The AC Podcast

It's a question asked by many who have either walked away from the Christian faith, or those who have never claimed it. There's no denying that much of what people desire in this life is to live comfortably, have fun and potentially leave a mark after they are gone. When someone claims to be happy, do they mean it? If so, by what scale do they determine as to when they are happy enough? On this episode Andy sits down with new AC Adjunct Speaker, Max Jeganathan of Thinking Faith Asia; as they challenge what people really mean when they say they are happy, and why that's still not enough.

Jesus Buddha? Jesus the Greek-speaking Jew? This week, Wes and Steve seek to put Jesus in his proper historical context. Did Jesus travel to Nepal in his teen years to receive Buddhist teachings, later to bring it back home? Did Jesus speak exclusively in Aramaic? And what do the answers to these questions have to say about God’s character? Find out on this week’s edition of the AC Podcast.

It’s well enough known that we live in a hyper-sexualized culture. Sex is taken casually and this has made its way into the church, too. “I’m shocked that so many young Christian men expect sex before marriage,” one listener complains. What’s going on here? Andy, Steve, and Troy sat down this week to kick off year 2022 by reflecting on dating, marriage, and sex.

From across the pond, AC adjunct speaker Andy Bannister (Director at Solas Centre for Public Christianity) joins us digitally from his home in Scotland. Andy and Andy, as they’re known, discuss Bannister’s new book, Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? Are Christianity and Islam the same? Join us for this week's episode of the AC podcast where Bannister brings his British accent and wit to this common question.  

This week the AC Podcast heads to the classroom for a Christmas Eve special. With Christmas commonly known for its traditions, one can't ignore the folklore and commercialism that comes with it. But what are the kids saying about it and how much do they know? Join Troy and new AC Adjunct Speaker Rachel Mackenzie, as they chat with her grade 3 class from Regent Christian Academy.

On this week's episode, Andy, Troy, Wes and Steve have a conversation about Christmas. The team looks at how their perspectives on this year may differ from the previous. Hope and Expectation are two common themes that come up. Given the times, there is something to be said about the foreshadowing of the promised son to Abraham, and the prophecy fulfilled by the birth of Jesus that calls us to remain hopeful and expectant. Tune into this week's episode as we discuss the true meaning for Christmas and how it pertains to us as believers throughout the year.

It finally happened. A new iteration of the Conversion Therapy Ban bill has now received Royal Assent and become law. This amends the Criminal Code of Canada to criminalize conversation therapy. Those who are charged and convicted can face up to 5 years of jail time. Steve sat down with André Schutten to discuss the implications of this new law.

Throughout history we have seen a consistent pattern of fear being used as a motivator. From warlords and politicians to the advertisement industry. Regardless of the narrative, a culture driven by fear is contrary to God's ultimate design for us. Through right relationship with him we are able to acknowledge boundaries and parameters that are necessary to our flourishing. This fear that we are called to have is one of reverence and adoration for the God of the universe. When he tells us not to fear, he means it. Join Andy, Troy and Wes as they discuss the current cultural climate that is perpetually projecting fear as a motivator.

Every year leading up to Christmas, protestants and catholics celebrate Advent. Historically it has been met with the lighting of candles with each representing a different theme. Hope, Joy, Peace, Love and Christ. However, few if any truly know of its origins. What's to say that it's not just another "pagan" holiday to be done away with? Join Andy, Troy and Wes as they talk about the history and origins of Advent and its significance in todays culture.

At Facebooks latest launch event, Co-Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Meta. According to their website "The metaverse is the next evolution of social connection." Their company’s vision is to "help bring the metaverse to life," so they are changing their name to reflect their "commitment to the future." This leads to the glaring question, what does that mean for real world implications and consequences of an alternate reality? As people who were designed for bodily community, how does the believer navigate the potential future of social interaction? For the first time, join the entire team of Andy, Steve, Troy and Wes as they discuss the METAverse.