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

It is hard to exaggerate the influence of Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) in conservative Reformed circles over the past hundred years. And yet, there continues to be much discussion about what Van Til believed and how he meant for his apologetic ideas to be put into practice. Kevin welcomes Keith Mathison, from Reformation Bible College, to discuss his new book Toward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til (Mentor). Also joining Kevin is James Anderson, a leading Van Tilian philosopher and a fellow RTS Charlotte colleague. In this stimulating conversation, Kevin talks to Keith and James about what Van Til got right, where he made some mistakes, and whether Van Tilians and non-Van Tilians are all that different when it comes to defending the faith in practice.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors & Intro4:50 Who was Van Til?15:26 Van Til’s Theology25:38 The Absolute Antithesis40:00 Van Til’s Chief Epistemological Insight53:03 Sponsor Break54:41 The Question of Either/Or59:33 Van Til’s view of the Trinity1:18:06 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:ESV Teen Study BibleDesiring God | Great JoyCoram Deo Pastors WorkshopPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language CertificateToward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til

Recently, Steve Nichols spoke at the Faithful Conference, an annual conference for Christ Covenant Church. After giving a lecture on R.C. Sproul, Steve sat down with Kevin to talk about his own life and what he learned writing the biography of Sproul. Listen in as Kevin asks Steve about Sproul’s influences, his strengths and weaknesses, his friendships, and what made him such a uniquely gifted and inspiring teacher.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors & Intro3:30 On Being From Pittsburgh5:56 Tell Us About Your Family7:27 From Pennsylvania to Florida15:00 The Life and Ministry of R.C.26:20 Sponsor Break27:37 The Human Side of R.C.33:53 What Would He Have Said?44:14 Preaching InfluencesBooks & Everything:The Biggest Story Family DevotionalDesiring God | The Great EightCoram Deo Pastors WorkshopPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate

Most Christians in conservative churches are familiar with Paul Tripp’s books. He’s one of the most popular authors in the church today, with a knack for applying the gospel to all of life. His devotional New Morning Mercies has been a consistent bestseller. Now Tripp has a new devotional, Everyday Gospel, that serves as a gospel commentary on the text of Scripture itself. Listen in as Kevin asks Paul about his writing process, his favorite books, and why he does what he does. Along the way, you’ll hear a few dramatic stories from Paul’s life and get his gospel encouragement for pastors and their congregations.Chapters:0:00 Sponsors1:53 Welcome, Paul4:34 On Mustaches and Painting11:55 Everyday Gospel41:30 Sponsor Break43:10 Life & Ministry1:07:02 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:Everyday Gospel: A Daily Devotional Connecting Scripture to All of LifeDaily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic TheologyDesiring God | The Great EightPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate

A few months ago, a prominent American scholar, Matthew Avery Sutton, published an article arguing there is no “through line” from Christians of the past to today’s post-WWII evangelicals. In order to assess this argument, Kevin invited two scholars of the evangelical movement to join him: Andrew Atherstone from Oxford in England and David Ceri Jones from the University of Aberystwyth in Wales. Together, they explore where the term evangelical comes from, whether the thing we call “evangelicalism” is a recent invention, why people call themselves “evangelical,” the difference between Stott and Lloyd-Jones, the difference between evangelicalism in America, in England, and in Wales, and whether the word “evangelical” is worth retaining. Plus, you’ll hear Kevin’s fantastic idea for Andrew to adopt the slogan “Make Oxford Great Again.”Chapters:0:00 intro & Sponsors4:00 Evangelical Identity17:45 The Through-line to Evangelicalism26:42 Evangelicalism Abroad53:15 The Balancing Act1:01:43 What is an Evangelical?1:03:27 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to EpiphanyHere We StandPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language CertificateRedefining the History and Historiography on American Evangelicalism in the Era of the Religious RightMaking Evangelical History

In his new book To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse, Carl Trueman argues that “Critical theory [sees] any notion of human nature as merely an ideological or social construct, a function of discourses of power.” Even though critical theory makes for dense reading, and is probably very little read by people in the pew, the ideas and assumptions of critical theory have shaped our world in undeniable ways. Listen in as Kevin and Carl talk about what critical theory is, where it came from, and how the church can provide a better, truer, and more beautiful alternative.Chapters:0:00 Intro & Sponsors4:48 What Kind of Historian Are You?9:03 Why Talk About These Things?24:23 The Critical Question46:04 Sponsor Break47:46 How Do These Ideas Shape Christians?1:02:43 Closing Questions1:13:18 Until Next Time….Books & Everything:ESV Men's Study BibleHere We StandPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language CertificateTo Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to MarcuseFrom Frankfurt to Fox: The Strange Career of Critical Theory

Chad Van Dixhoorn, the world’s expert on the Westminster Assembly, dives into fascinating discussions about church history and theology. He explores the life of John Arrowsmith, revealing his influence on spiritual warfare and church leadership. The importance of pastoral hospitality takes center stage, highlighting how it fosters integrity and community. Chad also touches on the evolving dynamics of church and state, reflecting on the unique challenges of establishing a reformed church in America. It's a nerdy yet insightful chat sprinkled with personal stories and bits of humor!

Listen as the two friends talk about the Land of Lincoln, about influential books and authors in their lives, and how the importance of friendship. You’ll get to learn more about Jason’s background, more about why he loves the PCA, and you’ll get to hear his great laugh.Chapters:0:00 Intro & Sponsors7:41 Hip-hop-Helopoulos10:32 Administration and Leadership in Pastoral Ministry26:16 More About Jason40:10 On the PCA45:38 Band of Brothers54:18 Sponsor Break56:08 Lessons From Ministry1:05:22 Books1:11:47 Personal Updates1:15:41 Who is Laughing at Who?1:19:41 How Many Wins for Da Bears?1:20:32 Until Next Time…Books & Everything:Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important QuestionsCrossway PlusPuritan Treasures for TodayWestminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language CertificatePersistent Prayer (Blessings of the Faith)Covenantal Baptism (Blessings of the Faith)Expository Preaching (Blessings of the Faith)Reformed Worship (Blessings of the Faith)Reformed Theology (Blessings of the Faith)Church Membership (Blessings of the Faith)The New Pastor's Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of MinistryThe Preacher's Portrait: Five new Testament Word StudiesThe Shepherd Leader at Home: Knowing, Leading, Protecting, and Providing for Your FamilyAn Able and Faithful Ministry: Samuel Miller and the Pastoral Office

After a summer hiatus, the fellas are back together to kick off a new season of LBE. If you always look forward to the sports banter with these three, then you will LOVE this episode. You get a deep dive on the Olympics, including what makes them so joyful, what other countries besides America to root for, and whether other countries use Americans to announce their sports. After four years-worth of Olympics-related chatter, the three amigos turn their attention to more familiar fare: an enjoyable book they read over the summer and how to become better writers.Books & Everything:Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important QuestionsCrossway PlusThe Heart of Jesus: How He Really Feels about You1861: The Civil War AwakeningTheo of GoldenStorycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative NonfictionThe Writing ToolsThe Writer’s Diet

Kevin is joined once again by his friends—and by now, only somewhat special guests—Justin and Collin. Listen in as the three amigos talk about books, summer plans, and what they are grateful for. Once again, you’ll find that the guys hit that sweet spot that combines ephemeral chatter and over-long monologues.Books & Everything:Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important QuestionsESV Teen Study BibleShaman and Sage: The Roots of “Spiritual but Not Religious” in AntiquityVietnam: An Epic Tragedy, 1945-1975Churchill: Walking with DestinyThe Last of His Kind: Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of GreatnessPriests of History: Stewarding the Past in an Ahistoric AgeChristendom: The Triumph of a Religion, AD 300-1300They Flew: A History of the ImpossibleThe Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil WarThe American Revolution: A HistoryThe Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents, 1773-1783Final Pagan Generation: Rome's Unexpected Path to ChristianitySelect Letters of John NewtonThe Joy of PreachingExpository Reflections on the GospelsThe Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James CookThe Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect UnionAfter Disbelief: On Disenchantment, Disappointment, Eternity, and JoyA Brief History of Thought: A Philosophical Guide to Living (Learning to Live)