Podcasts about theology of the cross

Christians are not immune to horrible circumstances; bad things happen to all people. Where is God when we are hurting? Join Dr. Robert Kolb, professor emeritus of systematic theology, and Dr. Joel Okamoto, professor of systematic theology as they engage in a conversation that leads students and laity to a deeper understanding of the theology of the cross.

In this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb takes listeners on a deep theological journey into the distinction between law and gospel. Drawing from Martin Luther's theological insights, Jesse explores how these two words from God—the law and the gospel—reveal His righteousness and intersect with Christian living. He reflects on the ways the law exposes sin and reveals the justice of God, while the gospel offers the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. This timely discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how God's law and gospel work in harmony to declare His glory and transform lives. Jesse unpacks the theology of the cross versus the theology of glory, highlighting how the gospel is scandalously counterintuitive, displaying God's power through weakness and Christ's ultimate act of obedience—His death on the cross. Through thought-provoking metaphors and personal reflections, he illustrates how the law's demands drive us to despair but ultimately point us to the gospel, where we find redemption and freedom in Christ. The episode also delves into the transformative power of the gospel, contrasting it with the law's inability to save. Jesse encourages listeners to consider how the gospel empowers obedience, not as a means of earning righteousness, but as a response to the righteousness imputed to us by Christ. This episode is rich in theological depth and practical application, providing a framework for understanding God's justice, mercy, and love.

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony dive deep into Martin Luther's contrasting theological concepts: the Theology of Glory and the Theology of the Cross. Beginning with a reflection on how the Theology of Glory prioritizes human strength, reason, and achievement, they explore how this perspective can mislead Christians into seeking God through displays of power and visible success. Instead, they emphasize that Luther's Theology of the Cross reveals God's power most profoundly in weakness, suffering, and humility. The conversation highlights how the Theology of Glory often leads to arrogance, misplaced priorities, and a misunderstanding of God's nature and work in the world. Drawing from Scripture, the hosts demonstrate how the Gospel flips the world's values upside down, showing that true Christian power lies in self-sacrifice, service, and dependence on Christ. They also discuss contemporary examples of how the Theology of Glory manifests in modern Christian movements, including megachurch culture, prosperity theology, and even personal pride within small church leadership. Jesse and Tony challenge listeners to examine their own lives and ministries in light of the Theology of the Cross. They encourage believers to adopt an attitude of humility, servanthood, and dependence on God's grace, rather than striving for worldly success or recognition. This episode is a timely reminder that the Christian life is not about glory as the world defines it, but about finding strength in weakness and victory in the cross of Christ. Key Points: Theology of Glory vs. Theology of the Cross: Luther's framework contrasts human-centered religion, which seeks God in power and success, with the Gospel's revelation of God through weakness and suffering. Modern Examples of the Theology of Glory: Prosperity theology, megachurch culture, and some expressions of Christian nationalism illustrate how this mindset persists today. The Power of Humility and Weakness: The Theology of the Cross calls Christians to embrace servanthood and suffering as reflections of Christ's work on the cross. Scriptural Foundations: The hosts reference key Scriptures, such as Philippians 2 and Luke 10, to show how God's kingdom operates differently from human expectations. Practical Applications: Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance, instead embracing a Christ-centered approach to faith and ministry. Questions for Reflection: How does the Theology of Glory manifest in your own life or church context? In what ways does the Theology of the Cross challenge your understanding of power and success? How can you cultivate humility and servanthood in your daily walk with Christ? Are there areas in your life where you tend to rely on human wisdom or strength instead of God's grace? How does understanding God's power in weakness bring comfort and transformation to your faith? Citations: John Calvin, Commentary on the Gospel According to John, trans. William Pringle, vol. 1 (Bellingham: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 1:329–330.

In this episode of Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony delve into Martin Luther's concept of the Theology of the Cross, a foundational idea in Reformation theology. Rooted in the Heidelberg Disputation of 1518, this theological framework challenges believers to see God's power and purpose in human suffering and weakness. The hosts explore how the cross is the ultimate revelation of God's nature, subverting traditional human expectations of power and glory. The discussion highlights the stark contrast between the Theology of the Cross and what Luther termed the Theology of Glory. The former calls Christians to understand God's work through suffering and apparent defeat, as exemplified in Christ's crucifixion. Jesse and Tony argue that this paradigm is not only essential for understanding the gospel but also deeply relevant to the modern Christian experience, especially in a culture increasingly drawn to triumphalism and worldly notions of success. This episode is a call to reflect on how suffering shapes the Christian life. The hosts explore how trials and hardships are not merely obstacles but divinely ordained means of sanctification. They underscore the importance of embracing weakness as a pathway to experiencing God's strength and grace, offering both theological depth and practical encouragement for listeners facing difficulties. Key Points: The Theology of the Cross Explained: Luther's concept emphasizes that God's power is revealed through weakness, and His blessings often come disguised as suffering. The cross is central to understanding this paradoxical truth. Relevance for Modern Christians: The episode critiques contemporary triumphalism and discusses how cultural notions of power and success can distort biblical theology. The Theology of the Cross serves as a corrective, calling believers to embrace humility and dependence on God. Suffering as a Means of Sanctification: Jesse and Tony explore how trials are not signs of God's absence but opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper communion with Christ, who himself suffered for humanity. Luther's Historical Context: The discussion provides background on the Heidelberg Disputation and how it laid the groundwork for Protestant theology, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between human merit and divine grace. Questions for Reflection: How does the Theology of the Cross challenge your understanding of God's power and blessings? In what ways have you seen God use suffering in your life to draw you closer to Him? How can Christians balance engagement with cultural and political movements while maintaining a biblical perspective on weakness and humility? What practical steps can you take to embrace suffering as a means of sanctification without minimizing its difficulty?

Nehemiah 13

In this thought-provoking episode of Upon Further Review, hosts Cody Kitchen and Dr. John Hall shift the focus to one of the most foundational and often-misunderstood elements of the Christian faith: the theology of the cross.Drawing from the writings of the Apostle Paul, Cody and Dr. Hall dive deep into what the cross truly means—not just as a symbol, but as a declaration of God's power, wisdom, and grace. They explore how Christ's crucifixion reframes human pride, redefines strength, and reveals the stunning humility at the heart of salvation.Key Takeaways:The Power of the Cross: What makes the cross more than just a historical event?The Significance of the Cross: Why Paul makes it central to his theology.Christ Crucified: What does this say about God's character and our redemption?Humility in Salvation: How the cross confronts human pride.Why the Cross Still Matters Today.And don't miss our fan-favorite finale—the "That's Stupid" Segment—where things get a little lighter as we poke fun at some of life's oddities and our pastor's favorite hobby!

Speaker: Rev. Robin ChoScripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31Date: May 4, 2025

On this episode of the Mature Me Podcast, Rich sits with theologians Dr. Tennison and Dr. Valmyr as well as Dakota Duron and the students of VOUS College of Ministry to talk about the cross and the call to maturity.On the heels of Easter, they discuss the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. They explore dense, theological concepts like the dual nature of Christ, the power of suffering, what it means to grow from milk to meat and the power of the resurrection of Christ. More than just theology, this conversation gives practical handles as we mature in the understanding of what the cross means for our faith. Sign up for Leadership With Rich free weekly newsletter: ⁠https://www.richwilkersonjr.com⁠Watch this episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCARNPkLHwzeC4KSXGu4RISQ Follow Rich on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richwilkersonjr/Follow Rich on TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richwilkersonjr?lang=en⁠

Pastor Amy - John 12:1-8

March 30, 2025 - Pastor Josh - Luke 15 https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46163/note-230408.html

Luke 13:1-9

Throughout the season of Lent 2025, we will have a virtual book study.Deaconess Dehlia and Pastor Adam sit down with member Kris Camealy. Together, they discuss the chapters of Gene Veith's The Spirituality of the Cross. New Episodes will release each Sunday through Palm Sunday.Email | podcast@stjohndublin.orgChurch Website: stjohndublin.orgChurch Center: stjohndublin.churchcenter.comText Your Questions & Comments Here!

March 9, 2025 - Lent 1 - Pastor Josh https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46163/note-228581.html

Are you there God? It's me…Why is God hidden? Why is God silent? And why does that matter in light of faith, hope, and love?In this episode, philosopher Deborah Casewell joins Evan Rosa for a discussion of divine hiddenness. Together, they reflect on:Simone Weil's distinction between abdication and abandonmentMartin Luther's theology of the crossThe differences between the epistemic, moral, and existential problems with the hiddenness of GodThe terror, horror, and fear that emerges from the human experience of divine hiddennessThe realities of seeing through a glass darkly and pursuing faith, hope, and loveAnd finally, what it means to live bravely in the tension or contracdition between the hiddenness of God and the faith in God's presence.About Deborah CasewellDeborah Casewell is Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Chester. She works in the areas of philosophy and culture, philosophy of religion, and theology & religion, in particular on existentialism and religion, questions of ethics and self-formation in relation to asceticism and the German cultural ideal of Bildung. She has given a number of public talks and published on these topics in a range of settings.Her first book. Eberhard Jüngel and Existence, Being Before the Cross, was published in 2021: it explores the theologian Eberhard Jüngel's philosophical inheritance and how his thought provides a useful paradigm for the relation between philosophy and theology. Her second book, Monotheism and Existentialism, was published in 2022 by Cambridge University Press as a Cambridge Element.She is Co-Director of the AHRC-funded Simone Weil Research Network UK, and previously held a Humboldt Research Fellowship at the University of Bonn. Prior to her appointment in Bonn, she was Lecturer in Philosophy at Liverpool Hope University and a Teaching Fellow at King's College, London. She received her PhD from the University of Edinburgh, my MSt from the University of Oxford, and spent time researching and studying at the University of Tübingen and the Institut Catholique de Paris.Show NotesMother Teresa on God's hiddennessMother Teresa: Come Be My Light, edited by the Rev. Brian KolodiejchukWhat does it mean for God to be hidden?Perceived absenceSimone Weil on God's abdication of the world for the sake of the worldThe presence of God. This should be understood in two ways. As Creator, God is present in everything which exists as soon as it exists. The presence for which God needs the co-operation of the creature is the presence of God, not as Creator but as Spirit. The first presence is the presence of creation. The second is the presence of decreation. (He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent. Saint Augustine.) God could create only by hiding himself. Otherwise there would be nothing but himself. — Simone Weil, in Gravity and Grace, “Decreation”Abdication vs. AbandonmentA longing for God, who is hidden, unknown, unperceived, and mysteriousMartin Luther's theology of the cross“Hidden in the suffering and ignominy of the cross.”“God is powerful but chooses not to be in relation to us.”Human experiences of divine hiddennessThree ways to talk about hiddenness of God epistemic hiddenness:  ”if we were to grasp God with our minds, then we'd be denying the power of God.”Making ourselves an idolThe Cloud of Unknowing and “apophatic” or “negative” theology (only saying what God is not) Moral hiddenness of God: “this is what people find very troubling. … a moral terror to it.” Existential hiddenness of God: “where the hiddenness of God makes you feel terrified”Revelation and the story of human encounter or engagement with God“Luther is the authority on the hiddenness of God in the existential and moral sense.”The power of God revealed in terror.“God never becomes comfortable or accommodated into our measure.””We never make God into an object of our reason and comfort.”Terror, horror, and fear: reverence of GodMarilyn McCord Adams, *Christ & Horrors—*meaning-destroying events“That which is hidden terrifies us.”Martin Luther: “God is terrifying, because God does save some of us, and God does damn some of us.”The “alien work of God”“Is Luther right in saying that God has to remain hidden, and the way in which God has to remain hidden  has to be terrifying? So there has to be this kind  of background of the terrifying God in all of our relations with the God of love that is the God of grace that, that saves us.”Preserving the mystery of GodWe're unable to commodify or trivialize God.Francis Schaeffer's He Is There and He Is Not Silent“Luther construes it as a good thing.”Suffering, anxiety, despair, meaninglessnessHumanity's encounter with nothingness—the void“Interest in the demonic, or terror, as a preliminary step into a  full religious or a proper religious experience of God.”Longing for God in the BibleNoah, Moses, David“The other side of divine hiddenness is human loneliness.”Loneliness and despair as “what your life is going to be like without God.” (Barton Newell)Tension in the experience of faith1 Corinthians 13:12:  ”Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know even as I also am known.”Faith, hope, and love abides in the face of epistemic, moral, and existential hiddenness of God.The meaning of struggling with the hiddenness of God for the human pursuit of faith, hope, and love“Let tensions be.””But you've always got to keep the reality of faith, hope, and love, keep hold of the fact that that is a reality, and that can and will be a reality. It's, it's, not to try and justify it, not to try and harmonize it, but just to hold it, I suppose. And hold it even in its contradiction.”Production NotesThis podcast featured Deborah CasewellEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Emily Brookfield, Alexa Rollow, & Zoë HalabanA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Pastor Nate Walker

We talk about Jesus' death on the cross & His resurrection quite often, so what does that mean for us as people of faith? based off of 1 Corinthians 1:18-35

Sunday Morning Worship Service April 07, 2024 Speaker: Pastor Jether Manalo

Good Friday Service

Good Friday Service

Good Friday Service

The full text of the sermon can be found at www.northmin.org/blog, and video of the service can be found at https://youtu.be/6BHyaMydHQQ

On this weeks episode, Sarah and Pastor Daniel sit down and discuss how terrible she is in the morning, which Disney character they'd be friends with, and unpack what the Theology of the Cross means as we dive into a new sermon series at Woodbury Lutheran called That is NOT What is Written. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-disciples-mic/message

Join Scott and Alex for a profound discussion with ABWE's own Tim Bertolet, focusing on the motivations in ministry: are we seeking personal glory or glorifying the Lord? Delving into Martin Luther's distinction between the theology of glory and the theology of the cross, this episode examines its impact on evangelical missions and Christian living. We'll explore how this theology shapes our ministry approach, why it's often overlooked in seminary education, and practical steps for believers to embrace it in their lives. This show is brought to you in part through partnership with Midwestern Seminary. Learn more about Midwestern and their For the Church Institute at ftcinstitute.com. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. The Missions Podcast is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

For the audio of the full service, printed sermons, and service bulletins, please go to ⁠⁠www.bismarcklutheran.org/sermons-and-bulletins/

The cross is central to understanding both Christ and Christian discipleship. Yet we recoil from the path that involves suffering, hardship, or personal denial. Nonetheless, in today’s passage we learn the essential and central role of the cross in the Christian life. Join us as we learn!

If millions of people are reading a Christian book or watching a Christian television series, God must be at work, right?If tens of thousands of people are attending a mega-church with 15 multisite locations, God must be being honored, correct?If bigger is evidence of God's favor, Jesus must not have been very favored by God. By the end of His ministry, He had few followers, was falsely convicted, and died a bloody death on the cross. By today's Evangelical definition of success, Jesus was a failure.Jesus' leading disciple, Peter, actually rebuked Jesus for saying He was going to suffer and die: “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” (Matthew 16:22).Peter had a flawed human perspective of success for Christ, not one that would include death on a cross. Christ addressed Peter's perspective when He responded, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's.” (Matthew 16:23)The prevailing Evangelical definition of success can be summarized by the “theology of glory”—bigger audiences, more professions of faith, more acceptable, more smiley.Jesus defined God's interest, the “theology of the cross”: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)Now that doesn't sound very desirable. Youth group leaders wouldn't think of attracting young people by saying that. After all, pizza and games bring ‘em in. And “bringing them in” is the ultimate metric—bigger numbers means success. This “theology of glory” dominates Evangelical Christianity in the West.This weekend on The Christian Worldview, we'll hear excerpts from a recent message by Travis Allen, pastor of Grace Church in Greeley, Colorado, where he contrasts the “theology of glory” and the “theology of the cross” and how each believer must examine his/her own heart to orient ourselves toward God's purposes rather than our own.-------------------------------Related Video: The Paradigm of the Cross, Travis AllenRelated Resources:- New Life in Christ by Steven Lawson- Why Would Anyone Follow Jesus? by Ray Comfort

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 13 (Mark 14-16) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 11 (Mark 14:27-28) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 10 (Mark 15:26) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - A Theology of Suffering (Various Passages) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 8 (Mark 14 & 15) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 7 (Mark 15:6-15) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 6 (Mark 14) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 4 (Mark 14:32-43) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 5 (Mark 14:53-65) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 4 (Mark 14:22-25) by Sun Valley Church

Theology of the Cross - pt. 3 (Mark 14:10-11, 18-21) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross - pt. 2 (Mark 14:3-9) by Sun Valley Church

A Theology of the Cross (Mark 14:1) by Sun Valley Church

What is the difference of being a theology of the cross, and the theology of glory? Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about what it means to have the cross as the center of your theology. We talk about Luther's Heidelberg Disputaitons of 1518, a year after he posted the 95 thesis, and why it was so revolutionary and contrary to what the church was teaching at the time. This is the center of "calling a thing what it is" and understanding suffering, rather than glory. The cross turns everything on our head about what we think of God, and what he wants from us, and often makes us uncomfortable, but ultimately fixes our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfector of our faith. ***This episode has some technical difficulties, and the sound isn't as good as past episodes. We thought the conversation overcame the bad sound, and hope it isn't too much of a distraction. Check out other 1517 podcasts Support the work of 1517

Joshua Pauling, author, “Christianity Is More than True; It is Deepest Reality” Cruciformity: Paul and Us, the Table and the Cross

Jon and Justin continue to talk (passionately) about the tendency of many to remove Jesus from many passages of the Bible. Then the guys talk about how effective the heralding of Christ actually is.Resources:Introduction to Covenant Theology: https://youtu.be/iCfzmujnlHoDesiring God Article: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/exposition-or-impositionThe Master's Seminary Article: https://blog.tms.edu/is-christ-in-every-verseGrace To You Article: https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A235/reexamining-the-eternal-sonship-of-christhttps://youtu.be/J2qqYMYKOQE

We believe that all of the Bible--from Genesis to Revelation--is a testimony about Jesus. We believe there is law and gospel in the Old and New Testaments. These convictions are historical, confessional, Reformed convictions. Yet, many in our day get very nervous about seeing Christ in all of the Bible and of understanding the Scriptures in terms of law and gospel. Our fear is that, at the end of it, well-meaning people discourage the saints from seeing Christ for them in all of the Scriptures. Jon and Justin talk about this on today's episode.Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue to talk (passionately) about the tendency of many to remove Jesus from many passages of the Bible. Then the guys talk about how effective the heralding of Christ actually is.Resources:Introduction to Covenant Theology: https://youtu.be/iCfzmujnlHoDesiring God Article: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/exposition-or-impositionThe Master's Seminary Article: https://blog.tms.edu/is-christ-in-every-verseGrace To You Article: https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A235/reexamining-the-eternal-sonship-of-christhttps://youtu.be/KfFeQNVPtkg

Jon and Justin answer listener questions on Two Kingdoms doctrine and also on views of eschatology as it relates to the redemptive-historical framework of Scripture.Resources:Our episode on triumphalismOur episode on Two KingdomsOur episode eschatology (Left Behind?)FREE EBOOK Theocast.org/primerhttps://youtu.be/5CByyISfvCY