Life and Books and Everything

The triumvirate comes back together to wrap up another season of LBE. Along with the obligatory sports chatter, the three guys talk at length about the first Midwest Pope (and why they are not Catholics) and about life in middle age (and why they are not too depressed). There are, of course, many book recommendations as well.CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors1:47 Greeting & Salutations4:10 The Midwestern Scale Of How Are You Doing?5:10 The First Midwestern Pope14:05 Deep Dive Into New Pope Expectations18:20 Why Don’t We Believe In A Pope?28:35 From The Midwest To Midlife32:44 Get A Tattoo And Buy A Motorcycle?35:07 Sponsor Break36:55 More On Midlife & Life As A Parent40:56 Have We Changed In Significant Ways?52:31 Collin’s Reading List57:50 Kevin’s Reading List01:03:01 Justin’s Reading List01:06:59 Summer Sports Report01:08:38 Thank You & Goodbye

Tom Pennington, a pastor and author from Countryside Bible Church, shares his insights on the biblical view of abortion. He discusses the significance of life in the womb and addresses when personhood begins. The conversation tackles contemporary slogans like 'My body, my choice,' offering persuasive counterarguments rooted in scripture. Tom emphasizes the church's historical stance and the need for believers to engage compassionately, especially in complex situations involving rape or incest, all while maintaining a pro-life perspective.

Kevin welcomes his good friend—neighbor, church colleague, and seminary colleague (soon to be boss!)—Blair Smith to the podcast. As a systematic theology professor, Blair’s expertise is on Trinitarian theology, in particular in the crucial fourth and fifth centuries. Listen in as Kevn and Blair look at the theology and the history behind the Council of Nicaea (325) and the Council of Constantinople (381). Yes, there are a lot of names and concepts flying around in the podcast studio with this one, but for good reason. What could be more important than the doctrine of the Trinity, than knowing who God is?CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors & Intro2:11 Who Is Blair Smith?9:34 Four Degrees & Education Background12:20 Conversation Outline & Begin Nicene Discussion19:38 What Should We Know About The Fatherhood Of God?25:25 Nicene Origins & The Need For Clarity28:40 Sponsor Break30:54 How Does This Help Us Understand The Eternal Son?37:15 Trinity Debates & Subordination Controversy46:59 What Led To The Revision Of The Nicene Creed?54:53 Common Ground & Finding The Right Language57:07 How Does Augustine Fit Into Nicene Orthodoxy?1:01:38 Books From Blair To Consider1:03:42 Why Should We Care About The Doctrine Of The Trinity?BOOKS & EVERYTHINGThe Nicene CreedReformed ConfessionalismOne God Almighty: The Biblical Doctrine of the Triune GodOur Father in Heaven: Rediscovering and Embracing the Fatherhood of GodCROSSWAY | The Nicene CreedDESIRING GOD | What’s The Difference?GREENVILLE SEMINARY | Pastoral TheologyWESTMINSTER SEMINARY | Biblical Languages

First published in 1877, Thomas Murphy’s Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office is one of the absolute best books of its kind. Murphy’s treatise is inspiring, challenging, comprehensive, opinionated, practical, and spiritual in the deepest sense of the word. Listen as Kevin and Jonathan Master, president at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, talk about Thomas Murphy (pastor for 46 years of Frankford Presbyterian Church outside of Philadelphia) and this neglected resource, just recently republished by Log College Press.CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors & Intro2:37 Who Is Jonathan Master?5:48 Let’s Dive Into Pastoral Theology9:23 Kevin Outlines Thomas Murphy Book10:58 Why Does Jonathan Love The Book?13:30 Kevin & Jonathan Explore Exemplary Piety17:18 Sponsor Break / Link For Book19:22 Vital Role For Women In The Church23:00 The Work Of God In The Church & Community24:18 How To Profit My Congregation As A Preacher27:41 Pastoral Care & Troublemakers In The Church31:10 Preach, Pray, People AND Patience32:31 What Else Is Jonathan Working On?33:53 Kevin’s Book Republishing Thoughts35:44 Until Next Time…BOOKS & EVERYTHINGPastoral Theology by Thomas MurphyCrossway | The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and HostDesiring God | What's the DifferenceGPTS | Pastoral TheologyWTS | MATS

In this conversation, Matthew Bingham, an Associate Professor of Church History at Phoenix Seminary and author of "A Heart Aflame for God," argues that the Reformed tradition offers a rich approach to spiritual formation often overlooked for its cerebral reputation. He critiques the prevailing notion that emotional or experiential aspects of faith are superior and advocates for a biblically grounded practice. They explore essential spiritual disciplines, the significance of Scripture, and the need for a balanced model that includes both intellectual and experiential dimensions of discipleship.

Recently, Peter Williams, Principal at Tyndale House in Cambridge, preached at Christ Covenant Church for its missions week. At the end of the evening service, Kevin sat down with Peter and fellow Cambridge-alum Will Ross, who teaches Old Testament at RTS Charlotte, for a discussion about the importance of Tyndale House and its mission to foster faithful, biblical scholarship for the church. The group also talked about apologetics, the Septuagint, being confident in the word of God, and not being so smart that you believe stupid things.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors2:32 The Surprising Genius of Jesus6:27 On Tyndale House14:42 Christianity in the Cultures17:42 Sponsor Break19:45 On the Old Testament29:15 On Confidence in God’s Word31:55 On Biblical Scholarship37:24 Until Next Time…Books & EverythingUnderstanding God's Word: An Introduction to Interpreting the BibleThe Supremacy of God in PreachingGPTS | A Sacred CallingWTS | Biblical Language CertificatesThe Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher

In this wide-ranging interview, recorded live at Christ Covenant Church in conjunction with the Coram Deo Pastors Workshop, Kevin asks John about everything from preaching style, to the influence of his parents, to growing up in the South, to his strengths and weaknesses as a pastor. You’ll hear lots of stories, pastoral wisdom, and personal transparency. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors1:42 Introduction2:35 The Privilege of Preaching29:53 Humility in Pastoral Ministry41:38 On Marriage46:31 Sponsor Break48:13 Pastoral Communication53:30 Did You Ever Think of Leaving Ministry?54:58 Parental Influence1:01:23 Additional Thoughts1:13:53 John Piper’s LegacyBooks & Everything:Ask Pastor JohnThe Supremacy of God in PreachingGPTS | MidweekerMaster of Arts in Theological Studies

Before the Bushes or Clintons, before the Kennedy or Kardashians, there were the Beechers—a sprawling family of preachers, suffragists, abolitionists, and moral crusaders that defined (and exemplified) America as much as any single family in the nineteenth century. Join Kevin as he interviews Obbie Tyler Todd, a pastor and professor, about his new biography of the Beechers (LSU Press). From patriarch, Lyman Beecher, to the famous novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, to the most famous pastor of his age, Henry Ward Beecher, this episode explores the crazy and controversial life of Lyman Beecher, his three wives (not at the same time), and their thirteen children.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors2:00 Introductions5:37 The Beecher Family and Moral Influence10:45 Three Themes of the Beecher Family21:36 Beecherism and Controversy28:07 The Fate of the Nation and Presbyterianism36:49 Other Beeches50:38 Harriet Beecher Stowe54:43 Henry Ward Beecher1:09:11 The Beecher LegacyBooks & Everything:Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily WorshipThe Supremacy of God in PreachingGPTS MidweekerMaster of Arts in Theological StudiesThe Beechers: America's Most Influential Family

Listen to a special episode of Life and Books and Everything promoting Crossway's new Podcast, Doctrine Matters.

Kevin welcomes to the podcast Brandon Crowe, a native Alabamian, an SEC fan, a Teaching Elder in the PCA, and a professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Believe it or not, there is only question about football, and it comes at the very end. The rest of the time is spent trying to explain things like the hypostatic union, the communication of properties, Christ’s descent into hell, and how the Son of God could be ignorant of the time of his return. Lots of good theological exploration as Kevin talks to Brandon about his book The Lord Jesus Christ (Lexham Academic).Chapters:0:00 Sponsors & Intro5:49 The Person and Work of Christ12:53 The Descent Question26:12 The Transformation Question38:40 Sponsor Break40:36 Some Definitions44:19 4 Major Heresies49:18 “An” vs. “In”53:45 Christ’s Offices1:00:16 Concluding Theses1:04:31 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible: Theology Rooted in the Word of GodSerious Joy ConferenceThe Pastor: His Call, Character, and WorkWTS | Master of Arts in Theological StudiesThe Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ