Theology for the People

When we talk about “the Early Church” many people's minds immediately go to the first generation of Christianity, recorded in the Book of Acts and addressed in the New Testament. But what happened after that, and why does it matter for Christians living today? Matt Pursley is the Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Diego, California. He has a Masters in Christian History, and in this episode, Matt and I discuss the First Council of Nicaea: what led to it and what it produced. We address many of the common misconceptions about Nicaea, and we discuss the early heresies of Marcionism, Gnosticism, and Arianism, and why it's important for Christians today to understand those heresies, and why they were rejected. Along the way we also talk about Jordan Peterson, who Matt says is a modern Marcionite, and how the errors of both liberalism and fundamentalism have a similar origin. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

What is a discipleship pathway, and how do you go about creating one? What is the process by which people grow spiritually, and how do we help them do that? Dr. John Whittaker has served as a pastor and theologian for many years, in different capacities. He is the author of The Listener's Commentary, an audio commentary of the Bible, that is available online. He is also the host of the Bible in Life Podcast.  About half-way through the conversation, I show John our church's discipleship pathway, and he gives his raw, unscripted feedback on it, so make sure to listen until then, to see if our discipleship pathway passed his test! Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Leadership is a very popular topic in modern business discussions, but what does the Bible have to say about leadership? And is there a difference between the vision for leadership given in the Bible versus that which comes from the world? John Currie is professor of pastoral theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has also served as a pastor in different churches and denominations, and in these roles, he has seen that sometimes pastors thrive in preaching, but struggle with leadership, or vice versa. In his recent book, The Pastor as Leader: Principles and Practices for Connecting Preaching and Leadership, John gives a biblical vision for a uniquely Christian approach to leadership. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Cameron Cole experienced every parent's worst nightmare: they put their son to bed one night, and in the morning they awoke to find that he had died in his sleep. However, the message of the Gospel, is that their son did indeed wake up in a greater and more profound way: he awoke to eternal life with Jesus, his Savior. In the wake of his son's death, Cameron did a deep dive into the passages in the New Testament where Paul the Apostle writes about Heaven and Eternal Life. That study gave birth to his recent book, Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth. In our discussion, Cameron shares what he learned through this experience, and how it made him more heavenly minded. Cameron also shares about how to the hope of eternal life ought to shape the way we live here and now. Check out Cameron's ministry: Rooted, which seeks to equip parents and churches to disciple children and students towards lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Is baptism a requirement for salvation? There are some Christian groups who say that it is, and others who say it isn't.  In this episode of Theology for the People, I am joined by Pastor Stephen Pomeroy from White Fields Community Church, and we look at the Bible verses and arguments which are central to the debate over “baptismal regeneration.” We aim to show you why we believe every Christian should be baptized, but that, as Christians, we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Do you know what sex robots, racism, and gender identity all have in common? In addition to being topics that are discussed in this episode, these topics are all related to the subject of Theological (or Biblical) Anthropology. My guest in this episode is Michael Payne. Mike is the Worship Pastor at White Fields Community Church, and he is a graduate student at Western Seminary, where he is pursing a Masters in Theology. In this episode we talk about what Biblical Anthropology is and how it shapes the way we understand ourselves and others, as well as how our view of anthropology shapes the way we live and interact in the world.  Check out Michael's music on Spotify here. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

What role should creeds and confessions play in the life of a Christian or of a church? If we have the Bible, then why are creeds and confessions necessary at all? Dr. Carl Trueman is the professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College. He is an esteemed church historian, and a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Dr. Trueman's recent book Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity addresses the claim that we, as Christians, need no creed but the Bible, and makes an appeal from history, reason, and Scripture for what he calls “confessional evangelicalism.” Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Spiritual disciplines are intentional, repeated practices which help you to grow in relationship with God. In this episode, I speak with my friend and colleague, Mike Neglia about his practice of journaling, and how it has benefited him spiritually. We also talk about the practice of taking notes in church, the value of different types of notebooks, and other tactile things we can do, which will help us grow in our faith. Mike is the pastor of Calvary Cork, in Cork City, Ireland, and he is the host of the very popular Expositors Collective Podcast. Together, Mike and I serve on the Executive Team of Calvary Global Network, and we are both leaders in the Expositors Collective initiative to raise up the next generation of Christ-centered expository Bible teachers. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Taking a step into the unknown can be scary, and yet, when led by God, it can lead to incredible spiritual growth and benefits for your life. Wendy Zahorjanski is a missionary in Serbia with her husband, Danny, in the city of Kragujevac, where they planted a church. Wendy recently wrote a book about her experiences stepping into unknown, and she talks about the important role that taking steps of faith plays in our spiritual growth and relationship with God. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Randy Newman grew up in a secular Jewish home, but through relationships with Christians, as well as through a series of personal events and realizations, he became a Christian. Randy is now a senior fellow for apologetics at the C.S. Lewis Institute, and over the past several decades he has talked with many individuals, and studied their journeys of coming to faith in Jesus.  In his recent book, “Questioning Faith” - he tells some of these stories, and looks at the factors in what he calls “indirect journeys of belief through terrains of doubt.” In this episode, Randy and I speak about his story of coming to faith in Jesus, and we talk about some of the factors that Christians face today in sharing their faith, and how we can do that more effectively.  Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Desiderius Erasmus is one of the most important figures in the history of the Protestant Reformation. He was a key thinker, and the compiler of many of the manuscripts that were used in translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into languages of the people. He was also in communication with many of the key figures of the reformation, like Martin Luther. And yet, Erasmus stopped short of being a Reformer. In this episode, I speak with Shane Angland about this intriguing person, what contributions he made, and why he fell short. Shane Angland is from Ennis, Ireland and holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Jamie Dunlop is an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, in Washington D.C. and the author of the book, Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy: Eight Truths for Pursuing Unity in Your Church. Jamie's church is only a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol building, and Jamie discusses how their church has navigated some of the difficult social issues of the past few years by determining to be a “Christ alone” type of church. In this episode, we discuss the goal of Christian unity in the midst of a divided society, and how to pursue it. Where do you draw the lines?  How do you determine which issues are primary issues?  And why is it important to love those who are different from you, in the Body of Christ? episodeleave a written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. People --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

In the Parable to the Good Samaritan, Jesus concludes the parable with this phrase: “Go and Do Likewise.” What then is the role of “acts of mercy” or providing for physical needs, in regard to the Great Commission we've received from Jesus: to go into the world and preach the Gospel to all people? Amy DiMarcangelo is an author, a mom, and a seminarian who cares deeply about engaging in the mission of God in a holistic way. She and her husband have adopted a child, and they are involved in caring for refugees in their community. Amy's recent book is called, Go and Do Likewise: A Call to Follow Jesus in a Life of Mercy and Mission. In this episode, Amy and I talk about the “social gospel” and evangelism, and about developing a holistic approach to meeting people's physical and spiritual needs. We also share our stories of working with refugees, including how my father in law, who was a refugee from Hungary, came to faith in Jesus. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

The internet is a tool that nearly everyone uses on a daily basis, but what impact does it have on us in regard to Christian discipleship? How have digital devices transformed the way that communities and churches, function, and what challenges do these technologies pose for us as individuals seeking to follow Jesus? Samuel James is the author of the book: Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in a Digital Age, and in this discussion we talk about strategies for faithful discipleship in an online age. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

If you read the Bible in English, you may not realize all of the drama and sacrifices that went into getting the Bible translated into the English language.  William Tyndale was an English biblical scholar and linguist who became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, until he was executed for his beliefs. Tyndale created the first English translation of the New Testament from the original Greek text and was working on translating the Old Testament from Hebrew. Much of his work can still be seen in the way the Bible is translated into English to this day.  In this episode, my guest is Shane Angland of Ennis Evangelical Church in County Clare, Ireland. Shane holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary, and specializes in historical theology. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Who is the Holy Spirit, and how does an understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit contribute to our life and faith as believers in Jesus?  Fred Sanders is professor of theology at the Torrey Honors College at Biola University. He is the author of a much sought-after series of theological comic books, as well as the recently published book, The Holy Spirit: an Introduction, which is part of the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series put out by Crossway Publishing. Fred has focused much of his theological work on the topic of the Trinity, so when it comes to talking about the person and work of the Holy Spirit, he has a unique and helpful perspective.  In this episode we talk about what the Bible says and doesn't say about the Holy Spirit, whether it's okay to pray to the Holy Spirit, and more. Make sure to visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

How should we, as Christians think about mental health and mental illness? Are there ways in which the Bible gives us insights into treating mental illness, that go beyond what modern secular scholarship can provide? In this episode, I speak with David Murray.  David Murray holds a PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and has pastored churches in Scotland and the USA. He is also a counselor, and the author of several books, including the latest, which he co-authored, A Christian's Guide to Mental Illness: Answers to 30 Common Questions. In our discussion, David talks about his own struggles with mental, and about how the Bible gives us the best possible framework for dealing with issues that are often both spiritual and physical in nature. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

For many people, the study of the “end times” can feel mysterious and disorienting. But, upon examination, what you find is that there are really only three main lenses through which people interpret the eschatological texts in the Bible. In this episode, my friend Aaron Salvato from the Good Lion Podcast, interviews me about the end times passages in the Bible and I lay out the three different ways these passages have been interpreted, and why.  I outline the futurist, preterist, and idealist positions, and explain how they correspond to premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism. I also weigh the strengths and weaknesses underlying these different interpretations. Make sure to visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is often read at funerals, or at times when people are in need of comfort.  And yet, there is more to this Psalm than many people realize. According to my guest, David Gibson, Psalm 23 echoes the major themes of the Bible and foreshadows God's saving work through Jesus - in a way that is wonderful, edifying, and encouraging.  Rather than being a Psalm for death - he wants to show us how this is a passage about life, for those who follow Jesus! David Gibson is the minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland, and the author of several books, including his latest: The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Many people consider Jesus to be a great teacher, but few actually realize just how incredible his teachings actually were. Dr. Peter J. Williams is the principal of Tyndale House in Cambridge, and he is the chair of the International Greek New Testament Project. He is also a member of the ESV Translation Oversight Committee, and the author of several books, including one titled: Can We Trust the Gospels? Dr. Williams' latest book is called The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher, in which he examines Jesus' teachings in the Gospels and shows how we know that these teachings truly do originate with Jesus, and that they show an incredible awareness of, and connection to the Old Testament in a way that would have triggered the memories of the first listeners, and which contains layers of meaning for us as readers today. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

In this first episode of Season 4, Nick Cady speaks with pastor and author Andrew Wilson about why understanding western culture is important for Christian theology and mission. Andrew has a PhD from King's College London, and he serves as the teaching pastor at King's Church London. In his new book, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, Andrew looks at 7 transformational events which took place in 1776, that paved the way for today's post-Christian western culture. By understanding how those events influence the way people think today, Christians can more effectively share God's truth in a post-Christian age. Make sure to visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

The new season of Theology for the People will be coming, starting in January 31, 2024, and featuring topics including: Eschatology, Church History, Mental Health, Practical Theology, and more. Upcoming guests include Shane Angland, Andrew Wilson, Peter J. Williams, and Fred Sanders.  If you haven't yet done so yet, make sure to subscribe, to make sure that new episodes are delivered right to your device as soon as they are released, and keep an eye out for those new episodes coming soon! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Dr. Philip Ryken is the President of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He has a Doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University, and he is the author of over 50 books. His latest book is called Beauty is Your Destiny: How the Promise of Splendor Changes Everything.   In this episode, Dr. Ryken and I discuss the role of beauty in theology. Dr. Ryken points out that Beauty is not a topic that is often discussed in theological circles, but it should be, both as a lens through which we view theological topics such as forgiveness, or atonement, or justice, and even as an attribute of God and the end result of God's work of redemption in our lives and in the world. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Jeremy Treat is the Pastor for preaching and vision at Reality LA, a church in Los Angeles, California. He is also an Adjunct Professor of theology at BIOLA University, and he has his PhD from Wheaton College.  Jeremy is the author of several books. His latest book is The Atonement: an Introduction, published by Crossway Publishing as part of their series of Short Studies in Systematic Theology. In this episode, Jeremy speaks with Nick Cady about the doctrine of the Atonement, including what it means, and why it is so central to Christianity. They also discuss some common errors that people commit when thinking about the atonement, and how many of these errors are due to a view of the atonement which is reductionistic. Further, they talk about the practical implications of those different reductionist views. Jeremy believes that the best narrative in which to understand the atoning work of Jesus is that of the Kingdom of God, in light of the entire story that the Bible tells. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Nathan Knight is the Lead Pastor of Restoration Church in Washington DC — which is a church that he planted 14 years ago. He now leads a church planting network in the DC area called Treasuring Christ Together, and he recently wrote a book (published by Crossway and 9Marks) about church planting called: Planting by Pastoring: A Vision for Starting a Healthy Church.  In our discussion, Nathan and I talk about the premise of his book — which seeks to encourage the planting of new churches, while getting back to the biblical definitions of what a church is, what a church does, and how to define “success” in a local church. Make sure to visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Elisabeth Elliott was one of the most well-known and influential figures of the late 20th century, and early 21st century, both in evangelical circles, but also in the culture at large. Recently a biography of her life was written by Lucy S R Austen, and published by Crossway Publishing, titled Elisabeth Elliot: A Life. On this episode of Theology for the People, I speak with Lucy S R Austen about who Elisabeth Elloitt was and the influence that she had. As Lucy points out, Elisabeth Elliot was a sometimes controversial figure, who changed her views on things throughout her life, and her life reflects much of the history of evangelicalism in the 20th century. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Cory Piper is a teacher who specializes in the Old Testament, theology, and history. He recently wrote a book called 500 Year Journey: How the Magi Knew When Jesus Would be Born We discuss who the Magi were and why they came to Jerusalem at the exact time they did, when Jesus was born, and how it ties into the book of Daniel and other Old Testament passages. Additionally, we talk about the history of why the church has celebrated the birth of Jesus on December 25, and whether that has any ties to paganism or not. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

In this episode, Nick Cady and Jason Cralley respond to the best arguments for Biblical Unitarianism, the a non-Trinitarian interpretation of biblical texts about who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are. In doing this, they look at the history of Arianism and Trinitarian formulations of who God is, including a discussion about Constantine and the First Council of Nicaea, and the Nicene Creed. Further, they look into the arguments put forth regarding certain Biblical passages that Unitarians point to as evidence of God's non-trinitarian, or unitarian nature, and give a defense for trinitarian beliefs. Make sure to visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

In recent years it has become increasingly popular for people who grew up in Christianity to go through a process of “deconstruction” in which they seek to examine and question the origins of their beliefs.  Deconstruction isn't always a bad thing, but the deconstruction movement, powered by social media, largely targets younger people and encourages them to cast off their Christiaan beliefs.  This episode of Theology for the People is the recording of a workshop which Nick Cady and Aaron Salvato co-lead at the 2023 Calvary Global Network International Conference on the Topic of Doubt and Deconstruction. We start out by defining deconstructionism and examining its philosophical roots, then we look at the impact of this movement and some of the common themes in its claims. Finally, we discuss a Biblical response to doubt and deconstruction and give some helpful tips for addressing the questions that those who are deconstructing may have.  Check out more from Aaron Salvato on the Good Lion Podcast. My book, The God I Won't Believe In: Facing Nine Common Barriers to Embracing Christianity, can be found here. Visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Chris Castaldo is the Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois. In this episode we discuss his recent book The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes. We talk about how the Beatitudes are meant to be understood, and how people have misread them throughout history. Further, we also discuss what the eschatological nature of the Beatitudes, and what they mean for practical areas of life, such as lament, power, and politics. Chris has a PhD from London School of Theology, and he is a fellow at the Center for Pastor Theologians. He has authored and contributed to several books including: Talking with Catholics about the Gospel: A Guide for Evangelicals. You can find more about Chris and read his writings at chriscastaldo.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

In this episode, Nick Cady and Jason Cralley respond to questions on various topics, including how Christians should respond to Pride Month, whether humans will have the ability to sin in the age to come, how to serve God faithfully in an unsatisfying job, and how to respond to different situations in dating and marriage. To submit your questions for future Ask Me Anything Episodes, visit nickcady.org. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Have we over-emphasized the value of rest and Sabbath to the neglect of the biblical teaching on diligence and hard work? On this episode, Nick Cady is joined by Tyler Fuss and Mike Neglia to discuss what the Bible has to say about the importance of diligence, the danger of sluggardliness, and how to know the difference between hard work and over-work. Tyler studied theology at Denver Seminary and is now a business owner in Colorado. Mike is the lead pastor of Calvary Cork in Cork, Ireland and a student at Western Seminary. Mike also leads Expositors Collective, an initiative which seeks to raise up the next generation of expository Bible teachers, and he hosts the Expositors Collective Podcast. Resources mentioned in this episode: Zeal Without Burnout (Book) Don't Waste Your Life (Book) You Have One Life, Don't Waste It (John Piper YouTube video) Overcoming Apathy and Slothfulness - Uche Anzior (Podcast Episode) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Mitchell Chase (PhD) is the Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He also serves as Preaching Pastor at Kosmosdale Baptist Church. Mitch has written several articles for the Gospel Coalition, and he is the author of several books.  In this episode, Mitch and Nick discuss how a better understanding of Genesis 3 can help us understand the entire Bible in a deeper way. Mitch's latest book, Short of Glory: a Biblical and Theological Exploration of the Fall, addresses this topic. We discuss some issues in Genesis 3, such as the priestly role of Adam and the naming of Eve, among others. Follow Mitch on Substack at Biblical Theology --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

On this episode of Theology for the People, we dive into the topic of Russian Orthodox Christianity.  My guest is Shane Angland. Shane is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, and he was also a missionary in Eastern Ukraine.  The Raskol of 1666 was a schism that took place in the Russian Orthodox Church, which highlights some of the distinctive features of Orthodox theology, and Russian Orthodoxy theology uniquely. Furthermore, we talk about how Russian Orthodox theology plays a role in the current war in Ukraine. Visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

Mike Neglia is the Lead Pastor of Calvary Cork, in Cork, Ireland. He is a graduate student at Western Seminary and he leads Expositors Collective, an initiative to train and equip the next generation of Christ-centered expository Bible teachers. In this episode, Mike and I speak about the 7 letters to 7 churches in Revelation 2-3, and what these letters show us about Christ's concern for local churches, and how that should shape the way we feel and act towards the local church ourselves. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Expositors Collective Podcast episode with Jeffrey Weima The Sermons to the Seven Churches of Revelation: A Commentary and Guide, by Jeffrey Weima Calvary Global Network International Conference Calvary Cork YouTube page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

On this episode I speak with Shane Angland about the Radical Reformers of the 16th Century, and how the ideas of the Radical Reformation, though they were initially met with opposition — they have had an incredible impact on Christianity as we know it today, including how the church relates to the government and society as a whole. Furthermore, we discuss some of the lessons we can learn today from the mistakes and missteps of the radical reformers, as well.  Shane Angland is a Teaching Elder at Ennis Evangelical Church in County Clare, Ireland. He spent several years as a missionary in Ukraine, and is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theologyforthepeople/support

On April 19, 2023 I had a snowboarding accident which left me with two broken ankles and a traumatic leg injury. In this personal update I talk about what happened and how you can be praying for me. Additionally, I talk about what to look forward to in coming weeks on the podcast. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org

Drs. Matthew Kim and Paul Hoffman are the authors of Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity. Drs. Kim and Hoffman met at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Hoffman is lead pastor of Evangelical Friends Church of Newport, Rhode Island, and Dr. Kim is Professor of Practical Theology and the Hubert H. and Gladys S. Raborn Chair of Pastoral Leadership at Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. They are passionate about the Bible's vision of the reconciliation of all things in Christ, and they care deeply about the Body of Christ and the Mission of God — and they share how this theology can play out practically in the way that we minister in a world which is plagued by division. In this episode, we talk about when and how Christians should address hot topics in our societies, and some guiding principles for helping people navigate the cultural moments we find ourselves in. Mentioned in this episode is Dr. Kim's book, Preaching with Cultural Intelligence: Understanding the People Who Hear Our Sermons

How do we know when the books of the New Testament were written? Is it important? In this episode, I speak with Shane Angland about the dating of the Gospels and Revelation, and why the answer to that question might be more important than you think. We look at some of the evidences for why we can be confident that the Gospels were written shortly after Jesus' life and ascension. Additionally we talk about the Book of Revelation, and how the dating of Revelation actually determines how we interpret it. Shane ss a teaching elder at Ennis Evangelical Church in County Clare, Ireland. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and holds a BA in History and Politics from the University of Limerick. Shane also served for several years as a missionary in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The book Shane recommends at the end of this episode is: Redating the New Testament by John A.T. Robinson Check out Shane's blog here: http://anglandicus.blogspot.com/ Visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org, where you can read articles and suggest topics for future episodes.

In this episode, Nick Cady and Michael Payne discuss what is at stake in regard to Jesus' resurrection, as well as some alternative explanations for Jesus' missing body that have been proposed. Finally, they share some of the strongest evidences for why Christians believe that Jesus did in fact rise from the grave. For more from Nick and Mike, check out the White Fields Church Podcast, whitefieldschurch.com, or the White Fields YouTube channel. Make sure to visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org for more articles and content.

Shane Angland is a teaching elder at Ennis Evangelical Church in County Clare, Ireland. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and holds a BA in History and Politics from the University of Limerick. Shane also served for several years as a missionary in Kharkiv, Ukraine. On this episode, Shane shares some of his research about the Irish monastic approach to Bible study in the "Dark Ages" and what made it unique, as well as what we today can learn from their practices. Check out Shane's blog here: http://anglandicus.blogspot.com/ Visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org, where you can read articles and suggest topics for future episodes.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://nickcady.org/2017/12/05/do-christians-pick-and-choose-when-it-comes-to-old-testament-laws/

László (Laci) is a pastor in Budapest, Hungary. In addition to pastoring a local church, he leads a ministry which helps those caught in human trafficking to escape prostitution and experience lasting freedom. The south side of Budapest, where Laci ministers, is a working class area, known for high levels of crime and prostitution. In this episode, we discuss the theological foundations for "mercy ministries" and how Laci got involved in practical ministry to the poor and oppressed. For more information, visit: Servants Anonymous Foundation

What does the Bible say about wealth? Why is it that so many wealthy people are not "whole" - and what is the solution? Jeff Gipe is a pastor in Franklin, Tennessee. He was a successful businessman in Southern California, who left the business world to plant a church in the area where he lived, which happened to be one of the most affluent communities in the world. He is a graduate of Western Seminary, and has put in a lot of work theologically and practically into thinking biblically about the topic of money and how it relates to God's vision for human flourishing. Visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org, where you can read articles and suggest topics for future episodes.

Steven and Teresa Yeats have been missionaries in Eastern Europe for many years. They currently live in Chisinau, Moldova. Steven is a pastor and a church planter, but a few years ago he started a business in Moldova, and in this episode he talks about the spirituality of money and the reasons for considering doing business as a form of mission. We talk about sustainable church planting and unique needs that exist in the developing (majority) world. Additionally, Steven and Teresa share about how the war in Ukraine has affected their lives and their ministry in Moldova. Finally, they share how we can be praying for their ministry and the church in Moldova. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org

Dan Marotta is the founding Rector of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia, and the author of Liturgy in the Wilderness: How the Lord's Prayer Shapes the Imagination of the Church in a Secular Age. In this episode, we discuss the topic of prayer and the Lord's Prayer specifically. The Lord's Prayer is a beautiful, subversive passage of words given to the church by Jesus. It forms our imaginations and—given time—transforms us. Dan explains how what you pray shapes what you believe, which in turn shapes how you live. Visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org, where you can read articles and suggest topics for future episodes.

Benjamin Morrison is a missionary in Ukraine and the pastor of Calvary Chapel Svitlovodsk in Central Ukraine. Ben is also a leader with City to City in Europe and Ukraine. To support Ben and the ministry he is doing, visit bit.ly/give2ukraine Visit the Theology for the People blog at nickcady.org to read articles, suggest topics, or ask questions.

Curt Fuller is the Technical Director at White Fields Community Church in Longmont, Colorado. Additionally, Curt is Nick's writing partner; he was the editor of Nick's first book: The God I Won't Believe In: Facing Nine Common Barriers to Embracing Christianity The audiobook version of that book was published on February 1, 2023. In this episode, you can hear a preview of that book, and we discuss other projects currently in the works. To read the Theology for the People blog, or to suggest a topic or ask a question, visit: nickcady.org

Welcome to Season 3 of Theology for the People! Michael Payne is the Worship Pastor at White Fields Community Church in Longmont, Colorado. Previously he served as a missionary and worship pastor in Hungary at Golgota Budapest. Prior to that, he served in the US Marine Corps. Listen to Mike's original music on Spotify here, or see him in action on the White Fields Church YouTube page. The books Mike recommends in this episode on the topic of the biblical genre of lament are: Michael Card, A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament Mark Vroegop - Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy Walter Brueggemann - The Message of the Psalms For the Theology for the People blog, or to submit a question or suggest a topic, visit nickcady.org

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://nickcady.org/2018/12/06/was-it-necessary-for-our-salvation-that-jesus-be-god/

Aaron Damiani is a pastor and the author of the book: Earth Filled with Heaven — Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments and other Ancient Practices of the Church. In this episode, Aaron and I discus some of the practices that Christians have traditionally done in their worship services, and how Christians today can benefit from incorporating some of those formative practices. Additionally, we discussion some of the pitfalls or potential downsides of a liturgical approach to worship and discipleship, and some ways that High Church and Low Church Protestants can learn from each other in order to create an intentional order or service which helps develop healthy disciples of Jesus. If you benefited from this episode, please share it with others, and if you would like to help the podcast, the best way to do that is by leaving a rating or review on your podcast app.