That’ll Preach

Strange Rhinos and the Beauty of Christianity (Orthodoxy Part I)

We begin a new series on G.K. Chesterton's classic book "Orthodoxy" which features a series of essays by the controversial author about faith, tradition, and the modern world. Chesterton's prose and wit allowed him to entertain while also provoke skeptics of the faith in an unparalleled way. His influence on writes such as C.S. Lewis demonstrates the effectiveness of his logic and style with commentary on society that seems prophetic in the modern day. He did not pull any punches, yet remains one of the most winsome figures in Christianity. He was not afraid to polarize and state his opinions openly without fear of ridicule, but also understood how narrative, imagination, and humor disarms opponents and points them to consider the truth claims of Christianity. In the first chapter, Chesterton likens returning to Christianity to a man who thinks he discovers a new land, but in fact re-discovers his home. If you've never read Chesterton or find him difficult to understand this series is for you. 

I never in my life said anything merely because I thought it funny; though of course, I have had ordinary human vainglory, and may have thought it funny because I had said it. It is one thing to describe an interview with a gorgon or a griffin, a creature who does not exist. It is another thing to discover that the rhinoceros does exist and then take pleasure in the fact that he looks as if he didn’t. -- except from Orthodoxy

Ministering in Jerusalem and the Meaning of Sabbath with Rev. David Pileggi

Rev. David Pileggi joins us to talk about his ministry in Christ Church Jerusalem and the unique challenges Christians face ministering in the holy land. He also talks about how the Jewish roots of Sabbath unlock the meaning of rest and the importance not only of holy people, but holy time. 

What is the Purpose of College?

The New York Times recently posted an online tool that allows users to create their own university rankings based on customized criteria. Students can rank schools based upon metrics like party scene, income level, racial diversity, and athletics. These metrics reveal a lot about how the purpose of education has changed over the decades. A university education used to be a way for people to grow in their moral and spiritual formation in order to become good citizens of a nation. Now universities exist to prepare students for a career. There are many financial and cultural reasons for this which should prompt Christians to approach education with thoughtful reflection.  Should this be the primary lens through which we view college?

In this episode we not only discuss how the purpose of education has changed over the decades, but also the process of education. Paul argues that education exists to show people the proper way to think, reason, and live in the world rather than provide various options for the student to choose from. Not all ideas are equal. A college education ought to exist for more than just career preparation. It should shape the intellectual and moral lives of students.

Show Notes

"Build Your Own College Rankings" the New York Times

Should We be Worried About A.I.?

A.I. is all the rage with ChatGPT and Bing's new artificial intelligence making the waves on campuses and in the wider culture. A.I. opens up new possibilities and exciting applications, but also comes with a set of ethical questions. How do we know what A.I. learns? In what sense does A.I. "understand" morality and what unforeseen consequences arise from that? Bryan and Paul discuss concerning aspects of A.I. and whether Christians should embrace the rapid acceleration of development. We also discuss the merits of taking time before accepting new technology. Also, Paul continues to plan his cult/commune.

Unlocking the Secrets of Revelation with Dr. Warren Gage

Dr. Warren Gage joins us to discuss one of the most mysterious and complex books in the Bible -- Revelation. We discuss the Old Testament narratives behind the book and how they unlock Revelation's visions and symbols in surprising ways. Jesus comes as the new Joshua summoning his holy army, the church, to bring down the new Jericho of Babylon who carries a Rahab-like whore. But the identity of the whore shocks the Apostle John -- it is Jerusalem herself twisted by her sin and rejection of Christ. But hope remains for God turns whores into brides by the blood of his Son. Revelation at its heart depicts the both the terrifying judgement and the overwhelming mercy of God. God redeems Rahabs and turns sinners into saints.

Revelation presents the gospel through a vivid and dramatic narrative that utilizes our imagine to view the world through the eyes of faith. It also forces us to view the Bible through a first-century lens by taking into account the Jewish roots and Hellenistic context of the early church. Taking on such a lens allows us to grasp details of the text that would otherwise elude us.

We also explore how the genre and literary structure of the ancient Greco-Roman world allows us to grasp the meaning not only of Revelation, but the gospels as well. Gage dives into how John's Gospel ties the woman at the well in John 4 with the whore of Babylon in Revelation 17. He identifies parallels within the gospel accounts of Jesus's birth and resurrection that shed light on the world-changing nature of the gospel. You will not read the Bible the same after the episode.

Show Notes

John & Revelation Project with Dr. Warren Gage and Dr. Chip Bennett

Dr. Gage's Ministry Website: https://www.watermarkgospel.com/

Bryan's Online Revelation Series: tinyurl.com/mtu75ajx

The Ethics of Immortality

Death scares most of us. We do not enjoy thinking about the fragility of our existence nor the vulnerability of mortality. Billionaires like Jeff Bezos now invest their fortunes into experimental treatments and technologies in order to maximize their "health spans" and ensure longevity. Modern technology stands on the cusp of healing DNA and maximizing healthy lifespans beyond what was previously thought possible.

How should Christians react to such this rapidly developing new technology? What ethical issues arise if we extend our lives to 200 years? 2,000 years? How will our perspective shift on what it means to mature, grow, and experience a lifetime?

Our desire to prolong life, seek healing, and mourn over death appears appropriate, but God also enacted death as a judicial sentence for sin. God subjected his creation to death and decay in order to bring about further glory. Christ himself rose to immortal life through the crucible of death. If we try to circumvent this reality we might subvert God's purposes to redeem death.

We dive into all these issues and more in this episode. Be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

Getting the Trinity Right with Dr. Scott Swain

Modern Christians lack clarity on the fundamental doctrine of their faith: the Trinity. But why is this the case? Dr. Scott Swain suggests the problem lies in the desire for a Christ who fulfills our expectations. We want Jesus to give a solution to the practical problems in out lives.

The doctrine of the Trinity seems abstract and detached from our marriages, careers, and mental health. But what if the doctrine of the Trinity exceeds our expectations? What if we desire too little? 

Getting the Trinity right does more than provide a proper theological answer -- it strikes at the heart of the identity of the God we worship. We believe in one God eternally existent in three equally divine persons. From this central belief flow all other doctrines.

A failure to grasp this basic theology leads to many modern errors: social trinitarianism, eternal subordination of the Son, and various forms of modalism. Each of these distortions trickles down into our understanding of gender, human nature, and the meaning of authority. 

The Trinity reveals to us a God who from eternity past lives in a triune relation of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We must gain Trinitarian fluency in order to speak rightly about him because his glory demands precision and careful meditation.

The church fathers defended the Trinity because they saw in this vital doctrine the essence of the Christian faith and the revelation of God in Christ. But this doctrine belongs not only to the theologians of the past, but the everyday faithful Christian in the present who desires to know his or her Lord in a deeper way.

Check out this episode with Dr. Scott Swain, one of the foremost Trinitarian theologians in the world, and dive in to the mystery and the glory of the doctrine of the Trinity.

Show Notes

Dr. Swain's blog Reformed Blogmatics

Dr. Swain's Trinity Lectures at the Theology in Practice Conference

Finding Meaning in Our Work with Dr. Joe Minich

Joe Minich joins us again to talk about the nature of work and how Christianity gives meaning to the mundane.

Show Notes

"Protestant Social Teaching" by the Davenant Institute 

A Secular Case Against Hook-Up Culture

Bryan and Paul talk about why feminists, "Me Too" advocates, and secularists should reject hook-up culture. Also, Paul plans to create a cult. 

The Secret Message of Till We Have Faces with Andrew Lazo

Andrew Lazo joins us with a fascinating look at the underlying message of C.S. Lewis's masterpiece Till We Have Faces and unravels the mystery of how the book ends.

Show Notes

Check out Andrew on the Pints with Jack Podcast