Theology and Other Fun Stuff

If you're have served, are currently serving, or are interested in serving in a ministry role, this episode is for you. It's no secret that the great big world of ministry has lots of frustrations, challenges, and pitfalls. But when it's what God has called you to, there's no better place to be. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer unpack what it looks like to be truly called to vocational and volunteer ministry and how you can make the most of it.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

There's a general understanding that those who have a daily "quiet time" are doing it right. And that's not all wrong. But is it best? Is there more for believers in the pages of Scripture than what can be covered in a 15-minute span? Special guest Erin Warren joins Whitney Capps and Russ Greer to talk about the difference between a quiet time or devotional approach to the Bible and truly digging in to God's word.SHOW NOTESLearn more about Erin at her website.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Not everyone gets married. And that's okay. But for those who do, it's the most important earthly relationship they'll ever have. So, if you're a parent, it would make sense that you'd want to help your children choose a mate wisely. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer share ideas on what matters most as you guide the next generation of husbands and wives.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Is the Mexican food in the U.S. actually authentic Mexican food? No. Not even close. But it's comfortable. It's ours. And it's worth talking about. In honor of Mexican independence, Whitney Capps and Russ Greer break down the best and worst of chain Mexican food and choose a favorite.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Ready or not, it's graduation season. It's an exciting time with lots of "firsts" and even more "lasts." But it can also be filled with anxiousness, fear, and regrets. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer (but mainly Whitney) talk through some best practices to help you navigate this critical transition in a way that prepares them and you for the next phase of life. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Have you ever uttered a Christian cliche only to realize you're not even sure what it means? Or maybe someone has used Christianese on you in a most non-sensical way. Perhaps you don't even realize you use these catch phrases. Whatever the case, there are some well-meaning words that simply don't square up theologically. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer take some of these classics to task to figure out what exactly is being communicated. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

This story gets lots of attention around this time of year. No doubt, it is an incredible example of the saving power of the sacrifice of Christ. But the way it's interpreted is critical to a right understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer offer some thoughts on how this encounter with the crucified Christ impacts the greater understanding of salvation.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

DEI has been a hot topic as of late, and it doesn't seem to be cooling off anytime soon. But what do these letters mean? Are they really all that problematic? How should Christians respond? Does the Bible address it? Whitney Capps and Russ Greer dig into the nuts and bolts of this controversial cultural idea.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Why is discernment so important? What's the difference between discernment and people just being mean? How can believers identify the motives of others? The gift of discernment raises lots of questions. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer attempt to unpack answers to these and more.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

It'd be nice if we Christians could just all get together and agree about everything. Every program, every staff member, every carpet color. But that's not the world we live in. Fortunately, God has gifted some to help craft a plan and see it through. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer walk through two important gifts given to believers and how they work together to serve the church.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

For some people, discipline is a dirty word. But in God's economy, it's an essential practice that helps Christians look more like Christ. And it's particularly important when it comes to raising kids. Dr. Alan Posey joins Whitney Capps and Russ Greer to unpack a biblical view of discipline (complete with practical examples and embarrassing stories). We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Jesus said that man does not live by bread alone. And that's absolutely a truth you can take to the bank. But if man could live by bread alone—specifically pre-meal, restaurant bread—which bread would it be? Whitney Capps and Russ Greer plumb the depths of appetizer bread to discover which one stands alone. If you're not hungry when you start listening, you will be when it's all said and done.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

It would be really nice if all the people could meet all the needs in all the world all the time. But that's not reality. So, what does the Bible have to say about how we prioritize care when a choice has to be made? Whitney Capps and Russ Greer wade through a complex and nuanced discussion on how Scripture treats this important idea.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Mercy is an idea that teaches easy and lives hard. It's more than just feeling sorry for someone. But how much more? To what lengths does mercy go for the sake of others? Whitney Capps and Russ Greer discuss this gift and how it is often expressed in the lives of Christ-followers.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

There's no country like 90s country. Garth, George, Tim, Faith, Trisha, and so many more. You might even say it's the best of the best. And today, it's the best of the best of the best. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer draft their favorite songs from the greatest decade of country music. Listen in and share your picks on socials!We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Exhortation and encouragement are often used interchangeably when it comes to spiritual gifts. But is that really accurate? Is there more to exhortation than just a loving pat on the back or a genuine "attaboy" or "attagirl?" Whitney Capps and Russ Greer explore the nuance of the gift of exhortation and what it looks like in the lives of believers.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you're a child of the 90s (or if you just love sitcoms), you'll feel all the feels in this one. From T.G.I.F. to Friends and everything in between, Whitney Capps and Russ Greer declare the best—or at least their favorite—sitcoms from the greatest decade of television. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you're culture-current, you know that lots of people believe there's a perfect mate out there for everyone. You may even believe that! But is it biblical? Does God actually carve out one special human with whom you are to spend the rest of your life? Whitney Capps and Russ Greer unpack the theology behind the idea of soulmates to discern whether the age-old idea is grounded in Scripture.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you've parented a kid, you know you're always teaching. And the world we live in offers endless opportunities for learning. But have you ever thought about using the movies you watch as springboards for spiritual conversation. Whitney Capps and Russ Greer, along with Dr. Alan Posey, discuss the importance of leveraging entertainment with the goal of shaping character in your children.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Character counts. It's one of the most foundational aspects of who we are and how we interact with others. And it's always being formed—for better or worse. Dr. Alan Posey joins Whitney Capps and Russ Greer to discuss what it looks like to develop the character of your kids for the glory of God.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

What's the difference between the role of evangelist, the gift of evangelism, and the call to evangelize? Should everyone be an evangelist? What if you're not good at it? What if you're petrified? Whitney Capps and Russ Greer take a look at the spiritual gift of sharing the good news with others and how it can be applied in everyday life.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you've ever tried to color inside the lines, you're intimately acquainted with boundaries. Unfortunately, it seems that setting up guardrails for kids isn't exactly trending. But boundaries aren't meant to be fun suckers. In fact, when they're done right, they bring with them great freedom! Dr. Alan Posey joins Whitney Capps and Russ Greer to talk about what it looks like to raise kids who know where the lines are and how and why they shouldn't be crossed.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

The idea of "affirmation" has definitely taken on a nuanced meaning in recent years. In fact, if you're not affirming everyone's everything, you're potentially racist, sexist, tragically unkind, or some kind of -phobic. But at the heart of affirmation is truth. Not just any truth, but THE truth. Dr. Alan Posey joins Whitney Capps and Russ Greer to discuss the importance of affirming some very important and fundamental truths in your children. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

What is the gift of prophecy as it's expressed today? How does it compare to the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament? Are all prophetic words the same? Whitney Capps and Russ Greer dive into the nuts and bolts of this often-controversial spiritual gift.NOTESSpiritual Gifts AssessmentWe'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

We're starting Season 3! Check out this quick intro to what's headed your way in the new year. Hope you'll join us each Wednesday for the latest episode. Thanks for listening!We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

The celebration of Christmas has produced some of the most beautiful, timeless, and recognizable music in history. Unfortunately, it's not exactly a clean sweep. There are some songs that just shouldn't have been recorded. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer weigh in on the worst of the worst.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you've ever celebrated Christmas, then you're probably familiar with a guy named Santa. At face value, he's a seemingly harmless figure who offers seasonal assistance with children's behavior. But is celebrating Santa something Christians should do? Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer tackle the good and the bad of the North Pole Ninja in the Season 2 Finale. NOTESChristmas Isn't PaganThe Christmas Dilemma—Santa or No Santa?We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Words are hard. But not all words. Some words are easy. And you should pronounce them correctly. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer offer insight on proper pronunciation for everyday language.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Every parent wants their kids to be successful. But what does success look like? How does God define success? Dr. Alan Posey joins Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer for the first of a multi-part series on parenting with the end in mind.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Do you love to help people learn stuff? Does it bring your great joy when someone "gets it?" You might have the spiritual gift of teaching. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer unpack what it looks like to have and use this gift to help others know, love, and follow Jesus.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

What does it look like to exercise the spiritual gift of service? What does it feel like when that gift is most active in your life? How do you know if you're gifted in this way? Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer discuss the gift of service and how it is most often expressed in the life of believers.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

What are spiritual gifts? Does everybody have them? How should Christians use them? We're so glad you asked! Spiritual gifts are such a vital part of life for anyone who wants to be more like Jesus. But there's a little bit of a learning curve. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer work through an introductory look at what these gifts are and why they're important.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Real talk: there's very little (if any) theology here. Fun, yes. Theology, no. But if you were listening to contemporary Christian music in the 90s, you'll definitely be all in on this episode. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer make their top picks for the CCM Dream Team from the 90s. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

It's difficult to fight an enemy you can't see and don't understand. Who is Satan? What power does he have in the life of a believer? How should we fight back when we're under attack? Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer attempt to grab a 30,000-foot view of the great adversary. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Harvest Festival. Fall Fest. Trunk or Treat. Holy Ghost Weenie Roast. Christians have a seemingly endless supply of names for our Halloween alternatives. But is this spooky spectacular something Christ followers should celebrate at all? Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer dive into the historical and modern expressions of Halloween and consider its place in the life of a believer.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

They say if you want to keep friends, don't talk about politics and religion. Well, we'd like to keep our friends

Honor and obedience are both important biblical ideas that find their way into so many areas of life. And while they're definitely connected, they're not exactly the same. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer work to explain the similarities and differences and how they are expressed in a family setting. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

God has a history of setting up boundaries for his people. Those boundaries often come in the form of prohibitions or "nos." Does it make life less fun sometimes? Absolutely. But the goal is to make us more like him. If you're parenting with the spiritual maturity of your kids in view, "no" is an important tool in your belt. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer share insight on the power of "no" in raising godly kids.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

We live in an offended society. Everything is potentially offensive to everyone. So how do Christians interact with others in a loving way? Is every hill one worth dying on? If not, how do we know? Dr. Evan Posey joins Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer for a discussion on these questions and how they impact followers of Jesus.NOTESLearn more about Luther Rice College and SeminaryConnect with Dr. PoseyWe'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you've lived in the U.S. for any length of time, you've probably heard someone quote this verse. Maybe it was after a sporting event on TV. Maybe it was at work after the completion of a successful project. But does it really mean what people think it means? Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer work to address misperceptions about this popular verse by framing it in context. If there are verses you'd like to hear as part of this segment, be sure to text ideas to link below!We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

You've probably heard someone say, "all sin is the same to God." But is that really true? Are there degrees of sin? And if there are, what does that mean for the sinner? What does that tell us about God? Dr. Evan Posey joins Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer for a look at the theological underpinning that helps us better understand this idea and the ideas that flow from it. NOTESLearn more about Luther Rice College and SeminaryConnect with Dr. PoseyThe Briefing w/Albert MohlerWe'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

The debate over what roles women can and should hold in the local church is not a new conversation. But, in recent years, it has landed front and center in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer discuss the biblical basis for the position held by the SBC and how churches should make space for women in ministry. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the showIf you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you've ever dealt with chronic illness, you know what it means to long for a change. The good news is that something far beyond imagination awaits for those who are in Christ. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer are joined by author and speaker, Erin Warren. Erin shares how the weight of managing disease in her family deepened her understanding of who God is and how he loves.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

We live in a broken world full of broken people who are inevitably prone to failure. But sometimes those shortcomings hit really close to home and impact us in ways we never imagined. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer process a recent, real-world example of what it looks like to respond well when people let us down.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Oreos. They're more than just a clever marketing campaign. They're the quintessential cookie for millions of Americans (and non-Americans, probably). But it's no longer just a chocolate cookie filled with a sliver of vanilla cream. There are now (roughly) 438,000 variations on what was once a bastion of consistency. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer discuss their positions on this most important topic. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

The Bible tells us that we should forgive others in the same way that we've been forgiven by God. That speaks easy and lives hard. If you've ever harbored bitterness toward someone, you know just how helpless it feels. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer break down some key pieces of what forgiveness is and isn't and how you can begin to assess if you're holding on to things you need to let go. NOTESShady Characters by Keith HoustonBoundaries by Henry Cloud and John TownsendVaneetha Risner | Article on forgivenessWe'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

Sometimes we feel like we've just prayed down heaven. Other days, we wonder if our prayers make it past the ceiling. If you've followed Jesus very long (and even if you haven't), you've probably had questions about how prayer affects God's action or even how it affects your life in the here and now. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer talk through some foundational truths about prayer and its role in everyday life. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

If you are married, have been married, or will be married at any point in the future, have we got a show for you! In-law relationships can be gloriously nurturing, painstakingly turbulent, and everything in between. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer tackle how to manage these incredibly important relationships in a way that honors God and keeps the peace.NOTESHere's a link to the book "Boundaries" (and website w/resources) we mentioned in today's episode.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

There are some BIG feelings connected to choosing the best educational path for kids. Some of them are rooted in tradition. Some are biblically based. And some feel a bit more arbitrary. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer speak from differing sides of this discussion to help you think more deeply about the "why" behind their respective decisions.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

We're back for Season 2! And we can't wait to share some exciting, engaging discussions with you. Also, new this season, we're adding show guests. We're super pumped about bringing fresh perspectives to the TAOFS lineup, and we know you'll love it, too! So be sure to tune in for the first episode coming your way in just a few short days!We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.

What is a green room anyway? Simply put, it's a place where the best and brightest church volunteers gather to enjoy gourmet coffees and assorted Little Debbie cakes (not a sponsor) while they ponder the vicissitudes of life. TOTALLY KIDDING! But sometimes it can feel that way. Whitney Capps and co-host Russ Greer discuss this curious element of Christian subculture to determine what place, if any, it has in the church.We'd love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts or show ideas via text message.Support the Show.If you want to learn more about how your life and your theology matter, join the Theology and Fun community.