Real Life, Real Gospel

In the season finale of Cross Checking, Ben and Josh talk about one of the most fundamental things they don't teach you about at Seminary. How do you convince people to care about this stuff?

Honestly, we could not remember what the season finale was supposed to be about. So instead we covered some current events (kinda) and talked about some of the best ways to pick leaders in the church.

Join Ben and Josh in the penultimate episode of the season where we talk about some issues with the framework of how we think about church sometimes.

Today Ben and Josh talk about creatively diplomatic emails and messages to deal with problems that are kinda problems but not full on problems.

On this light after-Easter episode, Ben and Josh talk about a couple things they would magically fix in the LCMS if they could.

Continuing in the series-within-a-series on correction bad theology - today Ben and Josh talk about the Rapture.A lot of end-times-y stuff lately, someone should tell these guys to chill.

Ben and Josh continue a little mini-series on correction bad theology. What's in their crosshairs today? Decision theology!

Are you predestined for greatness? What about for eternal life?Part of a mini-series on how we correct bad theology.

This week Ben and Josh are talking about immaturity in the church. It can impact our spiritual walks and our operations as a community - so we all could probably do with some growing up!

Context is a word that gets thrown around a lot (at least in our circles). Why is it such a big deal and how do we understand the contexts we are in?

In this episode, Ben and Josh talk about when programs are useful for congregations to implement . . . and when they aren't.

Ben and Josh talk about how churches should approach organizational change.

In this episode, Ben and Josh talk about what it should look like when you're picking a church. We also have some mildly spicy takes on what it shouldn't look like.

Josh and Ben talk about what happens when churches have to go through major transitions like different professional church workers or changing major ministries.

Welcome to Season 7 of Cross Checking (formerly Manbuns and Jesus)! This season we will spend a lot of time talking about the work of the church, the limitations of pastors, and the roles of volunteers in the church. We kick that off by checking in on our ministry contexts and reflecting on where we both are.

This is the final episode of season six, where we talk about the important distinctions that are grounded in the Trinity.

We're getting towards the end of the season and we're making some more distinctions between groups in this episode.

We're getting towards the end of the season and the Book of Concord starts to help us make some theological distinctions between groups.

The presidential election is tomorrow, so Ben and Josh take on this audacious question.

The Law is a good gift that serves as our guide, but that isn't all it does. Also, here is the link for the book Josh shamelessly plugs during the episode.

In the church, we're called to deal with sin. Excommunication is one of the tools we use to do it. Big name, scary name, but ultimately a process driven by compassion and a desire for reconciliation.

Feeling angry, frustrated, sad, or tired about politics right now? Well we've got a show for you.

Jesus went to hell for you. And the more you think about it, the more meaningful we realize His sacrifice was.

There have been some things said lately and it seems fair to weigh in on them from the perspective of the Book of Concord.

Traditions are great, but they aren't necessary for salvation.

Confession, absolution, and ecclesial tyranny? Certainly not on Manbuns and Jesus?!

It's really more of an episode about vocation, but we want the titles for the season to be consistent. And yes, I know I could just say "Concerning Vocation" but that didn't occur to me until I was writing the description and I'd have to actually click back on the Title box instead of just using the Tab key - not on your life!

An episode about something that used to be a major point of contention that still has some wisdom for us today.

Ben and Josh talk about whether or not we should genuinely consider that there might be people out there making deals with the devil.

Can we declare ourselves patron saints of chicanery and tomfoolery? Probably not. Did we do it anyway? What do you think?

There are a bunch of reasons to do good works, to earn your salvation isn't one of them. Also, we have a new theme song!

Do you have free will? Does it matter? Is this too philosophical for Manbuns and Jesus? Yeah, we're not sure either.

The terminus of Christianity - heaven, hell, and how to get there.

How can/should Christians interact with politics and the government? We give answering that question our best shot.

Who gets to preach? What does it take to administer the sacraments?

Forgiveness and reconciliation with God is at the core of what Christianity is, so don't skip this one!

Don't overthink it, don't undervalue it.

Water and the Word.  It really is as simple as that.

What is the church? Who is the church? When is the church?   . . . does anyone actually need these descriptions?

We should do good things and avoid doing bad things, but the way we arrive at that conclusion matters.

What are the core objectives of preaching and what actually makes a good sermon? Questions that Ben and Josh wrestle with regularly, now recorded for your podcasting pleasure!

We really owe the Holy Spirit more gratitude than we tend to give Him.

This is one of those areas where we know the truth, but understanding the "how" and "why" is beyond us.  That never stopped us from talking about it before though, so here's an episode!   Also, Ben committed Josh to putting a link in the show notes for a book he referenced.  So here's the link and a salty comment about Ben committing Josh to remember things without advance notice.  (For those listening in a place where that hyperlink was disabled, here's the raw link https://a.co/d/65Ws9Cj)

There was never any hope for us, not after the Fall. And it's cheery ideas like that at the center of what Ben and Josh have to discuss in this episode.

In this episode, Ben and Josh start to get into the substance of the season with a discussion about who God is and why that matters to us so much.

In the sixth season of Manbuns and Jesus, Ben and Josh are planning to dive into the Book of Concord. What is it? Why should you care? How are these fools still recording podcasts? Some of these questions and more will be answered in the premier of M&J Season 6!

In the final episode of season 5, Ben and Josh talk about the golden calf Israel makes at Mount Sinai.

Wrapping up our conversation about the days of Holy Week - the main event!

Josh was absent (like a slacker) but Ben carried on through Exodus with Brenden to talk about the organized worship in Israel.

Ben and Josh take a step out of Exodus to talk about the different celebrations that happen during Holy Week. This week's topic: Good Friday.

Ben and Josh take a step out of Exodus to talk about the different celebrations that happen during Holy Week. This week's topic: Maundy Thursday.