Reasonable Theology Podcast

What should we do when where we are is not where we expected or wanted to be?How do we react when God has placed us in a situation that is very different than what we’d planned or hoped? What are we supposed to do when God’s timing is different than our own?While these times can be discouraging, it is important that Christians to remember that no matter where God has brought us or how fast He brings us there, our task remains the same: to do the work of the Lord. Listen to this sermon on Romans 15:22-29 as we examine the example of the apostle Paul as one who worked hard while waiting on the Lord.Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

From managing conflict resolution in the workplace to navigating differences at home, many issues remain unaddressed and unresolved when you cannot speak clearly, candidly, and truthfully for fear of negative consequences. Being able to speak with candor - or forthright honesty - is essential for building and maintaining effective leadership and healthy relationships.On this episode we speak with Charles Causey about his new book Candor: The Secret to Succeeding at Tough Conversations.Listen in as we discuss how you can succeed in tough conversations through candor without being unloving or overbearing.On this episode we'll discuss: What candor is and why it's importantHow timing, character, and love factor into our candid conversationsFour keys for having tough conversations go wellHow to overcome enemies of candorOvercoming a fear of confrontationSee the Show Notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode39Get a free trial of Logos at ReasonableTheology.org/Logos Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

In 1871, Charles Spurgeon wrote to his wife, Susannah "My Own Dear one - None know how grateful I am to God for you. In all I have ever done for Him, you have a large share. For in making me so happy you have fitted me for service. Not an ounce of power has ever been lost to the good cause through you. I have served the Lord far more, and never less, for your sweet companionship. The Lord God Almighty bless you now and forever!" On this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ray Rhodes, Jr. returns to the podcast to talk about his new book, Yours, Till Heaven: The Untold Love Story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon. On this episode we'll discuss: How Charles and Susannah first metWhat their courtship looked like in Victorian EnglandHow Susannah adjusted to life with the famous preacherSusannah's contributions to Charles' ministryHow Charles ministered to Susannah in their homeThe lasting lessons we can take from their marriageSee the Show Notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode38Get a free trial of Logos at ReasonableTheology.org/Logos Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is one of the best-known and best-loved Christmas songs and has been for well over 260 years. But you might not recognize the original lyrics. It began with:Hark how all the welkin rings, Glory to the King of KingsWhat on earth is a welkin? And how did this hymn change over time?Here’s the story behind the original hymn, the change in its lyrics, and how it came to be the familiar song we know today.Merry Christmas, from ReasonableTheology.orgSupport the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

Although online discussions about the King James Bible's place in the 21st century can often become heated, there is an important conversation to be had about how language changes and the role of modern translations.In his book Authorized: The Use & Misuse of the King James Bible, author Mark Ward builds a case for the KJV translators' view that English Bible translations should be readable by what they called "the very vulgar"―and what we would call "the man on the street." Listen as Mark Ward discusses why we should make good use of modern Bible translations without losing an appreciation for the good old King James.This was a fun and refreshing conversation about an often controversial topic, and I hope that you'll enjoy it as well!On this episode we discuss:The benefits of continuing to use the King James BibleSeveral challenges of using only the King James BibleThe issues posed by dead words and "false friends" when reading the KJVWhy modern translations are valuable and helpfulWhy none of us should be "one-translation-only."Misconceptions about Bible translation that fuel unnecessary controversySuggestions for choosing which translation of Scripture is best for youSee the Show Notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode37Get a free trial of Logos at ReasonableTheology.org/Logos Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

Scripture calls us to give thanks in all circumstances. Unfortunately, it’s far easier to grumble when things are hard. In fact, our guest considers thanksgiving to be a lost spiritual discipline. While thanksgiving is found throughout the Bible, all of us could use some help in cultivating this attitude in our daily lives.Listen as we speak with recovering pessimist Dustin Crowe about how we can move from having a habit of grumbling to one of gratitude and thanksgiving – no matter our circumstances.On this episode we discuss:Why it’s easy for even Christians to fall into a habit of grumblingThe importance of thanksgiving in the BibleFour key elements of Biblical thanksgivingHow having a spirit of gratitude helps us walk through hard timesPractical steps we can take to become more thankful peopleSee the Show Notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode36Get a free trial of Logos at ReasonableTheology.org/Logos Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

On October 6 1536 William Tyndale was executed by being tied to a stake, strangled, and burned.His crime? Translating the Bible into the English language. Listen to the fascinating story of this Protestant Reformer, Bible translator, and martyr for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.For more information, visit ReasonableTheology.org/episode35.Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

The apostle Paul warned against the dangers of being led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ by those proclaiming another Jesus and another Gospel than that of Scripture. In many places, the New Testament tells believers to guard themselves against a false gospel.While there have been many forms of false gospels over the ages, one of the most prevalent today comes in the form of "progressive Christianity."What is progressive Christianity? In general, it is the view that Christianity itself is progressing and all historical truth claims are up for reinterpretation. The end result often has more in common with modern agnosticism than it does with historical Christianity. Listen as Alisa Childers shares how progressive Christianity led to a crisis of faith and how God rescued her from believing a false gospel.On this episode we discuss:What progressive Christianity is and why it is dangerousAlisa's story of being brought to a crisis of faithHow apologetics helped her to overcome her doubtsWhy progressive Christianity is alluring for believersHow our view of Scripture impacts how we respond to doubtSteps we can take to make us less susceptible to false gospelsSee the Show Notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode34Get a free trial of Logos at ReasonableTheology.org/Logos Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

Commands to not worry or to not be anxious appear several times in the New Testament, and many believers find it a struggle to quit worrying.This struggle is made more difficult when we fail to reflect on all that the Bible has to say about worry. Too often we try to fight worry by simply telling ourselves that worry is wrong. This isn’t likely to be helpful.Don’t misunderstand. Worry is wrong. If it were not, we would not be commanded to not worry. However, repeating this fact like a mantra is not the medicine that Scripture prescribes to cure anxiety.As recorded in Luke 12:22-31, Jesus reveals that we do not fight anxiety by telling ourselves that worry is wrong. We fight anxiety by reminding ourselves that God is good.Listen as we talk about the 5 reasons Jesus gives to have confidence in God’s goodness.For a transcript of this episode, visit: https://reasonabletheology.org/the-right-way-to-resist-worry/Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE

Jesus Christ's death on the cross provided for the forgiveness of our sins and our reconciliation with God. This reconciliation is known as atonement, and it is a central part of the Christian faith.Even so, how Christ's death on the cross accomplished this has been debated for centuries.  On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by William Lane Craig, world-renowned apologist and author to discuss his latest book Atonement and the Death of Christ.Dr. Craig walks us through the history of the debate around the atonement and provides us with a framework for thinking through this important doctrine biblically. On this episode we discuss:The meaning of the word atonementThe Biblical texts in the Old and New Testaments that teach about atonementA number of theories on how Christ's death reconciled us to GodWhich theories fit with Scripture and which ones don't hold upThe importance of penal substitutionary atonementWhat imputation is and why it is important for understanding how our sins are forgiven in ChristHow having a full, multi-faceted understanding of the atonement positively impacts the believerSee the Show Notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode33Get a free trial of Logos at ReasonableTheology.org/Logos Support the showGET THE NEWSLETTEREach edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS: A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library SUBSCRIBE HERE