King & Culture

Luke, Seth, and guest Brad Edwards discuss The Reason for Church, Brad's new book, and various reasons why it's harder than ever to convince people that the local church is a good thing, sometimes even harder to convince them that Jesus is God or that he's risen from the dead. Why does local church matter? Why does belonging to the body of Christ matter? How does digital technology make local church seem more optional than ever before? How does the decline of institutions shape how people relate to the church? The Reason For Church

Seth and Luke explore the dual nature of comparison, discussing how it can both inspire and instigate feelings of inadequacy. They highlight the emotional toll of comparison in sports and the destructive nature of envy while encouraging listeners to celebrate others' successes. Examining social media's impact, they address its role in promoting unattainable ideals among teens. Through personal anecdotes, they advocate for gratitude and self-acceptance as vital tools in overcoming jealousy and fostering joy.

Luke and Seth discuss the wisdom literature and how to apply it to various seasons of life. Wisdom, or skill, is seasonal and contextual. How do we apply the Song of Songs? What dangers are there if we apply the book of Ecclesiastes too quickly? Can we run before we walk when it comes to wisdom?

Luke, Seth, and guest Kyle Worley discuss the doctrine of our Union with Christ. Kyle's new book focuses on how you and I are invited to live at home with God in Christ Jesus. Union with Christ is one of the most unbelievable and overlooked realities of Christian salvation.Home With God

Seth and Luke discuss the Roman Catholic Church, looking at places where there is agreement and disagreement with Evangelical Protestantism. Issues like Scripture, tradition, Mary, sacraments, eucharist, the Pope, and justification all factor into how we make sense of the points of overlap and departure. Referenced books: Was the Reformation A Mistake, What It Means to Be Protestant

Seth and Luke dive into a listener Q&A covering crucial topics like church leadership and accountability. They explore the roles of women in teaching, the significance of singles finding purpose, and the complexities of inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals. The conversation also addresses the immediate fate of souls after death and the role of prophecy in the modern church. They stress the importance of community support in navigating personal growth and family dynamics, offering insights for a welcoming and spiritually engaged environment.

Luke, Seth, and guest Patrick Miller dicuss different ways Christians can respond to being outsiders and exiles in the midst of our complex cultural realities. Patrick gives us six practical ways that Christians can seek the welfare of the dark world into which we've been sent all while maintaining a joyful rather than fussy disposition. https://joyfuloutsiders.com

Seth and Luke take a few minutes to reflect on the origins of the podcast as they reflect on 100 episodes. Then they talk through Ironwood Church's conviction about "Christ & Culture," which forms much of the approach to the King & Culture podcast. Read the conviction statement here: https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/doctrineFinally, they discuss the future of the podcast, how they approach interviews, and invite feedback for possible topics and ideas.

The hosts dive into the upcoming sermon series on the Book of Hebrews, discussing the challenges of expository preaching. They ponder the mysterious authorship of Hebrews, weighing theories about candidates like Apollos and Paul. Themes of perseverance in faith and the complexities of salvation are explored, alongside the relevance of deconstruction in contemporary belief. The conversation also highlights the importance of community and provides resources for deeper understanding, setting the stage for an extensive 28-week study.

Luke, Seth, and guest Trevin Wax discuss various strategies and approaches to connecting with God in a meaningful and reugular way in prayer. They explore the merits of strcuture and routine while considering the issues tha arise if we simply view time with God as self-improvement project or a life-hack. Gospel Coalition: Trevin Wax30 Days Series books