TGC Podcast Challenges Facing the Protestant Church Part 1
Jan 23, 2026
Jared C. Wilson, a pastoral ministry expert, discusses the risk of taking gospel centrality for granted. Gavin Ortlund, a theologian, addresses the anxiety felt by young Christians and emphasizes the need for assurance and historical depth in Protestantism. Brad Edwards, a church planter, tackles modern distrust of institutions and the individualism undermining local church commitment. Together, they advocate for revitalization and deeper connections within the church, highlighting its vital role in contemporary culture.
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Define Gospel-Centered With Three Principles
- Teach that the whole Bible points to Jesus, sanctification is by grace, and our validation rests on Christ.
- Use these three principles to explain what 'gospel-centered' means to congregations and students.
Preaching Needs Personal Communion
- Preaching becomes stale when pastors lack personal communion with Christ.
- Wilson argues that devotional intimacy fuels an instinct to preach Jesus and prevents dry, law-centered sermons.
Assurance Calms Modern Anxiety
- Assurance of salvation reduces modern anxiety and is experienced via the Spirit's witness.
- Ortlund emphasizes preaching the Spirit's testimony (Romans 8:16) as pastoral care for anxious hearts.
