Knowing God

The guys record their final pod together as we send Aaron off to be a senior pastor at Bethesda Church in Huron, South Dakota. While it is indeed bittersweet, we know the Lord has good plans for our good friend.  Aaron's recommendation: Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship by Jonathan Gibson, https://smile.amazon.com/Be-Thou-My-Vision-Liturgy/dp/1433578190/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HINUZJHDWW99&keywords=be+thou+my+vision&qid=1653327287&sprefix=be%2520thou%2520my%2520vision%2Caps%2C325&sr=8-1

This week the guys tackle Thomas Aquinas, the 13th century theologian. Does he go too far in using the concepts and philosophy of Aristotle to buttress Christian theology? Should we emulate him today? Will Tony's ceiling fall on his head? There is only one way to find out! Aaron's recommendation: Ryan Reeves lectures on Thomas Aquinas, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xri0AMiAKIo  

Class is in session! This week, the guys go into great depth on Augustine and his response to war and calamity in Rome, hopefully showing how it is relevant to our lives today. As a bonus, if you listen to the end, you get to hear them both mess up. It's a real treat. Their recommendation: Augustine's Confessions, translated by Henry Chadwick, https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Oxford-Worlds-Classics-Augustine/dp/0199537828/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1COFA301IUYYP&keywords=augustine+confessions&qid=1646959139&sprefix=augustine%2520confessions%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-3  

This week, the guys look to Athanasius, an early church father who shows us how to stand for what is right and true.  Our recommendation: Athanasius, On the Incarnation, https://www.amazon.com/Incarnation-Saint-Athanasius-Popular-Patristics/dp/0881414271/ref=sr_1_1?crid=273D39LN11W6L&keywords=athanasius+on+the+incarnation&qid=1646597615&sprefix=athanasius%2520on%2520the%2520incarnation%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1  

The guys begin a new series on heroes of the Christian faith, and start by looking at the early church's response to persecution within the Roman Empire. In the process, the discuss how Polycarp is worth emulating.   Tony's recommendation: "The Plot Thickens" podcast: https://theplotthickens.tcm.com/about/ Aaron's recommendation: The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves

The 1619 Project has become quite controversial among many. What is it? What should we think about it? How should we approach history?  Tony's recommendations: Race and Reunion by David Blight, https://smile.amazon.com/Race-Reunion-Civil-American-Memory/dp/0674008197/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DCWWQI1CDUYP&keywords=race+and+reunion&qid=1644179692&sprefix=race%2520and%2520reunion%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1 American Slavery, American Freedom by Edmund Morgan, https://smile.amazon.com/American-Slavery-Freedom-Edmund-Morgan/dp/039332494X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RJKD00T1TQXG&keywords=american+slavery%2C+american+freedom&qid=1644179768&sprefix=american+slavery%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1    

For their last pod of the year, the guys reflect on how the last year has been, seeing what lessons have been learned and how they can look forward to the future. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This week, the guys close out J. I. Packer's Knowing God by discussing what he calls "the summit of summits"—Romans 8.  Tony's recommendation: "The Beatles: Get Back" on DisneyPlus.

The guys are back and spend some time discussing a recent article from Aaron, on how to disagree on important issues well. Fortunately, Tony and Aaron agree all the time, so they didn't need it very much... Aaron's article: "How to disagree like an Anabaptist," https://christianleadermag.com/how-to-disagree-like-an-anabaptist/ Aaron's recommendation: Who Is the Holy Spirit? Biblical Insights into His Divine Person by Malcolm Yarnell III, https://smile.amazon.com/Who-Holy-Spirit-Biblical-Insights/dp/1535937513/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yarnell+holy+spirit&qid=1637443041&sr=8-1

We're back! After being gone for a few weeks after Tony's third daughter was born, the guys return to discuss the Christian response to Halloween. Should we celebrate it? If so, how? How does the gospel inform it? And what are our favorite candies? Tony' recommendations: "What I Really Think About Halloween," by Russell Moore, https://www.russellmoore.com/2018/10/31/what-i-really-think-about-halloween/ Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C. S. Lewis, https://smile.amazon.com/Surprised-Joy-Shape-Early-Life/dp/0062565435/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1635710024&sr=8-1  

This week, the guys talk about what it means that God has wrath. He is not simply out of control, but his wrath is tied to his justice AND his grace. The good news is that Jesus bears the wrath of God for us.  Aaron's recommendation: John Piper, When I Don't Desire God, https://smile.amazon.com/When-Dont-Desire-God-Redesign/dp/1433543176/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F6EFI1YVXEMD&dchild=1&keywords=john+piper+when+i+dont+desire+god&qid=1633289350&sprefix=john+piper+when+i+don%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-1

This week, the guys consider God's justice, and how it can work together with God's grace. Tony's recommendation: Dante's Divine Comedy! https://smile.amazon.com/Divine-Comedy-Inferno-Purgatorio-Paradiso/dp/0451208633/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=dante+divine+comedy&qid=1632684846&sr=8-6 Read along with him at https://100daysofdante.com. 

Grace is something the guys talk about all the time, so they relished the opportunity to spend a whole pod on one of their favorite topics. Listen as they discuss the meaning of grace and its significance for our lives today. Tony's recommendation: "The Moth Joke" by Norm Macdonald, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxD3pT8C9-A&t=247s. But really, just search his name on YouTube. Two good remembrances: First, "Norm Macdonald, Comedy Legend," by Theodore Kupfer https://www.city-journal.org/remembering-norm-macdonald-comedy-legend, and second, "Goodbye, Norm Macdonald," by Aaron Belz, https://www.frontporchrepublic.com/2021/09/goodbye-norm-macdonald/

We all know that God is love, as the Apostle John and Marvin Gaye taught us. But what does that actually mean? The guys discuss that this week as they continue to seek to understand and worship our God. Tony's recommendation: None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God by Matthew Barrett, https://smile.amazon.com/None-Greater-Undomesticated-Attributes-God/dp/0801098742/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=none+greater&qid=1631238997&sr=8-1

This week, the guys may or may not (probably not) display their own wisdom, but of one thing they are sure: God is wise. And that has a lot of bearing on our own lives today. Aaron's recommendation: American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism by Matthew Avery Sutton, https://smile.amazon.com/American-Apocalypse-History-Modern-Evangelicalism/dp/067497543X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2BAXUBFIMR549&dchild=1&keywords=american+apocalypse&qid=1630625059&sprefix=american+apoc%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-2

How great is our God? No, seriously, how great is he? This week, the guys consider God's majesty and glory. It turns out, he is pretty great! Tony's recommendation: The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War by Joanne B. Freeman, https://smile.amazon.com/Field-Blood-Violence-Congress-Civil/dp/1250234581/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=field+of+blood&qid=1630266421&sr=8-1

One of the core teachings of (small-o) orthodox Christianity is God's immutability—God does not change. What does that mean? What does the Bible say? Why does it matter? This week, the guys discuss this aspect of God from J. I. Packer's book Knowing God. Aaron's recommendation: 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke, https://smile.amazon.com/Ways-Your-Phone-Changing-You/dp/1433552434/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=tony+reinke&qid=1629738662&sr=8-3

This week, we continue going through J.I. Packer's Knowing God, discussing the incarnation of Jesus Christ, including why it matters that Jesus Christ, very God of very God, became like us in every way except without sin. Aaron's recommendation: The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America by Frances FitzGerald, https://smile.amazon.com/Evangelicals-Struggle-Shape-America/dp/1439131341/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6HCM1Y8U5SCK&dchild=1&keywords=evangelicals+fitzgerald&qid=1628609440&sprefix=evangelicals+%2Caps%2C442&sr=8-1

We're back! This week, begin a discussion through the classic book by J. I. Packer Knowing God. (Hey, he stole our name!) What does it mean to really know God? Listen to find out! Tony's recommendation: Read Knowing God along with us! Buy it here: https://smile.amazon.com/Knowing-God-IVP-Signature-Collection/dp/0830848614/ref=sr_1_1?crid=256DA0VWFEGD1&dchild=1&keywords=knowing+god+by+j.i.+packer&qid=1628450384&sprefix=knowing+god%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-1 Or, attend MVC East Campus next weekend, which meets at Reyburn Intermediate at 10 a.m., and purchase it there for cheaper than the Amazon price!

This week, the guys talk to Matthew Ford, a PhD candidate in Latin American History at Stony Brook University about the recent decision to replace the plaque at Wheaton College commemorating the death of Jim Elliot and Ed McCully because of its insensitive language to native peoples. We get into what those missionaries were doing there, how they went about evangelizing, and what our approach to missions should be. It was a great conversation, and we hope you enjoy it! Matt's recommendations: God in the Rainforest: A Tale of Martyrdom and Redemption in Amazonian Ecuador by Kathryn T. Long, https://smile.amazon.com/God-Rainforest-Martyrdom-Redemption-Amazonian/dp/0190608986/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KVQI2X0IWRVL&dchild=1&keywords=god+in+the+rainforest+kathryn+long&qid=1626987243&sprefix=kathryn+long+go%2Caps%2C245&sr=8-1 Fishers of Men or Founders of Empire?: The Wycliffe Bible Translators in Latin America by David Stoll, https://smile.amazon.com/Fishers-Founders-Empire-David-Stoll/dp/0862321115/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1626987261&sr=8-1 Here is a link to the article Tony mentioned in the pod: "The Missionary Roots of Liberal Democracy," by Robert D. Woodberry, https://www.jstor.org/stable/41495078

This week, the guys talk to Mark Fowler, the COO at Mountain View Church, about his transition from working in education to working in the church, and what it means to be called by God. Mark's recommendations: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell, https://smile.amazon.com/Blink-Power-Thinking-Without/dp/0316010669/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+malcolm+gladwell&qid=1626302136&sr=8-1 The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, https://smile.amazon.com/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Fable/dp/0787960756/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3FQ8CWPFV4L3F&dchild=1&keywords=lencioni+the+five+dysfunctions+of+a+team&qid=1626302175&sprefix=lencioni+%2Caps%2C317&sr=8-3 The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything in Business by Patrick Lencioni, https://smile.amazon.com/Advantage-Organizational-Health-Everything-Business/dp/0470941529/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NHEP0WK0RNH3&dchild=1&keywords=lencioni+the+advantage&qid=1626302204&sprefix=lencioni+%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-3

Jesus tells us, "judge not lest ye be judged." What does that mean? Whom are we supposed to not judge? How does this fit in with the rest of the Bible? This week, the guys ponder this passage, and try to put it not only in its immediate context, but also in the context of the whole Bible. Tony's recommendation: The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, a Christianity Today podcast, https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/

The guys are back, taking a small break from putting verses back into their context (they'll return to those soon) in order to talk about current events—specifically, the more interesting than usual happenings in the Southern Baptist Convention.  Aaron's recommendation: Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im, https://smile.amazon.com/Planting-Missional-Churches-Starting-Multiply/dp/1433692163/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26VY1KKCQ6LGJ&dchild=1&keywords=planting+missional+churches&qid=1625176367&sprefix=planting+mission%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1

The guys consider whether to make this a Romans 8 podcast, as they discuss what it means that God is for us. If nothing else can come against us, does that mean we will only win Super Bowls? Or might it mean something a good deal greater? Tony's recommendation: The Argument, hosted by Jane Coaston, "Does Teaching America It's Racist Make It Less Racist?" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/opinion/race-theory-us-racism.html

God makes all things work together for our good. The Bible tells us that. But what does that mean? This week, the guys go in-depth on Romans 8, and discover that God's goodness is something deeper than we tend to realize.  Aaron's recommendation: Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Paul David Tripp, https://smile.amazon.com/Suffering-Gospel-Hope-Doesnt-Sense/dp/1433556774/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=paul+david+tripp+suffering&qid=1623108628&sr=8-3

This week, the guys talk about love... and how the famous chapter of love may not be fully about what we think it is.  Tony's recommendation: "2001: A Space Odyssey," directed by Stanley Kubrick, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR_e9y-bka0 Also, listen to "God is Love" by Marvin Gaye, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui9S040GwPA

This week, the guys dig in to one of the most famous verses in all of the Bible: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." So, what is this passage saying? Does God NOT have good plans for us? Listen and find out! (Spoiler: Yes, but not perhaps in the ways we think.) Aaron's recommendation: A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture that Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing by Scot McKnight, https://smile.amazon.com/Church-Called-Tov-Goodness-Promotes/dp/1496446003/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+church+called+tov&qid=1621899386&sr=8-1

This week, the guys tackle Psalm 46:10, in which we encounter God in our stillness... or something like that. Join us as we continue to find meaning in these passages of Scripture while keeping them in the right context. Aaron's recommendation: How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman III, https://www.christianbook.com/how-to-read-the-psalms/tremper-longman/9780877849414/pd/49412?product_redirect=1&search_term=tremper%20longman%20how%20to%20read%20the%20psalms&Ntt=49412&item_code=&ps_exit=PRODUCT%7Cnew&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Continuing our series on verses which tend to be taken out of context, we look at Revelation 3, in which Jesus tells us it is better to love him or hate him than to be lukewarm, and that he stands at the door knocking, asking, pleading with us to let him into our hearts and receive salvation. Right? The guys get into this and more as we seek to put the right context around these familiar passages. Tony's recommendation: Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulley, https://smile.amazon.com/Reading-While-Black-American-Interpretation/dp/083085486X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=reading+while+black&qid=1620751439&sr=8-1

We just celebrated the National Day of Prayer, and usually one of the more prominent verses at events like this is 2 Chronicles 7:14. But is it actually used correctly? We look at what it means within the context of the broader passage, and how we can still apply it to our lives (and our country) today. Our recommendations: "2 Chronicles 7:14 Isn't About American Politics" by Russell Moore, https://www.russellmoore.com/2016/01/14/2-chronicles-714-isnt-about-american-politics/ Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel by Russell Moore, https://smile.amazon.com/Onward-Engaging-Culture-without-Losing/dp/1433686171/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=onward+russell+moore&qid=1619742656&sr=8-2

Today we begin an occasional series looking at verses that are typically taken out of their biblical context, and we attempt to put them back into their context. First up, Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Ever popular in the sports world, we talk about what it really means to have Christ strengthen us, and how we can apply it in our everyday lives. Our recommendations: 1) Read the Bible. 2) Become a member at a church. 3) How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart (https://smile.amazon.com/How-Read-Bible-All-Worth/dp/0310517826/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3D4A8BYQ9OB9D&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+read+the+bible+for+all+its+worth&qid=1619740280&sprefix=how+to+read+the+bib%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1). 4) Knowing Scripture by R. C. Sproul (https://smile.amazon.com/Knowing-Scripture-R-C-Sproul/dp/0830844686/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KF8C8KKEUD3H&dchild=1&keywords=knowing+scripture+by+r.c.+sproul&qid=1619740386&sprefix=knowing+scripture%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1).

The fact that high-profile Christian comedians are extremely rare and that Christ, as the “man of sorrows,” appears so dour throughout the gospels suggests that Christianity is incompatible with good humor. But is it? We explore humor in the Bible and a biblical and theological justification for comedy. Hopefully we laugh a bit along the way. Tony's recommendation: Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld, https://smile.amazon.com/This-Anything-Jerry-Seinfeld/dp/1982112697/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OCIBKXPOHVO3&dchild=1&keywords=is+this+anything+jerry+seinfeld&qid=1618942934&sprefix=is+this+anything%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

It's no secret that many evangelicals consider conservatism of some kind to be the default approach to Christianity. But many others associate the progressive impulse with Jesus Christ himself. Which is it? The guys discuss this over, well, several takes. The article that jump-started our discussion, "Progressive Christians Arise! Hallelujah!" by Nicholas Kristof, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/opinion/sunday/progressive-christians-politics.html?searchResultPosition=4 Aaron's recommendation: The Gospel Coalition, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org

We consider the various books, movies, and other cultural artifacts that have had their availability to be consumed curbed in some way due to potentially offensive content. How should we as Christians understand this phenomenon? What should we do about it? Tony's recommendation: Watch baseball!

The guys consider repentance—what it is, why we need it, and how we actually do it.  Aaron's recommendation: Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton, https://smile.amazon.com/Here-Stand-Life-Martin-Luther/dp/1426754434/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=here+i+stand+bainton&qid=1617122258&sr=8-1

This week, the guys answer some of your questions, and Aaron almost makes it through without a blooper. Maybe next time. Tony's recommendation: Zack Snyder's Justice League, https://www.hbomax.com/feature/urn:hbo:feature:GYDAnZgCFQ8IJpQEAAAAN  

This episode is not strictly business: social media can be dangerous. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook open us up to all kinds of barbs and arrows, horse heads and rotting fish, making us offers of glamor and self-righteousness that we all too often can't refuse. The guys discuss some of these dangers, as well as how to use social media in ways that honor God and love other people. 

Spiritual disciplines—like fasting, biblical meditation, and the like—have a reputation as being only for super spiritual people. Au contraire, we say! While they can be difficult and require, well, discipline in order to do, they are also incredibly valuable for living the Christian life—in our technological age, one might say now more than ever.  Tony's recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney, https://smile.amazon.com/Spiritual-Disciplines-Christian-Donald-Whitney/dp/1615216170/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZS980KDM9EY5&dchild=1&keywords=donald+whitney+spiritual+disciplines+for+the+christian+life&qid=1614814042&sprefix=whitney+spiritual+di%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1  

We're back! Telling people about Jesus can be incredibly difficult. This week, the guys discuss approaches that have helped us, why evangelism is so important, and how we can practically do it in our everyday lives.  Aaron's recommendation: The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler with Jared C. Wilson, https://smile.amazon.com/Explicit-Gospel-Paperback-Matt-Chandler/dp/1433542110/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=explicit+gospel&qid=1614811007&sr=8-1  

This week the guys discuss all things Christmas: the best Christmas movie, the best Christmas music, why Tony is right, and who the real Santa Claus is. (Tony definitely did not write this description.)    Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Merry Christmas!   Aaron's recommendations: "Who was St. Nicholas?" by Kevin DeYoung, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/who-was-st-nicholas-2/   The Chosen TV series, https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen

The guys consider some of the essential components of Anabaptism, based on an almost 80 year old essay. No, some of the essential components are not wearing bonnets and growing lengthy beards.    Our recommendation: The Anabaptist Vision by Harold Bender, https://www.goshen.edu/mhl/Refocusing/d-av.htm  

This week, the guys consider the issue of divine impassibility, thanks to a deep, theological question from Tony's three-year-old daughter.    Our recommendations: Songs for Saplings, https://songsforsaplings.com/spotify-english/ None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God by Matthew Barrett, https://www.amazon.com/None-Greater-Undomesticated-Attributes-God/dp/0801098742/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=none+greater&qid=1606343455&sr=8-1  

Listen to these NERDS talk about reading books!   Some of the best books we've read this year: Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David Blight, https://www.amazon.com/Frederick-Douglass-David-W-Blight/dp/1416590323/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3IB5CKVQUD35R&dchild=1&keywords=frederick+douglass+prophet+of+freedom+by+david+blight&qid=1606327902&sprefix=Frederick+Douglas%2Caps%2C248&sr=8-3 The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-50th-Anniversary-Vol/dp/0618640150/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+rings&qid=1606327938&sr=8-11 "He Descended to the Dead": An Evangelical Theology of Holy Saturday by Matthew Y. Emerson https://www.amazon.com/He-Descended-Dead-Evangelical-Theology/dp/0830852581/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27QREMLGI2GAP&dchild=1&keywords=he+descended+to+the+dead&qid=1606327987&sprefix=he+descended+%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals: Why We Need Our Past to Have a Future by Gavin Ortlund, https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Retrieval-Evangelicals-Need-Future/dp/1433565269/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2EHR1I9VYWZRX&dchild=1&keywords=theological+retrieval+for+evangelicals&qid=1606328028&sprefix=theological+retriever%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-3 The Decadent Society: How We Became the Victims of Our Own Success by Ross Douthat, https://www.amazon.com/Decadent-Society-Became-Victims-Success/dp/1476785244/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+decadent+society&qid=1606328069&sr=8-1 Breaking Bread with the Dead: A Reader's Guide to a More Tranquil Mind by Alan Jacobs, https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Bread-Dead-Readers-Tranquil/dp/1984878409/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QR26PPV86D3S&dchild=1&keywords=breaking+bread+with+the+dead&qid=1606328101&sprefix=breaking+bread+wi%2Caps%2C240&sr=8-1 Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality by Nancy R. Pearcey, https://www.amazon.com/Love-Thy-Body-Answering-Questions/dp/0801075726/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=love+thy+body&qid=1606328132&sr=8-1  

This week is Thanksgiving, which will give us many opportunities to eat great food, reflect on all we are thankful for, and have difficult discussions with family members. How do we handle those? This week, the guys share what they have learned in years of having difficult conversations themselves.   Thank YOU for listening!

We can all think of instances where we have found out that our heroes in the faith have fallen, either into gross error or sin. This week, the guys consider how we should think, and what we should do, when something like this happens.   Aaron's recommendation: James Leo Garrett, Systematic Theology Vol. 1, https://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Theology-Fourth-James-Garrett/dp/149820659X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2VRJYQ4YY4O7F&dchild=1&keywords=james+leo+garrett+systematic+theology&qid=1605220590&sprefix=James+Leo+garret%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-2 Vol. 2, https://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Theology-Second-James-Garrett/dp/1498206603/ref=pd_sbs_14_1/140-1896978-8791237?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1498206603&pd_rd_r=30610b5d-35df-4132-958b-da5c4ad177d0&pd_rd_w=rQNLy&pd_rd_wg=EuVw8&pf_rd_p=52ff3488-8ecd-4341-9663-52e4fb00f500&pf_rd_r=HH44S2ZD0M6YBAP9Y947&psc=1&refRID=HH44S2ZD0M6YBAP9Y947  

In this episode, the guys conclude their study through Rebecca McLaughlin's book, Confronting Christianity, in which they explore the nature of heaven and hell in the afterlife and how God is just throughout the process. Tony's Recommendation: "The Tree of Life" from Terrance Malick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrAz1YLh8nY  

The guys continue reading through Rebecca McLaughlin's Confronting Christianity by considering the age-old problem of suffering. They have no pat answers, but find great comfort in Jesus Christ's suffering for us.   Aaron's recommendation: Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller, https://www.amazon.com/Walking-God-through-Pain-Suffering/dp/1594634408/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3LUJC3VDSUD45&dchild=1&keywords=walking+with+god+through+pain+and+suffering&qid=1603923670&s=books&sprefix=walking+with+god+%2Cstripbooks%2C244&sr=1-2  

This week, the guys celebrate Reformation Day (Halloween, for some of you) by considering the great Protestant debate over the Lord's Supper. Our apologies for the length, but let's be honest: you knew what you were getting into.    Our recommendations: Three Treatises by Martin Luther, https://www.amazon.com/Three-Treatises-Martin-Luther/dp/0800616391/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Luther+three+treatises&qid=1603387536&sr=8-1 Theology of the Reformers by Timothy George, https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Reformers-Timothy-George-dp-0805401954/dp/0805401954/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1603387573  

Is Jesus a card-carrying member of the MAGA Express? Or is he Ridin' with Biden? How ought Christians view politics? This week, the guys take on the issue of faith and politics, offering an approach to the issue.   Their recommendation: Read across the political spectrum! The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com National Review, https://www.nationalreview.com The New Republic, https://newrepublic.com Nightly News with Lester Holt, https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news

This week, the guys take up the issue of slavery in the Bible. We believe that slavery is immoral, inhumane, and evil. How do we reconcile that view with what the Bible has to say about slavery? What do the Scriptures say?   Tony's recommendation: America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln, by Mark Noll, https://www.amazon.com/Americas-God-Jonathan-Edwards-Abraham/dp/0195182995/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=america%27s+god&qid=1602096058&sr=8-1    

On today's edition of Knowing God, Pastor Dave who serves as MVC's executive pastor, sits down with the guys and discusses a Christian approach to engaging the transgender movement and how to love our transgender neighbor.  Pastor Dave's recommendations: Love thy Body by Nancy Pearcey https://www.amazon.com/Love-Thy-Body-Answering-Questions/dp/0801075726/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F1GP8M7TXBBE&dchild=1&keywords=love+thy+body+answering+hard+questions+about+life+and+sexuality&qid=1601488733&sprefix=love+they+body%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-1 When Harry Became Sally by Ryan T. Anderson https://www.amazon.com/When-Harry-Became-Sally-Transgender/dp/1641770481/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=when+harry+became+sally&qid=1601488805&sr=8-1 Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier https://www.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/1684510317/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=irreversible+damage&qid=1601488859&sr=8-1