Podcasts about The Gospel Coalition

Steven Spielberg has made five movies about aliens, and his newest — Disclosure Day — might be his most theologically provocative yet. Adam Holtz from Plugged In joins Brian From to break down a film where Emily Blunt plays a TV reporter chosen by extraterrestrials as their mouthpiece, a government whistleblower is on the run, and two nuns grapple with what alien contact would mean for their faith. Spielberg has been openly asking the question: if it were proven that aliens exist and the government has known, what would that do to your belief system? Adam also flags an interesting Gospel Coalition piece arguing the whole film tracks the Exodus narrative — Moses, Aaron, Pharaoh, parting of the Red Sea — which makes sense given Spielberg's Jewish faith. Then a quick look at Among Us, the popular video game now turned into an animated murder mystery on Paramount Plus starring Elijah Wood. Full reviews at pluggedin.com. Also: Adam and Brian discover they've officially become their parents, and somehow their small group conversations are now mostly about what hurts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Liz Edrington walks through Acts 10:10–20, 27–28, and 34–36 to show how God works to deepen unity among His people. She highlights how we often prefer what is familiar, while Christ is leading us toward His Kingdom. Through this passage, Liz reveals a pattern of how God deepens our relationship with Him in order to unify us with others, calling the Church to embrace His redemptive vision. Liz Edrington serves as the Associate Director of Care for McLean Presbyterian Church. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and she's taught as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Covenant College. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee, and she's the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023), which won The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award for Bible Study & Devotional Literature. Pickled things delight her, as does her snuggle beast, Bella the Dog. Unity and the Gospel: Two Safeguards to Teach Our Students by Taylor Mendoza Mediating in a Divided World and a Divided Home by Clark Fobes Luke & Acts: A ROOTED YEARLONG CURRICULUM  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

On this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids, Lori welcomes Mark Vroegop, president of The Gospel Coalition and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, and Waiting Isn't a Waste. Together, they have a meaningful conversation about grief, suffering, and the biblical practice of lament.After walking through the heartbreaking loss of a stillborn daughter, Mark began to study what Scripture teaches about crying out to God in pain while continuing to trust Him. In this episode, he explains what lament is, why it matters for grieving mothers and fatherless children, and how the Psalms give us language for sorrow, questions, and hope.If you are navigating grief, unanswered questions, or helping your children process loss, this conversation will remind you that God welcomes your tears, hears your prayers, and can be trusted even in the middle of deep pain.Key TakeawaysUnderstanding Lament: A prayer in pain that leads to trustTeaching children to bring their grief to GodTrusting God when life does not make senseFinding hope in the middle of sorrowResources MentionedDark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark VroegopDark Clouds, Deep Mercy Devotional Journal by Mark VroegopWaiting Isn't a Waste by Mark VroegopThe Moon Is Always Round by Jonathan GibsonScripture Referenced:Psalm 13, Psalm 55, Psalm 77, Lamentations chapter 3ConnectTo connect with Perspective Ministries and learn more about resources for widows, single mothers, and fatherless children, visit Perspective Ministries.

In this special episode of the Rooted Parent podcast, Anna sports down with mother of two Sharonda Cooper to discuss her new devotional study, Wisdom for Parenting. The wisdom principles they discuss are applicable to parents at every stage of the parenting journey.  Sharonda Cooper serves as a content coordinator of women's initiatives at the Gospel Coalition. She holds two engineering degrees from MIT and is pursuing an MDiv in apologetics and philosophy from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. An author and contributor to several books, Sharonda and her family live in Texas. Rooted Recommends: Wisdom For Parenting Be Thou My Vision: God's Wisdom, Presence, and Provision in Parenting by Christina Fox Parenting Out of the Wisdom of Scripture Parenting on the Precipice by Phil Cotnoir Wisdom for Parenting by Sharonda Cooper   Follow us @therootedministry! Subscribe to the Rooted Parent Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Hosted by Anna Meade Harris, author of God's Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single-Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well, and Cameron Cole, author of Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth and Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths That Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy.

In this episode, we're tackling a trend you've probably seen online but might not have a name for: the "Edgelord". We dive into a recent article from Joe Carter at The Gospel Coalition (link below) that explores how some Christian influencers are trading truth for provocative reactions and social media clout. Why are so many young men drawn to this style of leadership, and how is it secretly shaping our faith? We break down what an Edgelord actually is and discuss why being aware of these online influences is so important for our spiritual formation today. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/edgelords-inherit-earth/Connect With Usprovidenceomaha.org | Instagram | FacebookEmail Usformation@providenceomaha.org

In this episode, Winfree Brisley talks about the armor of God and why it is so important that we find our strength in the Lord. Winfree Brisley serves as an editor for the Gospel Coalition. She is also the editor of 'Strong in the Lord: A 30-Day Devotional on the Armor of God' from Crossway. ❖ Listen to “How the Psalms Act as a Model for Prayer, Lament, and Praise" with Winfree Brisley and Sharonda Cooper:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show.

If you want to pass on your love for the Bible to the next generation but you don’t know how, don’t miss Chris Fabry Live. Melissa is vice president of Discipleship Programming at The Gospel Coalition. Michael is professor of New Testament and early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary. Together, the Krugers will help take the mystery out of family devotions. Featured resource:The Good News Family Devotional by Michael and Melissa Kruger May thank you gift:Powerful Self-Talk from the Psalms by Jon Gauger Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.Become a Back Fence Partner: https://moodyradio.org/donateto/chrisfabrylive/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jen Pollock Michel is the award-winning author of six books: A Rule for the Rest of US, Teach Us to Want (Christianity Today's Book of the Year), Keeping Place, Surprised by Paradox (Christianity Today's Book of the Year Award of Merit—Beautiful Orthodoxy), A Habit Called Faith, and In Good Time (Canada's Word Guild Book of the Year Award).  Jen is a sought-after contributor to publications like Christianity Today, The Christian Century, The Gospel Coalition, Mockingbird, and The Dispatch, among others. She is also a first-year mentor in Whitworth University's MFA in Creative Writing program, and she travels to speak at churches, conferences, and retreats. Over the past several years, she has been teaching rule-of-life workshops to hundreds of people across various life stages. The mother of five children, she is married to Ryan, and they live in Cincinatti, Ohio. → Click here to preorder A Rule For the Rest of Us, which will be published in September.

It's Monday, May 11th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigeria's $10 million genocide cover-up A disturbing new report from International Christian Concern highlights how Nigeria's government is weaponizing misinformation to hide a decades-long campaign of violence against Christians. Written by ICC Fellow Justin Joseph, “Nigeria's $10 Million Genocide Cover-Up” reveals how power, politics, and propaganda are fueling a human catastrophe. Since 2009, at least 190,150 Nigerians — 128,750 of whom were Christians — have been murdered in ethno-religious killings, with the slaughter escalating in 2026. Yet, instead of addressing the crisis, officials are spinning a dangerous narrative. During meetings with other heads of state, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu claims the terrorism plaguing his nation stems solely from climate change and regional instability. Researchers have repeatedly debunked this reasoning, pointing to the targeting of Christian communities. Tinubu's administration has launched a $10 million lobbying front to silence human rights accountability in the U.S. and whitewash the genocide of Nigerian Christians. Prosperity gospel champion Joni Lamb died Joni Lamb, a Prosperity Gospel enthusiast and co-founder of the Daystar Television Network, died on May 7th at the age of 65, reports Christian Daily. Lamb had been privately battling serious health issues before suffering a recent back injury that significantly worsened her condition in recent days. Founded in 1993 alongside her late husband, Marcus Lamb, Daystar Television grew from a small Christian television station into one of the world's largest Christian broadcasting networks, with 100 stations worldwide, employing 300 staff, and bringing in $100 million annually. On December 1, 2010, Marcus Lamb confessed on Daystar Television to having had an affair which Joni initially described, reported ABC News. JONI LAMB: “Several years ago, Marcus and I went through a challenge in our marriage. I discovered that he was having an emotional relationship, if you will, with someone. It had turned into an improper relationship.” MARCUS LAMB: “I take 100% responsibility. Joni has no blame. The other person doesn't have any blame. It's all --- I don't even blame the devil. It's all on me. ”I'm so sorry. I've asked God to forgive me. Years ago, I asked my precious Joni. And when with this first came out, I said to her, I said, ‘Honey, I only want us to stay together if we really love one another, not for the ministry's sake, not even for our kids' sake. Ladies and gentlemen, I love this woman.” The reason they announced this affair is because they were being threatened with blackmail. JONI LAMB: “There actually are three people who were not involved in what we're talking about today or affected by our marital challenge. They're now saying, that unless Daystar pays them $7.5 million, that they're going to take our story, that we just shared with you, to the media.” MARCUS LAMB: “You see these three people, that Joni shared with you, they're trying to take our pain and turn it to their gain. Ladies and gentlemen, we're not going to take God's money and pay to keep from being, uh, humiliated, I guess, or exposed or exploited, whatever you want to call it.” Subsequently, Marcus died at the age of 64 on November 30, 2021 after contracting COVID-19. According to MinistryWatch, in 2020, the ministry used a $3.9 million Paycheck Protection Program loan, offered to pay the salaries of employees, to buy a private airplane, which the family used for vacations, reported Inside Edition. That loan was reportedly paid back after Inside Edition began asking questions about it. Over the years, Joni Lamb became one of the most recognizable faces in Christian media.  Unfortunately, Daystar frequently featured prosperity-oriented themes such as: financial blessing tied to faith and giving, “seed faith” donations, and testimonies of material and personal success through faith. Joni and her late husband Marcus Lamb regularly hosted ministers connected to the Prosperity Gospel movement, including: Creflo Dollar Jesse Duplantis Paula White and Benny Hinn James 3:1 says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” And, in another controversy involving Daystar Television, Joni's son, Jonathan, claimed that his mother covered up the sexual abuse of his 5-year-old daughter by a relative, according to the Roys Report. While Jonathan had been Daystar Television's vice president, he was demoted to a manager position for refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement.  On May 8th, The Economic Times reported that Joni's daughter-in-law, Suzy, who is married to Jonathan, stated online, “We weren't informed of anything,” claiming relatives knew Joni Lamb was dying the night before her death but “didn't call Jonathan to come say goodbye.” Joni Lamb is survived by her second husband, Doug Weiss, and her three children — Jonathan, Rachel, and Rebecca. Pastor Sam Allberry resigns after “inappropriate” relationship with man And finally, a Tennessee pastor and advocate for Christians who suffer from so-called “same-sex attraction” has stepped down after revealing an “inappropriate” relationship with a man some years ago, reports Beliefnet.com. Pastor Sam Allberry, author of Is God Anti-Gay?, stepped down from his position as an associate pastor at Immanuel Church Nashville, a nondenominational, independent congregation after what the church called “a serious breach of trust.” In a statement put out by the church elders, it stated Allberry had informed the church in 2024 of an “inappropriate relationship” with a man in 2022. The statement noted that the relationship had concluded prior to Allberry being called to his position in the church in 2023. At the time, the church stated it conducted a “thorough investigation” of the relationship and concluded that it was not “disqualifying” for the position. In a February 15, 2017 statement, Sam Allberry said this. ALLBERRY: “Sam Allberry, Oxford. I am same-sex attracted and have been my entire life. By that I mean that I have sexual, romantic and deep emotional attractions to people of the same sex. “I choose to describe myself this way because sexuality is not a matter of identity for me, and that has become good news. My primary sense of worth and fulfillment as a human being is not contingent on being romantically or sexually fulfilled, and this is liberating. “The most fully human and complete person who ever lived was Jesus Christ. He never married, He was never in a romantic relationship, and never had sex. If we say these things are intrinsic to human fulfillment, we are calling our Savior, subhuman.” When news broke last week about Sam Allberry's inappropriate relationship with a man, The Gospel Coalition, a group of pastors and churches that “put the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of all activities,” immediately announced that it would be removing all of Sam Allberry's content from its website and channels. By contrast, Living Out, the organization co-founded by Allberry to encourage Christians to “live out their sexuality and identity in ways that enable all to flourish in Christ-like faithfulness,” took a different position. In an online statement, they confirmed that Allberry's “many past contributions to this site retain their value, and they will not be taken down”, adding that the organization “exists because of people like Sam, for people like Sam.” Four Christian leaders most closely associated with Sam Alberry include Ray Ortlund, Russell Moore, Preston Sprinkle, and the late Ravi Zacharias. Romans 1:24, 26-28 says, “Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. … “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, May 11th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Brian From is fresh off a monumental weekend — his oldest daughter Madeline's college graduation at Hope College in Holland, Michigan — and the joy of that milestone runs through this whole hour. But the reflections go deeper than cap and gown. The chaplain's baccalaureate message on 2 Corinthians 2 leaves Brian with a simple, searching question: when people are in your presence, do they get a whiff of Christ? Then, a throwaway line from Nike's new CEO — "we struggle when we forget who we are serving" — turns into a pointed word for the church and for anyone whose life has quietly drifted toward self. Plus: a Wall Street Journal piece on the rise of the "beta mom" and why the pendulum may have swung too far, new survey data suggesting peak life satisfaction hits at age 52 (good news for Brian at 49), a Gospel Coalition piece on the most alarming political divide in Gen Z — and it's not Democrat vs. Republican — and a closing devotion from Charles Stanley on what it actually means to be aware of God's presence in your daily life, not just on Sundays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sharonda Cooper offers encouragement and tips for those struggling to evangelize. Sharonda Cooper serves as content coordinator of women's initiatives for the Gospel Coalition. She is the author of 'Evangelism' from Crossway. ❖ Listen to “The Universal Struggle with Self-Control" with Sharonda Cooper:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show.

The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity… GUEST Dr Carl R Trueman … professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College and a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center … His most recent book is “Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity” GUEST Amy Julia Becker … helps people reimagine the good life through her writing and speaking on disability, faith, and culture at amyjuliabecker.com …author of “To Be Made Well,” “White Picket Fences,” “Small Talk,” and “A Good and Perfect Gift” … guest opinion writer for national publications and hosts the Reimagining the Good Life podcast. Welcome Back, Church Plantings… GUEST Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra … senior writer and faith-&-work editor for The Gospel Coalition … also coauthor of “Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age” and editor of “Social Sanity in an Insta World” Edith Stein — A Sure Way: Following Truth in a World on Fire (new book) … GUEST Carolyn Beard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Cameron Cole walks through Acts 2:1–24, highlighting three essential ingredients of lasting change revealed at Pentecost: the Holy Spirit in us, the Word of God within the story of God, and the gospel proclaimed in personal terms. His central message is both humbling and hopeful: people can't change themselves—but God can change people. This session calls leaders to depend not on strategies, but on the Spirit's power to transform hearts. Cameron Cole is the founding chairman of Rooted Ministry, and Director of Adult and Nextgen Discipleship at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham, AL. In addition to serving the local church for nearly twenty years in youth and family ministry, he is the co-editor of Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide (Crossway, 2016). Cameron is the author of Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths that Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy (Crossway, 2018), which won World Magazine's 2018 Book of the Year (Accessible Theology) and was runner up for The Gospel Coalition's Book of the Year (First-Time Author). He is also the co-editor of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School (New Growth Press) and the author of Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth (Crossway, 2024). Cameron holds an undergraduate degree and an M.A. in Education from Wake Forest, as well as an M.Div from Reformed Theological Seminary. Cameron is married to Lauren and together they have four children, one of whom lives in heaven. Rooted Resources: Youth Ministry in the Power of the Spirit by Seth Stewart Three Reasons to Teach Acts in Your Youth Group by Tucker Fleming Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

We're living in a fractured world, pulled in a thousand directions, unsure what it actually means to live a good life. In this episode, I talk with Alan Noble about virtue, telos, and how prudence, justice, courage, temperance, faith, hope, and love reorient us toward a life that is whole, grounded, and shaped by the way of Jesus. We explore decision-making, suffering, agency, and hope - and what it looks like to actually embody these virtues in everyday life.Dr. O. Alan Noble is Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, a fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, and author of four books, including: To Live Well: Practical Wisdom for Moving Through Chaotic Times, On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living, and You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World. Dr. Noble has published articles at The Atlantic, The Gospel Coalition, First Things, and Christianity Today. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and three children.Alan's Book:To Live WellAlan's Recommendation:The Quest for CommunityConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below NEW PODCAST: American Evangelicals - A History PodcastA thoughtful, deep dive into one of the most talked-about movements in American history.Support the show

A recent article from The Gospel Coalition warns that the real danger of AI isn't misinformation—it's "mis-formation." Even when AI gives correct answers, the claim is that it may be shaping us spiritually in the wrong way. But is that true?

A recent article from The Gospel Coalition warns that the real danger of AI isn't misinformation—it's "mis-formation." Even when AI gives correct answers, the claim is that it may be shaping us spiritually in the wrong way. But is that true?

Welcome back to A History of Christian Theology! In this episode, Chad sits down with Dr. Kelly M. Kapic, Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College, to discuss his award-winning book Christian Life, published by Zondervan Academic as part of the New Studies in Dogmatics series.What does it actually mean to live as a Christian? Although the phrase "Christian life" is used constantly in churches and classrooms, its theological foundation often goes unexamined. Dr. Kapic argues that the Christian life is, first and foremost, a response to the love of the triune God — flowing from God toward us and drawing us back into communion with him. Central to his account is the incarnate Son, who loved the Father for us, weaving our fragmented prayers and imperfect devotion into his own perfect faithfulness.Chad and Dr. Kapic explore the theological foundations of Christian living, the role of the church and corporate worship in shaping the believer, and what it means to be united to Christ by the Spirit. It's a rich, accessible conversation at the intersection of systematic theology and everyday faith.Dr. Kapic holds a PhD in Systematic and Historical Theology from King's College, University of London, and has authored or edited over fifteen books. Christian Life received the 2025 Award of Distinction from The Gospel Coalition and an Honorable Mention from the Southwestern Journal of Theology.

What happens when the place meant to nurture our faith becomes a source of pain?In this episode of the Live Like It's True Podcast, Megan Hill and I talk candidly about church hurt—where it comes from, the wounds judgment can leave behind, and the vital role of grace within the body of Christ. Together, we point to Jesus, who endured suffering without bitterness, and remember that healing is meant to happen in community. With practical wisdom and gospel hope, this conversation calls us to humility, extend mercy, and move toward restored relationships.Check out Megan's book on my recommendation list HERE.Megan HillMegan Hill is an editor for The Gospel Coalition and the author of several books, including: Sighing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts. Megan's writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Tabletalk, Focus on the Family, Desiring God, and Reformation 21.A pastor's wife and pastor's daughter, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and four children. Connect with Megan:InstagramFacebookWebsite --Live Like It's True is part of the Round the Table network: Where Truth and Life Meet. Serving the church through honest storytelling and biblical reflection. -- Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Did you know the Bible has thousands of hidden threads woven through it that most Christians have never been shown? There are approximately 350 direct Old Testament quotations in the New Testament, but over 3,000 allusions - indirect references scholars have documented that never made it into study Bibles.Dr. Benjamin Gladd, executive director of the Carson Center for Theological Renewal at The Gospel Coalition joins the show to talk about Connecting Scripture, a unique, first-of-its-kind study Bible he co-authored with G.K. Beale, that makes exploring these threads possible for the everyday Christian.This isn't just a study Bible upgrade. It's a whole new way of reading. Ben explains the difference between a direct quotation - those flashing red lights moments like "that it might be fulfilled" - and an allusion, which functions more like an Easter egg hidden in the text. Think of John 1:1 ("In the beginning was the Word") deliberately echoing Genesis 1:1.We also get into some of the harder questions. What do you do when the New Testament seems to use the Old Testament in ways that invert or even contradict the original meaning? And how did the Apostles read the Scriptures? Did the Old Testament authors actually know what they were writing?This episode is the kind of biblical theology content that feeds your soul and sharpens your mind. Don't miss it.0:00 – Introduction0:43 – Dr. Benjamin Gladd1:47 – Connecting Scripture Study Bible4:11 – Quotations vs. Allusions11:08 – Identifying Intentional Allusions22:07 – Irony in OT Use26:16 – Typology Explained33:06 – Apostolic Hermeneutics47:48 – Authorial Intent Mystery1:04:13 – Scripture Authority Debate1:05:41 – Closing ThoughtsABOUT THE GUEST:

In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Jim Davis walks through Acts 1:6–11, highlighting the Church's clear and compelling mission. Drawing key observations from the text, he equips and encourages leaders to depend on the Spirit and faithfully join God in the work he is doing in the lives of students. Jim Davis is the Teaching Pastor at Orlando Grace Church (Acts 29) and a Council member of The Gospel Coalition. He holds an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary and is the co-host of the As in Heaven podcast. Jim is also the co-author, with Michael Graham, of The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? He and his wife, Angela, speak for FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember marriage getaways and are parents to four children. As In Heaven Podcast by Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson  The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? by Jim Davis and Michael Graham Rooted Resources:Teenagers Need the Church (Series) The Sunday Standoff: Discipling Teenagers Who Are Resisting Church by Katie Polski @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Michael Graham of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics and The Gospel Coalition talks about a new group study curriculum called "Making Sense of Us" that helps us explore some of the underlying cultural narratives in the world around us that influence our thinking and those around us.  But these narratives are imcomplete and can lead us away from a more robust understanding of life in Christ.  Katherine Anne Thierfelder of The Pour Over talks about the ways we get our news, how it can effect us in ways that increases our fear and anger.  We should stay informed!  But we also need to stay rooted in Christ and the hope of the Gospel.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Welcome Back, Church Plantings… GUEST Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra … senior writer and faith-&-work editor for The Gospel Coalition … also coauthor of “Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age” and editor of “Social Sanity in an Insta World” Truth Rising, Speaking topic at the Friends of the Family Banquet … GUEST John Stonestreet … author and speaker, and President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and host of BreakPoint, a nationally syndicated Christian worldview radio program founded by Chuck Colson … his work focuses on faith, culture, theology, worldview, education, and apologetics and has co-authored books such as "A Practical Guide to Culture"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast.  In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.”  So, Warren, what's up first? Warren Military chaplains will no longer indicate their rank on their uniforms, according to a new order from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegspeth. People I've talked with tell me they generally think that's a good thing. Enlisted personnel might be intimidated to talk with chaplains about deeply personal issues if they know that chaplain is a senior officer. Progressive groups opposing the move include Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Christina Up next, a new study by Pew found that nearly 98 percent of U.S. adults live within range of at least one religious radio station. Warren And that about 25 percent of all AM/FM stations are dedicated to religious programming.  The U.S. has about 4,000 religious stations and about half of American adults spend at least some time each week listening to religious audio content, including radio, podcasts, and streaming, and – this is one of the most interesting findings – about 39 percent of listeners are non-Christians. Christina I guess it's a good thing that non-Christians are listening to Christian programming. Warren It is good, but there is also another side to that coin. A lot of Christian radio stations have started programing for that non-Christian audience. You'll hear branding like “Safe for the Entire Family” rather than distinctly Christian branding and programming. Some people think this trend has watered down Christian radio. Christian writer David Murrow says “Safe for the Entire Family” has made Christian radio boring and risk-free. He advocates for edgier music on music stations, and more teaching and talk.  Christina While we're on the subject of media, a new movie out now is getting a lot of buzz from Christian commentators – and it's not a Christian movie. Warren I haven't seen the new Ryan Gosling movie Project Hail Mary, but people I respect are giving it great reviews.  Aaron Renn says, “In an era of male loneliness and confusing messages about manhood, Project Hail Mary models problem-solving, purpose, and fatherly strength without apology.” Brett McCracken, writing for The Gospel Coalition, says it offers the “good, clean fun moviegoers have missed.” McCracken concludes, “Project Hail Mary doesn't preach the gospel. But it makes virtue look good. It makes selflessness, sacrifice, and duty attractive. If the movie is a huge hit—and I expect it will be—perhaps Hollywood will take the hint. We're not in postmodernism anymore. Goodness, truth, and beauty are attributes we want in art again. Really, they're what we've always wanted.” Christina Is the movie a hit? Warren It is. The movie opened at number 1 in the U.S. and held that position through its second week. So far, worldwide box office is around $300 million. That's a huge hit by any reasonable standard. Christina Warren, you read an article this week that caught your attention. Warren I commend to you an article by my friends John Stonestreet and Tim Padgett of The Colson Center. I'll link to it in the show notes. They share the hard truth that neither political party has a right to the pro-life label these days. Of the Democrats they say, abortion is not merely a plank in the progressive party's platform. It is the chief commitment of the worldview that dominates America. It is, for many, a sacrament to recognize, enshrine, and honor autonomy. Abortion is not merely a legal right of a decadent society. It is a rite of worship, specifically a way to worship the idols of self, state, and sex.”  Christina But they don't let the Republicans off the hook, either.  Warren They write, “The GOP was once a prolife party, but now openly endorses chemical abortion and unregulated IVF, the two most common ways to kill preborn children in America.” They conclude, “There is no such thing as a Christian not called, to some degree, to oppose abortion and defend preborn lives. We need not attend every march or express every outrage. We must, however, protect every vulnerable life, support every vulnerable mother and father, and advance the Christian understanding of human dignity every chance we are given.” Christina Our final story today is about the ministry rating systems. An organization called Charity Watch wrote an article that found fault with Charity Navigator's rating system. Warren Charity Watch found fault with the 4-Star rating that Charity Navigator gave to OUR Rescue, formerly Operation Underground Railroad. I won't get into the weeds of their analysis here except to say that Charity Watch is right. OUR Rescue should not have a 4-Star rating.  Christina That's why MinistryWatch gives OUR Rescue a 1-Star rating, our lowest score for financial efficiency.  Warren That's right. I've written about the pros and cons of rating systems, and explained why – despite the cons – we think rating ministries is important. But how you do it matters. I'll have a link to an article explaining our rating system in today's show notes. Christina Any final notes before we go? Warren I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will be in Los Angeles in April. I'll be speaking at the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association in Nashville in June. I'll also be in Dallas and Knoxville in May. I will be speaking at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs in June, so I'll be doing reader lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs during that trip. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. You've been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.  Until next time, may God bless you.

John and Maria discuss three lawsuits in the news; the guilty verdict for a Finnish lawmaker over an "insult"; Moody student teachers can stay in Chicago classrooms as part of their training. And a Jury finds Meta harms children. Also, how should Christians view the deaths of Kermit Gosnell and Paul Ehrlich.    Recommendations  Trevin Wax X post  Gospel Coalition article  Lead Like Jael by Emma Waters  Segment 1 – News Headlines  ADF article on Paivi Rasanen  X post on Rasanen  Moody student teachers article  Jury finds social media platforms harmful in pair of lawsuits  LA Times articles on social media lawsuit  Segment 2 – Deaths of Gosnell and Ehrlich  Kermit Gosnell   Paul Ehrlich   Segment 3 – Christian Worldview and Morality  Pew Study  Trevin Wax X post  Gospel Coalition article 

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a conversation with Sarah Zylstra, senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition and former writer for Christianity Today.

Brian From talks with Gospel Coalition writer Sarah Zylstra about the surprising resurgence of church planting after years of decline. Zylstra explains how earlier church planting movements often burned out leaders but also paved the way for healthier systems, stronger networks, and better support for new pastors today. The conversation explores why planting new churches continues to be a powerful tool for evangelism and what the future may hold for this renewed movement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send a textHost Karen Ferguson welcomes author, Jenny Marcelene, to 5-Minute Parenting to share her debut book The Dreamer.  Jenny's heart is for unreached people, and this first book in her Christian-themed global adventure series for children ages 6 to 10, shares the Afghan culture with young readers in a relevant and exciting way. Jenny's goal is to cultivate a biblical worldview and spark prayer for the Gospel among young people. Listen in as she shares her favorite Bible verse for missions, plus 4 simple ways to cultivate missional prayer in kids. Be sure to grab her free 17 page download, Ticket to Afghanistan, and check out her website, book, and Gospel Coalition article by clicking the links below: Ticket to Afghanistan FREE DownloadGospel Coalition Article: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/missional-prayer/Website: www.jennymarcelene.comBlog: www.jennymarcelene.blogspot.comThe Dreamer  book on Amazon: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=the+dreamer+jenny+marcelene&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8Isaiah 49:6 "He says:“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer!

We may think that since the election of President Trump, we are living in a post-woke world. But this is a mistake. Wokeness remains the prevailing worldview in secular culture. So how can Christians thoughtfully engage with the ongoing challenges of wokeness⎯ in the church and everyday life? How do we accurately define wokeness, and why does it remain influential? And how can believers respond with clarity, courage, and compassion? It's vital for us to be equipped with practical steps for conversations, parenting, workplace pressures, and loving our neighbors well. We must stand firm in the truth. Our guest today is Dr. Neil Shenvi, co-author of the book Post-Woke: Asserting a Biblical View of Race, Gender & Sexuality, which we will be discussing in today's conversation. Neil has an A.B. in chemistry from Princeton and a PhD in theoretical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as a research scientist at Yale University and Duke University and has published over thirty peer-reviewed scientific papers. In addition, his writings on critical theory have been published by the Journal of Christian Legal Thought, the Gospel Coalition, Ratio Christi, & the Liberty University Law Review, among others. Let's dive in!

Shame and anxiety have a way of making us feel like we need to hide—but you're not alone, and healing is possible. In this conversation, author, actress, and spoken word artist, Blair Linne shares encouragement from Scripture and her own journey to remind us that our struggles don't define us and that God meets us with compassion, not condemnation. Blair shares what God taught her during her experience with anxiety and how she came to see it as one of the best things that happened to her faith. She is the author of "Made to Tremble," which shares her story and all she learned through the trial of anxiety. We talk honestly about how shame isolates us, how anxiety can shape the way we see ourselves, and how God invites us into freedom and a renewed identity. Blair also shares simple, practical rhythms—like prayer, time in God's Word, and honest community—that help us begin to replace shame with truth. If you've ever felt weighed down by your past, overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, or unsure of your worth, this episode is a gentle reminder that you are deeply loved and never beyond God's reach. Join us for a hope-filled conversation about healing, freedom, and stepping into the identity God has for you. About Blair Blair Linne is the author of "Made to Tremble" and Finding My Father. She is a Bible teacher, actress, spoken word artist, and the creator of the podcast GLO with The Gospel Coalition. Blair has toured globally and is known as one of the originators of the Christian Spoken Word genre. Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through speaking and spoken word is her passion. She and her husband, Shai, livein Dallas, Texas, with their three children. Show Notes Connect with Us Free guide: "5 Keys to Walking In Your Worth." wonderfullymade.org Allie's Books Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God, and Reclaim Your JoyWonderfully Made: Discover the Identity, Love, and Worth You Were Created For Social Media @wonderfullymade_org @alliemariesmithTikTok Resources Life Coaching for Teen GirlsSocial Media Reset CourseWonderfully Made Young Women's Course  

It's not a stretch to say lots of people have allowed their smartphones to become addictions, and often far too much time is spent looking at, scrolling through, texting, and otherwise being occupied with those smartphones. When was the last time you left home without your phone? Our phones have become an absolute necessity, a near-constant attachment in our lives. Anywhere you go—in line for coffee, sitting in a waiting room, stopped at a red light, walking on the street—near everyone is looking down at their phones. But can you really call that an idol? After all, these smartphones are handy, and they can be great time-savers. But at some point this helpful tool can and often does have us at its mercy. We don't control it; it controls us. And for Christ-followers we need to understand the enemy of our soul will use anything he can to cause us to pay attention to and spend time with anything other than the Lord. For Christians, idolatry is anything that causes such a strong attachment in our lives—such as a strong habit—that without realizing it, we become addicted. In the case of phones, it's not that we're addicted to it but to the attention it demands of us—the attention that we choose to give it. Our smartphones demand so much of our attention, we may allow it to become not just a useful tool, but a demanding and controlling habit of devotion, and that can start to interfere with our devotion to Jesus Christ. I read once that people do not drift toward holiness. Our sinful natures, combined with the sneaky attacks from our enemy, can easily push us away from the Lord, and without intending to, we find ourselves devoted to something or someone more than to our Lord. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? The warning of scripture is that unless we seek the Lord regularly—daily—for help, then we are opening ourselves to idolatries of the heart and mind. When you think about it, what we pay attention to determines what we think about, and that begins to take over the focus of our lives. Something as small as a smartphone can cause us to think more and give more attention to anything other than things of God. These aren't necessarily bad things, but distractions that take up our time and thoughts. If you pay little attention to the important relationships of your life they will suffer. Being attentive to a person—listening, caring, conversing with them—is how we build strong relationships. As we spend more and more time on our phones, doesn't this interfere with our relationships and create barriers and hindrances to healthy relationships? And the same is true with our relationship with God. If we don't spend time with him and give attention to his Word, to prayer, to fellowship, that can lead to a decline in our devotion to God and to obedience to his Word. We love what we give attention to. I doubt there has ever been any one single development that has grabbed humans worldwide like the smartphone has. I mean, how many apps do you have on your phone? And what is their purpose? To seize your time and attention. To cause you to want something you don't have. To allow wrong worldviews and wrong information to fill up your mind. Who could ever have predicted the impact smartphones are having on people everywhere. I read an article that said, “If an idol is anything that takes our attention and love away from the one true God, then the mass-produced, internet-connected devices in our hands are among the most insidious idols history has known.”[1] As believers, should we just get rid of our smartphones? Is that the answer to its control over us. Well, let's see what Jesus said, and yes, he had something to say about smartphones. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell (Matthew 5:29 – 30). Did Jesus mean to literally gouge out our eye or cut off our hand? No, but he uses very strong words here to show we should take whatever drastic action might be necessary for us to break the sins that bind us, the things that are taking our attention away from the Lord and causing us to stumble. If our phones have become a stumbling block in our lives spiritually, we need to do whatever is necessary to take down that idol. In Exodus 34:14, we read: Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Of course, this is not jealousy the way we tend to think of it today. God simply demands exclusive love and devotion from us as his children. When we worship anything else, when anything becomes more important than God, it is an idol in our lives. This is spiritual adultery. God's jealousy is holy, different from our petty human jealousy, because he desires the best for us and knows that idols will rob us of his peace and joy and our fellowship with him. If our smartphones—or anything or anyone else—begin to take our mind off things of the Lord, take time away from reading the Bible, keep us from praying like we should, God is jealous of those things because he knows we're going in the wrong direction. I doubt many Christians have ever thought about their phones as potential idols. So, how can we recognize signs that our phones have become an idol? Well, it begins with an honest assessment of how addicted you might be to your phone. Does it continually interfere with family time? Do you spend as much time with your children as you do on your phone? If you can't find your phone, take a moment to notice how upset you are in the moment. Pay attention to how much stress your phone brings into your life. Count the number of times you pick up it for no good or immediate reason—just because you haven't looked at it in the last few minutes. My guess is if I asked most believers if their phone has become an idol, they would insist that it has not. They would tell me how much they need it for business, for important communications, for safety even. But an honest assessment—paying attention to how you use the phone, how emotionally connected you are to it, how it demands your time—might reveal much more of an addition than you realized. Taking an honest assessment requires that we really want to know about anything handicapping our spiritual growth; anything that has become obsessive or addictive. It begins with an attitude of submission to God in all things and a desire to please him. If you find yourself rebelling against the idea that you could have a phone idol or any other kind of idol in your life or if you are immediately defensive about it, that might reveal that you just don't want to deal with it. I can tell you from my own life there have been and still probably are some small areas where I just don't want to face the music. I don't want to change, for whatever reason. When your defenses go up, and you refuse to look at the control the smartphone may have in your life, this is tell-tale sign you've allowed it to become an idol. Next, pray about it; ask God to show you how he feels about the time you spend and the way you use your smartphones. If there's a problem, the Holy Spirit is faithful to convict us, and I think we all can recognize that convicting, uneasy spirit in our hearts. God never deals with us in guilt, but he certainly convicts us of things in our lives that don't please him. If we don't confess and forsake them, then it turns to guilt, shame, and miserableness! Do yourself a favor: confess your phone idolatry as a sin and tell God you want to change. Then tell somebody what you've done; make yourself accountable to someone you can trust. And keep praying about it every day. In 1 John 5:21, we read: Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. You can't be much clearer than that. It is our responsibility to keep ourselves from idols. When we don't, we're living in disobedience. That means you will need to take some intentional steps toward changing your relationship with your smartphone, if indeed it has become an idol by taking your time and attention away from God and other more important matters. Here are some suggestions about changing your habits and fighting phone idolatry. Use your phone only at certain times of the day for designated purposes. There's no question it can be an effective tool for getting information, communicating clearly, and saving time in many ways. Use it for the good it offers and then work toward having some phone-free time every day—not just a couple of minutes but hours. I promise you, the world will not stop revolving. Your company or organization will survive; those friends or family who are trying to reach you can wait a bit. Screen-free times need to be put in place and make them known to those who need to know. Let me strongly encourage you not to pick your phone up first thing in the morning. Wait until you've had time to pray and read God's Word. Make that the first thing you do, rather than looking at your phone. And this may sound weird, but I suggest you don't read your Bible from your phone—not for that morning time with Jesus. Hold a Bible in your hands; highlight what speaks to you, make notes in the margins, write in a journal. It's nice to have the Bible on your phone when a Bible is not near later in the day, but I strongly urge you to put God's Word in your hands first thing in your day. That will be hard for some people, but I really believe it will make a difference. Your day is won or lost in the morning hours; start your day off right. Let your phone sit unanswered for the first hours of your day. Let me close this discussion by reminding you that spending time with God is sweeter and better than anything you'll get from your phone. The love of God is better than any other love, and you need to continually remind yourself just how much God loves you. Spend time doing that, meditating on God's goodness to you, thanking him for all your many blessings, and casting your cares on him, because he cares for you. Make your phone your servant, not your idol. Use it for good and refuse to let it steal your joy and your peace. — [1] McCracken, B. (2025, December 11). How to Fight Your Phone Idolatry. The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/fight-phone-idolatry/

In this episode, recorded at The Gospel Coalition's 2025 national conference, Keith Plummer talks with Cairn alum John Biegel, lead pastor at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, VA, and TGC council member Bill Kynes, who for 36 years, preceded John in that role, about what it means to be a pastor-theologian. Next, Keith talks with author and lead mentor and trainer at Australia's EvQ School of Evangelism, Sam Chan, about how to have natural gospel conversations and tips for addressing skeptics' hard questions about the faith.

Today on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly “Ask the Experts” theme with Dr. Sam Storms, who answered questions on all things Holy Spirit. Dr. Storms is the Founder and President of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the board of the Gospel Coalition. He is also the Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listen/Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly “Ask the Experts” theme with Dr. Sam Storms, who answered questions on all things Holy Spirit. Dr. Storms is the Founder and President of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the board of the Gospel Coalition. He is also the Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listen/Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Courtney Reissig encourages Christians that it is okay to admit that prayer is hard and offers practical steps to improve their prayer lives. Courtney Reissig is a writer and teacher living in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has written for numerous Christian publications, including the Gospel Coalition and Christianity Today. She is also the author of 'Prayer' from Crossway. ❖ Listen to “How the Psalms Act as a Model for Prayer, Lament, and Praise" with Winfree Brisley and Sharonda Cooper:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show.

Brian From talks with Gospel Coalition writer Sarah Zylstra about surprising signs of spiritual engagement among Gen Z. Though statistically the most secular generation, pockets of young adults are showing deeper curiosity about Christianity, filling chapels, memorizing Scripture, and pursuing serious faith. It’s a hopeful conversation about cultural shifts, quiet revival, and what this moment could mean for the future of the church.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Brad Wetherell reminds believers that their union with Christ brings hope to every area of their lives. Brad Wetherell is the senior pastor of the Orchard, a multisite church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Brad also serves on the steering committee of the Gospel Coalition's Chicago regional chapter, which gathers pastors for encouragement, fellowship, and prayer. He is also the author of 'Saved to Sin No More: How Union with Christ Empowers a Life of Holiness' from Crossway. ❖ Listen to “Why Christianity Is Not Just about Being a Follower of Jesus" with Sam Allberry:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show.

BACK in 2004. I took our kids back to Africa in 2004. Here's what happened. Due to a minor plane crash and having to make the trip overland, our kids went on into the Congo and I stayed behind with no plans for the week in the Central African Republic. THEN the invitations poured in! I happily taught many groups, pastors, deaconesses, school teachers, night watchmen and even high government officials! They were trilled at the positive news of Eden!NOW in 2026! We have two special events coming up! YOU are invited to our Event at the HQ of the American Bible Society on March 21 2026! We'll be presenting the Tru316 Medallion Award to ABS President Dr. Jennifer Holloran and our Keynote speaker will be Dr. Beverly Nyberg! Dr. Nyberg studied at the University of Nebraska and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. she has been Adjunct Professor at The George Washington University and Senior Consultant at Common Root Consulting. At the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) State Dept. she for 11 years she was responsible for the US Government global programs for children affect by HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR. She also had served with the Peace Corps in Africa and provided field leadership in DR Congo with The Evangelical Free Church Mission. The Tru316 Foundation (www.Tru316.com) is the home of The Eden Podcast with Bruce C. E. Fleming where we “true” the verse of Genesis 3:16. The Tru316 Message is that “God didn't curse Eve (or Adam) or limit woman in any way.” Once Genesis 3:16 is made clear the other passages on women and men become clear too. You are encouraged to access the episodes of Seasons 1-11 of The Eden Podcast for teaching on the seven key passages on women and men. Are you a reader? We invite you to get from Amazon the four books by Bruce C. E. Fleming in The Eden Book Series (Tru316.com/trubooks). Would you like to support the work of the Tru316 Foundation? You can become a Tru Partner here: www.Tru316.com/partner

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to encourage the Church in a time of change.  The Lure of Danger and the Price of Achievement Alex Honnold is a name some of us have come to know in the past few years for his death-defying climbs of both man-made and natural wonders.  His "free solo" climb of natural wonder El Capitan with no safety gear leads us to ask important questions about danger, challenge, and achievement, while also considering sports of various kinds and how they fit into a life well-lived.  We use Rusty McKie's article at the Gospel Coalition as a reference point.  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/achieve-die-reflections-free-solo/ "The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill 

In this episode, Cassie Achermann shares practical advice for Christians who want to fast. Cassie Achermann is a copy editor and editorial project manager for the Gospel Coalition. She and her husband, Josh, live in Sydney, Australia, and belong to Merrylands Anglican Church. She is also the author of 'Fasting' from Crossway. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read the full transcript of this episode.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ❖ Listen to “Real Faithfulness Is the Kind No One Sees" with Glenna Marshall:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Courtney Reissig to discuss how to trust the church again after hurt.Questions Covered in This Episode:What was your goal in writing this book?What is your book about?How have you seen the Gospel of John help people process not abandoning the faith after hurt?What encouragement can you offer to people who are unsure whether they can trust the church?Are there people in your ministry coming from church hurt?Where did you experience restoration from looking at Jesus in your own journey?Guest Bio:Courtney Reissig is a writer and bible teacher living in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the proud mom of four sons, happy wife to Daniel, and author of The Accidental Feminist, Glory in the Ordinary, Teach Me to Feel and Someone to Believe In. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, The Gospel Coalition, and Christianity Today (among other publications). When she is not writing or wrangling kids, she enjoys running and a relaxing Friday night. Her family belongs to Immanuel Baptist Church. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram (@courtneyreissig).Resources Mentioned in this Episode:John 20:3, Hebrews 13:8, John 15, Psalm 1, John 9, Ezekiel 34:2”Someone to Believe In” by Courtney Reissig Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway's Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"The Lord sometimes reveals himself to us and shows himself to us in ways that we wouldn't know apart from our flesh and our heart failing."— Megan HillToday's Episode: Join Natalie Abbott and Megan Hill as they discuss both individual failure and corporate failure in the church and how God meets us in both places. Megan gives spiritual insights and practical advice for how we can deal with our own doubts and disappointments by honestly bringing them to God and relying on others to lift us up. She also gives us some helpful categories for understanding the failures of others in the church, and she walks us through what we can do when we experience those hurts first-hand. It's a great conversation that helps us understand a biblical framework for how God is always at work even through our failures, both individually and corporately. This month's memory verse: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." — Psalm 73:26Today's guest: Megan Hill is the managing editor for The Gospel Coalition. She is also the author of several books for adults and children, most recently Sighing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts and Sabbath Rest. Megan lives with her husband and four children in Massachusetts where they belong to West Springfield Covenant Community Church (PCA).Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently's monthly membership!Love the show? Support us by leaving a review.Links from today's show: Find out more about Megan here. Dealing with church hurt? Get Sighing on Sunday here.Discover more about the resurrection in The “If” That Changes Everything by Mike Hood. Use code IF to receive 30% off your copy at thegoodbook.com.Develop life-changing habits in the Disciplines of Devotion series. Get 30% off at crossway.org/disciplinesofdevotion with a free Crossway Plus account.Discover God's heart for you through deeper study and reflection in Every Woman's Bible.Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferently.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Biblical Theology Briefing, a podcast from The Gospel Coalition, hosted by Ben Gladd and Matt Harmon. Biblical theology is not a verse-by-verse commentary or a devotional. Instead, it focuses on tracing the connections, themes, and patterns across Scripture, helping us see how the Bible tells one unified and coherent story.Resources MentionedFrom Adam and Israel to the Church by Ben GladdFrom the Manger to the Throne by Ben GladdRebels and Exiles by Matt HarmonReference Works & Series The Servant of the Lord and His Servant People by Matt HarmonReference Works & Series New Dictionary of Biblical Theology by Alexander, Rosner, Carson, GoldsworthyNew Studies in Biblical Theology (NSBT) by Don Carson & Ben GladdEssential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT) by Ben Gladd

In this episode, Stephen Witmer walks through who George Herbert was, why his poetry is so valuable, and unpacks three of his favorites. Stephen Witmer is the lead pastor of Pepperell Christian Fellowship in Pepperell, Massachusetts, a council member of the Gospel Coalition, and the cofounder of Small Town Summits. He is also the editor and contributor of 'In All Things Thee to See: A Devotional Guide to Selected Poems of George Herbert' from Crossway. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read the full transcript of this episode.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ❖ Listen to “A Guide for Weary Pray-ers" with Doug O'Donnell: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show.

Send us a textWe're kicking off 2026 by teaching you how to think critically about Christian marriage and relationship advice! Rebecca and I walk through some really problematic articles and social media posts - from the Gospel Coalition's piece against therapy to Tilly Dillehay's tandem bike marriage metaphor - and show you exactly why they make us feel unsafe. We'll teach you how to spot red flags, question who benefits from this advice, and why prioritizing your safety and discernment isn't selfish - it's Biblical.TO SUPPORT US: Join our Patreon for as little as $5 a month to support our workAnd check out our Merch, or any of our courses!Give to the Good Fruit Faith Initiative of the Bosko FoundationJoin our email list!LINKS MENTIONED: The Desiring God article on tandem bikesThe Gospel Coalition article on therapyOur book The Marriage You Want, and the video series that goes with itThe study on followership behaviourSupport the showJoin Sheila at Bare Marriage.com!Check out her books: The Great Sex Rescue She Deserves Better The Marriage You Want and the Study Guide The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex and The Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex And she has an Orgasm Course and a Libido course too!Check out all her courses, FREE resources, social media, books, and so much more at Sheila's LinkTree.