Life and Books and Everything

If you haven’t seen the viral clip, go see it right now. In this episode, Kevin talks to Alistair about the preaching clip he didn’t intend to give, he never put online himself, and he never expected to be one of the most well known moments of his ministry. The content from that clip has been combined with two other Jesus encounters in the Gospels and turned into a short book. Listen to Kevin and Alistair talk about that book as well as the Ryder Cup, “retirement,” and reflections on growing older (though Alistair doesn’t look it).

What is conservatism? And why does it go hand in hand with religious freedom? How should we think about the American experiment of ordered liberty? Has it failed? It is worth preserving? And what about Christian Nationalism? And while we’re at it, how should Christians assess the Charlie Kirk memorial service? Listen in as Kevin talks to John Wilsey, a history professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, about these questions and about John’s new book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer (Eerdmans).

If you are looking for a deep dive into the history of early American Presbyterianism, you have come to the right place! Listen in as Kevin talks with pastor, scholar, and writer S.A. Fix—who goes by the name Fix (really he does)—as they talk about the Old Side/New Side controversy, the Adopting Act of 1729, and John Thomson’s Explication of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Come for the Presbyterianism, and stay for a look at what it means to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Be sure to look for Thomson’s Explication in the next week or two, introduced and edited by Dr. Fix and published by our friends at Westminster Seminary Press.

The triumvirate comes back together to wrap up another season of LBE. Along with the obligatory sports chatter, the three guys talk at length about the first Midwest Pope (and why they are not Catholics) and about life in middle age (and why they are not too depressed). There are, of course, many book recommendations as well.CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors1:47 Greeting & Salutations4:10 The Midwestern Scale Of How Are You Doing?5:10 The First Midwestern Pope14:05 Deep Dive Into New Pope Expectations18:20 Why Don’t We Believe In A Pope?28:35 From The Midwest To Midlife32:44 Get A Tattoo And Buy A Motorcycle?35:07 Sponsor Break36:55 More On Midlife & Life As A Parent40:56 Have We Changed In Significant Ways?52:31 Collin’s Reading List57:50 Kevin’s Reading List01:03:01 Justin’s Reading List01:06:59 Summer Sports Report01:08:38 Thank You & Goodbye

Kevin welcomes his good friend—neighbor, church colleague, and seminary colleague (soon to be boss!)—Blair Smith to the podcast. As a systematic theology professor, Blair’s expertise is on Trinitarian theology, in particular in the crucial fourth and fifth centuries. Listen in as Kevn and Blair look at the theology and the history behind the Council of Nicaea (325) and the Council of Constantinople (381). Yes, there are a lot of names and concepts flying around in the podcast studio with this one, but for good reason. What could be more important than the doctrine of the Trinity, than knowing who God is?CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors & Intro2:11 Who Is Blair Smith?9:34 Four Degrees & Education Background12:20 Conversation Outline & Begin Nicene Discussion19:38 What Should We Know About The Fatherhood Of God?25:25 Nicene Origins & The Need For Clarity28:40 Sponsor Break30:54 How Does This Help Us Understand The Eternal Son?37:15 Trinity Debates & Subordination Controversy46:59 What Led To The Revision Of The Nicene Creed?54:53 Common Ground & Finding The Right Language57:07 How Does Augustine Fit Into Nicene Orthodoxy?1:01:38 Books From Blair To Consider1:03:42 Why Should We Care About The Doctrine Of The Trinity?BOOKS & EVERYTHINGThe Nicene CreedReformed ConfessionalismOne God Almighty: The Biblical Doctrine of the Triune GodOur Father in Heaven: Rediscovering and Embracing the Fatherhood of GodCROSSWAY | The Nicene CreedDESIRING GOD | What’s The Difference?GREENVILLE SEMINARY | Pastoral TheologyWESTMINSTER SEMINARY | Biblical Languages

It is often believed, by friends and critics alike, that the Reformed tradition, though perhaps good on formal doctrine, is impoverished when it comes to spiritual formation. The charge is that the Reformed approach to piety is all about head knowledge, about learning things as brains on sticks. Other Christians may be less critical but simply assume that there is no right or wrong way to do spiritual formation. This often leads evangelical to adopt an eclectic approach to personal growth in Christ. Many Christians in conservative Protestant churches end up adopting Catholic and Orthodox approaches as being more fulsome and effective. But what if there is a Reformed approach to spiritual formation that is rich, deep, historic, and more biblical than the alternatives? That’s what Kevin explores with Matthew Bingham (associate professor of church history at Phoenix Seminary) as they dig into Matthew’s fantastic new book A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation (Crossway).Chapters:0:00 Sponsors & Intro3:27 Tell Us About Yourself8:16 Spiritual Formation14:18 A Heart Aflame for God21:15 A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation26:53 Sponsor Break29:44 Biblical Centrality40:40 The Reformed Triangle of Spiritual Formation47:24 Quick Takes1:06:41 Final Thoughts1:12:14 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:ESV New Testament, Share the Good News® EditionDesiring God | Holy WeekGPTS | A Sacred CallingWTS | MA in Theological StudiesHeart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation