Whole & Holy: The Bethel Seminary Podcast

After an unexpected hiatus, the Whole & Holy podcast is back! Bethel Seminary Dean Peter Vogt interviews the 2025-26 Bethel Seminary Karlson Scholar Dr. Chris Watkin. Chris is the author of Biblical Critical Theory, the 2024 Christianity Book Award winner. Resources mentioned in this episode: Chris Watkin, Biblical Critical Theory Augustine, City of God John Stott and John Wyatt, Issues Facing Christians Today Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, Nudge  Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics Tim Keller, Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World Dick Lucas   Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course! Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at Bethel Seminary! Contact us at 651-635-8000 or seminary-admissions@bethel.edu.  

Rev. Jeff Sanders, a pastor and licensed marriage and family therapist, talks to seminary dean Dr. Peter Vogt about resilience in ministry and how to cultivate the habits leading to it. Resources mentioned in this episode: Burns, B., Chapman, T., and Guthrie, D. Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told us about Surviving and Thriving (2013)   Oliver, G., and Olson, D. It's All About Relationships: Emotional & Relational Intelligence (ERQ), 2023   "Resilience and Perseverance for Human Flourishing" APA Psychological Trauma, Vol. 14, No. S1, April 2022 (Journal Special Issue)   "Developing Resilience in Response to Stress & Trauma" APA Psychological Services, Vol. 19, Supplemental 1, April 2022     Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course!   Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at Bethel Seminary! Contact us at 651-635-8000 or seminary-admissions@bethel.edu.  

Bethel Seminary dean Dr. Peter Vogt has a second conversation with pastor/theologian Chris Ganski about what artificial intelligence might mean for the church. Part 1 is episode 27. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jacques Ellul, The Technological Society Andy Crouch, The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. Craig M. Gay, Modern Technology and the Human Future: A Christian Appraisal   Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course! Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at Bethel Seminary! Contact us at 651-635-8000 or seminary-admissions@bethel.edu.

In this episode, Bethel Seminary Dean has a conversation with Pastor Francis Chan. Listeners submitted questions that Francis Chan addresses. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Send conference Antioch Church, Waco TX Crazy Love ministry Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course! Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at Bethel Seminary! Contact us at 651-635-8000 or seminary-admissions@bethel.edu.  

Bethel Seminary dean Dr. Peter Vogt has a conversation with pastor/theologian Chris Ganski about what artificial intelligence might mean for the church. This is the first of two episodes focused on this topic. Resources mentioned in this episode: City Reformed Church Center for Pastor Theologians   Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course! Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at Bethel Seminary! Contact us at 651-635-8000 or seminary-admissions@bethel.edu.

In this episode, Seminary Dean Peter Vogt has a conversation with Heather Flies, Junior High Pastor at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, MN, and the Youth Ministry Advisor for Bethel Seminary's new Master of Arts in Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry program. Resources mentioned in this episode: Heather Flies, I Want to Talk With My Teen About Girl Stuff Heather Flies, That's What She Said / That's What He Said Doug Fields, Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry: A personal and practical guide to starting right Download Youth Ministry Bethel Seminary's Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry program   Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course! Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at Bethel Seminary! Contact us at 651-635-8000 or  seminary-admissions@bethel.edu 

Bestselling author Francis Chan joins Bethel Seminary Dean Dr. Peter T. Vogt for a conversation about living authentically as followers of Jesus. Resources mentioned in this episode: Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed By A Relentless God Francis Chan, Forgotten God Francis Chan, You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity A.W. Tozer, The Attributes of God: A Journey Into the Father's Heart Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers   Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course!   Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at Bethel Seminary! Contact us at 651-635-8000 or  seminary-admissions@bethel.edu     

Bethel Seminary Dean Peter Vogt has a conversation with theologian David Clark about ways of approaching cultural engagement in a sound biblical and theological manner. Resources mentioned in the episode: James Davidson Hunter, Culture Wars (academic source on nature of 'culture war')   Andy Stanley, Not In It to Win It: Why Choosing Sides ... Sidelines the Church (pastor speaks to importance of prioritizing the Gospel)   Rebecca McLaughlin, Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion (competent responses to very contemporary questions about faith)   Rebecca McLaughlin, 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity (contemporary questions--identity politics and transgenderism--relevant to teens)   David Clark, Dialogical Apologetics: A Person-Centered Approach to Apologetics (advocating for engaging others through respectful dialogue)   Benno van den Toren, Kang-San Tan, Humble Confidence: A Model for Interfaith Apologetics (defines the appropriate stance for apologetic engagement)   Mary Eberstadt, "Paradoxes of the Secular Revolution" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pki484uEXQ) (a competent example of defending a Christian viewpoint on a social topic with quoting the Bible)   Please provide feedback or suggestions for further episodes to whole-and-holy@bethel.edu  

Pastors Nathan Miller and Aaron Brockmeier, leaders in the "Made to Flourish" network, join Bethel Seminary Dean Dr. Peter Vogt for a conversation about the role work plays in Christian discipleship. Resources mentioned in the episode: Made to Flourish Network -- free resources for people interested in learning more about the integration of faith and work Bethel Seminary "Work with Purpose" Resource page Luke Bobo, et al, Fertile Ground: Faith and Work for Youth Pastors Luke Bobo and Skye Jethani, Discipleship With Monday in Mind: Connecting Faith and Work Gene Edward Veith, Jr., God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life Tom Nelson, The Flourishing Pastor: Recovering the Lost Art of Shepherd Leadership Amy Sherman, Agents of Flourishing: Pursuing Shalom in Every Corner of Society Amy Sherman, Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good Tim Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work The Porter's Gate (https://www.theportersgate.com/) Letters to the Exiles -- For the Life of the World (https://www.letterstotheexiles.com/)   Send feedback and suggestions for future episodes to: whole-and-holy@bethel.edu

Bethel Seminary Dean Dr. Peter Vogt has a conversation with Rev. Joe Boyd about evangelism, why it matters and how to help churches and followers of Jesus be more effective at it. Resources mentioned in this episode are: Timothy International (micro churches): https://usa.ttionline.org/micro-churches/   Rick Richardson, You Found Me   Organic Outreach books: For churches https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Outreach-Churches-Evangelistic-Congregation/dp/031056607X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1884S04EJ3IKE&keywords=organic+outreach+for+churches&qid=1649345406&s=books&sprefix=organic+outreach%2Cstripbooks%2C101&sr=1-1   For Ordinary people https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Outreach-Ordinary-People-Naturally/dp/031056610X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1884S04EJ3IKE&keywords=organic+outreach+for+churches&qid=1649345406&s=books&sprefix=organic+outreach%2Cstripbooks%2C101&sr=1-3   Grace Fellowship Findgrace.com    Coaching  shorturl.at/tuBV2   Send comments and suggestions to: whole-and-holy@bethel.edu  

This episode features a conversation with Bethel Seminary professors Jeannine Brown and John Dunne. They discuss ancient and modern portrayals of Jesus and how they help us better understand the Gospels.   Works mentioned in this episode:   Richard Walsh and Jeffrey Staley, Jesus, the Gospels, and Cinematic Imagination: Introducing Jesus Movies, Christ Films, and the Messiah in Motion Adele Reinhartz, Jesus of Hollywood W. Barnes Tatum, Jesus at the Movies 3rd edition Jeannine Brown, The Gospels as Stories: A Narrative Approach to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Seminary for Everyone at Bethel Seminary   Thanks for listening! If you have suggestions or feedback, email us at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu  

This episode features a conversation with Ivan Veldhuizen, Vice president for International Ministries at Converge. He oversees all mission efforts and missionaries for Converge. This conversation focuses on the importance of missions to the local church. Resources mentioned in this episode: Converge Missions J.D. Greear, Gaining By Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches That Send David Platt, Something Needs to Change: An Urgent Call to Make Your Life Count (audiobook) John Piper and David Mathis, eds. Finish the Mission: Bringing the Gospel to the Unreached and Unengaged "Never the Same" video Please submit suggestions for future episodes or provide feedback to whole-and-holy@bethel.edu    

This episode features Drs. Jeannine Brown and Mark Strauss, who serve on the Committee on Bible Translation as well as professors of New Testament at Bethel Seminary. They discuss translation philosophy and share insights into the decisions of the Bible translation team. Resources mentioned in this episode: Gordon Fee and Mark Strauss, How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth Glen Scorgie, Mark Strauss, and Steven Voth, eds., The Challenge of Bible Translation: Communicating God's Word to the World Please send feedback -- including suggestions for future episodes -- to: whole-and-holy@bethel.edu

This episode features a conversation with Rachel Wightman, who serves as Associate Director for Instruction and Outreach at Concordia University Library in St. Paul, MN. She has researched and teaches on dealing with misinformation and how to address it. Resources mentioned in this episode: TED Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles?language=en AllSides - www.allsides.com Rachel's website - www.racheliwightman.com Rachel's Instagram where ideas are shared - @faithful.factchecking

This episode features a conversation with Michael Vedders, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Bethel University.  He and Bethel Seminary Dean Peter Vogt discuss the importance of marketing for churches, what it is -- and is not, and some things to consider in effective marketing.   Please provide feedback --including suggestions for future episodes -- at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu

This episode features a conversation with Leith Anderson, pastor emeritus of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, MN, and president emeritus of the National Association of Evangelicals.  We discuss strategies for effective leadership in times of division. Resources mentioned in this episode:Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie MNNational Association of EvangelicalsWorld VisionHosanna Church, Lakeville MN, series on religion and politicsRichard Mouw, Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil WorldLeith Anderson and Galen Cary, Faith in the Voting Booth: Practical Wisdom for Voting Well Thank you for listening!  Please send feedback and suggestions for future episodes to whole-and-holy@bethel.edu. 

This episode features a conversation with Pastor John Mark Comer, who serves as Pastor of Vision and Teaching at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon.  He is married to Tammy and they have three kids.  He is author of several books, including the focus of today's conversation, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.Check out his website here.Works mentioned in this episode:John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of HurryJohn Mark Comer, How to UnhurryPeter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityPeter Scazzero, The Emotionally Healthy Church Thank you for listening to Whole & Holy!  Please provide feedback and suggestions for future episodes at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu. 

This episode features a conversation with David A. French about racism in the US and how Christians might think about responding.  David is a columnist and senior editor of The Dispatch, who also writes for Time magazine and formerly was a staff writer for National Review.  He graduated from Harvard Law School and is an attorney who has worked extensively on religious liberty issues.  He served as an Army officer in the Iraq war.  He and his wife, Nancy, live in Tennessee with their three children.Works mentioned in this episode:"American Racism: We've Got So Very Far to Go" Follow David on Twitter @DavidAFrench

This episode features a conversation with pastor/theologian Dr. Joel Lawrence who shares thoughts on how we can make sense of COVID-19 from a theological perspective. Resources mentioned in this episode:Henri Blocher, Evil and the Cross: An Analytical Look at the Problem of PainN.T. Wright, Evil and the Justice of GodCenter for Pastor Theologians

This episode features a conversation with Brooke Palmer, Online Campus Pastor at Journey's Crossing church in the greater metro Washington DC area.  We discuss how to foster digital/online connections in a time of social distancing.Jay Kranda at Saddleback Church has lots of resources supporting online church.Church Online Platform provides free platform for online church.Carey Nieuwhof podcasts -- episodes focusing on digital connectionsJourney's Crossing ChurchJourney's Crossing YouTube channel with examples of kids/youth/adult content.Contact Brooke: Brooke.Palmer@journeyscrossing.org Thank you for listening!  Please provide feedback and suggestions for future episodes at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu. 

This special episode features a conversation with Drs. David Clark, Professor of Theology, and Mark McCloskey, Professor of Ministry Leadership.  They discuss some important principles for leading in these challenging times.Helpful resources:Andy Crouch, "Love in the Time of Coronavirus," The Praxis Journal, March 12, 2020.Mark McCloskey and Jim Louwsma, The Art of Virtue-Based Transformational LeadershipMark McCloskey, Learning Leadership in a Changing World: Virtue and Effective Leadership in the 21st CenturyInformation on the practice of Examen, mentioned by Dr. McCloskey, is available here.Thanks for listening!  Please provide feedback at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu

Check out this exciting episode with Jodi Wolkerstorfer, focusing on how churches can support families with members with special needs.Resources mentioned in this episode:BOOKSMental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions by Stephen Grcevich MDDisability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church by Bethany McKinney Fox ARTICLESThe Mixed Messages of Welcoming and Belonging - Feb 10, 2020Ten disability ministry trends to watch in the 2020s - Jan 6, 2020Being Included Without the Needed Supports is Simply Physical Proximity - Dec 16, 2019AJB Recommends: Resources on Inclusion and Belonging - Oct 17, 2019The Spectrum of Welcome: Moving from Exclusion to Tolerance to Inclusion to Belonging - Oct 2, 2019 WEBSITESCollaborative on Faith and Disabilities - Part of this is the Institute of Theology and Disabilities which is held in Holland, MI each spring. Key Ministry - Based in Ohio. Founded to help churches minister to families of children with "hidden” disabilities. Serves churches seeking to become more intentional and effective in ministry with children, teens and adults (and their families) impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities. Website provides great resources for both churches and families.Special Needs and Disabilities Ministry Leaders Forum - private Facebook group with close to 2,000 members nationwide. Provided by Key Ministry.Joni and Friends - advancing disability ministry world wide - resources, conferences, retreats for familiesMN One Body Conference - I’ll be speaking at this on April 4, 2020 on how churches can be “Set up for Success” for families of kids with disabilities. Autism Faith Network - started in 2016 by a mom who has two boys on the autism spectrum. Equipping faith-based communities to become more autism friendly.  Based in GA.valuedbeyondmeasure@gmail.com - my email address that I use for all things faith and disability related, launching a website as well soon. Focused on connecting churches with resources, providing training to staff and volunteers, and continuing to walk with families to find ways to experience ministry within the local church.  Thanks for listening!

This episode features a conversation with Cara Wald, Bethel University's Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer.  We discuss important considerations in hiring and making terminations in church ministry, and how to approach these endeavors in a Christ-honoring way.NOTE: In the episode, we refer to some documents that would be posted in the show notes.  We can post links but not documents here.  If you would like the documents mentioned, please email Cara Wald directly at c-wald@bethel.edu.  Thank you! 

Special guest Justin Giboney is featured on this episode.  Justin is one of the co-founders of the AND Campaign.  The AND Campaign believes that politics is a limited, but essential forum for pursuing the well-being of our neighbors. It is limited in both its scope and its effectiveness. Politics can and should only reach so much and so far, and political solutions will never approach the perfect justice that Jesus will bring and is bringing. Our hope in all things is in Him. There is rarely one Christian position on a public policy issue, but every Christian should be thinking Christianly about politics. In the policies The AND Campaign promotes and in the positions we take, we believe social justice (&) moral order are not at odds, but are two sides of the same coin. We seek to act as faithful Christians, applying the timeless values of our faith and Christianity’s true account to the reality we all face, in this political moment. We invite all who affirm our approach to join us in our work to assert a compassionate and convictional witness into the public square.Justin Giboney is an attorney and political strategist in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Giboney has managed successful campaigns for elected officials in the state and referendums relating to the city’s transportation and water infrastructure.In 2012 and 2016, Georgia’s 5th congressional district elected him as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention and he served as the co-chair of Obama for America’s Gen44-Atlanta initiative. A former Vanderbilt University football player and law student, Justin served on the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Board of Directors. Additionally, Justin has participated in LEAD Atlanta, Outstanding Atlanta and the Georgia Bar Association’s Leadership Academy. He’s written op-eds for publications such as Christianity Today.Resources mentioned in this episode:The AND CampaignChurch Politics Podcast   The "Church Politics" Podcast is where you can get in-depth political analysis from a Christian worldview with Michael Wear & Justin GiboneyPlease take a moment to rate the podcast.  The higher our rating, the more easily people can find us.We welcome your feedback and suggestions for future episodes!  Email us at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu.

This episode features a special guest, Leif Erickson, from Thrivent Financial Services.Send comments and suggestions to whole-and-holy@bethel.edu.  Please rate us!  The higher our rating, the more easily people can find us.Resources mentioned on this episode:Online Resources Thrivent Financial - https://www.thrivent.com/Kingdom Advisors - https://kingdomadvisors.com/Crown Financial Ministries - https://www.crown.org/BooksHoward Dayton - Your Money Counts - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Counts-Biblical-Investing/dp/1414359497Randy Alcorn - Managing God's Money - https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Gods-Money-Biblical-Guide/dp/1414345534Randy Alcorn - Giving is the Good Life - https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Good-Life-Unexpected-Purpose/dp/1496425936Randy Alcorn - Money, Possessions, and Eternity - https://www.amazon.com/Money-Possessions-Eternity-Randy-Alcorn/dp/0842353607

A conversation with Dr. Justin Irving, Professor of Ministry Leadership and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Bethel Seminary, and Dr. Mark Strauss, University Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary, discussing their new book, Leadership in Christian Perspective: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Practices for Servant Leaders.Please provide feedback for the podcast or suggest ideas for future episodes at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu. 

This episode features a conversation with Rev. Laurel Bunker about the recent announcement by evangelical leaders that they are leaving (or at least seriously reconsidering) their faith.Provide feedback -- including suggestions for future episodes -- at whole-and-holy@bethel.eduResources mentioned in this episode:Stephanie Williams O'Brien, Stay Curious: How Questions and Doubts Can Save Your Faith.  Pre-order at Amazon by clicking here.

A conversation with Dr. John Dunne, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary.  Works mentioned in this show:Paul and the Gift, by John M.G. Barclay"A Perplexing Gift: Toward Clarity In The Evangelical-Mormon Interfaith Dialogue On Grace." John Anthony Dunne.  Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 60:2 (Jun 2017)

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo, Professor of Children and Family Ministry at Bethel Seminary, and Pastor of Discipleship at The Point Is to Serve Church in Sioux Falls, SD.   Links to references in the show:Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions:  Why Children Should Be Your Church's #1 Priority - George Barna, 2016 Households of Faith:  The Rituals and Relationships That Turn a Home Into a Sacred Space by The Barna Group, 2019 International Network for Children's Ministry:  incm.orgHosts of the Children's Pastor's Conference Engage Certificate:  https://www.childrensministrycertification.com/engage-certification/9 month Children's Ministry Certificate in Children's Ministry offered in collaboration with The Cory Center for Children's Ministry of Bethel Seminary D6:  D6family.comHosts of the D6. Family Ministry Conferencehttps://d6family.com/d6conference/academic-partners/D6 Family Ministry Certificate: 8 month Certificate in Family Ministry offered in collaboration with The Cory Center for Children's Ministry of Bethel Seminary 4/14 Window:  https://4to14window.net The 4/14 Window Movement is a Global Mission Movement focusing on Reaching, Rescuing, Rooting, and Releasing children and youth (0-18 years old) to reach their full transformational impact in their family, community, and nation.

This episode features a conversation with Tina Watson Wiens, Assistant Professor and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Bethel Seminary.

Let us know what you think of the podcast and suggestions for future episodes!  Email us at whole-and-holy@bethel.edu