Thoughtful Christianity

Christians have the unique privilege to call God their Father. Jay and Josh turn to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and discuss God the Father.

Christians have the unique privilege to call God their Father. However, who is God the Father? What role in the Trinity and in our salvation does he play? Join Jay and Josh as they wrestle with who the first person of the Trinity is and what He has done for them.

At the heart of the Christian faith lies the Trinity. In this episode, Jay and Josh continue their study of the BFM2k to seek clarity on this doctrine

At the heart of the heart of the Christian faith lies the Trinity. This was the doctrine over which the early church bled and died. This was the truth they confessed and explained. This is the truth that they maintained no saved person could not safely reject. In this episode, Jay and Josh continue their study of the Baptist Faith and Message, honing in on one of the most important answers to the question “What does it mean to be a Christian”.

What does it mean to be a Christian? What does it mean to be Southern Baptist. The problem with these terms is that if their is no uniting document or belief or identity, then the words mean nothing at all. This is why for the next couple of weeks Jay and Josh will be working through the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BFM2K) which serves as the doctrinal statement for the SBC. Starting with Articles 1, they speak out about the importance of inspiration and authority for Christianity to mean anything to anyone.

Where do we go when we die? This question has been a centerpiece of Christian evangelism, devotions, and funerals for a very long time. Yet, many believers have a vision of the present heaven that takes its cues from the New Heavens and New Earth instead. On this episode, Jay and Josh chew through passages that give us a glimpse of our hope beyond the grave while defending the importance of our great hope of Christ redeeming the Earth. Also, there are a lot of pirate references for some reason.

Jay and Josh discuss the Baptist Faith and Message, which is the doctrinal statement for the SBC. Starting with Articles 1, they discuss the value of Scripture.

Most people with an eye to American culture have noticed a strange meshing of Christianity with politics, nationalism, and patriotism. Jay and Josh take on this sensitive and important topic with their typical "worldview work". A conversation about Fourth of July services, the founding of the country, biblical interpretation, and least favorite veggies ensues.

What is theistic evolution and does it contradict or supplement the faith? In this episode, Jay and Josh read an article by Ted Davis of Biologos which explains the core tenets of Theistic Evolution. They weigh these tenets against a Christian worldview and discover several deviations from foundational truths.

Where do we go when we die? In this episode, Jay and Josh examine passages that give us a glimpse of our hope beyond the grave while defending the importance of our great hope of Christ redeeming the Earth. Also, there are a lot of pirate references for some reason.

In this episode, Jay will lay out an argument for God's existence as a presupposition. What follows is a conversation about worldviews, evangelism, and trusting the Lord.

What is up for debate in evangelism and apologetics? In this episode, Jay will lay out an argument for God's existence as a presupposition. This means that when we debate or evangelize or make a defense of Christianity we do so not to prove that God exists but assuming that he does. What follows is a conversation about worldviews, evangelism, and trusting the Lord.

One of the unspoken debates in Christianity today is about language. More and more, Christians, especially younger Christians, are embracing curse words as a valid part of language. One of the nuances of this topic is that their is no list of "bad words" in the Bible. Jay and Josh think through what the Bible does say about how Christians should use their words and make their cases for whether cursing is off the table or not.

More and more, Christians are embracing curse words as a valid part of language. Jay and Josh think through what the Bible does and does not say about how Christians use their words and make their cases for whether cursing is off the table or not.

In this episode, Josh and Jay work through what is cultural, what is mystical, and what is biblical in the pursuit of knowing God's will for our lives.

How many times have you heard something like "God will open a door for you" or "I felt like God was telling me..."? Too often, our theology can become muddled by Christian clichés rather than the Word of God. In this very special episode, Josh and Jay work through what is cultural, what is mystical, and what is biblical in the pursuit of knowing God's will for our lives.

The Westminster Catechism states that the "chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." As Jay and Josh work through the "clencher" of the Sola's, they reflect on the amazing purpose of God spelled out in the Sola's. God has saved for himself a people according to Scripture alone, by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone, to the Glory of God alone!

How did college draw our two co-hosts deeper into a relationship with the Lord? How did the Lord use mentors, ministries, churches, and each other to draw them deeper into the pursuit of God. In this part of a two-week podcast, Josh and Jay reflect on their college experiences and the amazing ways God sharpened both of them into zealous lovers of God, all the while wrestling with sorrow, assurance, evangelism, and the workplace.

How did the Thoughtful Christianity Co-hosts meet? What events, people, and places shaped them into the men they are today? In this part of a two-week podcast, Josh and Jay reflect on their lives from childhood to high school, all the while wrestling with a lack of fruit, bullying and popularity, and friendship that has lasted the years and sharpened each other's character.

After a break to tell their stories, Jay and Josh return to the Sola's to cover the doctrine of Solus Christus, or Christ Alone. This simple phrase is the answer to our world's most important questions. Questions of salvation, Scripture, glory, wisdom, creation, and purpose. Join our co-hosts as the reflect on the glory of Christ who is all in all!

How did college draw our two co-hosts deeper into a relationship with the Lord? How did the Lord use mentors, ministries, churches, and each other to draw them deeper into the pursuit of God. In this part of a two-week podcast, Josh and Jay reflect on their college experiences and the amazing ways God sharpened both of them into zealous lovers of God, all the while wrestling with sorrow, assurance, evangelism, and the workplace.

The Westminster Catechism states that the "chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." As Jay and Josh work through the "clencher" of the Sola's, they reflect on the amazing purpose of God spelled out in the Sola's.

How did the Thoughtful Christianity Co-hosts meet? What events, people, and places shaped them into the men they are today? In this part of a two-week podcast, Josh and Jay reflect on their lives from childhood to high school, all the while wrestling with a lack of fruit, bullying and popularity, and friendship that has lasted the years and sharpened each other's character.

Jay and Josh continue discussing the Sola's, thinking through the doctrine of Solus Christus, or Christ Alone. This simple phrase is the answer to our world's most important questions. Questions of salvation, Scripture, glory, wisdom, creation, and purpose. Join our co-hosts as the reflect on the glory of Christ who is all in all!

Jay and Josh take a step back in this series to think about how the Five Sola's interact as a whole before diving into this week's topic: Grace Alone. They have a great time working through Ephesians 2:1-8 in an in depth study. A discussion about the interaction of grace and faith, the historic Catholic position, and the delights of a salvation not earned.

Jay and Josh have a great time working through Ephesians 2:1-8 in an in depth study. A discussion about the interaction of grace and faith, the historic Catholic position, and the delights of a salvation not earned.

Josh phones in from the beach in this episode on "Sola Fide", or Faith Alone. As the "article on which the Church stands or falls", Jay and Josh work through definitions of faith, how faith and works interact, and how faith interacts with the other Sola's.

Josh phones in from the beach in this episode on "Sola Fide", or Faith Alone. As the "article on which the Church stands or falls", Jay and Josh work through definitions of faith, how faith and works interact, and how faith interacts with the other Sola's.

Jay and Josh begin a series on the 5 Sola's of the Reformation. Today they consider what it means for Scripture to be "alone". What role do commentaries, church history, pastors, theologians, and all other sources of wisdom play in interpreting the text.

Jay and Josh begin a series on the 5 Sola's of the Reformation. Today they consider what it means for Scripture to be "alone". Does this mean that the only thing needed to interpret the Bible is the Bible? What role do commentaries, church history, pastors, theologians, and all other sources of wisdom play in interpreting the text. These questions and more or discussed in this week's podcast!

"The person who approaches the pulpit is, in some serious way, saying to the congregation 'Thus says the Lord'" Rooted in the belief that Scripture is a gift of revelation from God with purpose, Jay and Josh discuss the need for pastors to feed the flock the pure, unadulterated Word of God, rather than their own thoughts or a diluted summary of biblical truths. Much time is spent thinking about what impact expository preaching has on the lives of lay persons.

"The failure of the Christian to be joyful is a sin..." R. C. Sproul wrote these words, going so far to say that unhappiness is "the manifestation of the flesh." Jay and Josh discuss this quote as well as the Biblical command to be joyful. They think deeply about desires, satisfaction, and delights in this episode on the Christian duty to joyfulness.

The question of communion has been on the minds of many Christians during this unforeseen quarantine. Jay and Josh tackle this current issue in the Church. Is virtual communion within the boundaries laid out in the Bible or is it crossing a line laid out in Scripture? This episode sees the two working through 1 Corinthians 10:1-34 and wrestling with the purpose and perspective of the Lord's Supper.

Strong language has been leveled at the prosperity gospel from evangelicals. John Piper "abominates the prosperity gospel". Costi Hinn calls it "a paltry imitation of the real thing." And yet, the average person doesn't give much consideration to the topic. Even more, the prosperity gospel has spread rapidly across the globe at a deeply concerning pace; it is one of America's greatest exports. In this podcast, Jay and Josh express equal concern and hatred for this non-gospel while explaining some of it significant characteristics.

The Old Testament often seems more difficult, more violent, more foreign than the New Testament. Christ is not specifically mentioned by name and the crucifixion was had yet to happen. In light of that, should New Testament Christians look for instruction and encouragement and truth in the Old Testament? Jay and Josh address this question while examining the statements of Baptist Pastor Andy Stanley, who argues for Christians to “Unhitch the Old Testament”.

Friendship is a deeply important part of the human experience. This kind of unity and support is necessary and its absence is sorely apparent. In this episode, Jay and Josh ask whether Christianity offers a friendship different than the world. How should we engage in friendships as Christians? Together, they remember their own friendship over the years while exhorting others to strive for godliness in their relationships!

The sovereignty of God is an escapable reality of the Bible. Within its pages, Scripture consistently and abundantly portrays God as fully in control. And yet, this doctrine can be difficult to swallow when we suffer. Is God really in control of all the sufferings we experience? Jay and Josh dig into the Scripture for evidence of God's control and of God's sovereign goodness in suffering.

Jay and Josh dive head first into their first topic: the inspiration of Scripture. The doctrine of inspiration is the belief that the Bible is not simply a book written by men, but a book written by God through men. They discuss key passages, strong arguments, and reflect on the wonder of receiving a word from God.

Introducing the Thoughtful Christianity Podcast! Co-hosts Jay and Josh talk about themselves and the podcast itself. They discuss what they hope to accomplish, the kind of content they want to create, and the friendship that this podcast springs from. We hope you'll join us on this journey of Thoughtful Christianity!