discusses heavenly rewards. This episode covers Galatians 2:15-3:6. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them on The Gospeled Boldly Facebook page. Please rate and review our show on iTunes. Click […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Peter had it coming. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke discuss Paul’s confrontation of Peter, and why it needed to happen. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about suicide. This episode covers Galatians 1:18-2:14. If you have questions you’d like answered send them via our Contact Page or post them on The Gospeled Boldly Facebook page. […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this milestone episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke discuss the Bible in three parts: 1) Hermeneutics; 2) The Old Testament; 3) The New Testament. And, as a bonus, you get to see what we see when we record because we produced this as a video episode! Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Paul takes off the kid gloves. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke begin their read-through of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Pastor gives some background to the book, and we begin to get a picture of just what is going on that is so concerning to Paul. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

David takes pursuit! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about David’s vengeance on the Amalekites, and how in the aftermath he radically changed ancient warfare. Then, Saul drinks the full measure of God’s promised punishment. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about mission trips. This episode covers 1 Samuel 30:8-31:13 If […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Depends… how low is Sheol? In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about David’s new occupation as a Philistine mercenary—albeit one with his own motives. A necromancer helps Saul destroy the shield generator on the afterlife so they can talk to a very miffed Samuel. Then, David gets kicked out of the army, only […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Tom’s out sick from the 2018 Higher Things conference in Lawrence, KS. Does that mean his breakout session on the Lifespan of the Ancients is kaput? Thanks to the modern technology of podcasting—by no means! Listen in as Tom asks the question: does Adam’s lifespan defy credulity? Or is it another example of the truth being […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Okay, so Abner was the king’s general even as far back as the Goliath account, which makes David’s taunt against his old co-worker even funnier. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Saul’s latest pursuit of David, and how David saves Saul’s life—again. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

David gets saved from himself – by a girl! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about God’s divine intervention in the form of the woman Abigail. Then, Nabal loses his life, though his wall continues to be eroded. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about misplaced machismo. This episode covers […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

And don’t be a Nabal about it. In this Episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the King of Israel’s continued pursuit of David. Saul goes to take care of business in a cave, unaware that it is already full of squatters. Then, David and his men shepherd some shepherds, but instead of paying the […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Not all that glitters is gold, and not all those on the lam are guilty. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Saul’s kill order against the town of Nob, and the priests therein. Then, David saves a city—what will be his reward? In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about heroes […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Take Goliath’s sword! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about David’s pact with Jonathan and subsequent departure. He has a few false starts, but eventually accrues some companions to himself as he stays one step ahead of Saul. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown answers a listener question about Jesus bringing […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

David’s gettin’ hitched! As long as Saul doesn’t alter the deal any further… In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the courtship of Michal. Then, as Saul doesn’t cotton too well to his new son-in-law, Michal’s siding with her husband over the raging king. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown contrasts modern […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Or a brother-in-law, for that matter. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the storied friendship of David and Jonathan. But all is not well with Saul, and when he starts to alter the deal… David best beware. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the danger of interpreting Scripture […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

It’s doesn’t exactly look like the matchup of the century, but it sure goes down in history. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the fated fight between the giant and the shepherd. And Pastor schools Thomas in both physics and pop culture Jeopardy categories. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Apparently the devil doesn’t get all the good music—he doesn’t even like it! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about young David’s anointing as future king, and his employment with the current king as a musician and armor-bearer. Then, everything changed when the Philistines attacked. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

All means all, Saul. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Saul’s, er… incomplete… conquest of the Amalekites. Samuel shows up to set the record straight, and make sure Agag is really most sincerely dead. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the pop American Christianity tendency to hype the […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Jonathan saves the day! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about how the son of Saul tees up a victory for the Israelites, and how Saul’s ham-fisted leadership of the situation causes it to fall apart. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown addresses whether podcasts are replacing Church attendance. This episode covers […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Saul goes to war. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the continued strife between the Israelites and the Philistines. Only now, the Israelites have a king—but is that for good or ill? In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown gives a classicist’s take on the textual reliability of the Scriptures. This […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Making it official—twice! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read of Saul’s public selection as king, and his subsequent military victory over the Ammonites. Then, Samuel gives his retirement speech, and it’s a little… scary. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about video games. This episode covers 1 Samuel 10:14-12:18. If you […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Humble beginnings… In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Saul’s attempts at finding his father’s donkeys—instead to find himself in a position he never dreamed of (though Samuel did, literally). In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the aphorism, “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” This episode covers 1 Samuel […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with God… or something. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the Ark of the Covenant’s journey, and Samuel’s ascendance to power. Also, the Philistines attack during church—the ushers […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

The first recorded outbreak of the black plague? You decide! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the Ark of the Covenant’s trip to Dagon’s temple to give the false god a little… break. Then, the Philistines discover that the Egyptians had the right idea in getting the Israelites to go away—even […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

The chickens come home to roost for Eli’s house… and for Israel. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown  and Thomas Lemke read about the Lord’s midnight visit to Samuel, and the tidings the young prophet must bring the old priest. One almost gets the sense that this book will bring lots of examples of the Lord […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

The Levitical/Aaronic priesthood biffs it again! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the worthless sons of Eli. Some high priests—they take the flesh of the sacrifice that belongs to God from the people and give it to themselves to eat. How would those ancient Israelites have rejoiced to know that the […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Shiloh = Sin City? In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Elkanah’s yearly trips to the Tabernacle, and the strife between his two (count ‘em, two) wives. The one, Hannah, prays for a kiddo and is granted her request. Then she has to drop her tot at one heck of a daycare, […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In which we reach the end of the book of Acts. In this Episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read as Paul gets a little help from his new buddies on Malta. Then, he is delivered to Rome, where he gets to meet the believers who received his earlier letter. And to round it all […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

When soldiers and sailors want to swim away but don’t know how, flotsam junk will do just fine. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read as Paul sets sail along the Mediterranean coastline. That is, until an impatient decision results in the ship getting blown off course, leaving the crew with naught but […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Wait… Bernice was Agrippa’s sister? In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Paul’s verbal defense before Herod Agrippa II. Paul, ever winsome and factual, doesn’t fail to please. But, since he’s already appealed to Caesar, no amount of sympathy from Agrippa can undo what’s been set in motion. For better or worse: Paul […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this “lost episode” (so called because Thomas’ audio is horribly botched, so the episode never came out – until now) Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke finish the story of Gideon. In the Backwards Life, Thomas asks Pastor to talk about how people in the pews should react when those of the clergy have disagreements amongst […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this “lost episode” (so called because Thomas’ audio is horribly botched, so the episode never came out – until now) Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke continue through the story of Gideon. In the Backwards Life, Thomas asks Pastor to talk about a weird article (from an ostensibly orthodox site) insisting that Christians should go vegetarian. […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

And you thought the American legal system moved slowly! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Paul’s appearances in the courts of governors Felix and Festus. Both of whom are more interested in placating the Jews than carrying out true justice. What’s a Roman citizen to do? Take their case to the […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Dear, have something to eat before you kill that heretic! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Paul’s captivity in Jerusalem, under the protection of an abashed tribune. He gets spared from the scourge, only to instigate a Pharisee vs. Sadducee feeding frenzy. Then, when some Jews plot to kill him, a […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Paul doesn’t know the meaning of the phrase, “come quietly.” In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read on as the Jews get Paul arrested for the… wait, what’s the count again? Paul makes one more plea to his countrymen on behalf of the Gospel, but instead of a pulpit he preaches from […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Belts are fickle: they hold up your pants, then they tie you up. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Eutychus falling asleep during Paul’s sermon. And by falling, we mean FALLING. Then, Paul sets his face toward Jerusalem for his Pentecost date with destiny. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.