Practically Christian

Join us as we continue our conversation about disagreeing well and dive in to the topic of listening!

It feels as if we're living in a time when people have lost the ability to discuss something, disagree about it, and still walk away as friends. How can we, as followers of Jesus, relearn the lost art of disagreeing well?Furthermore, what does it look like to be convince-able but not gullible? Join hosts Jake Silvera and Luke and Janelle Heirendt for this important conversation.

In this final episode of our Faith and Film series (and our second discussing Emma) Practically Christian hosts Luke and Janelle Heirendt and Jake Silvera explore the deeper spiritual themes of pride, discipleship, and the illusion of control. Emma Woodhouse may be charming and clever, but her need to orchestrate other people's lives reveals a problem many of us share: we trust our plans more than God's.Why do we struggle to see our own faults clearly? What does healthy discipleship look like when you're mentoring someone with less experience or faith maturity? And when—if ever—is it okay to play matchmaker?Pride, Repentance & Self-Awareness – Why growth begins with seeing ourselves clearlyMentoring Without Controlling – The difference between guiding someone and playing GodPlaying Matchmaker – The illusion of control and the freedom of trusting God's planWe close with a fun question: Have you ever set someone up on a date—and how did it go?Tune in for practical theology, relatable laughs, and an honest look at what Austen's classic has to teach us about spiritual growth and letting go.

In this episode of Practically Christian, hosts Luke and Janelle Heirendt and Jake Silvera dive into Emma. (2020), a visually stunning and delightfully sharp adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. On the surface, it's a story of romance and matchmaking, but beneath the charm and wit lies a deeper exploration of love, friendship, and the hard truths that lead to real growth.Join us as we unpack the spiritual and relational lessons hidden in Emma.—from Mr. Knightley's brutally honest love to the way our friendships either sharpen us or lead us astray. Why is it so hard to tell the truth when it might hurt someone? How do we know if our friendships are pushing us toward Christ or just feeding our ego? And how do we recognize the difference between real love and the idea of love?True Love Speaks Truth – Why real love challenges us to growThe Role of Friendship in Spiritual Growth – Are our friends shaping us or flattering us?Romantic Fantasies vs. Real Love – Learning to tell the differencePlus, we wrap up with a fun get-to-know-you question: What's your most embarrassing dating moment?Don't miss part two, where we tackle pride, control, and why Emma just can't stop playing matchmaker!

In this episode of Practically Christian, we dive into Scott Pilgrim vs. the World to explore how identity, self-respect, and spiritual growth shape our relationships and faith. Scott's journey isn't just about winning Ramona—it's about transformation. We unpack his false self-perception, the difference between self-respect and works-based validation, and why his ultimate victory comes not from the "Power of Love" but from the "Sword of Self-Respect."Along the way, we reflect on the gospel's contrast between striving for love and receiving grace (Ephesians 2:8-10), discuss the dangers of unhealthy relationship patterns, and ask what Christians can learn from Scott's battle with himself—his own worst enemy.Join us as we break down how true transformation happens through grace, self-awareness, and learning to love others as redeemed, not perfect, people.

In this episode ofPractically Christian, hosts Luke and Janelle Heirendt and Jake Silvera dive into the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly deep world ofScott Pilgrim vs. the World. At first glance, it's a quirky, video game-inspired love story—but beneath the surface, it's a battle against baggage, insecurity, and the ghosts of relationships past.Why does Scott have to fight Ramona's exes? Is he battling them—or theideas of them? What does this story teach us about guarding our hearts, navigating friendships, and dealing with emotional baggage in relationships? Join us as we unpack the spiritual and relational themes hidden inside Scott's pixelated path to self-awareness.

Join us for our deep dive into the theological topics that are raised by the movie Tenet. In this episode we'll dive into topics such as: Does God know the future before it happens? If so, does He change his actions in the present based on that knowledge? And, finally, are there things that haven't happened because God prevented them from happening? Questions that are nearly as mind boggling as the movie.

Join us as we discuss one of Luke's favorite films: Tenet. In this episode we break down the plot, what we love and hate about the film, and some initial thoughts about how films in general-and this one specifically-can point us toward the work of Christ. Also, if you listen to the podcast in reverse it will make more sense (just kidding).

Merry Christmas from Practically Christian! We're offering a special bonus episode on Christmas Eve to celebrate what the season of Advent means.

Join hosts Jake Silvera and Luke and Janelle Heirendt as we dive into our final discussion on the seven deadly sins. In this episode we explore the sin of lust, differentiate between natural attraction and lustful thoughts, and offer some of the things we've learned about how to work against sexual temptation.

Welcome to Practically Christian! In this episode we take everyone's favorite subject, food, and heap a pile of shame on it. Just kidding! In reality, exploring the sin of gluttony should not lead to shame about food, but a desire to enjoy food the way God intended: with joy, but not overindulgence. Join hosts Luke Heirendt, Janelle Heirendt and Jake Silvera as we dive into this important topic.

Join hosts Luke and Janelle Heirendt and Janelle Heirendt as return to a conversation about the seven deadly sins. In today's episode we discuss the sin of sloth, signs that it is affecting you, and how to begin working to overcome it.

In this final session of our I.Q. Church Class on theology, Jake and Luke explore the profound roles of the Holy Spirit and the Church, often referred to as the Bride of Christ. In this class, we dive into the Holy Spirit's crucial functions in our spiritual lives, including regeneration, conviction, advocacy, teaching, guidance, sanctification, comfort, and empowerment. Learn about the biblical terms 'ruach' and 'pneuma' that highlight the Spirit's life-giving nature. Discover the Church's role as the Body and Temple of Christ, emphasizing unity, discipleship, and worship. Understand the significance of key ordinances like baptism and communion, which symbolize our new life in Christ and His sacrifice. Reflect on how to live by the Spirit, use spiritual gifts to serve the Church, and grow in your faith journey.

Welcome to Class 3 of the "Foundations of Theology" I.Q. Church series taught by Luke and Jake! We're taking a break from our normally scheduled podcast series to bring you this teaching. In this session, we dive deep into two essential aspects of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and the gift of salvation He brings. We explore how Jesus, being both fully God and fully human, is central to understanding the gospel and our relationship with God. Additionally, we unpack the multi-faceted nature of salvation and its transformative power in the believer's life. Key topics covered in this video: The Incarnation: Jesus as fully divine and fully human, and why that matters for salvation. An exploration of Christological heresies like Docetism, Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, and Monophysitism, contrasted with the orthodox understanding of Christ. Salvation as God's gift: understanding atonement, faith, justification, adoption, and sanctification. The Gift of Salvation: Substitution and Sacrifice: Christ died in our place. Christus Victor: Christ is victorious over sin, death, and evil. Reunion and Recapitulation: Christ reunites us with God and restarts the creation project. Demonstration and Devotion: Christ shows us how to live and influences us toward devotion. We also explore key aspects of salvation: Faith: Belief and allegiance to Christ. Justification: Receiving the gift of grace by faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). Adoption: Being brought into God's family and confirmed as His children (Romans 8:22-25). Sanctification: Growing in holiness and being set apart for God's Kingdom (Hebrews 10:14). Movie Clips for Illustration: We use several movie clips to illustrate the Christological heresies and provide a visual understanding of key concepts before focusing on the correct biblical view of Jesus as one person with two natures.

In this episode Luke and Jake continue teaching the "Foundations of Theology" I.Q. Church series for Creekside Community Church. In this session, we explore two foundational truths: God as the Creator and the corruption of creation through sin. We dig into the distinct role of God the Father in creation, His sovereignty, and His ongoing work in the world. Then, we discuss how sin has corrupted both the world and humanity, and how spiritual evil entices us away from God. Key topics covered in this video: The Creator/creation distinction and why it matters. God the Father as the Great Initiator—His attributes, actions, and covenant relationships. Humanity's creation in God's image and the implications of that calling. The nature of sin, how it affects the world, our flesh, and how we are tempted by spiritual evil. Whether you're new to theology or continuing your faith journey, this class provides vital insights into the character of God and the reality of human corruption.

For the next month, we're taking a break from our current series to bring you the Foundations of the Christian Faith. This is a series of classes taught at Creekside Community Church by Luke and Jake. Welcome to Class #1! In this session, we dive into the fundamentals of theology—what it is, why it matters, and how it shapes our understanding of God and our lives. We also jump into the subject of the Trinity, exploring in what way God is one, and how He is three (and how that is not a contradiction). Key topics covered in this podcast: What is theology? A simple definition explained. The role of the Bible in guiding our beliefs. Common pitfalls of theological study and how to avoid them. How theology can transform our hearts and minds. Whether you're new to theology or looking to deepen your faith, this class will help you build a solid foundation for your study of God. One final note: We use a lot of visuals in this presentation, so we encourage you to watch on youtube or anchor.fm (video IS available for this podcast!)

Join Luke and Janelle Heirendt and Jake Silvera as we discuss wrath and how to work to become slow to anger--like the Lord.

Join us as we continue our conversation about the seven deadly sins. Hosts Luke and Janelle Heirendt and Jake Silvera tackle the sin of envy and explore the differences between good and bad jealousy.

In this week's episode cohosts Jake Silvera and Luke and Janelle Heirendt discuss the deadly sin of pride.

Join hosts Jake Silvera and Luke and Janelle Heirendt as we kick off a discussion about the seven deadly sins. This week we dive into the sin of pride.

Join Luke and Janelle (Jake is out camping with friends) as we answer three listener submitted questions: Did Jesus stay human even after His ascension to heaven? If Jesus was not the biological son of Joseph, how was He a descendant of David? And: Do tough times mean God is pruning us?

Join Luke, Janelle, and Jake as we share what we've been reading and what we've been learning. Plus, listen to the end for our least favorite books of all time (reader beware!).

Welcome to our final installment of our "Can a Christian...?" series. In this episode we discuss and debate whether or not Christians can break "harmless" laws or not.

Please note: We are covering a sensitive topic today. However, this is an important subject to learn about, so let's get practical and discuss death by suicide.

Join us for a practical conversation about whether or not Christians should get a tattoo--in light of the Old Testament prohibitions.

In this final installment of our series about raising children in the Christian faith we discuss the concept of ownership: How can we help kids and teens make their walk with Jesus their own?

In this enlightening episode, we dive into the essential role you play in nurturing faith outside the church walls, especially with the children in your life. We discuss the potential risks of leaving spiritual education solely in the hands of "professionals" and explore the importance of integrating faith into the everyday aspects of life, rather than confining it to Sunday mornings. Our conversation covers spontaneous "teaching moments" that arise unexpectedly, the value of encouraging questions about faith without needing perfect answers, and the power of storytelling in spiritual education.

As parents, friends, relatives, and mentors we have an impact on the children, youth, and young adults in our lives. Join us as we begin to discuss ways Christians can effectively pass on the faith to he the next generation.

Christians often talk about God's "glory," but what is it? Does God do things for His glory? What does it mean to do things for the glory of God? Join us in this final installment (for now) of our series on Metaphor and the Bible and find out!

Join us for part 2 of our "Metaphor in the Bible" series. Because it is true that what you hope for shapes what you live for, it is crucial for followers of Jesus to correctly understand our shared eternal hope.

Join us as we explore metaphor in the Bible.

Join hosts Luke and Janelle Heirendt and Jake Silvera as we address a listener submitted question. In this episode we respond to two different youtube videos by atheists addressing the interrelated problems of Christian hypocrisy, and the high level of morality of atheists in comparison to other world religions. You can access the first video we discuss here: https://youtu.be/jtTr8k6sh78 You can access the second video we discuss here: https://youtu.be/sRAjw2f2Xsg

Join us for our final conversation about artificial intelligence. We've learned that A.I. is a powerful tool, so we should not be afraid to put it to work. But how is it being used on us?

This is episode two out of a three part series exploring Artificial Intelligence. Join us as we discuss how to think Christianly about using A.I. in a productive way.

Join us as we explore the intersection of theology and technology. In this series we explore Scriptural and practical aspects of Artificial Intelligence. In part one, we explore the Image of God and A.I. The basis of this conversation is an educational seminar the Luke Heirendt presented at Creekside Community Church in 2023.

In this final installment of our series on how to hear God's voice we address common questions and fears. We all have fears about hearing God incorrectly or not at all, such as: How can I tell the difference between the voice in my head and God? What if it is Satan disguising himself as God? What if I mishear God? Would God mislead me or lead me on? What if I pray, and He doesn't speak to me? In this episode we explore these questions and more. 

Join us as we discuss how God speaks through His Word: the Scriptures. Do we just need to read the Bible and take its lessons, or is the Holy Spirit active in our hearts and minds as we read? We invite you to practice reading the Bible in a new way with us as we look at the story of Peter walking on water with fresh eyes.

Many Christians struggle with hearing God's voice. In this series of episodes we explore the fact that God desires to speak to us. Join us as we have a conversation exploring questions like: Is prayer a one way street where we talk to God and he listens, or does it go both ways? How does he speak? What should we look out for when we are listening?

Progressivism -- for some this term represents everything right in the direction of our politics and society, and for others, it's code for everything wrong. What is the worldview of Progressivism? As Christians, how can we interact with Progressivism in a way that is faithful to the call of Jesus?

Christian Nationalism is on the rise in America and lots of other places too! What is it, and how should we think about patriotism and its intersection with Christian faith?

Well-known atheist, Richard Dawkins, wrote: "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.” How do you respond when people critique the picture that the Old Testament paints of God? This can be especially difficult if you yourself are disturbed by some of the stories. In this series we dive into four of the most infamous Old Testament stores and explore them in-depth. And, spoiler alert, there is a lot more going on in these stories than it may first appear! In this episode we explore Psalm 137, which infamously concludes with this line: "Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks." As Christians, what do we do with texts like this in the Bible? If the Psalms are our prayer book, how are we supposed to understand and even pray this? Join us for this enlightening conversation as we explore these questions and more.

Well-known atheist, Richard Dawkins, wrote: "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.” How do you respond when people critique the picture that the Old Testament paints of God? This can be especially difficult if you yourself are disturbed by some of the stories. In this series we dive into four of the most infamous Old Testament stores and explore them in-depth. And, spoiler alert, there is a lot more going on in these stories than it may first appear! In this episode we look at the account of Achan's sin, and the subsequent killing of his entire family...even all of his animals.

Well-known atheist, Richard Dawkins, wrote: "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.” How do you respond when people critique the picture that the Old Testament paints of God? This can be especially difficult if you yourself are disturbed by some of the stories. In this series we dive into four of the most infamous Old Testament stores and explore them in-depth. And, spoiler alert, there is a lot more going on in these stories than it may first appear! In this episode we look at the account of the conquest, exploring the question: If God is good and loving, why would he command the Israelites to kill the Canaanites? Related, Is God guilty of commanding ethnic cleansing, or genocide, in this account?

Well-known atheist, Richard Dawkins, wrote: "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

We're back! It has been two years since we've released an episode. Why is that? Welp, a lot of life change happened. Catch up on what has been happening with us. Good news: If you're subscribed to the show, you will begin getting episodes every two weeks.

Why should hospitality be a cornerstone of the Christian life? And, if you're unsure about how to get started, where do you begin? Listen in as we interview our friends, Dave and Teresa Schoel about how their family practices hospitality together.

So far in this series, we've discussed how the moment you entrust yourself to Jesus, God sanctifies you. In the last episode, we discussed how the ongoing process of sanctification involves taking off the old self--meaning demolishing bad habits/ways of life that keep you from who God wants you to be. In this final episode of the series, we discuss the concept of transformation: How do you participate with the Holy Spirit to "put on the new self" and become more like Jesus?

On this episode of Practically Christian we look at the topic of Mortification and how it plays a role in our sanctification. Mortification is the destruction of sin in our lives. While sanctification is normally understood in a positive side, becoming more like Christ, mortification is the negative side of that. It is how we become more like Christ by fighting against the sin within us. We hope that you are able to understand the importance of fighting the sin within yourself and are able to take a step towards mortifying the sin within you after listening to this episode.

To be sanctified means to be holy-fied. While many people think of sanctification as something that happens as you become more like Christ, the Bible also speaks about sanctification in the past tense. It is something that happened to you the moment you entrusted yourself to Christ. Discussion Questions (to process this content with a friend, family member or small group): Name 4-5 attributes of a child of God. Why did these attributes stand out to you? Which of these attributes are often exemplified in your life? Which are hardest for you to live out? How might you partner with the Holy Spirit to push into the areas you are weaker?

Jesus warned us that persecution is to be expected. That's true globally for the church -- but what does it mean for us? Join the second half of our conversation about modern day persecution and how it affects us and our witness. Suggested Resources: Voice of the Martyrs Radio/Podcast Write to Prisoners Donate to Support Persecuted Christians and their Families Discussion Questions: Have you ever invested yourself in prayer and/or giving on behalf of persecuted Christians? If this facet of serving Jesus is compelling to you, how will you get started this week? Do you ever find yourself comparing your "Christian status" with others? Jesus spoke with Peter after his resurrection, foreshadowing Peter's martyrdom and telling him not to compare himself with John. How does Jesus' command, "You, follow me," speak into your life?

Jesus warned us that persecution is to be expected. That's true globally for the church -- but what does it mean for us? Join our conversation about modern day persecution and how it affects us and our witness. Suggested Resources: Atlantic Article on Persecution Jesus in Athens Movie Discussion Questions: Have you experienced persecution or marginalization because of your faith? What happened and what did it feel like to go through that? Do you know any stories of modern day persecution of other Christians? Why was this story memorable to you?