It is often believed, by friends and critics alike, that the Reformed tradition, though perhaps good on formal doctrine, is impoverished when it comes to spiritual formation. The charge is that the Reformed approach to piety is all about head knowledge, about learning things as brains on sticks. Other Christians may be less critical but simply assume that there is no right or wrong way to do spiritual formation. This often leads evangelical to adopt an eclectic approach to personal growth in Christ. Many Christians in conservative Protestant churches end up adopting Catholic and Orthodox approaches as being more fulsome and effective. But what if there is a Reformed approach to spiritual formation that is rich, deep, historic, and more biblical than the alternatives? That’s what Kevin explores with Matthew Bingham (associate professor of church history at Phoenix Seminary) as they dig into Matthew’s fantastic new book A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation (Crossway).Chapters:0:00 Sponsors & Intro3:27 Tell Us About Yourself8:16 Spiritual Formation14:18 A Heart Aflame for God21:15 A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation26:53 Sponsor Break29:44 Biblical Centrality40:40 The Reformed Triangle of Spiritual Formation47:24 Quick Takes1:06:41 Final Thoughts1:12:14 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:ESV New Testament, Share the Good News® EditionDesiring God | Holy WeekGPTS | A Sacred CallingWTS | MA in Theological StudiesHeart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation

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

Justin Taylor, a regular theological contributor, teams up with Collin Hansen, known for his engaging dialogue, in a lively discussion. They start with a light-hearted take on football and its cultural connection to Christianity. The conversation flows into New Year’s resolutions and the challenges of productivity that both confess to avoiding. They share cherished insights from their marriages, reflecting on love, commitment, and the journey from college to parenthood, all peppered with humor and heartfelt anecdotes.

How can you shine as a Christian in the world of professional sports—when sometimes your dreams come true and often they don’t? What does it take to be an elite athlete (and why is it a great profession for sleep enthusiasts)? You’ll want to listen to this special episode of LBE as Kevin asks Andre, a former NFL player, and Sydney—an Olympic champion, world champion, and world record holder—about the pressure of being the best and the freedom of being in Christ. And don’t miss the bonus questions from a couple DeYoung children.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors & Intro 3:38 What did it feel like? 7:11 A Question From a Fan 8:49 Olympic Relationships 11:05 Life as a Professional Athlete 16:31 How Did You Two Meet? 20:40 Another Fan Question 22:06 Life and Testimony 32:29 Fifty Seconds 35:57 The Lifestyle of an Elite Athlete 40:08 Sponsor Break 41:55 Fame and Faith 47:45 Nature vs. Nurture 58:46 What’s Coming Up? 1:01:10 Book Recommendations 1:03:26 A Message to Christian Women 1:05:51 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:ESV Daily Reading Bible: A Guided Journey Through God's WordSerious Joy ConferenceThe Pastor: His Call, Character, and WorkWTS | Master of Arts in Theological StudiesWhat Is the Gospel?What Is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission

We’ve all been waiting, and it’s finally here: the annual Christmas LBE. Listen in as the three amigos talk about Christmas movies, favorite books, which LBE member is the most like Jerry Seinfeld, and, of course, the airing of many grievances.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors & Intro5:50 The Vibe Shift20:10 Let’s Talk About Christmas30:02 Sponsor Break31:20 The Airing of Grievances49:27 Books & Everything55:22 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:How to Memorize Scripture for Life: From One Verse to Entire BooksDesiring God | Great JoyPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language CertificateThe Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental IllnessDaily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic TheologyChristopher Ash on the PsalmsThe Beechers: America's Most Influential FamilySwing Low, volume 1: A History of Black Christianity in the United StatesLetters of John CalvinDigital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online AgeTill We Have Faces: A Myth RetoldPastoral Theology

Mission is one of those words that Christians use all the time. So are words like “missions” and missionaries.” But what do they mean? Is “mission” even the best word to use to describe what Christians should be doing in the world? In today’s episode, Kevin talks with fellow Michigander, Brian DeVries, about his new book You Will Be My Witnesses. Brian has led church planting teams in South Africa and currently serves as a pastor and a seminary president in South Africa. He’s written an insightful and helpful book calling church and Christians to be witnesses for Christ in speaking, in living, in defending the faith, in working for church growth, and in suffering well.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors1:51 Introductions11:29 The Book and the Mission of the Church25:19 The Concept of Witness32:15 Five Witness Themes39:17 Sponsor Break41:00 On Evangelizing52:35 The Church As Hospital, Temple, Embassy, School, and Fortress58:07 Stop DoingThis, Start Doing ThatBooks & Everything:In the Lord I Take Refuge: 150 Daily Devotions Through the PsalmsDesiring God | Great JoyPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language CertificateYou Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission