Reasonable Theology Podcast

When was the book of Acts written, and what difference does it make?Understanding when the book of Acts was written allows us to determine when many other New Testament books were composed.Unfortunately, Biblical writings do not contain a copyright date, like a modern book do and so there is a wide range of opinion on when Acts was written.Even so, we can be confident that it was composed in the early to mid-60s. Here are a few ways that scholars are able to reach that conclusion.For more information: https://reasonabletheology.org/dating-book-acts/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

"Blessed are the poor in spirt…blessed are those who mourn…blessed are the meek..."Christ’s beatitudes in Matthew 5 present a means of obtaining joy and blessedness in this life that is drastically different than what our culture presents as the pathway to success and fulfillment.Yet in the beatitudes we will find great wisdom and practical answers for how Christians are to live in this world and how we are best able to cultivate God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.”On this episode I speak with Pastor Chris Castaldo about his latest book, The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes. We discuss how these counter-intuitive principles from Jesus truly are the best way to navigate our fallen world, how some believers misunderstand and wrongly reject calls to be meek peacemakers in our contentious culture, what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and how the beatitudes can help us to live well in a world increasingly hostile to the things of God.You’ll find the show notes for this episode at ReasonableTheology.org/Kingdom where you can find more resources to dive deeper into this topic. ____________________________________________________Get 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 this conversation with Alisa Childers we talk about how Christians must not give into the world's demands that we abandoned our views in the name of tolerance.We dive deep into the dangerous bargains the world is making with Christians, demanding that we affirm and celebrate anything and everything, while labeling us as bigots and hateful for holding true to our beliefs. Discover the deceptions that are subtly luring Christians away from Christ and His teachings. As Christians, we must reject the fool's bargain being offered by the world and instead stand firm in our beliefs.Watch the full interview with Alisa about her book 'Live Your Truth (And Other Lies)' here:  https://youtu.be/lm_ymoCGQjUPick up a copy of "Live Your Truth (And Other Lies):  https://amzn.to/3dusNN9Support 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

Discover the vital responsibilities that come with church membership! From regularly attending worship to preserving unity, you'll learn about the importance of corporate prayer and building deep community relationships. The discussion emphasizes generous giving and serving using your spiritual gifts. Moreover, the podcast highlights the call to pursue Christlike holiness and the need for humble support of church leadership. Reflect on how you can contribute and grow within your local church community!

Did the United States truly have a Christian founding, or were the Founders simply Deists who desired to create a secular nation?This question has been hotly debated for generations, and our society increasingly regards the idea of America's Christian heritage as something to be minimized, rejected, or denied.So what is the truth regarding the faith of the Founders and how it influenced their actions as they fought a revolution and brought forth a new nation?To answer this question we're speaking with historian Mark David Hall. Hall is one of the most distinguished scholars of early American history. He is a professor, a nationally-recognized expert on religious freedom, and the author of several books, including Did America Have a Christian Founding? In this conversation we'll discuss how Christianity shaped our nation, how much impact deism actually had on some of the founders, the true meaning of the separation of church and state, and how we can return to the biblical founding principles that made America a great nation.See the Show Notes at ReasonableTheology.org/FoundersGet 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

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – commonly referred to as the ‘unpardonable’ or ‘unforgiveable’ sin – has been the cause of a lot of debate, confusion, and anxiety for many.The primary issue is this: If in Christ we are able to find forgiveness for all our sins, how is it that there is one sin which will never be forgiven – either in this age or in the age to come, as Jesus states in Matthew 12?Moreover, with such grave eternal consequences, even some believers are filled with concern that perhaps they have, at some point committed this sin and will not be saved after all.Attempts to explain what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is vary greatly, and many fail to take in to account the context of the passage where it is mentioned.While some say that this sin can no longer be committed now that Jesus is no longer in His earthly ministry, others say that it refers to especially terrible sins like murder, and still others say that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is merely referring to the sin of unbelief – that only those who refuse to embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior have committed it.In this sermon on Matthew 12:22-32 I endeavor to examine the context of Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit in order to rightly understand what it is, who can commit it, and why the consequences are so dire.In addition to staying grounded in the text, I also seek to understand this verse within the wider context of what God has revealed about our salvation – namely that it is a work of God’s Spirit whereby he convinces us of our sin, enlightens our mind with the knowledge of Christ, and draws us to embrace Jesus Christ through His effectual calling. Those whom the Spirit draws will, ultimately, be saved. The will of God is not overridden by the will of sinful man.And so I hope that the following sermon will be helpful to you as we consider the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit within the context of Matthew 12:22-32. __________________For the full text of this sermon: https://reasonabletheology.org/what-is-the-unforgiveable-sin/___________________Get 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

Were the Protestant Reformers theological innovators, or were they calling the church to return to it’s foundational beliefs and practices?On this episode I talk with Dr. Matthew Barrett about his new book The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.In this discussion we’ll talk about how the reformation and the men who lead it have often been misunderstood and even misrepresented.Because rather than attempting to do something new and innovative, they were in fact focused on retrieving the historical Christian faith and correcting errors that had seeped into the church over the ages.Here’s some of what we cover in this conversation:A helpful overview about how the Reformers benefited from and made use of the Church FathersWhy understanding the Middle Ages is critical for understanding the ReformationOur need to embrace the rich history and tradition of the church that goes back much further than the 1500sYou can find the show notes for this episode at at https://ReasonableTheology.org/Renewal where I will provide additional resources for diving deeper into this topic.______________________________Pick up a copy of the book The Reformation as Renewal: https://amzn.to/3p6EiQz60 Days of FREE Audiobooks, Ebooks, and more with Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/g/7pbhm1View all of the books by guests of the Reasonable Theology podcast in one place: https://amzn.to/441gkou_______________________________Get 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 this episode, we will explore the life and legacy of a somewhat lesser known yet no less impactful figure in the history of Puritan theology - Stephen Charnock. Known best for his classic work, "Discourses Upon the Existence and Attributes of God," Charnock's ministry continues to impact believers.We'll take a look at his journey from his conversion at Emmanuel College in Cambridge to becoming a renowned Puritan theologian and Presbyterian pastor, whose ministry was marked by devotion, passion, and skillful preaching.This episode will also discuss the unique historical context that shaped Charnock’s ministry, from his time in Ireland as Henry Cromwell’s chaplain, to his return to England, and subsequent expulsion from the church due to the Act of Uniformity. Discover how he practiced his ministry privately for fifteen years until he could again openly serve as a pastor.We will then delve into his most well-known work, "The Existence and Attributes of God," which was written in the last three years of his life. We will cover the 14 discourses contained within this masterwork, providing you with insights into the broad range of topics it covers - from God's existence to His infinite wisdom and power, and His benevolence in relation to His creation.By the end of this discussion, I hope you'll appreciate the depth of Charnock's contribution to theology and be inspired to take up and read this classic text. Whether you're a pastor, a theologian, or an everyday believer, "The Existence and Attributes of God" offers a valuable opportunity for deepening your understanding and love for God.So, join me as we uncover the captivating life and works of Stephen Charnock, and let's together appreciate this historical gem of theological literature! Don't forget to pick up your copy of "The Existence and Attributes of God" and join the exploration.Purchase a Copy Here: https://amzn.to/43tJMDM___________________________________________________________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 the night of June 6, 1944, President Roosevelt went on national radio to address the nation for the first time about the the invasion of Normandy, known now as D-Day. His speech took the form of a prayer. This is the original audio of FDR's prayer to a nation at war, as he sought God's blessing and protection on "Our sons, pride of our Nation" who had on that day "set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity." Roosevelt asked God to "Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith...."Here is the audio of FDR's address in full. _________________________________________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

Raising the spiritually dead to newness of life is the work of the Holy Spirit, yet God is pleased to use the faithful obedience of parents as a means of drawing their children to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.In this exchange with Sean McDowell, we discuss how Christian parents can be more proactive in passing on the faith to their kids. Watch the full interview with Sean here: https://youtu.be/b1N0d8pyRpwSee the Show Notes, Read the Transcript, and Watch the Video at https://ReasonableTheology.org/SeanSupport 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